Cosmetic Abdominal Wall Surgery
Abdominal wall surgery is voluntary surgery that improves the appearance of flabby, stretched-out abdominal muscles and skin. Excessive fatty tissue and loose skin are removed from the middle and lower sections of the abdomen. The abdominal muscles may be tightened. Note that this is a different procedure than liposuction. Cosmetic repair of the abdomen can help improve appearance, especially after massive weight gain and loss. Abdominoplasty can help flatten the lower abdomen and tighten stretched skin.

General anesthesia is used to keep the patient deep asleep and pain-free. An incision is made across the abdomen, just above the pubic area. Excess skin and fat are removed from the abdominal wall from the pubic area to the rib cage and around the navel. The abdominal muscles are tightened. The incision is stitched closed. Excess skin and fat can also be removed from the arms and legs. Small flat tubes (drains) may be inserted to allow fluid to drain out of the incisions. A firm elastic dressing is applied to the abdomen. Abdominoplasty can be helpful when: Diet and exercise have not corrected severe muscle weakness, for instance, after multiple pregnancies; Skin and muscle cannot regain its normal tone, which can occur with obesity. Abdominoplasty is not used as a substitute for weight reduction.

Cosmetic Breast Surgery
Cosmetic breast surgery is a surgical procedure to change the size or shape of the breasts. Breast revision surgery can be done in an outpatient surgical facility or in a hospital. General anesthesia is often used, although local anesthesia may be used to numb the area around the breasts. For breast reduction, some of the breast tissue is removed and the nipples may be relocated higher on the breasts for cosmetic reasons. During a breast lift, incisions are made along the natural creases in the breast and around the dark skin surrounding the nipple (areola). A keyhole-shaped incision above the areola is also made to define the new location for the nipple. Skin is removed from the lower section of the breast. The areola, nipple, and underlying breast tissue are moved up to a higher position. The nipple is moved and incisions are closed with sutures. The expectations should be about looking and feeling better, keeping in mind that the desired result is improvement, not perfection. Emotional stability is an important factor. Breast surgery can renew self-confidence and improve your appearance. Mammograms or breast x-rays may be required before the surgery. The likely outcome from reduction surgery is very good. The appearance and lifestyle activities are significantly enhanced. Also, the pain or skin symptoms (such as striation) disappear.

Cosmetic Ear Surgery
Cosmetic ear surgery is performed to move disproportionately large or prominent ears closer to the head. Cosmetic ear surgery is called otoplasty. Thousands of these surgeries are performed successfully each year. The surgery may be done in the surgeon's office, in an outpatient clinic, or in a hospital. It may be done under a local anesthetic, which numbs the area around the ears, or under a general anesthetic, which will cause sleep through the entire operation.  During the most common method, a surgeon makes a cut in the back of the ear and removes skin to see the ear cartilage. The cartilage is folded. This reshapes the ear, bringing it closer to the head. Sometimes the cartilage is cut before folding it. Stitches are used to close the wound.

Facelift
A facelift is a surgical procedure to repair sagging, drooping, and wrinkled skin of the face and neck. It is performed to improve visible signs of aging, poor diet, or heredity; it is performed by removing excess fat, tightening underlying muscles, and redraping facial and neck skin. Sagging or wrinkled skin occurs naturally with increasing age. Folds and fat deposits appear around the neck, and deep flexion creases form between the nose and mouth. The jawline grows "jowly" and slack. Heredity, poor diet, smoking, or obesity may contribute to early or severe skin problems. A facelift can help repair some of the visible damage to skin, fat, and muscles and can restore a "younger" look. A facelift can be done alone or with nose reshaping, a forehead lift, or eyelid surgery.

While the patient is sleepy (sedated) and pain-free (local anesthesia) or deep asleep and pain-free (general anesthesia), the plastic surgeon makes incisions above the hairline at the temples, behind the earlobe, to the lower scalp. The surgeon removes some of the fat tissue and loose skin, then stitches (sutures) the incisions closed. The fat tissue is called the SMAS layer and is the primary lifting portion of the facelift.

