Face Lift

A face lift is a surgical procedure that provides the patient with smoother facial skin and more pleasing contours of the face and neck, giving a more youthful or ‘fresh’ appearance overall. Several anatomical factors are analyzed prior to the procedure, particularly the texture, thickness and elasticity of the skin as well as the quantity and type of wrinkles or folds present. An analysis of the hairline is also conducted to determine where is best to place the surgical incisions.

A patient’s facial structure and future endeavours are also discussed prior to the surgery. Factors such as hair growth to cover surgical incisions is considered, as well as plans of possible weightloss. Surgical incisions follow the shape of the area, extending around the earlobe and back into the hairline. Incisions are purposely made in those areas where they can be easily covered by hair or makeup. The smallest incision is hidden beneath the chin.

  • The first portion of the procedure involves pulling the skin up and back, followed by the removal of excess skin or fat. This may require the reposition of deeper tissues. Several techniques maybe used for this, including MACS (Minimal Access Cranial Suspension) lift, lateral SMASectomy, placation or high SMAS, short scar or U-lift. The small incision under the chin could be used for the removal of fatty tissue in this area as well as smoothing of the skin near cord-like structures of the muscle in the neck. To complete the procedure, lipofilling around the mouth and eyes and a lip lift could be conducted to achieve the final result

  • Complications with a face lift, although infrequent, include hematoma, skin slough and paresthesias to the facial nerve. Normal activities may resume within 10-12 days following the procedure, but several weeks will be required before the final result is seen due to the healing process being slow and gradual.

  • After the consultation, it may be decided that the patient requires a combination of treatments, such as a neck lift in combination with the face lift or it can be done as a standalone procedure. The neck lift pulls or removes excess skin under the chin, jawline and jowls. It is a common procedure to reduce draping skin in front of the throat or to smooth any rings/bands that appear around the neck. practice to neck lift, however, uses a technique that pulls excess skin under the chin, jawline and jowls.

Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is a surgery which concerns the nose’s shape and functionality. It is a surgery which aims to improve the looks of the nose including the shape, length, tip and nostrils but also treats problems in breathing caused by a deviated septum.

There are two approaches for such a procedure; open or closed technique. Most of the time, open technique is preferred as it allows more visibility for the surgeon to perform extensive correction. When correcting a nose, one takes into consideration the face’s other feature and proportions in order to match it to the other characteristic.

Brow Lift

There are several procedures to reduce the presence of overhanging skin on the upper eyelids; a brow or forehead lift, and an upper eye lift. The brow lift may be performed as a standalone procedure or in combination with a face lift in order to tighten the appearance of facial muscles and reduce any excess skin.

  • The surgical technique required for such a procedure depends on several anatomical features, particularly the position of the eyebrows relative to the eye and forehead, the amount of excess skin present around the upper eyelid, and the position or height of the hairline. Surgical incisions are frequently made across the top of the scalp starting just above the ears, allowing it to be hidden in the hair (this is known as a coronal lift).

  • Other possible incisions include its placement in front of the hairline either medially or laterally (this is called a temporal lift) or via the inside of the eyebrows (this is described as the direct eyebrow lift) and requires excision of the skin. Incisions are done to be inconspicuous once they have healed.

  • Further techniques are also possible. An endoscopic eyebrow lift requires the use of a thin tube with a light and video camera attached to it known as an endoscope. A small incision is made in the scalp so as to accommodate for the endoscope. Use of this decide allows for the physician to see the inner structure of the forehead, providing more detail when he is working. This is a desirable technique as it requires much fewer incisions but is not ideal for all patients.

  • Possible complications from the brow lift include itchiness, prolonged numbness, and minor hair loss in the region of the scalp incisions, however this is temporary and can be easily concealed. All such complications are infrequent. Bruising and swelling of the area can be expected to go within two weeks following the procedure. Camouflage makeup may be applied almost immediately to the treated areas.

Otoplasty

Otoplasty is a surgical procedure used to change and enhance the shape and positioning of one’s ears. For example, it can be used to reduce the size of your ears if these are large in proportion to the rest of your features.

Otoplasty can be carried out on adults as well as children. It is recommended for children at ages five or six when the ear is reaching its full development. Correcting any visual ear problems that may bother the child prior to entering school helps to reduce any possible bullying or teasing from other students.

  • The procedure involves reshaping the cartilage of the ear, so as to position the ears at closer proximity to the head. Surgical incisions are generally placed behind the ears.

  • Ear surgery often is recommended for children as they near total ear development at age five or six. Correction of the ears prior to the child entering school helps eliminate potential psychological trauma from the teasing of classmates. Adults may also have their ears reshaped. As long as you are in good health, there is no upper age limit for this surgery. A gauze or dressing may need to be worn for a few days or weeks following the surgery till the ears heal in their new position. Daily, non-strenuous activity may resume within a week following the surgery.