(817) 503 - 2442
75 Main Street Suite 150
Colleyville, TX 76034
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Botox® Cosmetic
Botox® Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) is a prescription medicine that is injected into muscles to temporarily treat moderate to severe frown lines between the brows of adults 18 to 65 years of age. It works by blocking nerve impulses to the injected muscles. This reduces muscle activity that causes those lines to form between the brows.
Years of squinting, concentrating, or frowning can cause your skin to furrow and crease. As time passes, your skin becomes less elastic and those moderate to severe frown lines between your brows remain, even when your muscles aren't contracting.
Juvederm
Young healthy-looking skin contains an abundance of a naturally hydrating substance called hyaluronic acid (HA). But as you age, time, sunlight, and other factors can reduce the amount
of HA in your skin. The lack of HA causes your skin to lose structure and volume creating unwanted facial wrinkles and folds, like those parentheses lines around your nose and mouth.
Juvederm XC helps replace the HA your skin has lost, adding volume to smooth away facial wrinkles and folds. Juvederm XC achieves its smooth consistency due to an innovative manufacturing process called HYLACROSS technology.
HYLACROSS gives Juvederm XC its unique smooth-gel properties as well as robust gel structure that holds up over time. That's why Juvederm XC is the first smooth-consistency HA
gel and the only HA filler that's FDA approved to last up to 1 year with only 1 treatment. Juvederm XC is formulated with lidocaine, a common anesthetic, to provide a more comfortable experience during and after treatments.
Radiesse
The natural aging process causes your collagen to break down, taking away facial volume. RADIESSE wrinkle filler not only instantly restores facial volume to smooth out signs of aging; it keeps working with your body by stimulating your own natural collagen for long-lasting results.
Unlike creams and lotions, you don't have to wait to see the rest of your RADIESSE wrinkle treatment! Immediately upon injections, RADIESSE wrinkle filler restores fullness to smooth out the sign of aging. And the natural youthful results may last a year or more in many patients.
No matter how moderate or severe your wrinkles may be, RADIESSE wrinkle fillers unique volumizing capabilities can provide full correction with just one syringe. That makes it the ideal wrinkle filler for a broad range of patients.
Restylane®
Restylane® is a safe and natural cosmetic dermal filler that restores volume and fullness to the skin to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds. Restylane® is the first cosmetic dermal filler made of non-animal based hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance that already exists in the human body and is used to provide volume and fullness to the skin. The hyaluronic acid in Restylane® is a crystal-clear gel called NASHA or Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid. NASHA is a biodegradable and fully biocompatible with human hyaluronic acid.
Restylane® has been used by dermatologists and plastic surgeons since 1996 worldwide. There
is limited risk of animal-based disease transmission or allergic reaction. Since it's biocompatible, allergy testing is not required. After your treatment, you might have some redness or swelling. This will normally last less than seven days. Sunbathing and cold outdoor activities should be avoided until any redness or swelling disappears. Studies have show that Restylane® effects generally last for about six months.
Sculptra®
Sculptra® Aesthetic is a facial injectable treatment indicated for correction of shallow to deep nasolabial fold (smile lines), contour deficiencies and other facial wrinkles. It works gradually to replace collagen that is lost during the aging process.
Most injectables can fill these wrinkles, lines, and folds. Sculptra® works differently. It gradually replaces lost collagen and provides structure that lets your new look emerge more discretely. Sculptra® contains poly-L-Lactic acid, or PLLA. It is biocompatible, which means it will not harm your body. PLLA has been used for many years in dissolvable stitches and medical implants, and has been used cosmetically in Europe since 1999.
An average number of treatment sessions of Sculptra® are 3 injection sessions over a few months. The sessions are spread out this way because the Sculptra gradually replaces lost collagen to restore a natural-looking appearance that can last up to 2 years. The time between injection sessions gives Sculptra® enough time to work so that your doctor can fine-tune your follow-up treatments.
Breast Augmentation (Breast Implants)
Breast augmentation is one of the most frequently performed cosmetic surgery procedures in the
U.S. Breast augmentation can give women with small or unevenly sized breasts a fuller, firmer, better-proportioned look through the placement of saline or silicone implants in the breast.
