Dr. Gustavo Colberg
Your Expert in Plastic Surgery in Puerto Rico
Facial Services
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Endoscopic brow lift
It is performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. Three small wounds are made inside the hair and the entire forehead is lifted so that the eyebrows appear higher and the space above the upper eyelid appears wider. The patient can return to work in 12 to 14 days and is generally combined with another type of facial surgery. Exercise cannot be done for 6 weeks.
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Eyelid surgery
This surgery is performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. The surgery is performed to remove excess skin and fat from the eyelids. The upper eyelid is designed to create space and depth between the eyelashes and the eyebrow. The lower eyelid is designed to remove fat pockets and tear troughs. Recovery should take a few days (5 to 7), but you will be socially acceptable and not attract attention in 2 weeks. You cannot exercise for 6 weeks.
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Nose surgery
This surgery is performed on an outpatient basis and under general anesthesia. The idea is to change what the patient does not like. Among the most requested procedures is to fix the hump on the back of the nose and to make the tip of the nose thinner and more delicate. The base of the nose is also made smaller. This surgery requires 2 to 3 weeks of recovery and a few months to see the final result.
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Cheekbone Lift Surgery
This surgery is performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. It can be combined with lower eyelid surgery, through small incisions in the crow's feet, or inside the eyelid. The idea is to lift the cheek and soften the nasolabial lines. Recovery takes less than two weeks.
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Lip rejuvenation surgery
This surgery is performed on an outpatient basis and can be done under general and/or local anesthesia. The idea is to rejuvenate the lips with certain tricks that go unnoticed. The corners of the lips are fixed, the length of the upper lip is corrected and fine wrinkles around the lips are smoothed out. This produces a more youthful lip that, when combined with other surgeries, achieves a more balanced effect.
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Facelift Surgery
This surgery is performed on an outpatient basis and under general anesthesia. It seeks to reposition the fat in the face for a youthful appearance and to erase expression lines. Recovery takes 2 to 3 weeks and is surprisingly painless. Patients complain of feeling a sensation of pressure during the first few days. The wounds are hidden around the ear and are rarely visible.
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Necklift surgery
This surgery is usually combined with the facelift to complement each other. It is performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. The wounds are behind the ear and under the chin. The idea is to gather all the excess skin from the neck as well as the jowls and re-establish the jawline. Recovery is 2 to 3 weeks to be socially acceptable.
Surgery for prominent ears
This surgery is performed on an outpatient basis and can be done under local or general anesthesia. The most common age for this procedure is 4 to 6 years old. This is the age when children start school and the defect is corrected to prevent them from being teased by their peers. The ear can be pulled closer to the hair to prevent it from sticking out when looking straight ahead. The idea is to re-create the natural folds in the ear. Recovery takes 7 to 10 days and the scars are hidden behind the ear.
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​Facial implant surgery
These surgeries are intended to create contours for weak or deficient facial bones. The most common is the chin implant to lengthen the jaw. It is equally popular in men and women. It is performed on an outpatient basis and usually under general anesthesia in combination with liposuction of the neck. The wound is made inside the mouth so there are no stitches to cut and there are no visible scars. Surgery on the cheekbones and angle of the jaw (area near the earlobe) is also performed on an outpatient basis and inside the mouth. Swelling lasts 2 to 4 weeks and discomfort is tolerable for the first few days.
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Botox
Botox is used to paralyze the muscles that create wrinkles when activated. The most common areas are the eyebrows, forehead, crow's feet at the sides of the eyes, bands on the neck and sometimes around the mouth. Its effect is noticeable a few days after its application and can last from 3 to 6 months depending on the metabolism of each person. It is applied in the office with local anesthesia and does not require any special care.
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Fillers and/or Fillers
This type of filler is used to fill wrinkles everywhere and to erase expression lines. The product is chosen depending on the area to be treated and the desired effect. This type of procedure is extremely popular because it is fast, has no recovery period and is long-lasting (some can last up to 1 year).
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Lip augmentation
Permalip® is a very flexible silicone sheet that is introduced under local anesthesia, enlarging the lip evenly.
Botox, Juvederm, RHA and Voluma
They are composed of hyaluronic acid – a substance that occurs naturally in the body – and that hydrates, increases volume and reduces the visibility of facial wrinkles.
Body Services
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Breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy
The best time to reconstruct the breast is at the time of mastectomy surgery. What the surgeon has to remove is the breast tissue, not the skin, since this is another organ. The skin does not get sick with breast cancer, but over time traditional surgery has removed the skin along with the breast. This causes a problem for reconstruction because there is not enough skin and it will never look like a natural breast. On the other hand, when the general surgeon and the plastic surgeon agree and immediate reconstruction is planned, the results are much better and sometimes everything can be done with a single surgery.
