Facelift:
Characteristic changes are observed in the face with increasing age. Wrinkles and skin laxity occur in the forehead, around the eyes, and in the cheek and neck. At the same time there is sagging of the deeper structures of the face including the cheek fat pad and the neck muscles. The changes that occur in the forehead and eye region, as well as the procedures to correct them, are reviewed in those respective areas of our web site. In the mid face the most prominent changes include: wrinkled skin, drooping cheeks, deepening of the crease adjacent to the mouth, and the development of jowls. In the neck there is progressive softening of the jaw line and the development of loose skin and muscular bands beneath the chin. These changes are best corrected with a facelift
During a facelift the deeper structures, such as the cheek fat pad and neck muscles, are re-suspended under significant tension to obtain a long lasting correction. The excess skin is then removed and the remaining skin is gently re-draped to achieve a more natural appearance. This helps avoid the “wind swept” appearance and distortion of the hairline that was common with earlier facelifting techniques.
The incisions are carefully concealed within the hair and around the ear. With this operation it is possible to achieve prominent, smooth cheeks with a clean jaw line and a tight neck. This procedure is commonly performed in conjunction with a brow lift and blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) to create a harmonious rejuvination of the upper and lower face. Individuals with severe neck laxity or an under projecting chin can benefit from the simultaneous placement of a chin implant.
Patients who are in good health can undergo this type of surgery in our office surgery center and be allowed home that night. You will be seen the day following your surgery for a quick check up and again at five to seven days for removal of stitches. Two weeks of recovery is generally necessary before returning to work and four to six weeks before engaging in strenuous activity.
To obtain the best results from your facial surgery Drs. Keller, Lovett and Blakemore strongly recommend that you begin a skin care program. The skin care treatments and products will help prepare your face for surgery. You may schedule a consult with our skin care specialist for a regimen designed for your skin type.
We also suggest a pre-op facial approximately one week prior to surgery and a series of lymphatic drainage facials beginning about a week to ten days post-op. These facials will help reduce your swelling, pain and bruising. They also smooth and soften scar tissue and speed recovery time. Ultrasound Vitamin C treatments may also be beneficial in combination with the facials. Your physician will tell you when this is necessary.
Your first two post-op facials are complimentary. It is suggested that you consult with your skin care specialist for the treatment program that will help you achieve your optimal result.
This is an extremely gratifying procedure with dramatic results. If you have additional questions regarding the facelift procedure please call the office for a brochure or schedule a consultation.
Upstate Plastic Surgery carries Jane Iredale Cosmetics which can help you return to your active lifestyle as early as possible.
Brow Lift:
Back to TopThe gradual sagging of the eyebrows is responsible for many of the changes around the eye associated with aging. Brow ptosis, or sagging, creates excess upper eyelid skin, narrowing of the eye and a tired and angry appearance. A brow lift is a procedure that elevates the eyebrows back to their youthful position. This operation has an enormous impact on the face, giving it a much more youthful and rested appearance. With the aid of an endoscope, this operation can now be done through three small incisions hidden in the hair. The end result is elevation of the brow and elimination of the wrinkles commonly seen between the brows and around the lateral eye. This outpatient surgery can be done in the office surgical suite and the recovery time is approximately a week to ten days. This surgery is commonly done in conjunction with eyelid surgery or a facelift and eyelid surgery.
A small group of patients with high hairlines, or significantly receding hairlines, may benefit from an open brow lift procedure. In this situation an incision is made along the hairline to allow access to the brow. Excess skin is removed and the muscles that cause frown lines are weakened. This results in brow elevation, elimination of wrinkles and can actually lower the hairline to a more normal position.
Midface Lift:
Back to TopThe midface lift is the latest procedure designed to rejuvenate the central part of the face. This procedure is best for relatively young patients who have developed sagging of the cheek and deepening of the crease adjacent to the mouth, but who do not have significant aging of the jaw line and neck. The operation is performed through small incisions in the mouth and scalp. If you have additional questions please contact the office for more information.
Mini-Face Lift:
Back to TopThe “mini-face lift” addresses aging of the face. This operation is best for patients who have a loss of elasticity in the skin and soft tissue of the face, but not the neck. This procedure may also be combined with a midface lift for added rejuvenation of the central face.
