Utah Facial Cosmetic Surgeon :: Envision Cosmetic Surgery

FACE

Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)

The eyes are one of the first areas to tell our age. Cosmetic surgery of the eyelids, called blepharoplasty, is designed to remove bags and bulges around the eyes as well as loose wrinkled skin. Incisions are hidden in a natural crease on the upper lid and immediately below the lash line on the lower eyelid.

Changes in the eyelids occur because as we age the fat which supports the globe of the eye tends to increase in volume while the fascia that retains it weakens. This results in bulges above and below the eyes. During a blepharoplasty, excess fat is removed. Excess skin may be treated by laser or chemical resurfacing in mild cases, or the excess skin is removed in more severe cases.

Surgery lasts from one to two hours. If only eyelid surgery is done, sedation and a local anesthetic are used. Patients go home shortly after surgery. Bruising and swelling are common but little pain is usually experienced. Sutures are removed at the one week post-operative visit.

Many patients in Salt Lake City have discovered the joy of hearing “you look rested” instead of “you look tired” following their surgery. Changes are apparent as soon as one week out from surgery although some bruising may still be present. Many plastic surgery procedures are more affordable than expected, especially in Utah. Come find out if a blepharoplasty at Envision Cosmetic Surgery is right for you.

Brow and forehead lift

The endoscopic forehead and brow lift is designed to raise the eyebrows as well as soften or flatten wrinkles between the eyebrows. Small incisions placed immediately behind the hairline allow cosmetic improvements with inconspicuous scars. A brow lift is often combined with eyelid surgery for complete upper face rejuvenation.

The brow should sit above the bone of the eye-socket. The highest portion of the arch should sit just to the outside of the iris. If your forehead muscles fatigue because your frequently lifting the brow or you notice the outer brow sits lower than the inner brow you may benefit from a brow-lift.

A brow lift is performed under sedation with local anesthesia or with a patient completely asleep. The surgery takes between one and two hours. Swelling and bruising are common due to the thin delicate eyelid skin but pain is minimal. The few sutures used are removed at the one-week postoperative visit.

A Brow-lift can also be done in combination with other facial rejuvenation procedures. Discover what others in Utah already have. Fewer wrinkles and a more youthful appearance can be yours with a simple visit to Envision Cosmetic Surgery.

Facelift (Rhytidectomy)

Plastic surgery of the face often produces fun and dramatic results. A facelift, or a rhytidectomy, is the most effective surgery for facial rejuvenation. Many types of facelifts are available. Mini or short scar facelifts offer shorter incisions and faster recovery but sacrifice longevity. A full facelift incision gives longer lasting results but has a longer incision and recovery period.

All facelifts involve removal of some amount of excess skin. A facelift is the most effective treatment for loose neck skin as well. The muscles on the face and neck are tightened as well. A facelift incision usually follows the contours of the ear extending slightly into the hair.

A Facelift usually takes two to three hours. The surgery can be performed using IV sedation and numbing medication or with the patient fully asleep. Bruising and swelling are common although pain is usually minimal. A bulky dressing is placed the day of surgery. All sutures are removed at the one-week post-operative visit. In two weeks no signs of surgery are present.

Salt Lake City has a very healthy population, many of whom want to look as young as they feel. Shortly after facial plastic surgery patients are back to their usual activities without attracting unwanted attention. Patients are amazed to discover how much younger they look. Come discover the options and benefits of a facelift at Envision Cosmetic Surgery.

Otoplasty (Ear Pinning)

Occasionally individuals suffer from excessively prominent ears. Frequently young children are teased because of their ears. For this reason, this is one of the few cosmetic surgeries performed on young children.

Otoplasty reshapes the ears to bring them closer to the head. Patients of all ages elect to have ear-pinning surgery. Performed after numbing the ears, an otoplasty usually takes two to three hours. All incisions are made behind the ears and heal wonderfully. A headband that covers the ears is worn for one week after surgery.

Another common plastic surgery of the ear is repairing ripped piercings or gauged earlobes. A small accidental tug on an earring can tear an earlobe. Alternatively some individuals intentionally stretch out the ear lobe or gauge it only to have their tastes change and find that earlobes don’t close on their own. Though both these repairs are performed with local anesthetic. The surgeries may take up to two hours and often require magnification and microsurgical techniques.

Rhinoplasty (Nose surgery)

Rhinoplasty or nose shaping surgery is a surgery to improve the shape of the nose. Two approaches are commonly used for this cosmetic surgery. A “closed” approach has no incision on the outside of the nose. An “open” approach has one small visible incision on the columella or fleshy part between the nostrils. If significant modification of the nasal tip is planned, an “open” approach is usually used.

Rhinoplasty usually takes about two hours. Patients are asleep for the surgery. A cast stays on the outside of the nose for one week. Bruising is common as is a “stuffy” feeling although patients report little pain. Stitches and the cast are removed at the one week post-operative visit.

As soon as one week after surgery the improved shape will be readily apparent. Utah has a multicultural population. An Asian rhinoplasty will differ considerable from a Caucasian or Hispanic rhinoplasty. Experience, good communication and attention to detail have resulted in many happy patients after nasal surgery.

Laser Resurfacing

Laser resurfacing is the best way to decrease wrinkles and improve skin quality. However, the recovery is quite extensive. Performed in the operating room, the patient is under a general anesthetic or completely asleep. Facial skin resurfacing is done with a CO2 laser. The surface layers of the skin are removed. The skin then regenerates itself resulting in younger healthier skin. Typically only one treatment is necessary. The healing process also involves tightening of the skin. Fine wrinkles typically disappear while deeper wrinkles fade.

Skin Care

The list of available skin care products is significant. Most high-end products are effective at keeping skin discoloration to a minimum and enhancing the quality of the skin. Obagi skin care products are quality products supported by research documenting many improvements in skin quality.

As we age, insults to our skin accumulate. Cell turnover slows and the outer layer of the skin thins. New cells take longer to form and reach the surface while older cells stay longer. This shows as fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, uneven skin tone, loss of elasticity and loss of natural skin hydration. Obagi products reverse many unwanted changes by accelerating cellular turnover, and suppressing skin insults leading to younger and healthier skin.

Obagi skin products incorporate two prescription medications making them available only through a physician. The multiple step regimes will cause mild irritation before the skin adapts to the products. Once the skin adapts, the results are remarkable. Every staff mamber at Envision Cosmetic Surgery uses Obagi products and recommend them without reservation.

Utah weather can be harsh on your skin. A little preventative care now will keep you looking younger much longer. Forever thirty is our goal. Come meet with a physician to determine which Obagi skin care system is right for you.

ADDITIONAL PROCEDURES

Even more procedures are offered at Envision Cosmetic Surgery. If your procedure is not listed try finding information through the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery’s (AACS) website; www.cosmeticsurgery.org. Click on the “For Patients” tab and then select cosmetic procedures.