Ear
Ear surgery, or otoplasty, is usually performed to set prominent ears back closer to the head or to reduce the size of large ears. For the most part, this surgery is performed on children between the ages of four to 14. Ears are generally fully grown by age four and the earlier the surgery, the less teasing the child will go through. Ear surgery may also be performed on adults and does not carry additional risks on older patients.
Ear surgery can also address the following issues:
- Lop ear-tip seems to fold down and forward
- Cupped ear - usually a very small ear
- Shell ear-curve in the outer rim, as well as natural folds, are missing
- Large or stretched earlobes
- Lobes with large creases or wrinkles
Eyelid
Is eyelid surgery right for you? If you have healthy facial tissue and muscles, are a non-smoker, are non-diabetic, have no underlying vision, thyroid, or cardiovascular problems, and have realistic expectations, then you are probably a prime candidate for upper and lower eyelid surgery. Identify your goals and then compare them to our list of surgical options below.
Typically we can improve the appearance of the eyelid area by:
- Removing excess fatty deposits that cause puffiness.
- Tightening loose skin in the upper eyelid, folds that sometimes hinder vision.
- Removing extra skin and wrinkles from the lower eyelid.
- Rejuvenating puffy bags that appear under eyes.
- Tightening the lower eyelid to create a more aesthetically pleasing position relative to the iris, the colored part of the eye.
Chin Augmentation
A weak or undeveloped chin in a female can make the nose appear larger and the neck ill-defined. With just a few millimeters of augmentation to the chin, the entire profile of the female face can be improved. You May Want To Consider A Chin Augmentation Procedure If You Have The Following Concerns:
- Dissatisfaction with your facial profile due to a small or poorly defined chin
Chin augmentation surgery is performed as an outpatient under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with IV sedation. Through a small incision concealed in the crease under your chin, a pocket is created along the jaw line and a permanent customized implant is positioned to augment the bony structure of the chin and jaw. Scar tissue will form around the implant, holding it in place and keeping the implant from moving.
Rhinoplasty
The shape and appearance of your nose may be due to heredity or an injury. Whatever the reason, if you don't like the look of your nose a rhinoplasty, or nose surgery, may be right for you. Surgery of the nose can change the physical characteristics as well as any structural problems that may affect breathing. Rhinoplasty can accomplish the following aspects:
- Nose size, in relation to other facial structures
- Nose width, at the bridge
- Nose profile, with visible humps or depression on the bridge
- Nasal tip, that a is large or bulbous, drooping, or too upturned
- Nostrils that are large, wide or upturned
- Nasal asymmetry and deviation
It should be noted that rhinoplasty candidates should be finished with facial growth or at least 13 years of age.
FAQ's
We know you have questions and that's why we are here to answer them for you. If these FAQ don't completely answer all of your questions feel free to contact us by our form or a personal phone call. We will be happy to meet with you and go over all of your questions with a free consultation.
Otoplasty surgery is an outpatient procedure performed under a general anesthetic and generally takes two to three hours to perform. The technique used will depend on the problem.
One common technique involves a small incision in the back of the ear to expose the cartilage. This cartilage will then be sculpted and bend back toward the head. Non-removable stitches may be used to help hold this shape. Sometimes a larger piece of cartilage will be removed to give a more natural look. A small scar on the back of the ear will be left behind but this will fade with time. If only one ear protrudes surgery will generally be performed on both ears to achieve balance.
The entire head will be wrapped in a bulky bandage right after surgery to promote the best molding and healing. For a few days after surgery ears may throb but this can be controlled with medication.
After a few days the bulky bandages will be replaced by lighter dressings, similar to a headband. Specific directions will be given for wearing this. Also at this time any non-dissolving stitches will be removed.
Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure to improve the appearance of the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. Many of our female eyelid surgery patients state that their primary reason for wanting surgery is to give them a more youthful, natural, rested appearance to compete in today's job market. Another popular reason women desire eyelid surgery is to address frown lines that cause them to appear angry or worried. These frown lines can be addressed at the same time as an upper eyelid blepharoplasty.