Our patients elect to undergo breast augmentation for many different medical and aesthetic reasons, including balancing breast size, compensating for reduced breast mass after pregnancy
or surgery, and correcting a congenital breast defect. Under our doctors' expert care, patients enjoy great-looking, natural-feeling breasts that are one or more cup sizes larger after the operation.
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Fully Customized Breast Enhancement
We know that every woman is unique in both her desires and her body shape. With that in mind, we take the time during the pre-operative consultations to learn what each patient hopes to gain from breast augmentation surgery and to decide which implant type and implant placement is best. In this way, every one of our patients enjoys completely customized treatment designed with her specific goals in mind.
Saline and Silicone Gel Breast Implants
Breast implants are silicone shells filled with either saline (salt water) or silicone gel. Both implant types are very safe, and each offers its own advantages. We will help you decide which kind is right for you. During surgery, we will place the implants behind each breast, underneath either breast tissue or the chest wall muscle.
After many years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved silicone breast implants for breast augmentation surgery. We are proud to offer patients the option of silicone gel-filled breast implants, since they are much softer and feel more natural than saline-filled breast implants.
Breast Augmentation Surgery - Incision Techniques
The breast augmentation procedure lasts one to two hours and is typically performed with general anesthesia. Incisions are made in inconspicuous places on the breast to minimize scar visibility.
These may be located:
• In the armpit (transaxillary)
• In the crease on the underside of the breast (inframammary)
• Around the areola, the dark skin around the nipple (periareolar)
The breast is then lifted, creating a pocket into which the implant is inserted. Saline implants may also be placed endoscopically through an incision in the navel. This minimally invasive breast enhancement technique is known as a transumbilical breast augmentation or TUBA approach.
Breast Augmentation Surgery - Placement Options
Implant placement beneath the muscle of the chest offers a few advantages over placement beneath the breast tissue only. These include reduced risk of capsular contracture (post-operative tightening around the implant) and less interference with mammogram examinations. Possible disadvantages include need for drainage tubes and elevated pain in the first few days following surgery. We will discuss which option may be best for you.
In the TUBA procedure, implants cannot be placed beneath the chest wall.
After the implants have been inserted and positioned beneath the nipples, the incisions are stitched closed, then taped and bandaged. In a few days, these bandages may be replaced
with a surgical bra.
Breast Augmentation - Recovery
Most patients feel tired and sore after breast augmentation surgery, but this usually passes in a day or two. Many patients return to work within the week.
Stitches are removed in a week to 10 days after breast augmentation. Any post-operative pain, swelling and sensitivity will diminish over the first few weeks.
Scars from breast augmentation incisions will begin to fade in a few months and will continue to fade for months or years.
Complementary Procedures
Breast augmentation can achieve dramatic and beautiful results on its own as well as in conjunction with other cosmetic surgery or non-invasive procedures. We sometimes recommend combining breast augmentation with other procedures such as a breast lift for more satisfying results.
Complications
Complications following breast augmentation surgery are uncommon and usually minimal. They may include capsular contracture, swelling and pain, infection around the implant, a change in nipple sensation, milk production if you nursed a baby within a year before the procedure, and breakage or leakage of the implant (implant rupture) as a result of injury or the normal compression and movement of your breast.
If a saline implant ruptures, the implant will simply deflate in a few hours and your body will absorb the salt water. If a silicone implant leaks, you will need to see a doctor immediately. Regular monitoring of breast implants after breast augmentation is recommended to ensure continuing breast and implant health.
Cheek Enhancement
What is an Endotine® Cheek Lift?
The area between your lower eyelids and your mouth is considered the midface. As you age, the effects of gravity, repeated muscle contraction, and lifestyle cause the skin, fat, and muscle in this region to move downwards. When this occurs, the cheeks begin to look saggy or flat, lower eyelids can become puffy or hollow, circles begin to appear under the eyes, and the lines between the nose and the corner of the mouth deepen.
