OTHER COSMETIC SURGERIES
Surgical
BlepharoplastyAs with cosmetic eyelid surgery, these reconstructive procedures can be done under local anesthesia or sedation and are most often outpatient procedures. A ptosis repair is performed through an incision in the natural upper eyelid crease and involves tightening of the muscle that lifts the eyelids. For lower lid procedures, the lids are typically elevated and tightened with a canthopexy/canthoplasty to re-suspend them and reduce symptoms of redness and irritation from corneal exposure. Because of the delicate nature of the surrounding tissues, there will often be bruising and swelling present for 1-2 weeks following surgery. Ice, pain medications and lubricants are important components of the post operative care regimen. Sutures are usually removed 7 days after the surgery.
|
FaceliftThe surgery is done under sedation or general anesthesia and typically takes 4-6 hours. Incisions are made in the natural crease in front of the ear, around the earlobe, behind the ear and may extend into the hairline. The length of the incision depends on the quality of neck skin. The surgery involves elevation of the skin, tightening of the facial and neck muscles and re-draping and removal of any excess skin. Postoperatively patients may have a drain in overnight as well as head and neck wrappings. After these are removed, patients are often required to wear a removable chin strap for several weeks. Sutures are usually removed 7-14 days after surgery. Usually it takes 2 to 3 weeks before most patients feel socially presentable.
|
OtoplastyAn otoplasty is done on prominent ears in order to set them back closer to the head or to decrease the size of large ears. Surgery can be done on adults as well as children, although children should typically wait until age 5 or 6 when the ear is fully developed. The procedure involves working on the ear cartilage that gives structure to the ear in order to correct ear prominence.
An otoplasty is done under local plus sedation or general anesthesia and usually takes 1-2 hours. The incision is made inside or behind the ear and is inconspicuous once healed. Following surgery, a head wrap is placed to protect the ears. Once the wrap is removed in the office, patients are often asked to wear a headband for several weeks to maintain the new ear position and prevent injury particularly when sleeping. |
Non-Surgical
BOTOX INJECTION
The procedure takes only 5-10 minutes and involves several tiny shots of a hair-sized needle that causes less than a discomfort. As they say “Looking for Botox injection, you need to look for the right injector”. The doctor must use his artistic eyes together with a thorough understanding of the anatomy and function of the area to be manipulated as well as those that may be secondarily affected by the injection to ensure that this procedure is performed safely with a satisfied result. There is no needle mark, neither any post treatment sign that you had something done. In fact Botox will take effect gradually over a few days to a few weeks. Most people enjoy friends’ surprise “You look good! What have you done?”
FILLER INJECTION
Filler injections are most often done using either numbing cream or local anesthetic to minimize patient discomfort. The injection takes 15-30 minutes. There may be some swelling and bruising which may resolve within a few hours to a few days depending on filler types and injection techniques. The effects are immediate and may last up to years. Indications include correction of facial wrinkles, lipo-atrophy, lip augmentation, nose reshaping, facial contouring, etc.