San Francisco Plastic Surgery Blog - Page 10 of 26

I do not recommend this procedure as it does not last, and leaves permanent ‘cable’ sutures in the face. Thread lifts were originally intended to repair the underlying saggy cheek and jaw line tissues. This was done by threading non-absorbable barbed sutures into the deeper soft tissues, to provide ongoing support.

It’s no longer the best option available to correct these issues, and comes with its own set of risks, despite being referred to as less invasive than a typical facelift. I urge you to consult with an experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to go over alternate options that may be suitable for your goals.
It is not recommended to combine these two procedures. Most doctors will not operate in the immediate area where another surgeon is also operating at the same time. Lasik surgery results in quite a bit of irritation and dry eye symptoms, and often requires artificial tears to help alleviate symptom and lubricate the eye enough to heal well.

Eyelid surgery can also lead to dry eyes and can get in the way of proper Lasik healing. Doing the two procedures separately is much safer and effective, and you’ll achieve better results in both instances.
Not necessarily, but you do need to be absolutely sure that this is the surgery that is right for you.

Typically brow lift procedures are used to correct droopiness resulting from aging. However it’s possible in some people to inherit a droopy brow, and this is often apparent throughout childhood. An endoscopic or anterior hairline lateral brow lift may be appropriate and can help open up the eyes in this case.

I would encourage you to have a consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon that is well-suited to evaluate your situation and also has your best aesthetic interests at heart. Only then should you make your final decision.
This is a question that only can be answered in-person, based on an anatomic evaluation. Some patients can do fine with eyelid surgery only, when the problem is simply excess upper eyelid skin.
However if the problem lies in the descent of the brow, then it’s wise to consider how much their brows are contributing to the situation and whether or not a brow lift may be necessary for positive results.

Book a consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon skilled in the procedures you’re considering, and go from there. There are also nonsurgical brow and lid rejuvenation procedures that can offer minimal and temporary fixes, but can give you a better idea of how things might look after more invasive surgical procedures are performed.
Typically eyelid scars are present but minimal and usually takes a person knowing exactly what to look for in order for them to be seen. Usually they are hidden by the lid fold, when performed by a skilled surgeon. Incisions shouldn’t be too high or too low, and they should only go out laterally as far as necessary to remove the excess skin, for the best outcome.

Suture choices can also play a factor in the visibility of scars, as well as whether or not the patient follows their post-op directions properly. Resting with your head above heart level can help to keep swelling to a minimum, as excessive swelling can contribute to more scar visibility. All in all, consult with your surgeon and discuss all possible outcomes before making your decision.
If fat is the only issue causing the sagging, Liposuction can be excellent for this area. If very small amounts of fat are present, lipodissolve may work. However liposuction is a single definitive treatment and lipodissolve involves multiple in-office treatments with variable results.

But if the problem isn’t just excess fat but also laxity in the skin and muscle, it may be wise to consider other treatment options such as a facelift or necklift. The best course of action is to schedule a consult with a Board Certified Plastic surgeon, who can then walk you through the treatment options available that are tailored to your unique set of needs.
There are a variety of factors to consider when choosing the right filler to enhance the cheeks. Costs play a role, as do ease of injection and how long the filler lasts.

You also need to consider your unique goals and the amount of volume required. For large amounts of volume, Sculptra is one of the most cost-effective cheek fillers, and is the longest lasting.

However, other fillers can be effective for more subtle improvements in the face. In that case, the duration of the filler usually takes priority in the decision. Juvederm and Restylane last anywhere from 6-9 months and is often a popular choice.

Radiesse is also used with success, and is more cost effective than Juvederm and Restylane for the amount of months of correction you can get.

If you are looking for a more permanent solution, fat grafting with a skilled Board Certified Plastic Surgeon can be a viable option as well. As always, it’s best to schedule a consult to discuss your goals, and from there decide the best course of treatment options.
Significant facial swelling can be seen for 1-2 weeks after your procedure. A complete resolution of all swelling should be apparent at 2-3 months. However true facial definition (such as in the thinner areas of the face) can take several months to completely reappear based on how long ago you had the grafting done, and how much fat was actually transplanted and survived.

It’s best to consult your surgeon with any concerns as they will know exactly how much fat they grafted and if and when you should be worried. Also, be sure the surgeon you choose for procedures such as fat grafting is Board Certified, experienced and performs fat grafting procedures regularly.
Each procedure has both its pros and its cons. With fat grafting, the fat will usually stay in position, but whether or not all the fat grafted will survive isn’t entirely reliable. It depends largely on the skill and techniques used by the surgeon performing the procedure. Additional surgeries are possible for additional corrections.

With cheek implants, there may be the possibility of future procedures related to the implants, but the main issue with implants is that they tend to change your fundamental appearance just a bit. This can certainly be a good thing, but it’s important for patients to be aware of this fact before proceeding. Fat grafting and fillers tend to not affect your fundamental ‘look’ and instead give you a softer and sometimes rounder appearance.

For more temporary results, fillers can be used to enhance the cheek area, and are less invasive. However your costs after multiple treatments can often be comparable to the costs of implants or fat grafting, so talk to your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. They can then help you decide the best course of action based on your particular situation and goals.
The percentage of fat transfer that becomes permanent depends largely on the area grafted and the techniques used to graft it. It can range from 20-40% in the face to 80% or more in the buttocks (such as with the Brazilian Butt lift) if the procedure for fat grafting is the ‘micro fat graft technique’

However you will usually know within 4 months what your final results will look like. As with any procedure, discuss your goals with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to decide the best course of action for your specific needs and choose a surgeon skilled in fat grafting procedures.