Cosmetic Surgery Blog

I am all about non-invasive measures to counter aging and improve one’s appearance! I would much rather have the reward without much effort, recovery time or cost involved. Having had both invasive and non-invasive plastic surgery procedures, I can honestly say that when a non-invasive procedure pays off, it’s like Christmas.

Recommended Non-Surgical Cosmetic Plastic Surgery procedures

These are not considered surgical, but it sure beats going under the knife if you can get away with it. I believe in using a combination of several of the below methods starting early so you can put surgery off for far longer. Incorporating a good sunscreen with sensible sun exposure, you can go years without needing a cosmetic surgery.

• Botox®: In my opinion, Botox® is one of the best options you can utilize. Why fix wrinkles if you can prevent them to begin with? I love Botox®!
• Injectable Fillers: Injectables such as Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm, and Radiesse can fill in shallow and deeper wrinkles. I have had all four and probably like JuveDerm the most. I believe, if you can counter the negative effects of volume loss or wrinkle formation with something as simple as an injection, why not??
• Sculptra: Not exactly a filler, but more of a catalyst to cause collagen growth, I have had this as well. Sculptra lasts about 18 months in most, however it lasted longer in me. It does have a propensity to form bumps and lumps if you do not massage and the doctor has little injection experience. Or quite frankly, just because. But it works!
• Fat Grafting: I have had this twice and love it. But you have to be careful who you choose for it. Not all fat grafting methods are the same. I do love it, though. This honestly should probably go under surgical methods as it I sa little more involved than a pre-packaged injectable filler.
• Chemical Peels: I love Cosmelan peels, although TCA’s have their own place, as does tretinoin (Retin A). With use of these exfoliants you can keep your skin looking fabulous. See the Chemical Peels vs. Microdermabrasion article for more information.

I have tried Thermage, which worked, but not for long and I cannot personally recommend it any longer due to fat loss I have seen firsthand. I have had the Feather Lift (a barbed suture lift), although the method I had was the older one. There is a better method now with the same concept, called the Silhouette Suture Lift. I will be removing my Feather Lift sutures and replacing it with the Silhouette Sutures. I have also had Scanlight and although I did not see a difference because my needs were less, my friend did. I personally feel Scanlight hurts far too much for me to even consider ever again.

If I had to choose my anti-aging weapons, it would definitely be Botox, Injectable Fillers and something like the Silhouette Suture Lift. I know these are not surgeries but I would try these before a surgical means to see if they would help. I want to hold off on the big guns for as long as I can. Once I do need them though, I would consider the endoscopic versions first.

“Less” Invasive Cosmetic Plastic Surgery procedures

Although the article says non-invasive plastic surgery, I still believe surgery is surgery and “less invasive” would be a better term for anything considered surgical. I still consider a barbed suture lift as surgical, although a mini-procedure.

Mini tucks are other options and although less, invasive; don’t expect them to be a cakewalk. Endoscopic methods are great, in my opinion, for those of us without the need for a full lift. But a lift is a lift, and whenever you have cutting, dissection and suturing there is the risk of infection, dissatisfaction, necrosis, etc.

Remember, surgery is surgery. However, the less invasive the method, the less downtime you will have. Choose your doctor and your procedure wisely. There is nothing worse than having to undergo several surgeries to fix what was considered a less invasive procedure to begin with.