You May Be A Candidate For Eyelid Surgery If You Have Some Of The Following Conditions:
- Eyelid puffiness and dark circles under the eyes
- Bags under the eyes
- Drooping upper lids
- A tired or sad appearance
- Impairment in your vision due to excess upper eyelid skin
- An angry or worried appearance
The eyelid surgery is performed under a general anesthetic or local anesthesia with IV sedation as an outpatient. The specific surgical procedure that will be performed for your eyelid surgery will be determined by your doctor's preference and by your features.
Usually the incision for upper eyelid surgery is concealed just below the lower lashes. Through this incision, excess skin, muscle and fat are removed and tightened. Through the same incision, the muscles that cause frown lines can be removed to enhance your overall appearance. Many patients with deep frown lines are unhappy with their appearance because it makes them look angry or worried. This can be combined with injecting the frown lines with dermal filler.
Usually the incision for lower eyelid surgery is concealed just below the lower lashes. Through this incision, excess skin, muscle and fat are removed and tightened. Your doctor may decide that the best approach for removing fat from the lower eyelid is with a transconjunctival blepharoplasty. In this procedure, an incision is placed inside the lower eyelid.
There are no external incisions, but this technique cannot be used to remove excess skin. If the structural support of the lower eyelid is stretched out it may be necessary to shorten the length of the lid to reestablish proper elasticity.
In some cases for eyelid surgery, laser resurfacing or chemical peels are used in conjunction with this procedure to minimize fine wrinkles near the eyes.
Chin augmentation surgery is performed as an outpatient under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with IV sedation. Through a small incision concealed in the crease under your chin, a pocket is created along the jaw line and a permanent customized implant is positioned to augment the bony structure of the chin and jaw. Scar tissue will form around the implant, holding it in place and keeping the implant from moving.
Tape or a chin strap may be placed on the chin to stabilize the implant and control swelling and bruising for the first 24 hours. Cold compresses will also help decrease post operative swelling. Sutures are removed at approximately 5 days. Soft diet is recommended to reduce chewing for the first two days following surgery.
There may be some chin discomfort; any pain you feel can be controlled with medication prescribed by your surgeon. Light activity may be resumed at 5 days; although it is important to avoid any activities that could bump the chin implant for the first two weeks in order to avoid displacement of the implant. The majority of post op swelling will be gone after two weeks; however it will take up to 6 weeks for all swelling to resolve. You may resume exercise at 2 weeks. You will return to our office for follow-up care at designated intervals to evaluate your progress.
Rhinoplasty surgery is an outpatient procedure performed under a general anesthetic and generally takes two hours to perform. The surgery can be performed using a closed procedure, where incisions are hidden inside the nose, or an open procedure, where the incision is made across the columella, the narrow strip of tissue between the nostrils. These incisions allow for the soft tissues to be gently raised, allowing access to reshape the nose.
Surgery of the nose can reduce or add nasal structures. Often, cartilage from other parts of the body, such as the septum or ear, are used to augment the nose.
If the problem of the nose is a deviated septum, this is straightened and the inside of the nose is reduced to improve breathing. A deviated septum is one of the most common causes of breathing impairment and with careful evaluation airflow and breathing can be improved.
After surgery a splint, internal tubes or packing will be used inside your nose while a splint or bandage will be used on the outside to protect and support the new shape while it heals. If packing is used it will be removed after a few days. Facial swelling and bruising, especially around the eyes, is to be expected and will increase, reaching its peak after 2-3 days. Eyes may almost swell shut the day after surgery but most swelling and bruising should disappear within 2 weeks.
It is very important to keep your head elevated above the level of your heart so that swelling and discomfort can be kept at bay. A dull headache and nose ache is not uncommon and a cold compress should be used for 2-5 days on the bridge of the nose.
Bleeding is not uncommon during the first few days and you should change the dressings as needed. You may have some nasal stuffiness for several weeks but it is very important to not blow your nose as the tissues need to heal.
It may take several months for the swelling to fully disappear and for the results of your rhinoplasty to fully show. Although results are usually permanent, cartilage may continue to reshape and move tissue over time.
