• Sagging skin, muscles, and fat in the face and neck.

• Excess skin and fat on the neck.

• Sagging jaw line.

• Crease lines along the nose, mouth, and chin.

The standard procedure for a facelift commonly involves making small incisions just inside the hairline, following the contour in front of the ear, and continuing under the earlobe to the backside of the ear and to the lower scalp. Tissue and fat deposits are separated, the skin is stretched and tightened, and any excess skin is removed. If the neck line requires attention, an additional incision is made under the chin and the same procedure is again followed. Minuscule stitches are used to close the incisions and to reduce any chance of scarring. Metal clips or staples may also be utilized at the hairline.

A face lift may take several hours or longer depending on whether other cosmetic procedures are completed at the same time. Sometimes other procedures may be performed in separate appointments. There are several different facelift techniques that can be employed. Patients can discuss with their physician which method is best for them when they come in for their consultation.

Immediately after surgery, the face is fitted with bandages in order to decrease the recovery time and to reduce swelling. Generally, post-operative instructions call for plenty of rest and limited movement in order to speed up the healing and recovery process. The stitches, clips or staples are normally removed within a week. Patients sometimes report some minor pain associated with surgery. Any discomfort can be treated effectively with oral medication. While complications are rare, patients can minimize potential problems by carefully following the directions given after the procedure.

• Extend or enlarge the chin if the chin is recessed or small.

• Create a more defined facial profile if the jaw, chin, or cheeks lack distinction.

• Bring the various aspects of the face into proportion.

• Round out the cheeks if they are hollow due to heredity or aging.

• Accent the upper cheeks making them appear higher and fuller.

With chin surgery, an implant is inserted in front of the jawbone in order to augment the chin or jaw. A small incision is made inside the mouth to allow the implant to be positioned in a pocket just under the skin. An alternate location for this incision is below the chin (on the outside). Chin surgery is commonly performed along with rhinoplasty (nose surgery). With cheek augmentation, incisions are made either inside the mouth, through the lower cheek, or directly below the bottom eyelid on the high cheek. Cheek surgery is often performed in conjunction with a facelift procedure. Both chin and cheek implant procedures normally last from 30 minutes to one hour.

Immediately after surgery, the face will be fitted with bandages, taped, or otherwise secured in order to speed the recovery process and to reduce swelling. Generally, post-operative instructions call for plenty of rest and limited movement in order to speed up the healing process and recovery time. Keeping the head elevated during the initial recovery phase is also important. Patients sometimes report minor pain associated with surgery. Any pain can be treated effectively with oral medication. Patients may experience some swelling and bruising of the face which can be eased by using cold compresses. A liquid diet may be required for a few days, as chewing may be difficult. While complications are rare, patients can minimize potential problems by carefully following the post-operative directions given after surgery. The substance used for chin and cheek implants is made of durable, solid material that will last for years.

• Bring proportion to the face if the ears “stick out” too much.

• Correct folded ear tips (lop ear).

• Reshape long or offset earlobes.

• Enhance very small ears or other congenital defects.

• Remedy an accidental injury, including the loss of an ear.

Ear surgery is commonly performed under general anesthesia for children and local anesthesia for adults. The standard otoplasty procedure brings the ears closer to the head. Otoplasty begins with an incision hidden in the crease behind the ear. This incision allows the cartilage located behind the ears to be reshaped in order to position them closer to the head. The procedure takes approximately one to two hours, depending upon the extent of surgery.

There are various surgical techniques involved in correcting irregularities other than protruding ears. These techniques can be discussed with your physician during the initial consultation.

After the surgery is completed, large bandages will be wrapped around the head. This method secures the ear in place and assists with the healing process. The bandages are usually removed within a week and replaced with smaller dressings. Generally, post-operative instructions call for plenty of rest and limited movement in order to speed up the healing process and reduce the recovery time. Patients sometimes report minor pain associated with surgery. Any pain can be treated effectively with oral medication. While complications are rare, patients can minimize potential problems by carefully following the post-operative directions.

• Dark circles or bags under the eyes.

• Excessive skin or wrinkles surrounding the eyelids.

• A tired appearance or puffiness due to inherited factors.

The surgical procedure includes tiny incisions made in the natural contours around the eyes which should leave 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 dark circles. In some instances, laser technology may be used to smooth lower eyelid areas. Newer techniques may include Botox injections to firm fine lines and wrinkles.

The surgery generally takes about one to three hours and is performed in the physician’s office. If additional cosmetic procedures are being performed, the eyelid surgery could last longer.

Normally, post-operative instructions call for plenty of rest and limited movement in order to speed up the healing process and reduce the recovery time. Patients sometimes report minor pain associated with surgery which can be treated with oral medication. While complications are rare, patients can minimize the risk for potential problems by carefully following the post-operative directions given after the surgery. The healing process for this procedure is slightly longer than most other forms of cosmetic surgery; however, the benefits are long-lasting. Patients will have a more rested and youthful appearance.

• Bring a better proportion to the nose and facial features.

• Reduce the size of the nose that is too large or too wide.

• Correct an overly arched or “Roman” nose.

• Re-form a crooked or elongated nose tip.

• Restore the nose if damaged from an accident or sports injury.

• Help with breathing problems by rebuilding the nasal passage.

• Treat nasal deformities caused at birth.

Note: If rhinoplasty is being utilized to correct a breathing problem or nose deformity, the procedure may be covered under the patient’s insurance policy.

The rhinoplasty procedure lasts from one to three hours. The surgeon may elect to utilize either local or general anesthesia, depending upon the complexity of the operation.

To begin the surgery, tiny incisions are made which allow the surgeon to access the underlying nasal structure. Once the skin is opened, the cartilage and bone are reshaped to form the basis for the new look. Two basic methods are utilized for performing nose surgery. These methods are referred to as the ‘open’ and the ‘closed’ techniques. The open technique allows for maximum visibility and control over the procedure. The incision used in the open technique is placed in-between the nostrils on the columella (the medial nostril strip). In the closed technique, the incisions are internal and heal faster; however, there is less surgical control over the outcome. The physician can discuss which technique is best when the patient arrives for the initial consultation visit.