Polylactic Acid

Polylactic acid is synthetic dermal filler that a plastic surgeon injects into the face of a patient, which causes the body of the patient to produce its own collagen. This type of dermal filler is a stimulant. This non-toxic, biodegradable substance has more than 40 years use as suture material. It works particularly well in the lower half of the face to fill laugh lines, to augment thin lips and fill out deep nasolabial folds. This substance is unlike other dermal fillers because it does not produce immediate results. Instead, results appear gradually over a period of a few months. Before injection, the plastic surgeon will add sterile water to reconstitute the polylactic acid. Then the doctor injects the solution deep into the dermis or subcutaneous space by a special technique called tunneling or threading. It takes three monthly treatments to achieve the desired results. With each treatment, there is re-stimulation of the collagen. Then it can take four to six weeks to see the full effect. While this type of dermal filler is semi-permanent, may patients still need occasional touch-ups. The FDA-approved brand is Sculptra Aesthetic.

Q: What type of anesthesia does the doctor administer? A: Thanks to the growing safety of plastic surgery and the refined techniques used, procedures do not require a lot of general anesthesia. The preferred anesthesia method is light general anesthesia where the patient is lightly anesthetized and entirely unaware of the surgery. This method minimizes nausea and other discomforts of general anesthesia. More Plastic Surgery Questions



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Institute Of Surgical Arts - The Institute of Surgical Arts delivers the highest standard of care including surgical technique, ethics, integrity and the true art of surgery to its patients. It includes every attention to detail to assure comfort, excellent surgical results and post-surgical care on regular follow-up visits.
Surgical Arts - Surgical Arts delivers the highest standard of care including surgical technique, ethics, integrity and the true art of surgery to its patients. It includes every attention to detail to assure comfort, excellent surgical results and post-surgical care on regular follow-up visits.
Mastopexy - Mastopexy is the medical term for a breast lift. A doctor performs a mastopexy on women who have sagging breasts. Occasionally the surgeon makes the breasts of the patient smaller.
Mastopexy Revision - Breast lifts can results wide or raised scars, altered nipple sensation, asymmetry in breasts, and enlarged areolas. Mastopexy revision corrects problems from previous breast lifts.
Neck Lift - A neck lift restores a tight, youthful appearance to skin under the chin and neck area which has lost elasticity and exhibits banding. There are a number of procedures available to enhance the appearance of the neck. They range from minimal in-office treatments with no down time, to more invasive procedures requiring anesthesia and time off for recovery.
Nose Revision - Revision rhinoplasty is a nose operation performed to correct or revise an unsatisfactory outcome from a previous rhinoplasty. An unsatisfactory outcome occurs from in up to one fifth of rhinoplasties. There are two main reasons for performing secondary rhinoplasty: functional problems and cosmetic problems.
Reconstruction Surgeon - Reconstruction surgeon and reconstructive surgeons correct functional impairments caused by burns; traumatic injuries, such as facial bone fractures and breaks; congenital abnormalities, such as cleft palates or cleft lips; developmental abnormalities; infection and disease; and cancer or tumors.
Reconstructive Surgeon - A reconstructive surgeon corrects functional impairments caused by burns; traumatic injuries, congenital abnormalities such as cleft palates; developmental abnormalities; and cancer or tumors.
Remove Implants - There are several reasons a doctor may need to remove breast implants by surgery. Some women remove their breast implants because of discomfort from tightening of the capsule around the implant. Smaller or larger breast implants are a common reason.
Replace Breast Implant - Breast implants are synthetic and do not last forever. Implant replacement surgery is necessary when the implants fail or get old. Doctors also perform implant replacement surgery because some women want different sized breasts. The surgery also corrects capsular contracture.