Archive for the ‘Facial Plastic Surgery’ Category

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Cosmetic Surgery Technology Expands Options for Facial Rejuvenation

Saturday, January 28th, 2012

facial rejuvenation procedures A facelift used to be the only cosmetic option for fighting facial aging. But thanks to today’s cosmetic surgery technology, patients have a number of options, with varying degrees of invasiveness, according to the Miami Herald.

Here is an overview of some of the facial rejuvenation procedures available today.

Facelifts

Targeting the signs of aging in the lower part of the face, a facelift can erase imperfections through lifting and removing excess skin.

Even the facelift itself has evolved. For instance, the Mid Facelift, a modification on a traditional facelift, is less extensive and therefore has a shorter recovery.

Injectables

It is hard to imagine a time when dermal fillers, such as Restylane and Juvederm, and botulinum toxins, such as Botox and Dysport, weren’t an option for filling lines and smoothing wrinkles on the face.

The options for injectables continue to grow. Fat grafting and stem cells are the latest innovations. With fat grafting, fat is removed from one area of the patient’s body and is then used as an injectable to add volume to areas such as the lips, nasolabial folds or hollows under the eyes.

Lasers & Ultrasound

For tightening up facial skin, lasers, such as Refirme, are now a popular option. The laser heats the collagen underneath the skin, making the skin tighten and stimulating the growth of new collagen.

Devices using ultrasound waves are another new technology for tightening. The ultrasound waves shrink collagen, making the skin tighter.

The Future of Facial Rejuvenation

Dr. Leslie Baumann, chief executive of a cosmetic institute in Miami, says there are more new facial rejuvenation procedures on the horizon in the next few years, including new injectables, lights and lasers.

Your cosmetic surgeon can help determine which facial rejuvenation procedures will give you the results you desire. For more information on facial rejuvenation, contact Dr. Heffernan in Seattle.

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Removal of Excess Facial Skin May Be Needed After Weight Loss Surgery

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011
removal of excess skin after weight loss

Image of Paul Brian via drivechicago.com

Body contouring surgery after bariatric surgery is common, but some patients may need facial surgery as well.

Msnbc.com reported on one man’s struggle to get surgery for the removal of excess skin from his face and neck after his weight loss.

Before bariatric surgery six years ago, Paul Brian weighed 420 pounds. He lost 240 pounds and found that in addition to body contouring surgery, surgery for his face and neck seemed necessary because he had so much sagging skin as a result of the weight loss.

“You’re so overwhelmed with the joy of losing the weight, but there’s this point of realization,” said Brian, who is 60. “You look in the mirror and you say, oh, that’s not good.”

Substantial weight loss can leave some with under-eye bags, slack jaws and wrinkles.

Facial surgery, such as a facelift or neck lift, is less common after massive weight loss than body surgery because the face tends to adjust better, and often insurers won’t cover it.

Brian’s doctor says that his jowls and the flesh under his chin are so heavy that they interfere with his speech and hygiene. Because of the extra skin, the muscles pull things down and make it hard for Brian to talk without drooling, according to his doctor.

While Brian would like to have surgery to fix the problem, he can’t afford it. He has been rejected by his insurance because it considered the procedure cosmetic.

But Brian and his doctor say that it is an issue of function. Brian is a radio announcer, and therefore his job depends on him talking a lot.

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Double Chin Reduction Injectable Looks Promising in Trials

Monday, November 14th, 2011

double chin reductionAn injectable for double chin reduction has shown encouraging results after two years of a five-year follow up on study participants.

ATX-101, an injectable drug, reduces the amount of fat that develops under the chin (also called submental fat).

KYTHERA Biopharmaceuticals, maker of ATX-101, reported that 80% of participants in the study saw a significant reduction of fat under their chins after the first two years of the five-year trial.

“Treatment results with ATX-101 appear to be sustained and well-tolerated, which illustrates its potential as a novel, non-surgical approach to reducing submental fat,” said Kevin C. Smith, a dermatologist in Canada and an investigator in the Phase 2A and long-term follow up studies.

