FAQs

Earlobe surgery or repair is a reconstructive plastic surgery procedure performed to restore the appearance of earlobes that have been torn or stretched due to ear tearing, trauma or piercing, including the insertion of ear gauges.

The earlobe is cleaned and anesthetized. The excess skin is removed. Tissue may be rotated depending on the individual issue. The wound is then closed in layers, to take tension off the outer part of the incision. The

EARLOBE REDUCTION

Torn earlobe repair is mostly done on female patients that have had an ear piercing pull through the lobe of the ear. However the more common procedure is one in which the piercing has been elongated and not pulled completely through. Both procedures can be done in the office under local anesthesia.

EARLOBE REPAIR

Some patients feel that the lobe of their ear is too large (mega lobe) or misshaped. It is a relatively quick procedure to reshape the lobe to the desired form. A wedge can be removed, or the entire ear lobe can be reshaped. It is never to late in life to correct this problem, and it can be corrected on adults as well.

The procedure may be done with local or general anesthesia. Technically, the procedure involves identifying the upper eyelid crease on each eyelid and designing a skin excision that removes enough skin to alleviate the issue and preserves enough to allow normal eyelid closure. In some cases, a small amount of the orbicularis oculi (the muscle that closes the eyelid) is removed. Fat is typically preserved over the middle of the eyelid, but some removal may help with aesthetic contour in cosmetic eyelid surgery. When the procedure is complete, the eyelid is closed with sutures. The incision should lie in the eyelid crease, making it less visible after healing.

RECOVERY

Typically, patients may have mild bruising or swelling around the eyes for about a week or so. Some surgeons may recommend avoidance of makeup for 2 to 3 weeks. Glasses may be worn immediately, but patients may be instructed to avoid contact lenses for a few weeks, depending on surgeons’ preferences.

This surgery has evolved in the last 20 years. Chin surgery was done mainly as an Orthognatic procedure, in which the boney chin button was moved forward. It was a hospital procedure and involved significant down-time and quite costly. Over the years this surgery has changed to be mainly an implant type of surgery. At first silastic implants were used, now however I almost solely use Medpor Implants. Medpor Polyethylene implants have a long history of successful use in trauma repair.

I almost exclusively use a contoured two piece chin implant which is designed with a gradual taper to provide excellent bony anatomy. They can be designed for both anterior and inferior projections. In addition the tapered wings provide augmentation to address unwanted jowl lines. These implants are placed below the periostium from an incision intra orally; and fixated with a couple of titanium screws. The implant can be trimmed and modified at the time of surgery. There are many different types of Medpor implants that can be used to augment the cheek and mandible.

The minimally invasive surgical procedure called a lip lift helps patients gain the appearance of fuller, more youthful lips via cosmetic surgery that changes the shape of the upper or lower lip by moving the lips to a favorable new position. Greater "tooth show" when smiling becomes apparent after a lip lift cosmetic procedure.

RECOVERY

Directly following your lip lift surgery, there might be a slightly uncomfortable feeling as the mouth swells and feels tight. After a few days or one week, the swelling should dissipate sharply, as almost all swelling should go away within four weeks.

These are general rules and may not hold true for everyone. To find out if you’re a candidate for lip lift surgery, you will first need to undergo a consultation. After analyzing the contours of your lips and discussing your goals, we will develop the ideal treatment plan for your specific needs.

Having Orthognathic surgery is a commitment in time and patience. The patient is usually seen for a pre operative evaluation, then the patient will be prepped for surgery with orthodontic treatment that can be between 6 months to 2 years. We will submit your insurance for these procedures can be done in our surgical suites under I.V sedation. Surgery will always be done on stone study models, so that you can see the type of results you can anticipate.

Difference in skeletal growth between the upper and lower jaws may lead to both functional and psychological difficulties. Functional difficulties may include problems with chewing, swallowing, speech or TMJ performance.

Patients may also exhibit psychological difficulties stemming from aesthetic and social concerns. Some abnormalities may only involve misaligned teeth and can be corrected orthodically with braces or other appliances. Serious growth disturbances, however, require surgery to realign the upper and lower jaws into a more normal relationship. Common dentofacial deformities, including under or overdevelopment of the jaws (prognathia, micrognathia, retrognathia), or misaligned teeth (overbite or under bite), can make it difficult to eat, swallow, speak, and breath.

