Facelift

Facelift, also known as rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure to improve the signs of aging to the face and neck. The goal is to achieve a more rested, natural, and youthful appearance. A facelift corrects sagging in the midface and jowls and the nasolabial folds (the folds between the nose and mouth). It also corrects loose skin and banding in the chin and neck area. I evaluate every patient very carefully during the consultation and each facelift I perform is customized to that individual. It is very important that all my surgeries look extremely natural and I can assure you that my patients will never have that tight, windblown look that is very unnatural. Facelift incisions are shorter now than they were in the past.

Once the incision lines are healed, they are very concealed within the contours of the face and ears and within the hairline. A facelift may be performed under IV sedation or general anesthesia, on an outpatient or one-night stay basis. My patients are generally able to return to work and normal activities within two weeks. Of course, healing will continue over the next several weeks. My patients find the benefits of having a facelift are really long-lasting, about 10 years. Although we cannot stop the aging process, they will always look years younger postoperatively.

Eyelid surgery

Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure to improve sagging upper lids, bags, and puffiness in the lower eyelids. The end result should be a rested, less tired and youthful appearance. Eyelid surgery is one of the most popular procedures performed today. Droopy eyelids and bags under the eyes can give the face a tired and depressed look even though you feel happy and rested.

The procedure is performed by making an incision in the crease of the upper eyelids which is barely visible and excess skin and small amount of fat are removed. To the lower lids, the incision is either right below the bottom eyelashes or inside the lower eyelids. I often combine laser resurfacing to smooth out the crow’s feet and crepe paper like skin under the eyelids with blepharoplasty. The surgery normally takes one to three hours on an outpatient basis in an accredited surgical facility or hospital setting. Upper lid surgery (only) may be performed in the office under local anesthesia. My patients are normally back to work in seven to ten days with a fresher, more youthful appearance.

Neck lift

A neck lift is performed in all of my facelift procedures. A neck lift may also be performed alone if that is all the individual needs. As we grow older, gravity and aging causes skin on the lower face and neck to sag. Loose muscles, bands and fat deposits result in jowls and a double chin. Genetics also plays a part. Fat can be removed by suction-assisted lipectomy (liposuction) which requires a small incision placed under the chin and also allows the muscles to be tightened.

There will also be incisions placed around the earlobes and behind the ears which are unnoticeable after healing; this allows the excess neck skin to be removed. The neck lift usually takes two to three hours and is performed on an outpatient basis in an accredited surgical facility or hospital setting under general anesthesia or IV sedation. My patients can normally return to work in one to two weeks with a well-defined jaw line and much more youthful neck.

Browlifts

Years ago, cosmetic surgery was for people over 50 and the rich and famous. Today, cosmetic surgery is much more affordable for the average person and much younger patients are seeking cosmetic procedures instead of waiting for a dramatic change. A forehead lift can smooth forehead creases and frown lines while correcting ptosis of the eyebrows and hooding over the upper lids. I often perform a forehead lift along with facelifts and eyelifts.

Upon examination, I will suggest which surgical procedure will best suit your goals, the open or classical method or the endoscopic forehead lift. With the classical method, the incision in hidden inside or by the hairline, across the scalp and between the ears. The eyebrows are brought to a slightly higher position, but not that awful, unnatural, surprised look, and the excess scalp skin is removed. Staples are placed along the incision line and the procedure usually takes about two hours, performed in an accredited outpatient surgical facility or hospital setting under IV sedation or general anesthesia.

Endoscopic browlift is performed through very small incisions placed in the hairline. The endoscope is inserted to view the forehead muscles and place the brow in a more pleasing position. An endoscopic browlift is more common with younger patients where excess skin is not removed. Patients are normally back to work in 10 to 14 days with a full forehead lift and one week with an endoscopic forehead lift.

Rhinoplasty (Nose surgery)

Nose surgery, also known as rhinoplasty, reshapes the nose which improves profiles and creates facial balance. A small incision hidden at the base of the nostrils and/or inside the nose is made to reshape bone and cartilage. Removing humps, refining bulbous tips and narrowing nasal bones as well as reshaping the nostril size are very common. Breathing problems caused by deviated septums may also be corrected. This procedure is performed under IV sedation or general anesthesia on an outpatient basis in an accredited surgical facility or hospital setting. Patients normally return to work or school in one to two weeks, although, continued improvement and final results occur up to six to twelve months after surgery.

Otoplasty (Ear surgery)

Ear surgery, also known as otoplasty, is performed to correct protruding or deformed ears in children and adults. Children with protruding ears can be made fun of in school and may also suffer from low self-esteem. Corrections of ear deformities have great benefits of self-confidence and appearance and may be performed at age 5 and older. Adults and teenagers greatly benefit from ear correction as well, and can make a major difference in bringing balance and proportion to the face and ears.

I perform this surgery in an accredited surgical facility or hospital setting on an outpatient basis and IV sedation or general anesthesia is used. Incisions are well-hidden behind the ear. The surgery may take one and a half to three hours depending on each individual case and a dressing is placed over the ears for seven days. Return to normal activity as soon as the next day may be possible, but the ears have to be protected until completely healed which varies with each individual, but may take several months for swelling to completely dissipate.

Facial implants

Cheek, chin and jaw implants are used to improve profiles and reshape facial contours to make the face more proportionate. I carefully select the size and shape of the implant to be placed where incisions are made inside the mouth or discretely placed under the chin. These procedures are performed under IV sedation or general anesthesia on an outpatient basis in an accredited surgical facility or hospital setting. Patients will see immediate results and can normally return to work in one week while it takes up to two months for all the swelling to dissipate.

Laser resurfacing

Lasers are used to repair damaged skin due to sun damage or aging and also to smooth out acne scarring. The laser emits an intense beam of energy that heats and vaporizes the skin surface instantaneously, allowing new skin to form. This procedure is performed under general anesthesia in an accredited surgical facility or hospital setting and normally takes about one hour. Patients can return to work in 10 days, but their new skin can appear pink for a couple of months. Makeup can be used to conceal this. Sunscreen is imperative with this procedure.