The Endotine® Cheek Lift restores the natural curves and fullness in the cheeks by moving soft tissues back to where they were earlier. This is achieved by elevating the soft midface tissue from the bone, repositioning it upward towards the eyes, and fixating it in place until it readheres naturally to the bone. This restores cheek volume and establishes more youthful midface contours. The result will be a natural, revitalized appearance that doesnt appear overdone or pulled.
When performed skillfully, a cheek lift will deliver a natural but noticeable improvement. It is frequently performed with other surgeries, such as a lower face lift, eyelid surgery, or a browlift. However, for many younger patients, under 45 years old, midface suspension is often a standalone procedure.
How is a Endotine® Cheek Lift Performed?
During a midface suspension procedure, the surgeon makes small incisions in the area above the ear or the lower eyelid and in some cases, through the underside of the upper lip. A small endoscope and other instruments are introduced through the incisions to lift the delicate midface tissues off the cheekbones. Once lifted, these tissues are repositioned upward (toward the eye) and to the side (toward the ear).
Midface suspension surgery is often performed in office based surgical suites, and can be done with general anesthesia or with local anesthesia and sedation. Patients typically return home on the same day. Surgical dressings, if used, are removed soon after surgery, and any tissue swelling related to the procedure gradually diminishes.
Am I an Endotine® Cheek Lift Candidate?
If your cheeks are sagging or have flattened over the years, if your lower eyelids are puffy with dark circles or have hollowed out, or if your smile lines have deepened, you're probably a good candidate for a midface suspension. Of course the best way to determine if a midface suspension is right for you is by a thorough consultation with a surgeon.
The Endotine® Midface offers two new approaches to the midface suspension allowing your surgeon to quickly lift and secure tissue at a new, more youthful position. These innovative devices provide your surgeon with a predictable alternative for cheek suspension, enabling shortened procedure time and improved aesthetic outcomes.
The Endotine® Cheek Lift Solution The Endotine® Cheek Lift is a new approach that gives your surgeon the ability to easily restore sagging cheek volume to its natural position.
This new approach features the Endotine® Midface ST and Midface B devices, which has five small tissue holders, or tines, to grasp the cheek tissue gently but securely and elevate it (and all overlying cheek tissue layers) to a new position. In this way, it can reduce the skin irregularities and dimpling that commonly occur when sutures are used. The tines also distribute the tissue forces evenly, minimizing the chance of surgical failure and possible injury caused by sutures.
It typically takes 30 to 60 days for the tissue to reattach to the bone. Once implanted, the device gradually absorbs until it is completely gone. This is an improvement over non-absorbable sutures, which remain permanently implanted long after they are no longer needed for fixation.
An experienced surgeon can place the Endotine® Midface device in minutes. This can shorten the length of the procedure by up to 30 to 40 minutes and possibly reduce the swelling associated with more prolonged techniques.
The tips of the tines are rounded to create a gentle grasping surface for the cheek tissue and reduce the chance of discomfort. While patients may feel the tines when they push down on the cheek, there is very little tenderness. Perhaps most importantly, patients report a very high level of satisfaction with their results.
What Can I Expect After Surgery?
Immediately after surgery, you will experience some temporary swelling and bruising in your midface region, which may take several weeks to completely resolve. The first night, it's important to rest with your head elevated to decrease swelling and bruising. You can use a cold compress for comfort and to help control swelling. Additionally, pain medication may be prescribed for post - operative pain.
You can usually take a shower within a few days and most patients are ready to return to work in about two weeks. At this point, you may feel the Endotine® Midface device under the cheek, but it is not likely to be visible. It will become less palpable as it begins to absorb in the months following surgery.
How does the Endotine® Cheek Lift compare to a barbed-suture lift?
There are a number of differences between a true Endotine® Midface Lift and a barbed-suture lift. First, with the Endotine® Midface, the sagging midface tissue is released from the cheek-bone and repositioned at a higher (elevated) level. A natural healing process ensues that fixes the cheek tissue naturally at this new location. The result is a rounder cheek with more projection which translates to a more youthful appearance. Once healing has occurred, the Midface Device begins to be absorbed naturally by the body.
