FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY

WHAT IS A FACIAL PLASTIC SURGEON?

A facial plastic surgeon specializes in performing cosmetic and reconstructive surgery on the face, head, and neck region.

When Do You Need A Facial Plastic Surgeon?

One aspect of facial plastic surgery that cannot be ignored is the patient's mental and emotional attitudes. Facial surgery can help you increase self-confidence because, for most people, when they look better, then generally feel better. Facial Plastic Surgeons may perform any or all of the following:

  • Rhinoplasty: Surgery of the nose where cartilage and bone are reshaped and reconstructed; excess bone or cartilage may be removed.

Recovery time: approximately one week.

Results: Permanent.

  • Blepharoplasty: Surgery of the eyelids where fat and excess skin, bags, pouches, wrinkles in the eye area are removed.

Recovery time: approximately one week.

Results: ten years.

  • Rhytidectomy: In facelift surgery, excess skin is removed and muscles are tightened.

Recovery time: approximately two weeks.

Results: From five to 10 years, depending on the patient.

Threads lift: is a nonsurgical office procedure under local anesthesia that helps in tightening the forehead, upper and lower face including the neck. Results are immediate and last more than a year, recovery time is 1-3 days.

HIFU: High Intensity Focused Ultrasound, is the newest technology for Non-Surgical face and neck lifting. It targets the deep layer of the skin (SMAS) by using focused high energy ultrasound without disrupting the skin’s surface. After treatment, the body’s tissue repair process stimulates the production of new collagen together with SMAS micro burns create a natural lifting effect. It is a 90 minutes office procedure done under no anesthesia, results are 20% immediate and keep improving over 12 months period. No downtime.

  • Forehead Lift: Surgery to minimize forehead lines and wrinkles, and elevate brows to reduce lid drooping.

Recovery time: about 10 days.

Results: 10 years.

  • Submental Lipectomy: Surgery beneath the chin to eliminate "double" chin; excess fat is removed.

Results: Generally permanent.

  • Genioplasty/Mentoplasty: Surgery of the chin where a receding chin is augmented with bone or an implant or a too prominent chin is reduced.

Recovery time: approximately one week.

Results: Permanent.

  • Otoplasty: Surgery of the ear where ears can be "pinned back" by reshaping the cartilage.

Recovery time: approximately one week.

Results: Permanent.

  • Laser Skin Resurfacing: Removal of the upper layer skin using a laser, resulting in smoother and less wrinkled skin.

Recovery time: about 10 days.

Results: Permanent.

  • Chemical Peel: Controlled removal of the outer layer of skin with specific chemicals.

Recovery time: depending on the nature of the chemical, is from one to three weeks.

Results: Generally Permanent.

  • Dermabrasion: Abrasion of the skin with either a wire brush or diamond fraise to remove the upper layer of the skin resulting in smoother, less wrinkled skin.

Recovery time: about 10 days.

Results: Generally Permanent.

  • Facial Reconstruction: Surgery to repair or reconstruct facial features. This includes scar revision, fracture repair, laceration repair, vascular birth marks, cleft lip and palate, craniofacial deformities, orthognathic surgery, free flaps, and other cancer reconstruction.

*In Red, not commonly performed in our practice.

Choosing A Facial Plastic Surgeon

One of the most important factors for successful facial plastic surgery is the relationship between the patient and surgeon. An initial consultation provides the patient and surgeon an opportunity to discuss all that is involved in the desired procedure. It is advisable for the patient to write questions down before the consultation.

You may want to ask the following questions:

  • Am I a good candidate for this procedure?
  • How long will the operation take?
  • What is the recovery time?
  • What are the risks involved?
  • Is post-operative medication necessary?
  • What is the charge for the procedure?

Consultations may include computer imaging to show the patient what the surgery might accomplish. The surgeon can also describe what anesthesia the surgeon uses for each of the surgeries the patient is contemplating. The surgeon might also advise on supportive surgery to enhance the outcome of the specific surgery. It is crucial for the patient to find out about all aspects of the proposed surgery.