ATX-101 is a formulation of deoxycholate, which is a natural compound that breaks down dietary fat. The procedure is done over several sessions, during which the patient gets around 50 small injections of the treatment into the chin area. The injections work to eliminate fat under the skin’s surface.

“While these results are still preliminary, they support our expectation that ATX-101 may result in a long-term aesthetic correction,” said KYTHERA’s chief medical officer Patricia Walker, MD, PhD. “We look forward to continuing to follow these patients and to further characterizing the long-term safety and efficacy profile of ATX-101.”

Surgical Options for Double Chin Reduction

ATX-101 needs FDA approval before it becomes an option for treating double chins. There are cosmetic surgical options for patients looking to reduce their double chins, which include a lower facelift or neck lift to make the transition between the chin, neck and lower face more defined. Neck liposuction is another surgical option for reducing a double chin and restoring definition to the lower face.

Read more about the ATX-101 trials.

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Functional Blepharoplasty Patients Often Enjoy Cosmetic Results

Monday, October 3rd, 2011

functional blepharoplastyAlthough traditionally considered a cosmetic surgery procedure, eyelid surgery is sometimes considered medically necessary. For instance, droopy upper eyelids that impair vision are a common reason that patients choose functional blepharoplasty.

Mary Lou Lueders, 74, is one patient who never considered cosmetic surgery.  “I just thought I would grow old gracefully,” she told tampabay.com.

However, when she found out that upper eyelid surgery would improve her vision, she decided to have the procedure and was happy with not only the functional results, but the changes to her appearance as well.

“People told me I looked 10, 20 years younger,” said Lueders after the operation. “Now I understand why women do this sort of thing. It makes them feel better and look better.”

In Lueders’ case, her eyelid procedure was considered medically necessary and was covered by Medicare. She also had a laser procedure to remove festoons under her eyes, which was considered a cosmetic procedure.

Candidates for eyelid surgery may have one or more of the following conditions:

  • Bags under the eyes
  • Sagging upper eyelids
  • A tired, puffy-eyed appearance
  • Crepey, excess eyelid skin
  • Impaired vision due to eyelid imperfections

After surgery, patients may have some swelling and tightness around the eyes, which should go away within two days after surgery, and a full recovery is usually within ten days.

For a total upper face rejuvenation, eyelid surgery can be combined with a brow lift or performed in addition to skin resurfacing around the eyes with a laser resurfacing treatment, such as Fraxel.

To learn more about eyelid surgery, contact Dr. J. Timothy Heffernan in Seattle.

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The Five Most Popular Cosmetic Surgery Procedures for Men

Thursday, September 22nd, 2011

most popular cosmetic surgery for menMore men are getting cosmetic surgery, and a recent survey conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) found that 12 percent of men said they plan to have cosmetic surgery at some point in the future.

Why are more men turning to cosmetic surgery? Spouses and significant others may play a role in encouraging it. Men may also feel pressure to maintain a more-youthful look for their careers.

Top Five Cosmetic Surgery Procedures for Men

Men seem to favor non-surgical procedures, according to the top five cosmetic procedures from the AACS. The most popular procedure for men is Botox, and laser hair removal and microdermabrasion also made the top five.

Surgeons say that men are more discreet about cosmetic procedures, and so they tend to look for outpatient procedures with little recovery time and subtle results.

Hair transplantation/restoration and liposuction also made the list of the top five popular procedures for men, according to AACS statistics.

For liposuction, men often focus on areas like the lower back, upper flanks and abdomen, otherwise known as the “spare tire.” However, removal of fat from under the chin — neck liposuction — is also becoming more popular for men.

Barry Lind, 52, said he chose to have cosmetic surgery after losing weight, which left him looking like a “12-year-old St. Bernard.”

“After successfully losing 30 pounds over two years, I decided to get a neck reduction at age 47,” Lind said. “That consisted of liposuction and tightening of my neck muscles.”

A year later, Lind got a chin implant. “I’ve maintained my weight, and I look great,” said Lind. “No regrets.”

