Facial Rejuvenation:

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Face Lift:

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A facelift (rhytidectomy) is a surgical procedure designed to smooth and firm the skin of the face, providing a youthful, refreshed appearance.  The aging process is exacerbated by the sun’s radiation, stress, gravity, and other factors that cause the skin to loosen and relax over time.  Certain areas of the face and neck are more prone to this accelerated aging process.  These gradual changes can make an individual feel dissatisfied and self conscious with their aged appearance. Facelift surgery involves removing the loose skin and smoothing out the remaining face and neck skin.  In some instances, removing or adding fat in conjunction with surgery may help restore a more youthful appearance.  A facelift can also be combined with other facial cosmetic procedures, such as an eyelid lift, brow lift, fat injections or lip augmentation.  These procedures can be performed at any time when signs of aging are noticed by the patient.  However, most patients are generally in their late forties or older when the procedure is performed.

Reasons for choosing a facelift:

General Procedure:

The procedure for a facelift involves making incisions just inside the hairline, along the ear, continuing under the earlobe to the backside of the lower scalp.  The skin is lifted and stretched back to remove the sagging appearance.  The excess skin is then removed.  If the neck lines require attention, an additional incision is made under the chin; through this incision, the neck muscles can be tightened.  Very small stitches are used to close the incisions to minimize the chance of scarring.  A facelift can take several hours to perform, depending on the extent of skin removal or additional procedures added. 

Recovery Process:

After surgery, the face is fitted with bandages in order to help decrease swelling and bruising.  Occasionally, a drain is left in place for a day to minimize fluid accumulation.  Ice packs may also be applied to the dressing to help minimize swelling and discomfort.  The stitches are generally removed within 5-7 days.  Any discomfort after surgery can be treated effectively with oral pain medication.  Post-operative instructions call for plenty of rest and limited movement in order to speed up the recovery and healing process.

While complications are rare, patients can minimize potential problems by carefully following the surgeon's directions given after the procedure.

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Eye Lid Surgery:

The aging process causes the upper and lower eyelids to loosen and hang down.  Wrinkles, puffiness, and excess skin contribute to a tired or aged appearance.  Eye lid surgery (known as blepharoplasty) is a corrective procedure that can reduce the appearance of excess upper eyelid skin or “bags” under the eyes by removing the excess skin and fat.  This restores a more youthful appearance to the eyes.  Patients are very pleased with the dramatic difference noticed following eye lid surgery. 

Reasons for choosing eyelid surgery:

General Procedure:

The surgical procedure involves making small incisions in the natural creases of the eyelids, which should leave minimal to no visible scarring.  The surgeon will usually work on the upper eyelids first to remove any fatty tissue and tighten loose skin.  Lower eyelids are completed next to eliminate puffiness and reduce lower lid bags. 

The procedure generally takes about one to two hours to complete, and can be performed in the office with local anesthesia or in a state-of-the art surgical center under general anesthesia.

Recovery Process: 

Generally, post-operative instructions call for ice packs over the eyes for the first 24 hours.  The patient is instructed to keep their head elevated for the first two days following surgery, to minimize swelling and bruising.  Sutures are removed within the first week.  While complications are rare, patients can minimize potential problems by carefully following the surgeon's directions given after the procedure.

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Ear Surgery:

Surgery of the ear (otoplasty) is a procedure that can help to correct protruding ears.  Frequently, this procedure is performed on children that are born with ear irregularities.   This is done between ages four to fourteen.  Ears that protrude or “stick out” are often the source of teasing and ridicule among young children and adolescents.  This can have a dramatic impact on the child’s psyche.

Cosmetic procedures to correct ear irregularities in adult patients can also be performed.  This typically results in a significant improvement in appearance. 

Reasons to choose ear surgery:

General Procedure:

Depending on the procedure required, the surgery may be done in the office under local anesthesia, or may need to be performed in an outpatient setting, under general anesthesia.  The procedural details will depend on the patient’s desires.  This will be discussed in detail at the consultation with the physician.  For children born with an ear defect, a cartilage graft may be needed to reconstruct the ear.  This graft is generally taken from one of the ribs.  The time requirement depends on the type and complexity of the procedure being performed.

The recovery process is dependant on the extent of the surgery performed.  This will be discussed with the surgeon at the time of the consultation.

