surgery tweaks.(Eye-Bag Removal surgery complications)(Thigh Liposuction complications)(Ear Pinning complications)

SURGERY TWEAKS

Eye-Bag Removal

eye-Bag Removal The Ideal Candidate: Women of any age who have undereye bags. Because the procedure can leave the undereye area looking sunken, women who have very deep eye sockets may want to proceed with caution. Also, anyone with eye-related medical problems (such as dryness or glaucoma) should be sure to discuss them with the surgeon. How It's Done: The surgeon either cuts along the inside edge of the lower lash line (transconjunctival) or the outer edge (transcutaneous) during the 20-minute operation. "The fat pockets just pop right out," says New York City plastic surgeon Alan Matarrasso. And, under new methods, some surgeons are now simply repositioning fat to make it protrude less, eliminating the possibility that too much will be removed. Whichever technique is used, the scar is hidden inside or outside the lash line. Recovery and Complications: If you have the operation on Wednesday, you may be able to return to work on Monday. According to Matarrasso, "The area around the eyes is among the fastest places on the body to heal." Some patients require two or three prescription painkillers in the first 24 hours after surgery, while others find they only need to apply ice packs to reduce the pain. All are advised to elevate the head when sleeping. Complications, which are rare, include corneal abrasions and damage to the eye muscles. The main risk is removing too much fat: "You can make the eyes look gaunt and sunken," Matarrasso says. cost: About $6,000.

Outer-Thigh Liposuction

Outer-Thigh Liposuction The Ideal Candidate: A person who is already close to her desired weight but has been unable to shed that last bit of fat on the outer thighs that makes her look bottom heavy. The removal of 355 cc of fat or less per thigh -- about the amount it would take to fill a can of Coke -- is considered minor. (Removal of more fat results in greater soreness and a longer recovery time.) How It's Done: The surgeon makes a quarter-inch incision underneath each butt crease on either side of the body. Using a back-and-forth motion similar to Hoovering a carpet, the fat is sucked out. "The big aesthetic challenge is making sure there are no lumps or ripples -- that the contouring is even," says Santa Monica plastic surgeon Steven Teitelbaum. Recovery and Complications: Because we don't actually sit on this area of the thigh, "a woman can be out to dinner the same night and back at work the next day," notes Teitelbaum, though she will feel sore. And since the suctioning underneath the skin is not deep or particularly vigorous, women rarely require pain medication for more than a few days, and most of that can be Motrin, Tylenol, or other over-the-counter pills. A compression garment, while sometimes itchy, helps reduce bruising, swelling, and discomfort; it may be worn underneath clothing for a few days to a few ...