Facial appearance is determined by three basic components: skin, soft tissues and underlying bones of the face. When the bone is disproportionate – the chin recessed, jaw undefined or the cheeks flat – it can significantly affect your appearance. If you are bothered by a small chin weak jaw or lack of facial contours, facial implants can significantly change your appearance.

FACIAL IMPLANTS:

Facial implants are specially formed solid materials compatible with human bone and tissue, designed to enhance or augment the physical structure of the face. The precise type and size of implants best suited for you requires an evaluation of your goals, the features you wish to correct. Facial implants can produce a marked improvement in the underlying structure that forms facial appearance, improving proportion and balance. Although facial implants can improve the proportion, shape or size of virtually any region of the face, three more common sites for facial implants include the chin, jaw and cheek or malar region.

CHEEK IMPLANTS:

Increase the projection of the malar region. They add volume to areas that have lost subcutaneous fat. Mid-face contour implants are very exciting, because they have essentially eliminate a mid-face lift. By placing an implant in the mid-face you are essentially getting the results of a mid-face lift at a fraction of the cost and minimal downtime. The results can be quite dramatic

LIP IMPLANTS:

Cosmetic surgeons have been searching for the perfect lip implant. As of today I have tried many different types and have not been satisfied. However, recently a company out of Texas designed a new implant that I am very pleased with the results, the procedure takes about an hour, and can be done in the office under local anesthesia or intravenous sedation.

PARANASAL IMPLANTS:

This is a relatively new implant that can be placed quickly from an extra oral incision, and the results are a decreasing of the nasolabial defect. It adds volume back into the nasal labial fold. Most of the facial implants that I place are MedPor, and all are done from an intra oral approach. After the procedure, you will be asked to use a pressure dressing for 36hrs and then you can return to work. If there are no complications, there should be minimal swelling and bruising. Don’t be surprised at how others might react to your choice for cosmetic surgery. What is most important are your feelings of fulfillment.

Browlift is a surgical procedure that will raise your eyebrow to a higher and more esthetic position. It will improve lateral hoods.

A browlift will not improve baggy eyelids, puffy eyes or crow’s feet.

There are three major types of ways in which these procedures are performed:

• Coronal forehead lift

• 2. Endoscopic forehead lift

• 3. Subcutaneous lift

The pros and cons of the procedures will be discussed with you.

Talking about the mid-face is a mystery to many people. The mid-face is not your jowls, which is in the lower face. The mid-face is essentially the area around your cheek bones. As we get older, it might appear that the mid-face is dropping because of gravity, and this is somewhat true. However the many causes of mid-face problems is a loss of volume, or a loss of body fat. As we age we tend to loss fat in all the wrong places. In the face, the biggest volume losses are in the mid-face and the mariet line of the chin. I have been trained in doing the traditional mid-face lift. However in my opinion a much better procedure can be done and accomplished superior results with a much less invasive procedure. Since the main problem is volume loss, a cheek bone implant is far superior a result with much less risk. I have stopped doing mid-face lifts because a superior result can be obtained that will be permanent. Please see the FACIAL IMPLANT section for a further explanation on the mid-face. There are several different types of implants that can be placed for correction of the mid-face.

Additional info

A facelift is a surgical procedure that improves visible signs of aging in the face and neck. It will help with:

• Sagging the middle of your face

• Loss of skin tone in the lower third of the face

• Sagging jowls

• Excess skin in the neck area (double chin)

In order to correct these problems, an incision has to be made. For a minor facelift, a small incision is made in front of the ear. This procedure has been made popular by many television ads. This procedure can be done in our office under local anesthesia or light sedation. More invasive facelifts can also be done on an outpatient basis and these procedures I do in conjunction with a general surgeon in his facility.

Rhinoplasty may be cosmetic or reconstructive but most procedures have elements of both. Your nose is the most prominent feature on your face, second only to your eyes. Its size and shape may be the most defining characteristics of your face. Every year thousands of people elect to improve their appearance through Rhinoplasty. I have performed some Rhinoplasties, but not nearly enough.

I will diagnose your concerns and during your consult and will refer you to the surgeon who I feel will give you the best results. We have a number of facial cosmetic surgeons who essentially limit there practice to cosmetic Rhinoplasties and therefore we will work in conjunction with these doctors so that you can achieve your desired results.