Endoscopic surgery has been used for decades in various procedures, including gallbladder removal, tubal ligation, and knee surgery. This type of surgery is performed with the aid of an endoscope, a special viewing instrument that allows a surgeon to see images of the body's internal structures through very small incisions. In the world of plastic surgery, endoscopic instruments have recently been introduced. Endoscopy is now being used on a limited basis for both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures.
If you have any questions concerning endoscopy, please feel free to ask the doctor.
The Endoscope
An endoscope functions as a viewing device. It consists of a tubular probe fitted with a tiny camera and bright light, which is inserted through a small incision; and a viewing screen to magnify the transmitted images of the body's internal structures. The surgeon watches the screen while moving the tube through the surgical area.
Advantages of Endoscopy
Because it involves smaller incisions, endoscopy leaves very minimal scarring. To insert the probe, only a few incisions less than one inch long are required. Shorter incisions also reduce risk of sensory loss due to nerve damage. Also, bleeding, bruising and swelling may be significantly reduced.
Furthermore, the recovery period tends to be shorter with no need for an overnight hospital stay. Many endoscopic procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia with sedation.
Special consideration and risks
The endoscopic approach has only recently been applied to plastic surgery procedures. There are some known risks, which vary in severity depending on the procedure being performed. These include infection, fluid accumulation beneath the skin (which must be drained), blood vessel damage, nerve damage or loss of feeling, internal perforation injury, and skin injury.
And, keep in mind that if a complication occurs at any time during the operation your surgeon may have to switch to an open procedure, which will result in a more extensive scar and a longer recovery period. However, to date, such complications are rare, estimated to occur in less that 5 percent of all endoscopic procedures.
Abdominoplasty The removal of excess abdominal fat with tightening of the abdominal wall. Also called tummy tuck.
Arm Lift To contour the upper arms by removing skin and fat
Augmentation Mammaplasty To enlarge the breasts making them more youthful and full using breast implants
Blepharoplasty To remove the excess skin and fat of the upper and lower eyelids
Body Lift To tighten and improve contour of the back, thighs, and abdomen
BOTOX® To soften the lines around the eyes and forehead
Brachioplasty To improve contour and reduce excess skin and fat of upper arms
Breast Augmentation To enlarge the breasts making them more youthful and full using breast implants
Breast Enhancement To enlarge the breasts making them more youthful and full using breast implants
Breast Enlargement To enlarge the breasts making them more youthful and full using breast implants
Breast Implant Revision To improve overall shape and size of breasts following previous cosmetic breast surgery
Breast Implants Saline or silicone devices to enlarge breasts
Breast Lift To uplift breasts following pregnancy, the aging process, or congenital deformity
Breast Reconstruction The surgical procedure to remake breasts for a woman who has lost a breast due to cancer
Breast Reduction To reduce the size of breasts that are too large and heavy
Brow Lift To elevate the forehead and eyebrows following the aging process
Calf Augmentation/Implants To enlarge size of calves
Cellulite The dimpling or cheese appearance of skin following pregnancy or develops with age
Cheek Implants Implants to enlarge cheeks
Chemical Peel Various acid treatments to improve texture and fine wrinkles of the face
Chin Augmentation To enlarge and improve contour of chin
Chin Implant Silicone or other type of material device to enlarge chin
Collagen Natural bodies tissue used in healing
Collagen Injections A filler to elevate folds or wrinkles to soften facial appearance
Dermal Fillers A filler to elevate folds or wrinkles to soften facial appearance
DSL Laser Hair Removal
Ear Pinning/Surgery To correct ears that are too projecting or dumbo like in appearance
Endoscopic Brow Lift Technique to elevate forehead, low brow position and heaviness of upper eyelids
Face Lift To tighten skin of face and neck and reposition soft tissue of cheek and jowls
Facial Implants Implants to enhance contour of cheeks, chin, and mandibular angle
Fat Injections Fat added to areas of body to enhance volume and contour
Flap Surgery Tissue from one area of body added to another area to correct a body defect
Forehead Lift To elevate forehead and eyebrows
FotoFacial™
Gynecomastia Excess breast tissue of male
Hylaform® A filler to enhance facial lines and depressions
Incision A cut made in skin
IPL™ Photofacial/Fotofacial Light therapy to soften facial wrinkles and pigmentation
Labiaplasty To remove excess labial skin
Laser Hair Removal Laser to remove unwanted hair
Laser Skin Tightening Laser light to burn skin that causes new collagen formation and less wrinkles
Laser Skin Resurfacing CO2 laser therapy to correct facial wrinkles
Lip Augmentation To add fillers or fat to enlarge lips
Lipodissolve™ Technique to remove excess body or facial fat
Lipoplasty Technique to remove excess body or facial fat
Liposculpture Technique to remove excess body or facial fat
Liposuction Technique to remove excess body or facial fat
Male Breast Reduction To remove excess breast tissue and skin on a male
Mammaplasty To enlarge the breasts
Mastectomy To remove breast including breast tissue, nipple, areola, and some breast skin
Mastopexy To uplift the breast and reposition the nipple/areola
Mentoplasty To enlarge the chin and improve the chin’s contour
NeckLift To tighten the skin of the neck
Nipple Reduction To reduce the size of the nipple
Nose Job To improve the shape and contour of the nose. Also called rhinoplasty.
Obagi Skin care system that transforms skin into younger and healthier skin
Otoplasty Surgical technique to pin back ears that are too protruding
Pec Implants Implants to enlarge male breasts
Perlane®
Polaris (WRA) Power
Ptosis Droopiness that overhangs the pupil and may interfere with vision
Radiesse A filler to elevate depressions or wrinkles or add volume to face
Refirme™ (ST)
Restylane® Injections A filler to minimize depressions and wrinkles of face
Rhinoplasty Surgery to improve, shape, size, and contour of nose
Rhytidectomy Surgery to tighten facial and neck skin and make face more youthful. Also called face necklift.
Rosacea Skin condition that causes redness
Saline Implants Implants comprised of a silicone shell and saline content
Sclerotherapy To inject spider veins that result in their disappearance or lightening
Sculptra® A long lasting filler
Silicone Implants Implants comprised of silicone
SkinCeuticals : Skin care products to prevent damage, protect healthy skin, and correct previous damage
Skin Expansion Technique to stretch skin of breasts or body
Suture Material to bring skin or underlying tissue together
Symmastia Condition where two breast meet in middle of chest
Thermage® Laser therapy to improve texture of facial skin
Thigh Lift/Thighplasty Surgery to improve contour and shape of thighs
Thread Face Lift Surgical technique to tighten facial and neck skin using threads
Topical Solution Liquid applied to the skin
Tummy Abdomen
Vein Therapy Techniques to improve appearance of large varicose veins or small spider veins
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