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Nose Surgery:

Nose surgery (rhinoplasty) is a procedure to reshape the nose in order to create a more pleasing appearance.  Rhinoplasty is one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed in the United States.  This procedure usually involves reducing the size of the nose, removing a “hump” in the nose, or correcting the shape after a break.   A rhinoplasty generally provides the patient with better facial balance and a pleasing result.

Reasons for choosing nose surgery:

General Procedure:

A rhinoplasty generally lasts two or three hours.   This is done under general anesthesia.  Small incisions are made to allow access to the underlying nasal structures.  Once the incisions are made, the cartilage and bone can be reshaped. There are two common ways to perform this surgery.  They are referred to as “open” or “closed” rhinoplasty.  The choice of surgery will be decided by the patient and surgeon at the time of the consultation.

Recovery Process:

A nasal splint (hard covering over the nose) is worn for one or two weeks after surgery.   Some swelling and bruising may be noticed, which improves gradually over time.  Pain medications and ice packs are used for pain control.  Patients must refrain from smoking for several weeks before and after surgery.  Any corrective glasses must be positioned (taped) off the nose.   The patient will be advised to restrict movement to light activity to protect the nose for the first few weeks.  While complications are rare, patients can minimize potential problems by carefully following post-surgical instructions given by the surgeon.

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Facial Implants:

High cheekbones, full lips, and a contoured chin form the photogenic aspects of the face.  Some individuals would like to obtain more prominence of these facial features.  For such individuals, facial implants could be the answer to provide this improvement in facial contour.   

Facial implants are permanent products placed underneath the skin and muscles of the face to create definition and prominence of the facial features.   Such implants are most frequently used to augment the chin, cheeks, and/or jaw line providing a balanced and better defined facial appearance.  Implants offer a great way to enhance the facial profile by improving the overall proportion and balance of the facial features. 

Reasons for choosing implants:

General Procedure:

Permanent implants are inserted into the cheeks, lips, chin, or along the jaw line by making small hidden incisions with the patient asleep. These incisions are most often made inside the mouth, within skin folds underneath the chin, or in the corners of the lips. Next, a space is created for the implant to sit in.  The placement of implants is usually performed under general anesthesia in an outpatient surgery center.  This procedure generally takes about an hour to complete.

Ask your surgeon about new silicone lip implants:

A soft silicone lip implant is now available and can be placed in the office with the lips completely numbed.  Lip implants are a very popular choice for patients who desire permanent fuller lips.  There are several sizes to choose from.  This procedure is very well tolerated and recovery time is minimal.  Swelling of the lips generally lasts about one week.

Ask you surgeon about the PermaLip™ implant from SurgiSil.

Recovery Process:

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Fillers:

Injectable fillers are the most popular and rapidly growing products in the aesthetic business today.  People of all age groups are opting to have this non-permanent “quick fix” to facial aging performed.  Fillers are a great and less expensive way to enhance your facial profile, fill wrinkles and folds, and get that younger and fuller look you desire.

The aging process is exacerbated by the sun’s radiation, stress, gravity, and other factors that cause the skin to loosen and relax over time.  Certain areas of the face are more prone to accelerated aging, and therefore, benefit the most from fillers.  The most common sites of injection include the folds near the nose and mouth, around the corners of the lips, and in the “marionette” or deep lines of the chin.    Fillers can also be used to augment and define the lips, or treat depressed acne scars and other furrows around the eyes and forehead.

There are several different types of fillers available today.  After consultation with the surgeon, the perfect choice will be determined with you.  Often, a combination of fillers may be best, especially when facial skin lines are of different depths. The results are noticeable immediately and last between 6-18 months, depending on the type and amount of filler placed and the injection site.

Reasons to choose fillers:

General Procedure:

Fillers are injected in the office with the patient positioned comfortably on the procedure table.  A topical anesthetic is applied to the face 45 minutes before the procedure begins, this helps to numb the face and reduce discomfort.  At TrüYou plastic surgery, injections are always performed by the surgeon.  This treatment generally takes a total of one hour.

It is important to stop (if allowed by your primary doctor) the use of Aspirin, coumadin, or other blood thinning products, such as vitamin E or fish oil, one week prior to treatment with fillers to decrease the possibility of excess bruising.  Advise your doctor if you have any allergies to milk, eggs, or lidocaine (numbing medicine).