With barbed suture, there is no release of tissue, instead the suture passed through the cheeks upper tissue layer and then tightened by pulling upward. Cheek elevation is dependent upon the strings of suture being tied to the temporal area above the ear. Since there has been no movement of the underlying tissue to a new location, the long term results of this surgery has not been established. The suture is permanent, meaning it will remain under the skin until it is removed. Since the suture is constantly under tension lifting the cheek, it could remain palpable until removed. Once removed, the cheek would return to its original position.
Cheek (Malar) Implant
Throughout the ages, many cultures, including our modern western civilization, have considered prominent or high cheekbones a sign of physical beauty. Until recently, the only way to create an illusion of high cheekbones was through the skillful application of cosmetics. Often, however, makeup could not sufficiently alter what nature had produced.
Today, because of modern technology, there is a remarkable procedure, malar augmentation or cheek implant, that can give women the high cheekbones they desire. This surgery, although not designed for everyone, can give definition to a face that has a flat contour because of underdeveloped cheekbones. The best candidate for malar augmentation is the individual with a long, narrow face or one with a very round face and flat cheeks. It can also benefit people with asymmetries or congenital defects. This surgery can be performed in conjunction with other facial surgeries such as blepharoplasty (Surgery of the eyes) or rhytidectomy (facelift).
Before Surgery
Prior to surgery, a complete medical history is taken to evaluate the general health of the patient. A careful examination is also conducted. The physician describes to the patient the type of anesthesia to be used, the procedure, what results might realistically be expected, and possible risks and complications. Photographs may be taken before and after surgery to evaluate the amount of improvement. Preoperative instructions may include the elimination of certain drugs containing aspirin in order to minimize the possibility of excess bleeding. Antibiotics may be prescribed for a few days prior to surgery to prevent infection. The areas to be worked on are carefully marked.
The Procedure
Malar augmentation can be performed in a physicians office, an outpatient surgical facility or a hospital, depending on the physicians and patients preference. It can be performed under general anesthesia with the patient asleep or under local anesthesia in which the area is numbed and the patient remains awake. Pre-medication may be administered to relax the patient.
The face is thoroughly cleansed with an antiseptic cleansing agent after which an incision is made either inside the mouth or immediately below the lower eyelids. With the internal approach, the most frequently used procedure, the incision is made between the upper gums and the cheek. The soft tissue is elevated, creating a pocket over the cheekbone. An implant, usually triangular in shape, is then inserted. The implant is often made of silicone or other pliable prefabricated material. Tiny sutures are used to close the incisions. If the external approach is used, a very fine incision is made directly beneath the lower eyelash, within the natural crease of the eyelid. The implant is positioned in the cheek area through this incision.
Following Surgery
Sutures are removed within a week. Pain connected with the surgery is minimal to moderate and is controlled with oral medication. Antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent infection. Some temporary swelling and bruising of the face are to be expected; however, keeping the head slightly elevated when reclining and applying cold compresses may help reduce swelling. Chewing may be difficult for about two weeks, and tightness or numbness around the treated area may occur for a period of time. Brushing the teeth is often difficult for several days.
Complications of infection are rare; however there are certain inherent risks connected with every surgical procedure which should be thoroughly discussed with the physician. Patients can minimize complications by carefully following directions given by the physician. If you are interested in learning more about malar augmentation, please call our office and we will be happy to answer your questions.
Chin Augmentation
A well defined chin helps give balance to the face and creates a major part of one's profile. When people look in the mirror, most focus on the size and shape of their noses, their ears, sagging jowls, or fine wrinkling of the skin. But even though few examine their chins with the same discerning eye, having a weak chin is certainly not an asset. Surgeons who specialize in rhinoplasty, or surgery of the nose, are often the first to suggest that changes in chin size or shape may enhance a profile as much as rhinoplasty. It is common for the facial plastic surgeon to recommend chin surgery in addition to nose surgery when the surgeon sees that chin augmentation is necessary to achieve facial balance and harmony. Fortunately, this is a relatively straightforward procedure that can make a major difference.
If you are wondering how chin surgery could improve your appearance, you need to know how the surgery is performed and what you can expect from this procedure. This pamphlet can address many of your concerns and provide you the information to begin considering chin surgery.
