Facial Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery

Procedures

Facelift

Rhytidectomy, or facelift, improves the appearance of the face by correcting deep wrinkles or folds, removing excess fat and loose skin at the jaw line and neck, and adding definition to the cheeks.  A facelift can give a more rejuvenated and well rested appearance to the face.  The overall effect is a smoother and firmer look. Liposuction can be performed on the neck to remove fat and to redefine the jaw line.

Eyelid Surgery

Eyelid surgery (Blephroplasty) is a procedure used to reshape the upper or lower eyelids.  It involves removing excess skin and fat to create a more youthful appearance.  Excessive skin and bags in the upper and/ or lower eyelids are decreased or eliminated with this treatment.   It also can correct the drooping of the eyelids that can sometimes interfere with vision.  

Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is a procedure to surgically refine the size and/or shape of the nose to improve the appearance and /or function.  A nose that is too large can be made smaller.  A wide nose can be made more narrow.  A crooked nose can be straightened.  Bumps can be eliminated, and the tip can be reshaped.   Surgery can make the nose appear more in balance with the rest of the face.  Rhinoplasty can be performed for only cosmetic reasons or to improve breathing through the nose.  It can increase airflow where obstruction in the nose causes breathing problems.

Botox

Botox is a purified protein that is derived from the Clostridium botulinum bacteria.  It is a nonsurgical method that temporarily blocks the nerve impulses that control the muscles that cause frown lines to occur.  Botox will temporarily eliminate unwanted facial wrinkles.  It will smooth moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines).

Browlift

A browlift is a procedure that can be performed to correct a drooping brow line, reduce forehead wrinkles, and reawaken “tired eyes”.  It can correct heavy brows and furrows that can make a person appear angry, sad, or tired.  Many people do not initially realize how the position of the eyebrows affects the perception of the eyes, much like a picture frame can improve a picture. It can be performed by open method or endoscopically.

Chin and Cheek Sculpting

Chin sculpting or use of chin implants enhances the bone structure of the face.  Chin implants create more protrusion for a weak chin.  The overall facial profile can be improved and balance is given to the face.  Similarly, cheek augmentation enhances the structure of the cheekbones.  Implants can correct flat or underdeveloped cheekbones.  It can also correct the sunken appearance to cheeks that occur as a result of aging.

Chemical Peels and Dermabrasion

Chemical peels are nonsurgical procedures that can be used to correct facial wrinkling  and can improve abnormal skin coloration.  It is especially helpful around the lips and eyes. Dermabrasion is another type of resurfacing  procedure.  The upper layers of skin are removed with the use of an electric burr.  This procedure is especially well suited to facial scars resulting from prior injury or acne.  It can also improve lip and chin wrinkles or be used to refine surgical scars after reconstructive surgery.

Ear Reshaping

Ear reshaping, or otoplasty, is a procedure performed to change the appearance of the external ear.  Large ears can be reduced in size.  Ears that are prominent can be set closer to the head.  Cartilage in ears can be reshaped to correct misshapen or malformed ears.  Otoplasty can be performed on children as well as adults.  It is desirable to perform surgery during childhood due to greater ease of shaping the cartilage.  There is also a psychological benefit to surgery during childhood to prevent teasing by other children.  

Restylane and other Fillers

Restylane, Perlane, and Juvaderm  are dermal fillers that can treat moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds.  It is a clear synthetic gel that is made with hyaluronic acid.  Hyaluronic acid is a substance that exists naturally in the body and provides volume and fullness to the skin.   It is designed to smooth wrinkles, sculpt lips and shape facial contour.  The most common areas for treatment are the glabellar lines, which is the area between the eye brows, and the nasolabial folds, which is the area from the nose to the corner of the mouth.