Combining Facial Procedures for a Comprehensive Makeover

Almost everyone getting cosmetic procedures today desires natural-looking, harmonious results. To achieve that, plastic surgeons will often recommend combination procedures, both surgical and nonsurgical. Not only is this approach perfect when the goals are a comprehensive makeover and greater facial harmony, but it comes with many other benefits. Here is what you need to know about combining facial procedures.

Is It Possible to Have Multiple Procedures at Once?

In short, yes! 

There are ways plastic surgeons can perform multiple surgical and nonsurgical procedures in one session. Surgeons will either perform complementary procedures (e.g. a facelift with a neck lift) or pair surgery with a noninvasive treatment (e.g. laser). In many cases, a multi-disciplinary team is needed when doing more than one procedure in a single appointment. 

Of course, patient safety and comfort are a top priority. Multiple facial procedures should only be considered when appropriate and on the right candidate. What we usually mean by that is surgeries that complement each other and are safe when performed together on patients in relatively good health who have realistic expectations.

Many patients can benefit from a combined approach, such as those who want a comprehensive and harmonious transformation, patients needing facial feminization surgery, and patients with busy lifestyles who cannot afford multiple periods of downtime.

Procedures We Often Combine for a Comprehensive Makeover

To achieve dramatic and harmonious results, it is often best to choose a combination approach for facial rejuvenation. It’s not unusual for plastic surgeons to recommend multiple procedures, many of which can be performed in a single session. Examples of these combination procedures include:  

Facelift and Neck Lift

Because the lower face and neck area tend to develop sagging simultaneously as we age, it makes sense to perform these two procedures together. A typical facelift corrects sagging in the lower two-thirds of the face, while a neck lift reduces the appearance of neck bands and lax skin. 

Facelift and Ear Reshaping

Another procedure we can perform at the same time as a facelift is otoplasty or ear reshaping. A facelift is the perfect opportunity to correct protruding ears because we need to make incisions around the ears for both procedures. 

Facelift and Laser Resurfacing

While a facelift addresses facial sagging, it cannot correct other signs of aging on the skin, like dark spots, dullness, enlarged pores and some types of wrinkles. Patients who want to achieve both benefit from combining a facelift with laser skin resurfacing.

Brow Lift and Eyelid Surgery 

When a patient’s main concern is drooping of the brow and eye area, combining a brow lift with eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) can help. A brow lift repositions the forehead to lift the brows and smooth out forehead wrinkles. A blepharoplasty removes and repositions tissue that contributes to sagging and puffiness in the upper and/or lower eyelids.

Rhinoplasty and Implants/Fat Grafting

Many patients are unhappy with the appearance of their nose and hope that a rhinoplasty, aka a nose job, can help. But in many cases, a rhinoplasty should be paired with chin implants and even fat grafting to create good proportions and facial harmony.

What About Noninvasive Treatments?

Not everyone wants to or needs to undergo surgery to improve their appearance. With today’s countless noninvasive options, patients can achieve dramatic results with injectables. These treatments—which include neuromodulators and dermal fillers—correct visible signs of aging in multiple areas of the face and neck. Many work well together in what is known as a “liquid facelift.” Some are even used in place of surgery where it was previously thought to not be possible, like in nonsurgical rhinoplasty. The options are truly endless.

Benefits of Combining Facial Procedures

There are many cosmetic and other benefits to getting multiple facial procedures in a single session:

Comprehensive Makeover

Some patients are happy with subtle improvements from single procedures. Others want to achieve a comprehensive makeover, and this is something we can definitely do by combining different treatments and procedures.

Harmonious Results

Facial beauty depends on the balance of all its features. Making changes to one part of the face does not address how it blends in with your other features. However, this can easily be achieved by taking a multi-procedure approach.

Single Recovery Period

Having multiple procedures performed on the same day means you will go through recovery only once. For patients with busy schedules, this is one of the main benefits of a combination approach.

Reduced Costs

The costs associated with anesthesia, facility fees and other expenses can add up when you choose to have multiple procedures. All this is reduced significantly when you have more than one procedure within a single session.

How to Tell If You Are a Candidate

Almost anyone can benefit from combination facial procedures. If you wish to improve your features but don’t know if the combination approach is right for you, here is what to consider:

You have prominent signs of aging

If you have significant sagging, deep wrinkles and skin changes associated with aging, noninvasive and single treatments may not be enough to create satisfying results. In that case, your surgeon will likely recommend a more comprehensive makeover.

You are in good health

Having more than one procedure, even when done in a single session, can be physically demanding to recover from. The ideal candidate should be in overall good health to ensure a complication-free recovery.

You are ready for a makeover

The results from combination treatments are usually more dramatic than what you get from a single treatment. If you are ready to make big changes to your appearance, then this approach is for you.

Call Us Today to Learn More About Combination Procedures

If you have questions about combining facial procedures for a comprehensive makeover or if you want to schedule a consultation with Dr. Terrasse to see if this approach is right for you, please feel free to connect with us today. Terrasse Aesthetic Surgery and ERASE MediSpa can be reached online or by telephone at 847-234-2400.