Successful facial plastic surgery is a result of good rapport between patient and surgeon. Trust, based on realistic expectations and exacting medical expertise, develops in the consulting stages before surgery. Your surgeon can answer specific questions about your specific needs.
As with all elective surgery, good health and realistic expectations are prerequisites. It is also key to understand all aspects of the surgery. A pleasing, balanced profile can be achieved by inserting an implant or moving the bone forward to build up a receding chin, or by reducing a jutting or too prominent chin. The result can be greater facial harmony and an increase in self-confidence.
Another possibility for improvement through chin surgery is submental liposuction in which excess fatty tissue is removed to redefine the chin or neckline. When there is a contributing problem of dental malocclusions or birth defects in the structure of the jaw itself, surgery of the jaw can improve the form and function of the lower face and greatly enhance appearance.
Your consultation can help you decide on the type of surgery that addresses your concerns. Your surgeon can also provide information on new medical techniques for chin surgery and offer recommendations for supplementary surgery that can ensure the greatest improvement.
Whether you are interested in chin surgery for functional or cosmetic reasons, your choice of
a qualified facial plastic surgeon is extremely important. During the consultation, your surgeon will thoroughly examine your chin and jaw to pinpoint problems. In some instances, the surgeon will suggest chin surgery as a supplement to rhinoplasty because a small chin can make the nose appear larger. Your surgeon will weigh other factors that could influence the outcome of surgery such as age, skin type, and attitudes toward surgery. The surgical procedure will be described in detail along with reasonable projections. If you opt for surgery, your surgeon will describe the technique indicated, the type of anesthesia to be used, the surgical facility, any additional surgery, and risks and costs.
To augment the chin, the surgeon begins by making an incision either in the natural crease line just under the chin or inside the mouth, where gum and lower lip meet. By gently stretching this tissue, the surgeon creates a space where an implant can be inserted. This implant, made of synthetic material that feels much like natural tissue normally found in the chin, is available in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. This allows custom fitting of the implant to the configurations of the patient's face. After implantation, the surgeon uses fine sutures to close the incision. When the incision is inside the mouth, no scarring is visible. If the incision is under the chin, the scar is usually imperceptible.
In chin reduction surgery, incisions are made either in the mouth or under the chin. The surgeon sculpts the bone to a more pleasing size. For orthognathic surgery, the surgeon will make an incision inside the mouth and reposition the facial bones. The procedure, depending on the extent of the work, takes from less than an hour to approximately three hours.
Immediately after surgery, the surgeon usually applies a dressing that will remain in place for two to three days. You will experience some tenderness. Post-operative discomfort can be controlled with prescribed medications. Chewing will probably be limited immediately after chin surgery, and a liquid and soft food diet may be required for a few days after surgery. Most patients feel a stretched, tight sensation after the surgery, but this usually subsides in a week.
After approximately six weeks, most swelling will be gone, and you can enjoy the results of your procedure. Rigorous activity may be prohibited for the first few weeks after surgery. Normal activity can be resumed after approximately ten days.
Facial plastic surgery makes it possible to enhance your appearance and eliminate signs of premature aging that undermine self-confidence. By changing how you look, facial plastic surgery can improve your self-image.
Insurance does not generally cover surgery that is purely for cosmetic reasons. Surgery to correct or improve genetic deformity or traumatic injury may be reimbursable in whole or in part. It is the patient's responsibility to check with the insurance carrier for information on the degree of coverage.
Dermal Fat Transfer
Fat transfer (medically, fat transplantation, also called fat injection or fat grafting) is a medical procedure that uses the patient`s own fat tissue to increase the volume of fat in the subcutaneous area of the body. Autologous adipose tissue transplantation has been used for breast augmentation for cosmetic reasons and after breast cancer surgery.
It is a minimally invasive procedure an alternative to breast augmentation using breast implants.
