Learn and Procedures are for information and education only. They are not medical advice, do not offer or advertise services, and do not replace an in-person evaluation by a qualified plastic surgeon. They are written by a plastic surgery resident in training.
Plain-language guides to common plastic surgery procedures, covering what each involves, recovery, risks and results, grounded in the published evidence and cited throughout.
Face
Updated October 2026.
Facelift
An evidence-based guide to facelift surgery covering deep plane and preservation techniques, recovery, risks and how long results last.
Updated October 2026.
Brow lift
An evidence-based guide to brow and forehead lifts covering endoscopic, hairline and coronal approaches, recovery, risks and long-term results.
Updated October 2026.
Blepharoplasty
An evidence-based guide to upper and lower blepharoplasty covering who benefits, fat-preserving techniques, recovery, dry eye and other risks, and results.
Updated October 2026.
Rhinoplasty
An evidence-based guide to rhinoplasty covering open and closed approaches, preservation techniques, breathing, swelling, risks and revision.
Updated October 2026.
Otoplasty
An evidence-based guide to otoplasty for prominent ears covering newborn ear molding, timing, techniques, recovery, risks and quality of life.
Updated October 2026.
Upper lip lift
An evidence-based guide to the upper lip lift covering why the lip lengthens with age, subnasal and corner techniques, scars, risks and results.
Updated October 2026.
Chin augmentation
An evidence-based guide to chin augmentation comparing implants, sliding genioplasty and filler, with recovery, numbness, risks and satisfaction.
Updated October 2026.
Buccal fat pad excision
An evidence-based guide to buccal fat removal covering candidates, the technique, recovery, complications and what is unknown about long-term aging.
Updated October 2026.
Neck lift
An evidence-based guide to neck lift surgery covering skin, fat, platysma bands, recovery, risks and nonsurgical alternatives.
Updated October 2026.
Fat grafting
An evidence-based guide to fat grafting covering how fat is harvested and injected, how much survives, facial and breast uses, recovery, risks, and safety.
Updated October 2026.
Chemical peel
An evidence-based guide to chemical peels covering superficial, medium and deep peels, preparation, downtime, pigment risks, melasma and acne scars.
Updated October 2026.
Laser skin resurfacing
An evidence-based guide to laser resurfacing covering CO2, erbium and fractional lasers, downtime, darker skin types, risks and results.
Updated October 2026.
Dermabrasion
An evidence-based guide to dermabrasion for scars and wrinkles covering candidates, recovery, pigment and scarring risks, and trial results.
Breast
Updated October 2026.
Fat grafting
An evidence-based guide to fat grafting covering how fat is harvested and injected, how much survives, facial and breast uses, recovery, risks, and safety.
Updated October 2026.
Breast augmentation
An evidence-based guide to breast augmentation covering implant types, placement, incisions, recovery, capsular contracture, BIA-ALCL, and long-term results.
Updated October 2026.
Breast reduction
An evidence-based guide to breast reduction surgery covering symptom relief, pedicle and scar techniques, recovery, complications, breastfeeding, and results.
Updated October 2026.
Mastopexy
An evidence-based guide to breast lift surgery covering ptosis grades, scar patterns, lift with implants, recovery, risks and lasting results.
Updated October 2026.
Gynecomastia correction
An evidence-based guide to gynecomastia covering causes, when it resolves on its own, liposuction and gland excision, recovery and risks.
Body
Updated October 2026.
Gynecomastia correction
An evidence-based guide to gynecomastia covering causes, when it resolves on its own, liposuction and gland excision, recovery and risks.
Updated October 2026.
Abdominoplasty
An evidence-based guide to abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, covering muscle repair, types of tummy tuck, recovery, seroma and other risks, and long-term results.
Updated October 2026.
Liposuction
An evidence-based guide to liposuction covering candidates, tumescent and energy-assisted techniques, recovery, risks and whether fat returns.
Updated October 2026.
Brazilian butt lift
An evidence-based guide to the Brazilian butt lift covering fat embolism and safety, subcutaneous injection, recovery, risks and implants.
Updated October 2026.
Brachioplasty
An evidence-based guide to arm lift surgery, or brachioplasty, covering candidates, liposuction vs skin removal, scars, recovery and risks.
Updated October 2026.
Medial thighplasty
An evidence-based guide to thigh lift surgery covering candidates, horizontal vs vertical techniques, liposuction, recovery, risks and results.
Updated October 2026.
Lower body lift
An evidence-based guide to the lower body lift after weight loss covering timing, candidates, staging, scars, risks and quality of life.
Post Weight Loss
Updated October 2026.
Mastopexy
An evidence-based guide to breast lift surgery covering ptosis grades, scar patterns, lift with implants, recovery, risks and lasting results.
Updated October 2026.
Abdominoplasty
An evidence-based guide to abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, covering muscle repair, types of tummy tuck, recovery, seroma and other risks, and long-term results.
Updated October 2026.
Brachioplasty
An evidence-based guide to arm lift surgery, or brachioplasty, covering candidates, liposuction vs skin removal, scars, recovery and risks.
Updated October 2026.
Medial thighplasty
An evidence-based guide to thigh lift surgery covering candidates, horizontal vs vertical techniques, liposuction, recovery, risks and results.
Updated October 2026.
Lower body lift
An evidence-based guide to the lower body lift after weight loss covering timing, candidates, staging, scars, risks and quality of life.
Non-Surgical
Updated October 2026.
Radiofrequency microneedling
An evidence-based guide to RF microneedling covering acne scars and skin laxity, sessions, recovery, side effects and comparisons with lasers.
Updated October 2026.
Chemical peel
An evidence-based guide to chemical peels covering superficial, medium and deep peels, preparation, downtime, pigment risks, melasma and acne scars.
Updated October 2026.
Laser skin resurfacing
An evidence-based guide to laser resurfacing covering CO2, erbium and fractional lasers, downtime, darker skin types, risks and results.
Updated October 2026.
Neuromodulator injections
An evidence-based guide to Botox and other neuromodulators covering frown lines and crow's feet, onset, duration, side effects and resistance.
Updated October 2026.
Hyaluronic acid fillers
An evidence-based guide to hyaluronic acid fillers covering lips, cheeks and under-eyes, how long they last, side effects and vascular risks.