BENTA


Berkshire Ear, Nose, Throat and Audiological Associates, P.C. 510 North Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201 Phone: ( 413) 448 8291 Fax: ( 413) 447 9040

Facial Plastic

What Is Facial Plastic Surgery
Facial plastic surgery is a method used to reconstruct and repair physical deformities that are present at birth or caused by burns, injuries, disease, or aging. It is a means of restoring and improving both function and appearance.
Tissue repositioning is the essence of plastic surgical technique. Tissue can be removed or transferred either locally or from a remote part of the body to another location where it may substitute for deranged, deformed, or lost tissue.
The word plastic is derived from the Greek word plastikos, which means "to mold". It does not refer to the use of plastic materials, although implants are sometimes used in plastic surgery. The facial plastic surgeon uses a variety of techniques to remove or reposition tissue, including surgical incision, excision, electrosurgery, and dermabrasion.

Is Facial Plastic Surgery For You?
The way we look can have a big effect on the way we feel. We all want to look our best. But sometimes, for some of us, there’s something that is not quite right. Maybe it’s a nose that’s too big. Or a chin that is too small. It might be drooping eyelids, a sagging neck, or premature baldness that makes us look older than we feel. It might be unsightly birthmarks or scars that undermine self-confidence.
Surgical treatment of these problems has been sought by growing numbers of people, not just the rich and the famous. The reason: modern techniques have made these procedures safe, effective, and affordable.
Before you make a decision regarding facial plastic surgery, you will want to learn as much as possible about the procedures that interest you. You also need to explore your own attitudes and expectations about facial plastic surgery, and select a facial plastic surgeon whose qualifications you trust and with whom you feel a comfortable rapport. Finally, you should understand the costs and risks involved.
This section will give you basic information on these surgeries. It is important that you have realistic expectations regarding facial plastic surgery. Surgery can improve your appearance or correct a physical dysfunction, but it will not solve personal problems or give you an entirely new face. Anyone searching for a miraculous transformation into an absolutely perfect or totally different person has expectations that exceed the reach of facial plastic surgery.
The goal of surgery is simply to restore function, or to enhance appearance and improve facial harmony. Facial features can be refined but not totally changed. Surgical procedures also affect individuals in different ways. Having facial plastic surgery is not like going to the health club or beauty parlor. You must expect temporary swelling, discoloration, and other minor discomforts, and you must realize that surgery is not an exact, predictable science. The level of improvement may not live up to your expectations in every way. The degree of success depends not only on the surgeons skills, but also on your age, health, skin texture, bone structure, and specific needs.

Who Performs Facial Plastic Surgery
Surgeons from many specialties developed plastic surgery procedures. These include otolaryngology-head and neck surgeons, general plastic surgeons, dermatologists, oral and maxillo -facial surgeons and ophtamologists. Consequently, several specialties are qualified to perform plastic surgery.
Facial plastic surgeons specialize in performing cosmetic and reconstructive surgery on the face, head, and neck region. As a group, facial plastic surgeons who are board certified in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, do a major share of all facial plastic surgery performed in the United States. Because of their specialized training and in-depth knowledge about the face, head, and neck, these surgeons possess unique qualifications to prepare patients with special insight and expertise into the conditions they treat.

Risks
Any surgical procedure involves some risk, such as bleeding, infection, or reaction to anesthesia. Your facial plastic surgeon will discuss these thoroughly with you. You should know, though, that thousands of facial plastic procedures are performed safely and successfully each year.

Costs
Fees for facial plastic surgery vary widely. The actual cost will depend on a number of factors, including:

1. The extent and complexity of the surgery.

2. The skill and experience of the surgeon.

3. Where the surgery is performed.

4. The type of anesthesia used.

5. Whether a hospital stay is involved.

Your facial plastic surgeon and his staff will discuss costs before the operation. Fees for cosmetic surgery generally are expedited in advance of the surgery because this type of surgery usually is not covered by insurance. It assures you that the fee for the operation and normal postoperative care is paid in full and that there are no unexpected additional charges.
Surgery to correct a functional impairment and some types of reconstructive surgery may be covered, in part or in full, by some insurance companies. The best way to find out if a claim will be considered is to consult an insurance company representative in advance of the operation. Medical expenses related to surgery that insurance does not cover may be taken as an itemized income tax deduction, subject to the limitations of the tax laws.

The Most Common Procedures
The most common facial plastic surgery procedures fall into three overlapping groups: surgery for the aging face; surgery that refines facial features; and surgery that treats skin imperfections. Often two or more procedures can be performed at the same time. Occasionally, a second procedure may be perfumed several weeks following the first to fine tune the results. Some procedures require follow-up surgery a year later for best results.

Not every facial plastic surgeon performs every procedure
Even within the specialty there are sub specialties, created as surgeons have improved patient care by focusing their practices on smaller and smaller areas of the complex head and neck region. Also, facial plastic surgery research is continually developing procedures and techniques that will enter general practice.

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