Mini and Micro Procedures “Plastic Surgery”

"operasi plastik"
Reviewed by James Wells, MD, FACS
The terms "mini" and "micro" appear frequently in plastic surgery today, and have a variety of meanings. The words may imply easier, less complicated, and less demanding procedures. To be more accurate, in plastic surgery, "mini" and "micro" mean that a smaller imperfection is to be treated, with a smaller incision. For example, a mini-facelift would treat a smaller facial imperfection with smaller incisions than a traditional facelift. A mini-facelift can also serve as a "touchup" procedure after a traditional facelift.
The benefits of mini or micro procedures may include reduced surgical time, less recovery time, and possibly less pain. But the approach to mini or micro procedures varies among doctors. It is important to understand what mini and micro can mean for you.
Can Mini and Micro Procedures Work for Me?
The key to successful mini and micro procedures in plastic surgery is in the treatment plan, which is a coordinated combination of procedures to achieve optimal results. A combination of less invasive procedures may serve well for a patient with slight aging imperfections. Although results are temporary, such procedures may be all that is necessary to satisfy a patient for five or more years. Likewise, patients who have already had plastic surgery procedures may want touchups, which may be considered mini or micro, in the form of smaller secondary surgeries throughout their lifetime.
Touchups can provide ongoing or periodic improvements to keep up with aging as it resurfaces. For example, a full facelift can last ten to 15 years. A mini-facelift touchup, which lasts about five years, can be performed after an initial procedure to maintain optimal results. These less invasive treatments, however, are still plastic surgery procedures, and should be considered serious, no matter how mini or micro it may be.
The Mini Facelift
Good candidates may be, for example, baby boomers who want to take five years off their face with a mini-facelift. These patients may benefit from smaller incisions and the use of tiny barb sutures, instead of a large incision that requires heavier stitching. However, many of these techniques are new and long-term results have not been proven. Furthermore, mini-facelift patients may not be fully satisfied with the slight skin tightening offered by smaller incisions and barb sutures.
The treatment plan for a mini-facelift patient often includes regular facial-filler treatments to add volume to hollowed facial areas or fill in deep wrinkles. Alternatively, a candidate who consults with a qualified doctor might be surprised to learn that they don't need a mini-facelift after all. Facial fillers may be enough in some cases.
For more extensive cases, patients with deeper wrinkles may not be satisfied with a mini-facelift. They may need a full facelift or neck-lift (or both) to achieve desired results.