Forehead lift
A forehead lift is a surgical procedure to correct sagging of the forehead skin, eyebrows, and upper eyelids. The procedure removes or alters the muscles and skin that cause such visible signs of aging as drooping eyebrows, "hooding" eyelids, forehead furrows, and frown lines. A surgical procedure which may be done alone or in conjunction with other procedures such as facelift, eyelid surgery, or nose reshaping. The surgery can be done in a surgeon's office-based facility, an outpatient surgery center, or a hospital. It's usually done on an outpatient basis, without an overnight stay. The incision is made at the level of the ears and is continued across the top of the forehead at the hairline to avoid making the forehead appear too high. If the patient is bald or balding, the surgeon may utilize a mid-scalp incision, eliminating a visible scar. The forehead skin is elevated and measured for removal of excess tissue, skin, and muscle. The incision is closed with stitches or staples.

This procedure is most commonly done on people in their 40's to 60's to slow the visible effects of aging. It can also help people with inherited conditions, such as furrowed lines above the nose or a droopy eyebrow. In younger people, a forehead lift can raise congenitally low eyebrows that give the face a "sad" expression. In people whose brows are so low that they interfere with the upper field of vision, the forehead lift can be performed as a reconstructive procedure.

Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia is the development of prominent breast tissue in the male. The most common cause of gynecomastia in the male is puberty. The condition may occur in one or both breasts and begins as a small lump beneath the nipple, which may be tender. The breasts often enlarge unevenly. Gynecomastia during puberty is not uncommon, is self-limiting, and usually goes away over a period of months. In newborns, breast development may be associated with milk flow (galactorrhea). This condition usually lasts for a couple of weeks and in rare cases may persist until the child is two years old. It is caused by exposure to maternal hormones. Other causes of gynecomastia include decreased production of testosterone, chronic liver disease, kidney failure,exposure to estrogens or androgens (often taken secretly for body building), marijuana use, and some medications (such as eplerenone (Inspra), ACE-inhibitors, and phenytoin (Dilantin)). Rare causes include tumors, genetic defects, or an overactive thyroid.

Although the condition usually goes away on its own, persistent breast enlargement may be embarrassing for an adolescent boy. On occasion, breast development may be so great that surgery is recommended to prevent emotional damage.

Hair loss
Partial or complete loss of hair is called alopecia. Hair loss usually develops gradually and may be patchy or diffuse (all over). Roughly 100 hairs are lost from head every day. The average scalp contains about 100,000 hairs. Each individual hair survives for an average of 4-1/2 years, during which time it grows about half an inch a month. Usually in its 5th year, the hair falls out and is replaced within 6 months by a new one. Genetic baldness is caused by the body's failure to produce new hairs and not by excessive hair loss. Both men and women tend to lose hair thickness and amount as they age. Inherited or "pattern baldness" affects many more men than women. About 25% of men begin to bald by the time they are 30 years old, and about two-thirds are either bald or have a balding pattern by age 60. Typical male pattern baldness involves a receding hairline and thinning around the crown with eventual bald spots. Ultimately, you may have only a horseshoe ring of hair around the sides. In addition to genes, male-pattern baldness seems to require the presence of the male hormone testosterone. Men who do not produce testosterone (because of genetic abnormalities or castration) do not develop this pattern of baldness. Some women also develop a particular pattern of hair loss due to genetics, age, and male hormones that tend to increase in women after menopause. The pattern is different from that of men. Female pattern baldness involves a thinning throughout the scalp while the frontal hairline generally remains intact.

Baldness is not usually caused by a disease, but is related to aging, heredity, and testosterone. In addition to the common male and female patterns from a combination of these factors, other possible causes of hair loss, especially if in an unusual pattern, include: Hormonal changes; A serious illness; Medication such as cancer chemotherapy; Excessive shampooing and blow-drying; Emotional or physical stress; Nervous habits such as continual hair pulling or scalp rubbing; Burns or radiation therapy; Alopecia areata; Tinea capitis (ringworm of the scalp).

