Facial Procedures

Brow Lift

Aging of the face often results in lowering of the eyebrow region, hooding of the upper eyelid region, and droop of the upper third of the face. A brow lift is the perfect procedure to rejuvenate this region of the face. In older times, an incision was placed at the hairline and across the scalp to gain access to the frontal region. More commonly today, three short incisions are made at the scalp to gain access to the frontal region. Through these small incisions, a camera is inserted and allows direct vision of the anatomy of the area. The frontal region is detached from the underlying bone, repositioned and held into place for healing in a new, higher position. This procedure takes about 25-30 minutes to perform and has now been shown to provide the highest level of long-term patient satisfaction of all facial surgeries. Results from a brow lift are expected to last at least 10 years. This procedure is often combined with laser skin resurfacing and upper and lower eyelid skin removal for a more comprehensive improvement.

Facelift

If you have complaints of jowling, neck laxity, and falling of the cheeks with loss of jawline definition then you may be a perfect candidate for a facelift. The facelift procedure has undergone many modifications over the last 50 years since its introduction. Today, most facelift procedures are through more modest incisions, are performed under IV sedation and local anesthesia and take anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours to perform. Most patients return to their homes for overnight recovery and evaluation the following day by the physician in the office.

Incisions are placed in the most discreet locations that still allow access to the cheeks, neck, and jaw line. Through these incisions, permanent structures of the face are lifted for retention. The skin is re-draped and excess removed. The final appearance is enhanced by laser resurfacing and can take from 3-6 months to reach its optimal appearance as a result of skin tightening. Recovery is most commonly from 5-12 days depending on the variation of techniques used and bruising.

Isolated Neck Lift

The neck lift procedure was created as an alternative for the patient seeking to avoid more significant surgery to correct only the neckline skin laxity. Small incisions are made under the chin area that allows access to the tissue below. The fat is removed, muscles realigned and permanently sewn tighter and small incisions behind the ear allow tightening from behind. This results in improved neck tightness only and is not a replacement or alternative to the facelift which treats the cheek and upper mid-facial regions. Recovery for a neck lift is generally 4-7 days.

Eyelid lift/blepharoplasty

Noted as quite possibly the “biggest bang for your buck”, the upper and lower eyelid region can be rejuvenated with the ideal placement of incisions, removal of fat and fullness and lifting of the skin overlying this area. This is the treatment of choice for patients seeking to rid themselves of tired, aged, or baggy eyelids only. Blepharoplasty is often combined with endoscopic brow-lift, laser skin resurfacing, and a face lift for a more dramatic rejuvenation. The lower eyelid region can often be treated with incisions under the eyeball itself, eliminating the possibility of noticeable incisions on the skin. The eyelid lift takes approximately 30 minutes and can be performed under IV sedation or local anesthesia alone with the discomfort or increased risks. Recovery is most commonly 4-7 days. Most commonly this procedure lasts in excess of 10 years before consideration of another procedure.