It makes a big difference to wake up from a mastectomy with a reconstructed breast and avoid the feeling of mutilation that all women who do not undergo reconstruction feel. There are several alternatives for reconstruction, including saline prostheses, silicone, and in some cases tissue from the abdomen to form the new breast.
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Breast Reduction Surgery
One of the most popular surgeries. It is performed on an outpatient basis and under general anesthesia. All sutures are placed inside and no drains are left. The idea is to reduce and lift the bust. Patients are happy after this surgery because they take the weight off their back and can get clothes that fit them well. Many of them are motivated and lose weight after the surgery because they feel lighter. The patient must wear a special bra for 3 to 4 weeks and cannot exercise for 6 weeks. Surprisingly, it is not a painful surgery.
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Breast Lift Surgery
Performed under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis. The typical patient is a woman who has finished childbearing and breastfeeding. After this stage the breast is empty inside and the skin is stretched. In the surgery the stretched skin of the breast is reduced without removing breast tissue. The idea is to lift the breast, accommodate the nipple where it belongs and not remove breast tissue. The patient should be left in the same bra size but with a better shape when it is removed. It is often combined with a breast augmentation to give volume to the breast. Sometimes a breast augmentation alone is enough to achieve the appearance of a lift. A pure lift is not a painful surgery and is easily tolerated with a few pain pills.
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Breast Augmentation Surgery
My favorite surgery. It is performed on an outpatient basis and under general anesthesia. Today you can choose between saline or silicone implants. The size is chosen according to the patient's morphology. Of all the breast surgeries, breast augmentation is the most painful. Patients complain of pain for the first three days, for which they are prescribed strong pain medication. After the first few days it becomes a bearable discomfort that improves greatly as the days go by. You cannot exercise for 6 weeks. The implants take 3 to 6 months for them to settle in and for the body to assimilate them. The best part is that patients are happy and grateful for their new breasts. Their life changes for the better, their self-esteem rises tremendously as well as their self-confidence.
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Nipple reduction surgery in men
It is one of the most common surgeries in men. It is performed on an outpatient basis and under general anesthesia. Nowadays, thanks to ultrasonic liposuction, fewer patients need large wounds to remove breast tissue. There are two modalities: open surgery, in which an incision is made between the nipple and the skin and the breast tissue is cut, and liposuction. In the latter, 2 mini-incisions of 4 millimeters are made under each nipple and all the excess tissue is suctioned out. A vest-type compression garment is used for 3 weeks. No exercise should be done for 6 weeks.
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Abdominoplasty
Extremely popular surgery. The ideal patient is a person who has just finished her family and wants to repair her abdomen from the ravages of pregnancy. Often the skin stretches and does not improve with anything other than surgery. This surgery is not for the overweight person or for losing weight. The surgery is intended to create a flat abdomen, without stretch marks. The surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, with general anesthesia and drains are placed to remove fluid from the surgical area. At the time of surgery the condition of the abdominal muscles can be evaluated and repaired if necessary. The wounds are around the navel and lower abdomen. A girdle is worn around the abdominal area for 3 to 4 weeks. You cannot exercise for 6 weeks.
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Mini-abdominoplasty
Surgery similar to abdominoplasty but for the patient who only has problems from the navel down. The surgery is also outpatient and is performed under general anesthesia. The upper part of the abdomen is usually suctioned and the lower part below the navel is lifted and stretched. There is no scar on the navel, only in the lower part of the abdomen where cesarean sections are usually performed. A girdle is used for 4 weeks and drains are left in place.
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Glutes, Calves or
Biceps Augmentation Surgery
It is performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. Special implants are used to fill out the biceps area. The incisions are hidden in skin folds and the surgery creates biceps that require months of hard work in a gym. The surgery is very tolerable but no exercise is required for 6 weeks.
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Pectoral surgery in men
The ideal candidate is a bodybuilder who is unable to define his pectoral muscles with exercises. Some people are genetically programmed to have strong and voluminous pectoral muscles, others, however, are unable to create this muscle. The surgery is outpatient and is performed under general anesthesia. You cannot exercise for 6 weeks.
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Hand Surgery -
Carpal tunnel release surgery by endoscopy
It is performed on an outpatient basis and under local anesthesia with intravenous sedation. The surgery is an incredible advance when compared to traditional surgery. Patients can move their hand the same day, there are no stitches to cut, and they do not need therapy after surgery. They return to work within a few days, fully recovered.
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Endoscopic trigger finger release surgery
It is performed on an outpatient basis, with local anesthesia and intravenous sedation. The incisions are 2 to 3 millimeters. Most patients do not experience any pain and can move their finger the same day. There are no stitches to cut and no physical therapy is required for movement.