Hair loss from menopause or childbirth often returns to normal 6 months to 2 years later. For hair loss caused by illness (such as fever), radiation therapy, or medication use, no treatment is necessary. The hair will usually grow back when the illness has ended or the therapy is finished. A wig, hat, or other covering may be desired until the hair grows back. For hair loss due to heredity, age, and hormones, the topical medication minoxidil can be helpful for both male and female pattern baldness. Expect to wait 6 months before you see results. The oral medication finasteride is effective in some men. This medicine can decrease sex drive. When either medication is stopped, the former baldness pattern returns.

Hair transplants performed by a physician is a surgical approach to transferring growing hair from one part of the head to another. It is somewhat painful and expensive, but usually permanent. Hair weaves, hair pieces, or changes of hair style may disguise hair loss. This is generally the least expensive and safest approach to hair loss. Hair pieces should not be sutured to the scalp because of the risk of scars and infection.

Solutions to the hair loss
Surgical:  In surgical solution the hair are planted in the balding area from the healthy donor area. Surgical process has its own limitation. First of all, the density of the donor area has to be good and if the person is losing hair all around, the donor area density may also be affected.  If hair follicles are taken from such donor area, its density may get further reduced, thereby reducing the efficacy of the procedure. During surgery limited number of hair follicles can be transplanted at one go. The transplanted hair may grow straight and not at the desired angle or direction thus giving an impression of hair growing like bristles of a toothbrush.  Surgical marks may also be visible. The surgical process is lengthy.

Non-Surgical:  There are number of options available now a days to cover the baldness.  Wig is required only if a person does not have any hair on scalp. A small wiglet, extension or toupee can be made to cover the balding area or increase the density and attach them permanently. Marchers have come out with number of solutions based on the scientific concept or FORM, SHAPE AND DESIGN. Marchers’ non-surgical hair replacement systems are custom designed. As every head size is different in shape and size and scalp contours are different, a template is made of the bald area and with the help of this template, a replica of the balding area is made in a polyurethane block. With the help of this block, a unit is designed keeping in mind the needed density, type of existing hair, texture, colour, length of the hair, etc. The hair used in these units is 100% naturally human hair, which are duly processed, cleaned and polymerized and made hygienically safe to wear. The new ahir are carefully matched with existing hair to provide natural look.

Marchers also specialize in customized wigs for chemotherapy patients or who have lost hair because of some biological reasons or because of any specialized treatment requiring special drugs.  A wig to be worn by such patients has to be ultra light, breathable and hygienically clean for the sensitive skin.  While designing a unit it is very important to know the life style of the person who is to wear the unit.

Once the unit is ready it is placed on the bald area and for placing, there are number of techniques which can vary from person to person keeping in mind the tensile strength of the existing hair, the life style of the person, etc.  There are number of systems, which can be followed.

• weaving
• clipping in
• taping in
• spot weaving
• silicon bonding

Weaving:  It is the oldest technique and was prevalent 10 to 15 years ago.  A corn row braid in U shape around the balding area is made and a unit is attached or sewn with this braid.  The disadvantages of this type of system are constant pulling of hair leading to headache and traction alopecia, thereby increasing the balding area.  It is also easily detectable and chances are that people would come to know of this attachment.

Clipping in:  In this system, a special kind of clips are attached with the unit and when the unit is placed on top of the balding area these clips grip the healthy hairline and the unit merges with the existing hair.  It is a very simple and easy to maintain but there are certain limitations.  It is a temporary system and there is constant fear that the unit may fall.  A person doing outdoor jobs and socially active person should not use this kind of system.  In this system the unit is made of bigger size than actually needed to hide the bald portion.

Taping in: This is similar to clipping in system, the only difference being the use of double sided tapes to stick to the bald area instead of clips. It has the same kind of limitations and also there can be chances that the wearer’s skin is allergic to double sided tape.

Spot weaving: This is very much similar to weaving, the only difference being that instead of full braid the sewing is done at number of places leaving a gap of around 1 centimeter.  Again this system does not provide 100% natural look.

