Injections and plastic surgery are two different treatment types that reduce the appearance of aging. Somerset Plastic Surgery offers these cosmetic enhancement options to minimize wrinkles and restore volume to facial features with different application methods. The results of surgical treatments can last for years, while Juvéderm and Botox injections last for 6-9 months. Here are some of the differences between cosmetic surgery and injections to help you decide which is right for you:
Treatable Symptoms
Injections could be the right choice for you if you have minor wrinkles like crow’s feet or laugh lines. Filler injections are used to add volume to specific areas of the face, creating a fuller appearance while smoothing wrinkles. Common places filler is placed include the lips, around the mouth, and the brow. Botox can be injected in similar of the face to reduce muscle movement and prevent wrinkles.
Surgical treatment options may be the correct approach for someone experiencing significant symptoms of weight loss, aging, or scarring. A common symptom of aging and weight loss is loose skin around the neck, cheeks, and jowls. Our team performs facelifts to remove excess fat and tissue and provide a toned, youthful look. Our experienced surgeons can also remove scar tissue from accidents or previous surgeries, minimizing its appearance.
Treatment Preferences
Your treatment preferences may vary depending on your age, work schedule, and desired results. Injections typically require multiple appointments to maintain optimal results, and cosmetic surgery is performed once. One benefit of injections is that they allow you to return to work immediately afterward. Try to avoid rubbing or applying pressure to the treated area for 12 hours, as this allows the filler or Botox to settle for the best results.
Permanent treatments like brow lifts offer long-lasting results to reduce forehead lines or drooping brows. This procedure is done endoscopically or with traditional methods to tighten the skin. Incisions are usually hidden within your hairline to disguise scarring for a natural look.
Surgical treatments also help to address medical conditions or injuries. If you want to correct a pre-existing condition, plastic surgeons can restore the functionality of your nose, eyes, and mouth. Symptoms of a broken nose or deviated symptom, like whistling sounds, limited breathing capability, and frequent nose bleeds, can be fixed with a rhinoplasty. A cleft palate occurs when there is an opening in the roof of the mouth, and surgery reduces speech impediments and makes it easier to eat.
Anesthesia and Medications
Many surgical procedures involve the use of anesthesia and pain medication. Anesthesia offers a sleep-like experience during surgery so that you won’t remember the procedure. You may feel groggy for a few hours after waking up from the surgery. This means you will need someone to drive you to and from your appointment. Other medications like antibiotics and opioids may be prescribed to you to improve your recovery process. Follow your surgeon’s advice and medication requirements as directed. Antibiotic medication should always be taken regularly until they are gone, even if you are feeling better.
Injections do not require anesthesia or pain management medications. Some injection treatments may cause minor swelling of the treatment area. This swelling and discomfort should go away after a few days. Resting and reducing your physical activity during this period may help improve your recovery.
Recovery Times
It is beneficial to schedule several days off from work if you elect to have a surgical cosmetic procedure. Your body needs time to rest to heal properly, and staying home reduces the likelihood of complications such as infections or bleeding. Each procedure has varying recovery processes and timeframes, so ask your surgeon for specific recovery tips. Undergoing multiple procedures simultaneously, like a facelift and rhinoplasty, could extend your recovery time.
Common side effects of injections include fatigue and swelling of the injection site. Swelling typically reduces within a few days after your injection. Avoid working out or engaging in high-intensity exercise for a few hours after your treatment to reduce inflammation. Fatigue after treatment is caused by your body’s natural process of adjusting to the injected solution, and it should become less intense with subsequent treatments.
Results
The short-term results of injections could be good if you’re looking to experiment with your appearance without the commitment of surgery. Botox and Juvéderm are quick to apply, allowing you to schedule your appointment during a day of running errands or on your lunch break. These flexible treatments provide immediate results and convenience for those with busy schedules.
Surgical procedures provide results that last for up to 10 years or more. Recovery times vary depending on the type of procedure and your specific condition. Facial procedures, like brow and eyelid lifts, have shorter recovery times than body procedures. Breast lifts or abdominoplasties may take several weeks to months to achieve a full recovery.
Schedule Your Cosmetic Surgery Consultation
At Somerset Plastic Surgery, we provide a variety of cosmetic procedures to meet your appearance goals. Our board-certified surgeons are experienced with reducing pre-existing scar tissue, loose skin, and excess fat deposits around the body. Many procedures, such as liposuction and abdominoplasty, are combinable to increase the impact of your results. Contact us today by phone, email, or our online form to schedule your consultation.