Facial Plastic Surgery Procedures

Select A Procedure:
Facelift	Facial Implants	Eyelid Surgery
Endoscopic Brow Lift	Chin	Skin Resurfacing
Cheek	Lower Jaw

Facelift

Rhytidectomy

The Facelift (rhytidectomy) is a surgical procedure used to smooth the loose skin on your face and neck, and to reduce the most apparent signs of aging in the facial area, giving you a more youthful appearance. The procedure involves reducing the creases from the nose and mouth, the slacking jaw line and sagging jowls and fat deposits around the neck by removing excess fat and tightening underlying muscles, and redraping the skin on the face and neck. Though the procedure cannot give you a completely new look it can give you a younger, fresher look, and can also have a positive effect on your self-confidence.

The best Huntsville Facelift candidates are those who:

• Face and neck skin which has begun to sag, but whose skin has elasticity and whose bone structure is strong and well defined.
• Loss of a well-defined jaw line
• Deep wrinkles in the cheeks
• Loose skin, wrinkles or excess fatty tissue in the neck

A face-lift is performed by generally making an incision around the natural contour of the ear, and around your earlobe along your hairline. This helps keeps any scarring hidden. Any incision can be easily masked by make-up or hair. If a neck lift is performed, you may have a small incision under your chin. After your surgery you may have a drain tube to allow for excess fluid to drain from the incision. Your bandage will stay in place for 1 to 2 days. You may see some increased swelling in the first 24 to 48 hours after your surgery. Most bruising will disappear in about 2 weeks. Some numbness may occur, and your stitches will remain till your 1-week visit.

During a face-lift, complications are infrequent and usually minor. Each individual will vary greatly in his or her anatomy, physical reactions and healing abilities, and thus outcomes are never 100% predictable. Some complications that may arise include hematoma (blood under the skin that must be removed by Your doctor), injury to the nerves that control facial muscles (usually temporary) infection, and reactions to the anesthesia. Smokers are more likely to experience poor healing of the skin.

Before and After Photo(s)

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery, can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence by eliminating droopy or sagging eyelids. As people age the eyelid stretches, muscles weaken, and fat accumulates around the eyes, causing "bags", or excess skin to become prominent. During your consultation with your doctor, will assess which of the four eyelids (top and bottom for both eyes) require the procedure.

The best candidates for eyelid surgery are men and women who are physically healthy, psychologically stable, and realistic in their expectations. Generally patients for this procedure are 35 years or older. However, if sagging eyelids run in your family, it may be advisable to have eyelid surgery at a younger age.

Eyelid surgery is performed under general or local anesthesia. If your doctor chooses local anesthesia, he will numb the area around your eyes, along with giving you a mild oral or IV sedative. The actual surgery takes one to three hours. The incisions made during the surgery follow the natural lines of your eye.

As with any procedure there may be complications. These include infection, or a reaction to the anesthesia used. Minor complications that commonly follow eyelid surgery include double or blurred vision for a few days, which is caused by swelling at the corner of the eyelids, and slight asymmetry in healing or scarring. Following surgery, some patients may have difficulty closing their eyes when they sleep*. Adhering to the physician’s advice on pre and post op care will greatly reduce the risk of complications.

After you surgery, you will feel a tightness n your eyes. An ointment and a bandage will cover your eyes. A cold compress and elevation will help keep the swelling and bruising down. For the first few weeks following your surgery, you may experience excessive tearing, sensitivity to light, and temporary changes in your vision such as blurring or double vision. Your stitches will be removed 2 to 7 days after your surgery.

Endoscopic Forehead/Brow lift

Endoscopic Brow lift, or forehead lift, is the most common endoscopic procedure used by cosmetic surgeons. Instead of the usual ear-to-ear incision, two or more tiny incisions, or "puncture type" incisions are made just at the hairline. The eyebrows are repositioned to a higher level.

The best candidates for a forehead/Brow lift are:

• Sagging or low position of the eyebrows creating a tired or sad appearance
• Deep horizontal creases across the forehead
• Frown lines, or furrows between the eyebrows and top of the nose.

Endoscopy is a surgical procedure that uses a tool called an endoscope, a special viewing instrument that allows your doctor to view images of the patient’s internal structures with minimal incisions. Endoscopy has been used in a number of different procedures, including gallbladder removal, tubal ligation, and knee surgery. Now the procedure is being used in plastic and cosmetic surgery, in lieu of techniques that may leave behind undesirable, or overly visible scars.

Some side effects include infection, fluid accumulation under the skin, which may need to be drained, blood vessel damage, nerve damage or loss of feeling, internal perforation injury, and skin injury. Despite the known risks, however, endoscopic surgery complications are rare and it must be noted that endoscopy has been used successfully for decades in orthopedic, urologic, and gynecologic procedures, and the technique is continually improving.

Skin Resurfacing

Skin resurfacing is a procedure that employs a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser to remove areas of damaged or wrinkled skin. Resurfacing is often used to minimize the appearance of wrinkles around the mouth and eyes, but it is also very effective in treating facial scars, age spots or areas of uneven pigmentation.

Good candidates for skin resurfacing are:

• People with wrinkled or sun damaged skin on the face
• Brown spots or blotchy skin coloring
• Fine wrinkles on your upper eyelid
• Acne or other facial scars
• Certain skin growths
• Vertical wrinkles around your mouth
• Crows feet
• Superficial facial scars

Treatments can cover a whole area or focus on a specific region of skin and is often used in conjunction with other procedures like a facelift or eyelid surgery. Though new, laser resurfacing has been shown to produce less bleeding bruising or post-procedure discomfort than other resurfacing methods.

The procedure is relatively quick, and ranges in length anywhere from a few minutes 1 1/2 hours depending on the area being covered. Patients are given a local anesthetic and put under sedation, awake but relaxed. However, for extensive treatment the physician may prefer to use a general anesthesia, which will allow you to sleep through the procedure.

Facial Implants

Men and women who wish to enhance their facial features may turn to Facial implants. Facial implants may enhance your image as well as your self-esteem. Facial implants help balance the features of your face by proportioning your nose or defining your chin. Others may use facial implants as a cosmetic enhancement to help bring a more youthful appearance to their aged face. Facial implants may be used in conjunction with a normal face-lift. Facial implant surgery may bee done to enhance the chin, cheek and lower jaw. During facial implant surgery, your doctor may use local or general anesthesia, depending on the severity of the surgery.

Chin

Chin implant surgery may take 30 minutes to an hour. Your doctor will decide on the proper implant size, and insert it into a pocket over the front of the jawbone. The incision may be placed on the inside of your mouth, or in the skin just under the chin. Your sutures will be removed with in 5 to 7 days. Some swelling and discomfort may be present, and you may find it difficult to smile or talk.

Cheek

Cheek implant surgery may take 35 to 45 minutes. If a cheek implant is being done in conjunction with another type of face-lift procedure, the same incisions may be used; otherwise a small incision may be made inside your upper lip, or under your lower eyelid. After your surgery, your doctor will inform you of any dietary restrictions, as well as limitations. The ability to move your mouth and lips may be difficult for a few days.

Lower Jaw

Lower jaw implants usually take between 1 and 2 hours. Incisions are made inside the lower lip, and dissolving sutures are used. After your surgery, swelling may peak at 24 to 48 hours. Prolonged swelling may occur for several months. Your doctor will inform you of any dietary and exercise restrictions.