Silicon Bonding:  This is marchers’ specialized technique and followed world over. Silicon’s known adhesive capabilities are utilized and the unit is attached with the existing hairline on the periphery of the bald area. Any style can be given with this technique. The wearer can swim, shower, shampoo, play, etc. Nothing will happen to the unit and the person combs and styles his/her hair as he/she does to his/her own hair. No body can make out that one is wearing a unit, which is not his/her own. There is no fear of it falling and even if somebody pulls it the unit will remain there only. It is proving to be a boon to the bald area and over 10000 happy customers have benefited from this technique and is being followed by marchers only in this part of the world. Marchers are also running a training institute where it trains the cosmetologists, the skin specialists and aesthetic surgeons in the area of unit making and its fixation. It also provides complete infrastructure support needed and all the equipment necessary for practicing this art.

Hair transplant
A hair transplant is a surgical procedure to improve baldness. Hair transplantation is a surgical technique in which a physician redistributes hairs from an area of thick growth to bald areas. Most hair transplants are performed in an office setting under local anesthesia. Only minimal pain should be experienced. After thoroughly cleaning the scalp, small  needles are used to numb an area of normal hair growth on the back of the scalp. A portion of the hairy scalp is then removed with a scalpel and set aside while the surgeon sews the cut scalp closed. After the scalp is sewn closed, small groups of hairs, or individual hairs, are separated out from the removed scalp using a magnifying lens and sharp blade. The area that will receive these healthy hairs, usually the front of the scalp, is then cleaned and numbed with additional small needles. Finally, tiny holes are made in the front of the scalp and healthy hairs are delicately placed in the holes. During a single treatment session, many hundreds or even thousands of hairs may be transplanted.

Hair transplant is indicated in patients who are concerned about their balding, hair transplantation can significantly improve their appearance and self confidence. Realistic expectations are important, however. It is important to remember that hair still cannot be created; it can only be redistributed from the back of the scalp to the front. Most patients undergoing hair transplantation have traditional male or female pattern baldness, with hair loss on the front or top of the scalp. Patients must still have thick hair on the back or sides of the scalp, or there may not be enough hair follicles to move. In some cases, patients with hair loss from lupus, injuries, or other medical problems may be treated with hair transplantation. Patients undergoing hair transplantation should be otherwise relatively healthy, or surgery is less likely to be safe and successful.

Leg Lengthening/Shortening
Leg lengthening and shortening procedures are surgical treatments for children with legs of unequal lengths, usually involving differences of 1 inch or more. These procedures may: Lengthen an abnormally short leg; Shorten an abnormally long leg; or Limit growth of a normal leg to allow a short leg to grow to a matching length. Lengthening an abnormally short leg may be recommended for children whose bones are still growing. This series of treatments involves several surgical procedures, a lengthy convalescence period, and considerable risks -- but it can add up to 6 inches of length to a leg.

While the child is under general anesthesia, the bone to be lengthened is cut. Metal pins or screws are inserted through the skin and into the bone. Pins are  placed above and below the cut in the bone, and the skin incision is stitched closed. A metal device (usually some sort of external frame) is attached to the pins in the bone and will be used later to gradually pull the cut bone apart, creating a space between the ends of the cut bone that will fill in with new bone. The lengthening device is used very gradually to ensure adequate filling of the bone and stretching of the soft tissues. Later, when the leg has reached the desired length and has healed (usually after several months), another surgical procedure will be done to remove the pins.

Shortening a longer leg may be recommended for children whose bones are no longer growing. This is a technically complicated surgery that can produce a very precise degree of correction. Under general anesthesia, the bone to be shortened is cut and a section of bone is removed. The ends of the cut bone will be joined and a metal plate with screws or a nail down the center of the bone is placed across the bone incision to hold it in place during healing.

