Plastic surgeries aren’t exactly known for their speed—and that’s a good thing, as no one wants a surgeon who rushes through a procedure. But it also means that many surgeries can cost you a whole afternoon, if not more: mommy makeovers can take up to five hours, while a thigh lift can run up to six hours. That’s a hefty chunk of time to account for and work into a busy schedule. However, thanks to innovative devices and newer methods, there are now plastic surgery procedures that can be completed faster than ever—without compromising results or your safety. Here, six procedures that can be done in an hour or less.
Eyelid lift
Approximate time: 30 minutes
Over time, the skin and fat in the upper eyelids can sag, giving the eyelids a heavy look. An upper blepharoplasty can be done under local anesthesia, which always shortens the time frame for a surgery. “Of course, we make sure there is plenty of numbing medicine, and we use laughing gas for those who want it,” says Dr. Carmen Kavali, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Atlanta.
On top of that, it’s a very straightforward procedure. “For most patients, this is a one-step procedure where a strip of skin or muscle is removed—sometimes a small amount of fat as well,” says Dr. Kelly Killeen, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, California. “You will have sutures in place that are visible for one week.” Bruising and swelling can happen, but there’s not much actual pain involved. You’ll still have to skip strenuous exercise and any eye makeup for a few weeks—a period which Dr. Kavali calls “social downtime.”
Breast implants
Approximate time: 60 minutes
The main reason that breast implant surgery is so fast? “Extensive pre-planning,” says Dr. Kavali.
“During our consultation process, I use Vectra 3D imaging to simulate results with various implants, which takes a lot of guesswork and stress out of the process of choosing an implant.” And the procedure is pretty simple: It’s a one-step surgery where the implant is placed under the chest. (There’s no lifting involved here—a breast lift is a separate procedure and combining the two tacks on time.)
The downtime is relatively minimal too, though exercise is off-limits for four to six weeks following surgery. “People are able to return to normal activity quickly and any bruising or swelling is easily hidden by clothing,” says Dr. Killeen. However, implants do require maintenance and a revision surgery or replacement may be needed after 10 to 15 years.
Liposuction
Approximate time: 30 minutes
While recovery can take time, the actual liposuction procedure can take just a half-hour if you’re only treating a small area of the body. That’s because it can be done with local anesthesia, says Dr. Kavali, with “no general anesthesia, no sedation—just numbing medicine and maybe some laughing gas, if desired.”
If you’re going to do it in the office (versus a hospital), stick to a single body area, such as the neck, abdomen, back, thighs, or arms. “Downtime is a few days, usually,” Dr. Kavali says. “The treatment area feels bruised, even if it doesn’t look bruised on the outside.” The downside here is that swelling can last for up to six weeks, and it can take about six months to see the final results.
Ear contouring
Approximate time: 60 minutes
Ear contouring, also known as otoplasty, is another quick procedure that only requires a local anesthetic. “A good candidate for ear contouring is someone with prominent ears and realistic expectations,” says Dr. Kavali. As with an upper blepharoplasty, it entails a very manageable, “social” recovery, and there’s not much pain involved in the healing process. You’ll just have to wear an ear compression band for a few weeks post-surgery, primarily overnight.
Buccal fat removal
Approximate time: 20 minutes
This one-step procedure removes a small amount of fat from naturally full cheeks, for those who want a more chiseled appearance. (Basically, it can give your face a more mature, “model-like” look.) Since the fat is removed through an incision in the mouth and only requires local anesthesia, the process can be as quick as getting fillers. “Bruising and swelling is typically minimal,” adds Dr. Killeen. Something worth keeping in mind, though: “As people age, their faces become more thin—and you can appear gaunt if you had this surgery in your youth,” she warns.
Vision correction surgery
Approximate time: 10 to 30 minutes
If you’re looking to correct your vision, your doctor will perform an examination to determine whether LASEK, LASIK, PRK laser eye surgery, or another method is best for your particular needs. But whichever procedure you choose, you’ll be given numbing drops and an oral sedative, if needed, and chances are you’ll be out in 30 minutes or less (PRK is the fastest, at around 5 minutes per eye). You’ll need to wear protective goggles after and have someone take you home, as your vision may be blurry for 24 hours up to a week or so after.
