Question:
I am in my late 40s and have horrible under eye hollows that I would like to have fixed. How effective is fat transfer and are there any other fillers that can be used?
Answer:
A hollow lower eyelid can be fixed in the office with fillers. This is a procedure that I do all the time. However, this is not permanent, and lasts anywhere between six months and a year. If you want something permanent, a fat transfer is a wonderful procedure to do. I tell patients that the amount of fat that will remain permanently is approximately 30%. Sometimes the fat can be as high as 50-60%, but to be conservative I say 30%. Additionally, I do not over correct this region in case most of the fat survives. If necessary, a second fat transfer can be performed after plenty of time has gone by for the healing process. Thank you very much.
April 28, 2010
Fat Transfer or Fillers for Under Eye Hollows
Numbness around Ears and Jaw – 14 Weeks after Surgery
Question:
Ever since my facelift a little over 14 weeks ago, the area around my ears and jaws have been very numb. Will this go away eventually? Is it normal to still be experiencing numbness that long after surgery was done? Is this ever permanent?
Answer:
Numbness in this region following a facelift is common after six months. Often times, it may go away as early as three months. However, I have seen it take as long as one year. On a rare occasion, the numbness can be permanent. Thank you.
April 15, 2010
What exactly is the difference between a lower facelift and a mid facelift?
Question:
What exactly is the difference between a lower facelift and a mid facelift? Where is the line drawn between the two?
Answer:
My description of a lower facelift involves the correction of the jowls and the neck. This is the lower half of the face. It usually does not alter the marionette lines or the nasolabial smile lines, nor does it address the cheeks. Many times the lower facelift will be pulled too tight laterally toward the ears, producing a mask-like appearance. This tight mask appearance can also produce scars around the ears. The mid face aspect of the surgery involves elevating the cheek fat pad and softening the smile lines and marionette lines. You can perform a mid facelift in combination with the facelift so that it is a combined mid, lower, and neck lift versus having a separate endoscopic mid facelift followed by a lower facelift. The endoscopic mid facelift involves small incisions, which are made in the hair line. A camera called an endoscope is then used to visualize the procedure. The instruments are passed down into the cheek area and a small incision is also made inside the mouth to elevate the tissue over the bony cheek. Once everything is elevated, a fixation device, which may be either a suture or something I use called an endotyne, is placed in order to help elevate the cheek fat. With elevation of the cheek fat, the smile lines and marionette lines soften. I will perform the mid facelift to the facelift incision. I will dissect toward the upper cheek and elevate the entire flap which includes the cheek fat in the lower face and the neck in a superolateral direction. In general, that is the difference between a facelift and mid facelift.
I’m a 43-year-old and I am researching facelifts
Question:
I’m a 43-year-old and I am researching facelifts. How does my skin elasticity affect the success of my facelift? Can my surgeon assess my elasticity?
Answer:
At 43 you are just at that starting point where a little neck lift can possibly work. A neck lift or facelift can be performed on patients in your age bracket as long as you may benefit from the procedures. Since elasticity is usually great at the age of 43, your doctor will confirm that by examining your skin. One of the things I would think about would be to start off with small procedures early on. In this case, a small little neck lift or mini cheek lift is something that could always keep making you look younger without anyone knowing that you had a surgical procedure. Hope this helps and good luck!