Ear Reshaping (Octoplasty)
Probably no other physical characteristic cries out for facial plastic surgery more than protruding ears. Children, long the victims of cruel nicknames like Dumbo or Mickey Mouse, are the most likely candidates for otoplasty, but this surgery can be performed at any age after the ears have reached full size, usually around five to six years of age. Even if the ears are only mildly distorted, the condition can lead to self-consciousness and poor adaptation to school. When it comes to otoplasty, conventional wisdom is the earlier the better.
Adults may also benefit from this procedure, which improves self-esteem with relative ease. Often, adults choose this surgery in conjunction with other facial plastic surgical procedures. Not only is it possible to pin back ears, but ears can also be reshaped, reduced in size, or made more symmetrical.
If you are wondering how otoplasty can improve the way you look, you need to know how otoplasty is performed and what you can expect from this procedure. This pamphlet can address many of your concerns.
General good health and realistic expectations are prerequisites. It is also important to understand the surgery. Otoplasty will not alter hearing ability. What is important for successful otoplasty is that the ears be in proportion to the size and shape of the face and head.
When considering otoplasty, parents must be confident that they have their child's best interests at heart. A positive attitude toward the surgery is an important factor in all facial plastic surgery, but it is especially critical when the patient is a child or adolescent.
Adult candidates for otoplasty should understand that the firmer cartilage of fully developed ears does not provide the same molding capacity as in children. A consultation with a facial plastic surgeon can help parents decide what is best for their child, not only aesthetically, but also psychologically and physically. Timing is always an important consideration. Having the procedure at a young age is highly desirable in two respects: the cartilage is extremely pliable, thereby permitting greater ease of shaping; and secondly, the child will experience psychological benefits from the cosmetic improvement.
Your choice of a qualified facial plastic surgeon is of paramount importance. During the consultation, the surgeon will examine the structure of the ears and discuss possibilities for correcting the problems. Even if only one ear needs pinning back, surgery will probably be recommended on both ears to achieve the most natural, symmetrical appearance.
After the surgeon and patient decide that otoplasty is indicated, your surgeon will discuss the procedure. Following a thorough medical history, your surgeon will explain the kind of anesthesia required, surgical facility, and costs. Typically, your surgeon will suggest a general anesthesia for young patients and a local anesthetic combined with a mild sedative for older children and adults. Under normal conditions, otoplasty requires approximately two hours.
Surgery begins with an incision just behind the ear, in the natural fold where the ear is joined to the head. The surgeon will then remove the necessary amounts of cartilage and skin required to achieve the right effect. In some cases, the surgeon will trim the cartilage, shaping it into a more desirable form and then pin the cartilage back with permanent sutures to secure the cartilage.
In other instances, the surgeon will not remove any cartilage at all, using stitches to hold the cartilage permanently in place. After sculpting the cartilage to the desired shape, the surgeon will apply sutures to anchor the ear until healing occurs to hold the ear in the desired position.
Soft dressings applied to the ears will remain for a few days. Most patients experience some mild discomfort. If you are accustomed to sleeping on your side, your sleep patterns may be disrupted for a week or so because you cannot put any pressure on the ear areas. Headbands are sometimes recommended to hold the ears in the desired position for two weeks after the surgery.
The risks are minimal. There will be a thin white scar behind the ear after healing. Because this scar is in a natural crease behind the ear, the problem of visibility is inconsequential. Anything unusual should be reported to the surgeon immediately.
Facial plastic surgery makes it possible to correct many facial flaws that can often undermine one's self-confidence. By changing how you look, cosmetic surgery can help change how you feel about yourself.
Insurance does not generally cover surgery that is purely for cosmetic reasons. Surgery to correct or improve birth defects or traumatic injuries may be reimbursable in whole or in part. It is the patient's responsibility to check with the insurance carrier for information on the degree of coverage.
Eyelid Lift (Blepharoplasty)
Eyes are a prominent facial feature. It is the surrounding skin, rather than the eyes themselves, that conveys emotion. The tissue, muscle, fat, hair and lashes all contribute to the wide array of expressions. Age, sun exposure and hereditary factors all contribute to wrinkles, deep lines and puffiness around the eyes.
The aging process can cause unwanted changes in expression, causing us to look permanently fatigued and older than we really are. These changes in appearance can cause emotional distress and sometimes even visual impairment. An eyelid lift, or blepharoplasty, is designed to restore a more youthful appearance to your eyes. It may involve the upper lids, the lower lids, or both.