Bone growth takes place at the growth plates (physes) at each end of long bones. Restricting bone growth may be recommended for children whose bones are still growing. It is used to restrict the growth of a longer bone to allow the shorter bone to continue to grow to match its length. Under general anesthesia, the surgeons make an incision over the growth plate at the end of the bone in the longer leg. Destroying the growth plate by scraping or drilling it (epiphysiodesis or physeal arrest) will restrict further growth at that growth plate. Proper timing of this surgical treatment is important to assure good results. Metal pins, screws, staples, or plates may be used to stabilize bone during healing. Most orthopedic surgeons prefer to wait several months to a year before removing any large metal implants. Removal of implanted devices requires another surgical procedure using general anesthesia.

Liposuction
Liposuction is the removal of excess body fat by suction with specialized surgical equipment, typically performed by a plastic surgeon. Liposuction has achieved the distinction of being the most popular cosmetic surgical procedure. By removing unwanted deposits of excess fat, liposuction improves body appearance and smoothes irregular or distorted body shapes. The procedure is sometimes referred to as body contouring. Liposuction may be useful for contouring under the chin, neck, cheeks, upper arms, breasts, abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, knees, calves, and ankle areas. Before undergoing liposuction certain criteria must be met. There are several different liposuction procedures.

Tumescent liposuction (fluid injection) is the most common type of liposuction. It involves injecting a large amount of medicated solution into the areas before the fat is removed (sometimes, up to three times the volume of fat to be removed). The fluid is a mixture of local anesthetic (lidocaine), a drug that contracts the blood vessels (epinephrine), and an intravenous (IV) salt solution. The super-wet technique is similar to the tumescent liposuction stated above. The difference is that not as much fluid is used during the surgery--the amount of fluid injected is equal to the amount of fat to be removed. Ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL) uses ultrasonic vibrations to liquefy fat cells. After the cells are liquefied, they can be vacuumed out. UAL can be done in two ways, external (above the surface of the skin with a special emitter) or internal (below the surface of the skin with a small, heated cannula). This technique may help to remove fat from dense, fibrous areas of the body such as the upper back or enlarged male breast tissue. UAL is often used in combination with the tumescent technique, in secondary (follow-up) procedures, or when precision must be enhanced. In general this procedure takes longer than the super-wet technique. A liposuction machine and specialized instruments are required for this surgery. Through a small skin incision, a suction tube with a sharp end is inserted into the fat pockets and swept through the area where fat is to be removed. The dislodged fat is literally "vacuumed" away through the suction tube. A vacuum pump or a large syringe provides the suction action. Several skin punctures may be necessary to treat large areas. After the appropriate amount of fat is removed, small drainage tubes may be inserted into the defatted areas to remove blood and fluid that accumulate during the first few days. Liposuction may or may not require hospitalization, depending on the location and extent of surgery.

Cosmetic Nose Surgery
Rhinoplasty is surgery to repair or reshape the nose. Rhinoplasty is one of the most common of all plastic surgery procedures. It can be used to, Reduce or increase the size of the nose; Change the shape of the tip or the nasal bridge; Narrow the opening of the nostrils; Change the angle between the nose and the upper lip; Correct a birth defect or injury; Help relieve some breathing problems. Rhinoplasty can be performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on the extent of the procedure and the patient's preference. It may be performed in a surgeon's office-based facility, a hospital, or an outpatient surgery center. Complex procedures may require a short inpatient stay. With local anesthesia, the nose and the surrounding area is numbed. The patient will usually be lightly sedated, but awake during the surgery -- relaxed and insensitive to pain. General anesthesia allows the patient to sleep through the operation, and is typically used in children.

The surgery is usually done through the incision inside the nostrils. Nose surgery is considered "elective" when it is done for purely cosmetic purposes. In these cases, the purpose is to change the shape of the nose to one that the patient finds more desirable. Age may be a consideration. Many surgeons prefer not to perform cosmetic nose surgery until the growth of the nasal bone is completed (around 14 or 15 for girls, a bit later for boys). In other cases, nose surgery may be needed for medical purposes. For example, surgery may be needed to treat a serious breathing problem or an injury. Age may be less of a factor. There is no visible scarring if the rhinoplasty is performed from inside the nose. There may be small scars at the base of the nose that are not usually visible when the procedure calls for the narrowing of flared nostrils.

(Information given here has been abridged from authentic sources like NIH, USA)