Nasal Surgery:
Back to TopBy virtue of its central location, the nose is a very prominent feature and a major source of dissatisfaction to people regarding their appearance. Individuals unhappiness with the appearance of their nose can be related to congenital issues (large humps, fat tips, excessive length, etc.) or post-traumatic deformities. In addition to cosmetic issues, there can be functional problems with the nose resulting in difficulties breathing. A thorough consultation and extensive preoperative planning are essential to a successful outcome with nasal surgery. During your consultation you will be asked to define the specific concerns you have and the changes you hope to achieve. A careful history covering nasal trauma, prior nasal surgery, allergies, and breathing problems will then be obtained. Finally, a careful examination of the internal and external structures of the nose will be performed. Photographs and computer imaging can be very helpful in this situation, to help demonstrate the effect of various alterations in the shape of the nose.
Rhinoplasty (nasal surgery) can be performed in the office surgery center, usually under general anesthesia. Surgeries involving significant alterations in the tip of the nose are usually done in an “open” fashion. Technically this means a small incision is made at the base of the thin divider between the nostrils. This allows the surgeon to see the structures he or she is working on directly, giving much greater precision and control. The surgery usually takes about two hours and recovery is ten days to two weeks depending on how extensive the surgery is. A splint is generally worn on the outside of the nose for one to two weeks and internal splints are used if work is done to improve breathing (septoplasty). The swelling typically lasts about a week and the bruising lasts two to three weeks.
Surgery done to correct the effects of trauma (a crooked nose, a deviated septum causing breathing problems) may be covered by your insurance. Typically, you will need documentation of the injury such as x-rays and notes from the emergency room or your physician documenting the injury. Operations performed to change the appearance of your nose are considered cosmetic and will not be covered by your insurance. If you desire cosmetic changes for your nose, but also have breathing problems related to a deviated septum, your insurance may cover the cost of the septoplasty.
Lip Enhancement:
Back to TopFull lips have come to be strongly associated with youthfulness and beauty. Lip enhancement, or augmentation, can smooth wrinkles associated with aging and create fuller, more attractive lips. Multiple techniques exist for lip augmentation including Restylane injection, Juvéderm injection, Fraxel laser, and autologous fat.
Restylane and Juvéderm are injectable hyaluronic acid products which last about 6-12 months. They are very popular in Europe and are now FDA approved in the U.S. Gortex is also effective, but often creates a stiff lip and is prone to extrusion. Alloderm is processed cadaver skin, which is rolled and placed within the lip. Excellent results can be obtained but there is gradual absorption of the graft and loss of volume over 6 months to a year. Lip augmentation with a patients own fat is another common method that has longer lasting results.
Fat grafts are generally harvested from the lower abdomen or hip area and re-injected to create fuller lips. Because this method uses natural tissue from your own body there are fewer risks and complications than using Gortex or Alloderm. This procedure can be performed in the office under local anesthesia. There is significant swelling for the first 7-10 days which can be minimized by the use of ice packs.
Fat injections and collagen can be utilized elsewhere in the face to smooth facial lines and to help correct scars. For additional information please contact the office.
LINK OF INTEREST
Restylane is injectable hyaluronic acid which is a sugar found naturally in our bodies. This product is neither animal or human based. It has been used in Europe for years and is now FDA approved in the United States. Restylane is used to enhance the lips and smooth facial lines. It lasts 2-3 times longer than collagen and has a similar appearance. Please call our office for more information or see www.RestylaneUSA.com.
Juvéderm is a product very similar to Restylane. Please call our office for more information or visit www.juvedermusa.com.
Otoplasty:
Back to TopOtoplasty is a surgical procedure designed to correct prominent ears. Anyone whose ears appear to stick out abnormally far or have poorly developed ridges within the ear would benefit from this operation. The incision is placed behind the ear so there is no visible scar and the surgery is done on an outpatient basis. Both children and adults are good candidates for this operation.
Chin Augmentation:
Back to TopChin enhancement is a frequently performed surgery that helps restore a harmonious appearance to the face. People who feel they have a weak or under-projecting chin can be treated by placement of a chin implant. Chin augmentation can also be a very useful adjunct to nasal surgery, helping to bring the nose into better proportion with the rest of the face. Chin augmentation can also be very helpful in neck lift procedures to tighten the skin and improve the definition between the neck and chin.
