Combining Plastic Surgery with Non Surgical Treatments for best results
This synergy is a highly effective method to achieve the desired overall outcome of many types of treatments to various areas of the body, especially in the field of anti-aging. These combinations also seemingly produce the most natural looking results due to the cumulation of each side of the surgical fence. Having plastic surgery can produce certain outcomes, as does nonsurgical treatment, however the two together can take the result that one step further.
Dr. Kai Kaye, plastic surgeon, and Dra. Gabriela Casabona, dermatologist & head of aesthetics, both from Ocean Clinic, Marbella, suggest that the concept is to achieve a holistic regeneration approach, some layers can be treated surgically and others non-surgically; combining the two creates better results. The following are some examples of combination treatments, as per their recommendation, which offer great synergy and impressive results.
Upper Blepharoplasty (surgical) combined with cosmetic injectables and fillers
Upper blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure which removes excess skin from the upper eyelid. When eyelids age or become ‘heavy’ the skin can start to fold and show, even hang over the eye and give an unwanted/uncomfortable appearance. Combining this procedure with cosmetic injections to tighten the muscles around the brow to create a lifting effect, as well as fillers to volumize the forehead and temples, gives an all round lift to the eye region and creates a natural, youthful, lighter look.
Co2 laser / peeling with Blepharoplasty
Again blepharoplasty can be combined with a non surgical treatment to create optimal results. Upper and lower blepharoplasty (lower being the use of various surgical treatments of the lower eyelid / eye-bag area), is often carried out alongside a Co2 laser treatment which serves to resurface, or remodel the skin. Laser skin resurfacing, also known as laser peeling, is a safe and effective method for improving the skin’s appearance. The laser reduces the appearance of wrinkles and any other minor skin issues; liver spots, sun damage, superficial scarring, etc. The blepharoplasty procedure removes any excess skin, muscle or fat, tightening and rejuvenating the eye area whilst the laser fine tunes the skin around the eyelid areas, a perfect match to create a youthful, healthy, appearance with no excess skin or eye bags; a perfect match.
Lower Blepharoplasty with Fillers to the Mid-face and Tear Trough
This time we are focussing on the lower eyelids where many people suffer with eyebags, dark circles, hollowing under the eyes, etc. Once the lower lids are corrected surgically via a lower blepharoplasty procedure, the fillers in the mid face and tear trough serve to complete a balance of volume and lift. This combination creates smooth, tightened and rejuvenated skin across the whole area.
Liposuction with radiofrequency skin tightening
As the liposuction procedure serves to remove excess unwanted fat from problem areas, the radiofrequency treatment helps to target deep fat tissue at a safe temperature which stimulates the natural elimination of fat cells. The two combined create optimal body contouring results. Liposuction is the surgical removal of fat deposits via a cannula using various kinds of suction techniques. Ocean Clinic offers various types of liposuction, the favorite often being the water-jet assisted version for minimal bruising.
Jawline Mini Lift with Ulthera (for younger patients)
Whilst the majority of people having face or neck lifts is generally associated with an older age group, there is a growing number of patients in their younger years who are opting for surgery. Due to their cases being less ‘severe’ than with older generations, people in their forties, for example, often have more subtle procedures which help to prevent and reduce their aging process rather than going through a major transformation at a later date.
A mini lift at the jawline is a good example of this, as the skin begins to loosen and sag in this area it is the beginning of our aging process which over time worsens. To operate at an earlier age preserves those youthful looks, the surgery is far less intense, plus the results are more natural.
This procedure is a combination treatment where, surgically, only the jowling of the mandíbule (skin excess forming jowls) is addressed, with a small incision around the inferior base of the ear/earlobe, while all other laxity in the neck or the mid face is addressed with High Intensity Focussed Ultrasound (HIFU). The HIFU treatment we use at Ocean Clinic is an Ulthera device, which achieves neocollagenesis in all levels and layers of the skin and serves to lift and tighten alongside the surgery itself to achieve the most natural, youthful and long lasting look. The Ulthera device is the only one that has ultrasound technology which allows us to actually see which layers we are treating, making the procedure more effective.
Microneedling with Facelift
Modern Facelift and neck lift procedures are the cornerstone of facial rejuvenation. The techniques have evolved over the last 50 years and recently saw the integration of novel techniques like facial fat grafting and skin resurfacing techniques (Microneedling or Peeling) that contribute towards more natural, more complete results.
Microneedling is a non-surgical skin treatment involving the insertion of fine needles into the skin to improve collagen production in order to regenerate our skin and maintain a more smooth, even tone as well as youthful appearance. When used in combination with a facelift the results are considered more natural and longer lasting as the skin continues to create collagen over time. It can also be used in association with nano-fat (full of stem cells, stromal vascular fraction cells, growth factors) and other active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin C; exosomes that can boost the needle effect promoting a more long lasting stimulation of collagen.
Bottom Line
There are many layers to our physical anatomy as there are to our wants and desires, when it comes to physical improvements this must be recognised, analyzed and many times a multi-faceted combination of treatments realized to achieve the optimum results. Therefore plastic surgery and non-surgical treatments are quite often “better together”.
Contact Ocean Clinic, Marbella to discuss your next steps.