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Your Face Will Age Like Your Mom’s & Other Skin Care Myths

Thursday, September 15th, 2011

skin care mythsWhat are some of the most common misconceptions about how your skin ages? One is that patients often believe they are going to have bad skin because “you get the genes your parents have,” according to dermatologist Dr. Sandra Lee. But, she says, habits make more of a difference than genetics.

Here are some of the most common skin care myths, according to Lee:

Skin Care Myth: Your skin will age like your mother’s.
Reality: While genetics do play a role in how your skin looks, habits — such as tanning, drinking and smoking — make more of a difference than genetics for how you will age.

Skin Care Myth: The SPF number tells you how much protection you’re getting from the sun.
Reality: The SPF number on a sunscreen product refers only to UVB (rays that burn the skin) protection and doesn’t tell you if it protects you from UVA rays, which age the skin. Therefore, look for a product that contains UVA-blocking ingredients, such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or avobenzone, to fully protect your skin.

Skin Care Myth: Most sun damage happens before age 18.
Reality: According to studies, you’ve only accumulated less than a quarter (18 to 23 percent) of the sun damage you’ll incur over a lifetime by age 18. That means you still have time to protect your skin from future sun damage and aging even if you tanned a lot when you were younger.

Skin Care Myth: Over-the-counter cosmetic creams can reverse your skin’s aging.
Reality: There’s no such thing as a miracle in a bottle, according to Lee, since as you age, facial bones shrink, you lose fat under the skin and skin becomes looser — things that a cream won’t help. If you’re serious about turning back time, talk to your cosmetic surgeon about wrinkle fillers, facelift surgery and other procedures that can give you a younger look, and consider a skin care regimen with medical grade products.

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Popular Cosmetic Surgery Requests to Look Like a Celebrity

Tuesday, August 30th, 2011

surgery to look like a celebritySome cosmetic surgeons say that their patients seek out surgeries to look similar to their favorite stars.

Here are some of the current popular cosmetic surgery requests to look like a celebrity, according to the Toronto Sun.

Facial Procedures

Some cosmetic surgeons report that Lady Gaga’s face is popular for those who are looking for a more angular face through procedures such as facial implants.

Who has the perfect pout? For many patients, Angelina Jolie’s lips are the ideal and are sought after through lip enhancements; options for fuller lips include lip augmentation with hyaluronic acid fillers, fat transfer or lip implants.

Body Contouring

Those looking to slim down their thighs through liposuction or a thigh lift often look to Jennifer Lopez’s legs as an inspiration.

For those seeking a tummy tuck or liposuction for a flatter belly, Jennifer Aniston’s abs are the look that patients want.

Currently Kim Kardashian’s rear sets the gold standard for those looking for a better backside through cosmetic surgery, such as a lower body lift with gluteal implants.

Cosmetic Surgery for Men

Men too are inspired by the celebrities they see. For instance, the Jersey Shore cast may be mentioned by men seeking male breast reduction, and Brad Pitt’s nose is often requested for men who are undergoing rhinoplasty.

Natural-looking Results

Experts say it is important to remember that that not all features are achievable or natural-looking on everyone, and that it is more important to focus on getting realistic, proportional results, rather than a carbon copy of a celebrity’s body part.

So while you may love a certain star’s lips, nose or legs, your cosmetic surgeon will help determine whether it is a realistic result for you.

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Double Eyelid Blepharoplasty Popular in China

Monday, August 22nd, 2011

double eyelid blepharoplasty More Chinese are turning to cosmetic surgery, and it’s often younger woman going under the knife, according to Reuters. They also favor facial procedures, such as eyelid surgery and nose surgery, to body procedures.

In China, many younger women view cosmetic surgery as a way to gain advantage in the job market. For instance, students made up as much as 80 percent of cosmetic surgery patients in Beijing last summer, according to a study by the China Medical Treatment Orthopedics and Beauty Association.

“Parents want their daughters to be beautiful so they’ll have an easier time finding a job or a husband,” said Ding Xiaobang, a Beijing surgeon. “They’ll often bring the child to get surgery the summer before college or even high school.”

Sandra Zheng, a director at a Chinese television station, said she got two injections of hyaluronic acid to raise the bridge of her nose last summer after graduating from school.

