The Surgery

Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty usually takes an hour or two, though complicated procedures may take longer. During surgery, the skin of the nose is separated from its supporting framework of bone and cartilage, which is then sculpted to the desired shape. The nature of the sculpting will depend on your problem and your surgeon's preferred technique. Finally, the skin is redraped over the new framework.

Breast Lift
Mastopexy usually takes one and a half to three and a half hours. Techniques vary, but the most common procedure involves an anchor-shaped incision following the natural contour of the breast.

Breast Augmentation
The technique used for your surgery depends not only on your surgeon's preferences but also on your desired results. The incision is small and is usually made in one of three locations:  underneath the breast just above the crease, around the lower edge of the areola, or within the armpit.

Breast Reduction
Techniques for breast reduction vary, but the most common procedure involves an anchor-shaped incision that circles the areola, extends downward, and follows the natural curve of the crease beneath the breast. The surgeon removes excess glandular tissue, fat, and skin and moves the nipple and areola into their new position. He or she then brings the skin from both sides of the breast down around the areola, shaping the new contour of the breast. Liposuction may be used to remove fat from the armpit area.

Liposuction
How is liposuction performed? To perform liposuction, one or more small incisions are made near the area to be suctioned. Whenever possible, incisions are placed within the natural folds or contour lines of the skin so that they are inconspicuous. The surgeon then places a slim, hollow tube called a cannula through the incision so that its tip penetrates the underlying fat. After the cannula is connected by flexible tubing to a suction pump, the surgeon moves the cannula back and forth through the fat, which is vacuumed into the tube.

Facelift
A facelift usually takes several hours - or somewhat longer if you're having more than one procedure done. For extensive procedures, some surgeons may schedule two separate sessions.

Every surgeon approaches the procedure in his or her own way. Some complete one side of the face at a time, and others move back and forth between sides. The exact placement of incisions and the sequence of events depends on your facial structure and your surgeon's technique.

Surgery of the Abdomen
How is abdominoplasty performed? Generally, a horizontal incision is placed just within or above the pubic area. The length of the incision, which extends outward toward the hip bones, depends largely on the amount of skin to be removed. In other words, the more loose skin that needs to be removed, the longer the incision will be.

Gynecomestia
If excess glandular tissue is the primary cause of the breast enlargement, it will be excised, or cut out, with a scalpel. The excision may be performed alone or in conjunction with liposuction. In a typical procedure, an incision is made in an inconspicuous location - either on the edge of the areola or in the underarm area.