New and Traditional Techniques
Traditional Blepharoplasty: An incision is made in the crease of the upper lid toward the temples. Once healed, it is not noticeable when the eye is open. On the lower lid, the incision is made along the lash line toward the temples, and is hidden by lashes when healed.
The Transconjunctival Approach: This is a newer technique for lower lid blepharoplasty, involving an incision inside the lower lid. Fat can be removed through this incision, but excess skin cannot be eliminated.
Laser resurfacing of the eyelids is a non-surgical alternative that may delay the need for a surgical blepharoplasty. It results in significant tightening of the skin around the eyes, but will not effect the fat around the eyes and may even accentuate it.
Please contact us if you have any questions about which procedure is right for you.
The Surgery
Local anesthesia is given around the eyes. An intravenous line is started so that sedation may also be given. During the procedure you will be awake but comfortable and relaxed. General anesthesia may also be used.
This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. It is important to arrange for care after the surgery. Someone must drive you home and be available to care for you for the first 24 hours.
Recovery: What to Expect
The area surrounding the eyes will remain swollen in the days following the surgery. It should begin to subside after the first day. Some vision blurring is normal.
The stitches will be removed in 4-5 days. Swelling and bruising will persist for about 10 days, but you can begin wearing makeup to help conceal these concerns. You may expect to resume normal activity within a week to 10 days, and start enjoying your new look within approximately 10-14 days. It may take about 6 months for the scars to lose their redness.
Wrinkling will recur later in life; however, it is unlikely that the bags will recur because the fat has been removed. Deeper wrinkles around the outer eye extended onto the temple are not greatly affected by the eyelid lift. These areas may be treated with laser resurfacing.
Facelift (Rhytidectomy)
Aging of the face is inevitable. As the years go by, the skin begins to loosen on the face and neck. Crow's feet appear at the corners of the eyes. Fine forehead lines become creases and then, gradually, deeper folds. The jawline softens into jowls, and beneath the chin, another chin or vertical folds appear at the front of the neck. Heredity, personal habits, the pull of gravity, and sun exposure contribute to the aging of the face. As the aging population grows, it is obvious why rhytidectomy has become the third most desired facial plastic surgical procedure.
If you ever wondered how a rhytidectomy, or facelift, as it is commonly called, could improve your looks or self-confidence, you need to know how a facelift is performed and what you can expect from this procedure.
Successful facial plastic surgery is a result of good rapport between patient and surgeon. Trust, based on realistic expectations and exacting medical expertise, develops in the consulting stages before surgery is performed. Your surgeon can answer specific questions about your specific needs.
As with all facial plastic surgery, good health and realistic expectations are prerequisites. Understanding the limitations of rhytidectomy is crucial and psychological stability is vital. There is no ideal in a facelift. Rather, the goal is to improve the overall facial appearance. Skin type, ethnic background, degree of skin elasticity, individual healing, basic bone structure, as well as a realistic attitude are factors that should be discussed prior to surgery. This procedure is sometimes performed on patients in their thirties, and successful surgery has been performed on patients in their eighties. A facelift cannot stop aging, nor can it turn back the clock. What it can do is help your face look its best and give you a look of health and a more youthful appearance. A side benefit is that many patients experience increased self-confidence.
Before deciding on a facelift, you should discuss with your facial plastic surgeon whether the overall effect will be more successful if additional changes are made in the chin and neck areas through other facial surgery. Many patients decide to have facial liposuction to remove excess fatty deposits in conjunction with a facelift. If several flaws need correction, more than one procedure may be necessary for the best overall result.
Your choice of a qualified facial plastic surgeon is of paramount importance. During the preliminary consultation, the surgeon will examine the structure of your face, skin texture, color, and elasticity. Photographs will be taken so the surgeon can study your face. Individual risks will also be examined, especially those related to medical situations such as high blood pressure, a tendency to scar, smoking, and any deficiency in blood clotting. The surgeon will take a thorough medical history, as well as assess the patient's mental and emotional attitudes toward the surgery. Because a realistic attitude is crucial to the success of the surgery, the surgical procedure and realistic expectations will be discussed.