“I got it to improve my self-confidence,” said Zheng, 23.

Some Chinese choose double eyelid blepharoplasty to get double-fold eyelids, which is a common attribute of Westerners that is increasingly popular in China.

This Asian eyelid surgery is also performed in the United States. Recently, some cosmetic surgeons have reported an increased demand from the Asian community for this double eyelid surgery, which either creates a fold on the upper eyelids if there isn’t one, or adjusts the height of the existing fold to a higher position.

“Creating a double eyelid fold is a very precise procedure and requires careful pre-operative planning. It is critical to work with an experienced cosmetic surgeon familiar with the procedures and the particularities of the Asian anatomy and skin due to the tendency to hyper pigment, the increased risk of keloids or hypertrophic scars,” said facial cosmetic surgeon Dr. Ioannis Glavas, who performs the procedure. “Communication with your doctor is the key factor to success.”

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How Long Do Fat Grafting Results Last?

Tuesday, August 9th, 2011

fat grafting resultsUnder-eye fat grafting results last at least three years, according to a new study.

“It’s becoming a very common procedure and a way to naturally rejuvenate especially the lower eyelid area,” study author Dr. Cory Yeh, a plastic surgeon from Laguna Woods, California, told Reuters. During the procedure, fat is taken from another part of the body, such as the belly, and is injected below the lower eyelid to add volume to the area.

“The vast majority of patients are seeing results up to three years,” Yeh said. “The question is always, are we going to be seeing results past that point?”

The study, published in Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, tracked photos of 99 people who had the fat-transfer procedure between 2004 and 2008.

The patients, who were between 35 and 71 years old and mostly women, had photos of their eye area taken every few months for up to four years following the surgery. Members of the study team rated how much improvement, if any, they saw in patients’ faces from their pre-surgery photos.

In pictures taken within the first year after the surgery, 5 percent of patients showed no improvement, 51 percent had mild improvement and 44 percent had marked improvement. For two to three years post-surgery, 14 percent of patients had no improvement, 68 percent had mild improvement and 18 percent had marked improvement. However, the researchers only had data on 22 patients that far out.

Researchers said the findings matched their expectations.

“We know that the person’s going to continue to age, and that they’re going to continue to lose volume” under the eyes, Yeh said. “I would have been shocked if we’d said, ‘No, everybody remains perfect.’”

The current study did not look at any results from patients who got injections, another option for adding volume under the eye. While fat grafting offers longer-lasting results  and less maintenance, it does have a higher cost and a higher risk of complications compared to injectables, such as Restylane.

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Study Examines the Best Age for a Facelift

Wednesday, June 8th, 2011

ideal age for a faceliftAre older patients more at risk for complications after facelift surgery than younger patients? Not if the older patients are properly screened, according to a new study that found complication rates were not statistically different when comparing older facelift patients to younger ones, suggesting that age alone is not an independent risk factor for facelift surgery.

Researchers performed a retrospective study of 216 women who had a facelift between 2005 and 2008 by a single surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic. The patients were divided into two groups by age: those under 65 (148 patients) and those 65 and older (68 patients). The average age was 57 in the younger group and 70 in the older group.

“Facelift surgery in the elderly has always been perceived to carry more post-operative risk,” said Dr. James Zins, Chairman of Plastic Surgery at Cleveland Clinic. “According to our study and pre-operative screenings, patients over 65 had no statistically significant increase in complications.”

Over 12 percent of the U.S. population is older than 65, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and as this population grows, most likely the number of older people seeking cosmetic surgery will grow as well.

The study also found that the older patients were more likely to have a higher ASA (overall health status) score — which assesses the physical status of patients before surgery — than the younger patients.

“It should not be generalized from the study that elderly patients can undergo a facelift operation with the same low complication rate as seen in the younger age group,” said Dr. Zins. “Careful screening of the elderly patients and excluding those with significant co-morbidities led to the low complication rate.”

The researchers said more studies are needed to define whether an age limit for safe facelift surgery beyond age 65 exists.

Dr. Heffernan uses a small incision facelift technique, which is less invasive than a traditional facelift, allowing for a shorter recovery time.

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