Recovery Process:

There is minimal recovery time after the injection of fillers.  Ice packs are applied to the areas treated.  Bandages are not necessary after this procedure.  Swelling and bruising are generally minimal.   Patients are instructed to keep their head elevated for 24 hours during the initial recovery period.  While complications are rare, patients can minimize potential problems by following the post-procedure instructions given by the doctor.

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Fat Grafting:

Another option in facial rejuvenation is called fat grafting. 

Fat Grafting is a popular technique in which fat taken from another part of one’s body is injected into various locations in the face.  This procedure, like implants and injectable fillers, can be used to augment and define facial features.  An added benefit of this procedure is that fatty tissue is removed from another area of the body, like the hips, thighs or belly, and thus also has a slimming effect on that part of the body where the fat was removed from.  Fat grafting may be a great choice for someone already considering liposuction because the fat removed by liposuction can be purified and used for injecting into other areas. 

While the results of fat injections are pleasing and can be permanent, they are not as reliable as permanent implants due to a percentage of this fat that is reabsorbed by the body.

Reasons to choose fat grafting:

Recovery Process:

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Botox® Procedures:

Botox® is a reliable product that has been used for more than 20 years for medical conditions not related to aging.  More recently, Botox® has been used safely to minimize evidence of facial aging.  This treatment is best used for small lines and wrinkles associated with facial animation, rather than deep permanent skin wrinkling.  Facial expression is produced by the muscles under the skin of the face.  Over time, our facial expressions gradually create wrinkles that deepen as we age.  Botox® paralyzes these facial muscles thereby inhibiting certain facial expressions and reducing wrinkles.  Starting Botox® therapy at a younger age will prevent the development of these “animation lines.”

General Procedure:

Botox® is injected most commonly around the eyes, between the brows, and over the forehead.  The process is done in the office and takes about 20 minutes to perform.  The effects of Botox® can last between 3 to 6 months. Swelling and bruising are rare, but can occur.  The resulting reduction in wrinkles takes approximately 5 to 7 days for the patient to notice the difference.  Patients are encouraged to come back to the office one week after injection to assess the effectiveness and apply a “touch-up” at no cost to any area that needs it.

Recovery Process:

The recovery time for Botox injection is minimal.  Most patients return to work immediately.  There are no post-injection limitations on activity. 

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Chemical Peels:

A chemical peel is an aesthetic procedure performed to achieve better skin tone, reduce signs of sun damage, even out skin discoloration and remove fine wrinkles.  The chemical solution removes the outer layer of skin that may have pigmentation problems, acne scars, sun damage, wrinkles and other signs of aging.  Removing this outer skin layer prompts the body to generate a new layer of healthy skin cells.  Chemical peels may not be appropriate for darker skin complexions. 

Reasons for choosing a chemical peel:

General Procedure

Chemical peels are usually performed in the office with the patient lying comfortably on the procedure table. Oral anti-anxiety medication may be given to help with relaxation.  The peel solution is then applied by the physician to the areas of concern. 

Recovery:

Redness and mild swelling are expected after chemical peeling.  Patients are given thick, restorative cream to apply to the face several times daily.  After a few days, the skin will begin to flake and “peel” away.  Facial cream and moisturizer are continued until healing is complete.  Patients who have recently used Accutane are prohibited from undergoing most facial procedures.  Alert the surgeon if you have used this medication within the previous 6 months.  

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Laser Treatments:

Lasers are the newest and fastest growing products in the medical market.  They are tremendously useful in the field of plastic surgery, as well as many other medical specialties.  They work by amplifying light radiation energy to specific wavelengths in order to best select for specific defects within the skin.  The desired outcome is similar to that of chemical peeling; to remove the superficial damaged layer of skin and allow new “healthy” skin to replace it.  Different lasers may be used to selectively target various lesions of the face.  Some lasers are used for smoothing wrinkles, others for destroying vascular lesions or pigmented spots, and still others for hair and tattoo removal. 

Reasons for choosing a laser treatment:

General Procedure:

During a laser treatment, the patient lies comfortably on a procedure table. The target area is prepared in advance with specialized anesthetic or numbing cream.  The surgeon then uses the laser’s handpiece to treat the desired area. The patient experiences a feeling of being snapped by a rubber band each time the laser is activated. Today’s lasers are extremely precise and the depth of penetration is carefully selected allowing for total control and ensuring the desired results.

Recovery:

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