How to Tell Good Plastic Surgery from Bad Plastic Surgery
Have you ever been guilty of flipping through a magazine and thinking to yourself, “Wow, so-and-so’s plastic surgery looks awful”? If you’re like many, chances are you’ve noticed a certain celebrity’s less-than-perfect plastic surgery procedure at some point. Interestingly, there tends to be two camps of plastic surgery viewpoints: one is that it’s something that gives you highly noticeable results and that it’s only for celebrities, and the other is that it can actually offer subtle, natural-looking changes, provided you work with an experienced and skilled surgeon.
In fact, the latter is absolutely true. Achieving natural and subtle results with plastic surgery is not only possible, it’s actually the norm. “Bad” plastic surgery can happen when a person isn’t realistic about what the procedure can and can’t do, or when they aren’t careful about choosing a reputable board-certified plastic surgeon. But in most cases, a trusted, board-certified plastic surgeon can absolutely offer seamless, natural results.
Telltale Sign #1: Overly Taut Skin
One reason why a facelift might appear unnatural is because the skin was pulled too tightly, or too much skin was removed. When performed by an experienced surgeon, a facelift will find the delicate balance between removing enough excess skin to lift sags and wrinkles, but not taking so much that the result is unnaturally tight. But facelifts have become very common procedures, with nearly 126,000 procedures performed in the United States in 2015. (The American Academy of Plastic Surgeons)
Telltale Sign #2: An Expressionless Face
Related to overly tight skin, a face that appears expressionless could be the result of muscles that were pulled too tightly during a face or brow lift. It’s also possible that injectables like Botox could have been administered incorrectly, resulting in a stiff, unnatural look. Even when getting a common, relatively simple procedure like a facelift or Botox, it’s crucial that you choose only an experienced, knowledgeable plastic surgeon. Keep in mind that facelifts are still considered surgical procedures, so you certainly don’t want to put your health, safety, or results at risk.
Telltale Sign #3: Slanted Eyes
An improper facelift can also cause the eyes to appear slanted or slightly crooked. Again, this can be due to too much pulling of the skin and muscle tissue, or an incorrect technique that pulls in the wrong direction. A good facelift should not affect the position of the eyes. If you take a look at our before and after photo gallery at Premier Plastic Surgery & Dermatology, you’ll notice that the natural features of the patients’ faces haven’t changed, but rather the wrinkles and sagging skin have been reduced or eliminated.
Telltale Sign #4: Lips Are Hard, Not Plush
Injectable fillers containing hyaluronic acid can mimic the body’s natural collagen to give the lips a subtle plumping effect. However, if not administered properly, the results may look hard and stiff rather than supple and plush. Even in the case of non-permanent injectable fillers, it’s important that you seek an experienced plastic surgeon or dermatologist for your injections to ensure your safety and the best results. (The American Academy of Plastic Surgeons)
Telltale Sign #5: Disproportionate Features
Generally, facial symmetry is highly favored when it comes to appearance, so knowledgeable plastic surgeons develop a sensitivity to this and always keep it in mind. There’s actually a “golden ratio” for the ideal proportions of facial structures, and if this ratio is significantly thrown off by an incorrect rhinoplasty or facelift, the unbalanced results could be disappointing. Ideally, plastic surgery should be thought of as a method for enhancing the natural features, rather than altering them so much that the body’s natural symmetry no longer exists. (Science Daily)
The Importance of Choosing a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
The most important consideration when choosing a plastic surgeon is that he or she should be board-certified. This is your first step in avoiding disappointing results. Also keep in mind that your expectations for your results should be realistic, and a reputable plastic surgeon will help to guide you in the right direction. He or she will be best qualified to determine if your desired results are realistic and achievable through plastic surgery.
At Premier Plastic Surgery & Dermatology, our board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Brian Heil is committed to providing only high-quality, realistic results. He is painstakingly careful to make sure that each of his patients fully understands the ins and outs of their procedure, as well as knows exactly what to expect before, during, and after surgery. Dr. Heil is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, the Robert H. Ivy Society of Plastic Surgeons, the Ohio Valley Society of Plastic Surgeons, and the Pittsburgh Society of Plastic Surgeons. He has many years of experience and posts photos of patient results on the website.
If you’d like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Heil to discuss your specific plastic surgery goals, please contact Premier Plastic Surgery & Dermatology in Pittsburgh at 724-264-3608.