After the decision to proceed with a rhytidectomy is made jointly by you and your surgeon, the surgeon will describe the technique indicated, the type of anesthesia, the surgical facility, any additional surgery, the pros and cons to include possible complications, and costs of the procedure.
The surgeon begins the incision in the area of the temple hair, just above and in front of the ear, and then continues around the lobe, circling the ear before returning to the point of origin in the scalp. The skin is raised outward before the surgeon repositions and tightens the underlying muscle and connective tissue. Some fat may be removed, as well as excess skin. For men, the incision is aligned to accommodate the natural beard lines. In all cases, the incision is placed where it will fall in a natural crease of the skin for camouflage.
After trimming the excess skin, the surgeon closes the incisions with fine sutures and/or metal clips, which permit surgery without shaving hair from the incision site. Depending on the extent of the surgery, the process can take from two to four hours. When the procedure is performed with a combination of mild sedatives, local anesthesia, and a mild intravenous anesthesia, the patient will experience little discomfort. Some surgeons prefer to use general anesthesia for facelifts. Following the surgery, the surgeon will apply a dressing to protect the entire area where the incisions have been made.
Even though most patients experience very little pain after surgery, the surgeon will still prescribe medication. Some degree of swelling and bruising is unavoidable, and your surgeon may instruct you to use cold compresses to keep swelling to a minimum. If a dressing has been applied, it will be removed within one to two days. The surgeon will also instruct you to keep your head elevated when lying down, to avoid as much activity as possible, and to report any undue discomfort. Though there are few risks in facelift surgery and thousands are performed every year, some risk exists in any surgery.
In some cases, a drainage tube may have been inserted during surgery. This will be removed on the first or second day after surgery. All sutures and staples are usually removed within five to 10 days following surgery. Surgeons generally recommend that patients avoid vigorous activity. Patients should prearrange for post-surgery support from family and friends.
Recovery usually takes two to three weeks, though many patients go back to work in two weeks. Scars are usually not noticeable after enough time has passed for them to mature.
In any case, they are easily disguised in natural skin creases, by the hair, or, in persistent cases, by makeup until total healing has occurred. Bear in mind that the aging process continues after surgery and that some relaxation of tissues will occur over the first few weeks.
Facial plastic surgery makes it possible to correct many facial flaws and signs of premature aging that can undermine self-confidence. By changing how you look, cosmetic surgery can help change how you feel about yourself.
Insurance does not generally cover surgery that is done purely for cosmetic reasons. Surgery to correct or improve genetic deformity or traumatic injury may be reimbursable in whole or in part. It is the patient's responsibility to check with the insurance carrier for information on the degree of coverage.
Forehead Lift
The Center For Aesthetic Surgery performs brow and forehead lifts to raise eyebrows and reduce ridges and furrows on the forehead, thus creating a smoother, more youthful appearance. This procedure can be performed in conjunction with other surgeries.
Newer techniques now allow us to perform Forehead Lifting through small incisions in the scalp by using an endoscope and specialized instruments. This accelerates the healing process.
Endotine™ Forehead and Brow Lift
What is a TransBleph Procedure? A TransBleph is a revolutionary combination in eye rejuvenation that's simple, quick and direct. It enables your physician to perform a brow lift and upper eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) through a single, upper lid incision. It can also be used as a stand-alone procedure for a subtle brow lift.
Am I a TransBleph Candidate? If you are undergoing upper eyelid surgery for cosmetic or optical reasons and would like the refreshed appearance of a brow lift without a second set of incisions, then a TransBleph procedure may be for you.
To get a glimpse of the potential results, you can try a simple test on your own. Place your fingertips at the outer one third of your eyebrows and gently raise the skin upwards. This will give you a good indication of what the procedure might do for your appearance.
Even if you do not need upper eyelid surgery but do want the refreshed appearance of a subtle brow lift, then TransBleph is still an option. Of course, the best way to determine if TransBleph is right for you is by a thorough consultation with our cosmetic surgeon.
