Facelift
Understanding Facelift Surgery
A facelift (rhytidectomy) is a surgical procedure designed to address visible signs of aging in the face and neck. As we age, skin loses elasticity, facial tissues lose volume, and muscle tone decreases, resulting in sagging skin, deepened fold lines, and fat deposits that can create jowls and a “double chin.” A facelift repositions facial tissues and removes excess skin to create a more youthful, refreshed appearance.
At Premier Head and Neck Surgery, we perform several types of facelift procedures, each tailored to address specific concerns and provide natural-looking results:
Traditional Facelift (Full Facelift)
A traditional facelift addresses the face and neck, providing the most comprehensive rejuvenation. This approach:
- Targets moderate to advanced aging in the mid-face, jawline, and neck
- Repositions deeper tissues (SMAS layer) for long-lasting results
- Removes excess skin
- Redefines the jawline and reduces jowls
- Improves neck contour and reduces banding
- Typically provides the most dramatic and longest-lasting results
Mini Facelift
A mini facelift is less invasive than a traditional facelift and focuses primarily on the lower face and jawline. This approach:
- Addresses mild to moderate signs of aging
- Uses shorter incisions, typically around the ears
- Provides more subtle rejuvenation with less downtime
- Is ideal for younger patients or those with early signs of aging
- Can be combined with other procedures for more comprehensive results
Mid-Face Lift
A mid-face lift specifically targets the cheek area, addressing volume loss and sagging in the middle portion of the face. This approach:
- Elevates descended cheek tissues
- Reduces nasolabial folds (lines from nose to mouth)
- Restores youthful cheek contours
- Can be performed alone or in combination with other procedures
Neck Lift
While often performed as part of a traditional facelift, a neck lift can also be done as a standalone procedure. This approach:
- Removes excess skin and fat from the neck
- Tightens the platysma muscle to reduce banding
- Creates a more defined jawline and neck contour
- Eliminates the “turkey neck” appearance
- Can be combined with liposuction for enhanced results
Facelift Procedure
A facelift is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia or intravenous sedation with local anesthesia. The specific surgical technique will depend on your individual needs and the type of facelift being performed:
- Incisions are typically made in the hairline at the temples, continuing around the ear and ending in the lower scalp. These incisions are carefully placed to be concealed within natural contours.
- The underlying SMAS layer (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) is tightened and repositioned to create a more youthful foundation.
- Excess skin is removed, and the remaining skin is redraped over the uplifted contours.
- In some cases, a small incision beneath the chin may be used to improve the neck appearance.
- The incisions are closed with fine sutures and/or skin adhesives.
- The procedure typically takes 2-4 hours, depending on the extent of the surgery.
Benefits of Facelift Surgery
A facelift offers numerous benefits for appropriate candidates:
- Comprehensive rejuvenation of the lower face and neck
- Long-lasting results (typically 7-10 years)
- Removal of excess skin that cannot be addressed non-surgically
- Restoration of youthful facial contours
- Improved definition of the jawline
- Reduction of deep folds and wrinkles
- Natural-looking results that don’t appear “pulled” or “windswept”
- Boost in self-confidence and satisfaction with appearance
During your consultation, we’ll discuss whether a facelift is the most appropriate option for your concerns and goals, or if a less invasive alternative might better meet your needs.
Eyebrow Lift
Understanding Eyebrow Lift Surgery
An eyebrow lift, also known as a forehead lift or brow lift, is a surgical procedure designed to raise the position of the eyebrows, reduce forehead wrinkles, and improve the appearance of the upper face. As we age, the brows often descend, creating a tired, sad, or angry appearance. An eyebrow lift can restore a more alert, refreshed, and youthful look.
At Premier Head and Neck Surgery, we offer several approaches to eyebrow lifting, each tailored to address specific concerns and facial characteristics:
Endoscopic Brow Lift
The endoscopic approach is minimally invasive and uses a small camera (endoscope) inserted through tiny incisions in the scalp. This technique:
- Requires several small incisions (about 1 cm each) hidden within the hairline
- Allows the surgeon to visualize and modify the underlying tissues with precision
- Results in minimal scarring and reduced recovery time
- Is ideal for patients with mild to moderate brow ptosis (drooping)
- Preserves natural hairline position
Coronal Brow Lift
The coronal approach involves an incision across the top of the head, from ear to ear, hidden within the hair. This technique:
- Provides maximum access and visibility for the surgeon
- Allows for significant lifting and reshaping of the brows
- Is effective for patients with more severe brow ptosis
- May slightly elevate the hairline
- Results in a well-hidden scar within the hair
Temporal Brow Lift (Lateral Brow Lift)
The temporal approach focuses on lifting the outer portion of the eyebrows through small incisions in the temples. This technique:
- Addresses drooping of the lateral (outer) brows
- Uses shorter incisions hidden within the temporal hairline
- Provides a more subtle lift with quicker recovery
- Can be combined with upper eyelid surgery for enhanced results
- Is ideal for patients primarily concerned with hooding of the outer eyelids
Direct Brow Lift
The direct approach involves removing a small ellipse of skin directly above the eyebrows. This technique:
- Provides the most precise control over brow position
- Results in a scar along the upper border of the eyebrows
- Is typically reserved for patients with significant brow ptosis, particularly men with heavy brows
- Offers the most dramatic and predictable lifting effect
Benefits of Eyebrow Lift Surgery
An eyebrow lift offers numerous benefits for appropriate candidates:
- Elevation of drooping eyebrows to a more youthful position
- Reduction of horizontal forehead lines
- Improvement of vertical frown lines between the eyebrows
- Reduction of hooding over the upper eyelids
- More alert, refreshed, and approachable appearance
- Enhanced facial harmony and balance
- Long-lasting results (typically 5-10 years)
- Can be combined with other procedures like eyelid surgery or facelift for comprehensive rejuvenation
During your consultation, we’ll discuss whether an eyebrow lift is the most appropriate option for your concerns and goals, and which technique would provide the optimal results for your specific facial anatomy.
Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)
Understanding Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty, commonly known as eyelid surgery, is a procedure that rejuvenates the appearance of the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. The eyes are often the first area to show signs of aging, with drooping upper lids and puffy bags below the eyes creating a tired, aged appearance even when you’re well-rested.
At Premier Head and Neck Surgery, we offer several types of eyelid surgery, each designed to address specific concerns:
Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty
Upper eyelid surgery addresses excess skin and fat that can create a hooded appearance and sometimes impair peripheral vision. This procedure:
- Removes excess skin from the upper eyelids
- Reduces or repositions protruding fat pockets
- Creates a more defined upper eyelid crease
- Can improve visual fields if excess skin was obstructing vision
- Results in a more alert, refreshed appearance
Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty
Lower eyelid surgery addresses bags, puffiness, and excess skin below the eyes. This procedure:
- Removes or repositions excess fat that creates under-eye bags
- Tightens loose skin that causes fine wrinkles or crepiness
- Improves the transition between the lower eyelid and cheek
- Can address dark circles in some cases
- Creates a smoother, more youthful under-eye area
Transconjunctival Blepharoplasty
This specialized approach to lower eyelid surgery is performed through an incision inside the lower eyelid, leaving no visible external scar. This technique:
- Addresses fat pockets without removing skin
- Is ideal for younger patients with good skin elasticity
- Results in minimal swelling and quicker recovery
- Can be combined with laser resurfacing or chemical peels to address skin quality
Canthopexy/Canthoplasty
These procedures tighten or reposition the outer corner of the eye (lateral canthus) to provide support for the lower eyelid. They may be performed in conjunction with lower eyelid blepharoplasty to:
- Prevent or correct lower lid malposition
- Provide additional support for weak or lax lower eyelids
- Create a more almond-shaped appearance to the eyes
- Ensure long-lasting results from lower eyelid surgery
Upper Eyelid Procedure:
- An incision is made in the natural crease of the upper eyelid, extending slightly beyond the eye.
- Excess skin and a small strip of muscle may be removed.
- Fat deposits may be removed or repositioned.
- The incision is closed with fine sutures.
Lower Eyelid Procedure (External Approach):
- An incision is made just below the lash line or inside the lower eyelid.
- Excess skin is removed if needed.
- Fat is removed or repositioned to eliminate puffiness.
- The muscle may be tightened if necessary.
- The incision is closed with fine sutures.
Transconjunctival Approach:
- An incision is made inside the lower eyelid.
- Fat is removed or repositioned without skin removal.
- The incision typically heals without sutures.
- May be combined with skin resurfacing techniques.
Benefits of Blepharoplasty
Eyelid surgery offers numerous benefits for appropriate candidates:
- Removal of excess skin and fat that creates a tired, aged appearance
- Improvement in peripheral vision if upper eyelid skin was obstructing sight
- Reduction or elimination of under-eye bags
- More defined upper eyelid crease
- Smoother, more youthful contour to the lower eyelids
- More alert, refreshed appearance
- Natural-looking results that preserve your unique eye shape
- Long-lasting results (typically 5-10 years for upper eyelids, 10+ years for lower eyelids)
- Relatively short recovery compared to more extensive facial procedures
- Can be combined with other procedures for comprehensive facial rejuvenation
During your consultation, we’ll discuss whether eyelid surgery is the most appropriate option for your concerns and goals, and which technique would provide the optimal results for your specific eye anatomy.
Facial Fat Augmentation
Understanding Facial Fat Augmentation
Facial fat augmentation, also known as fat transfer or fat grafting, is a procedure that uses your own fat to restore volume and rejuvenate the face. As we age, we lose facial fat, which can result in a hollow, gaunt appearance. Fat augmentation addresses this volume loss using fat harvested from another area of your body, such as the abdomen, thighs, or flanks.
At Premier Head and Neck Surgery, we use advanced fat grafting techniques to provide natural-looking volume enhancement. This procedure can address various concerns:
- Hollow cheeks or temples
- Deep nasolabial folds (lines from nose to mouth)
- Marionette lines (lines from mouth to chin)
- Under-eye hollows
- Sunken or flat cheekbones
- Thin lips
- Facial asymmetry
- Acne scars or other facial depressions
Fat augmentation offers several advantages over synthetic fillers:
- Uses your own tissue, eliminating risk of allergic reaction
- Provides long-lasting or permanent results
- Creates a completely natural look and feel
- Can improve skin quality through stem cells present in fat
- Allows for treatment of multiple areas in one session
- Provides subtle contour improvement at the donor site
Benefits of Facial Fat Augmentation
Facial fat augmentation offers numerous benefits for appropriate candidates:
- Natural-looking volume enhancement using your own tissue
- Long-lasting or permanent results (though some resorption is expected)
- Improvement in skin quality and texture due to stem cells in fat
- Ability to treat multiple areas in one session
- No risk of allergic reaction since your own tissue is used
- Subtle improvement in contour at the donor site
- Can be combined with other procedures like facelift for comprehensive rejuvenation
- Customizable to address your specific concerns and facial anatomy
- Progressive improvement in appearance as swelling resolves and fat integrates
During your consultation, we’ll discuss whether facial fat augmentation is the most appropriate option for your concerns and goals, or if alternative treatments might better meet your needs.
Neck Lift
Understanding Neck Lift Surgery
A neck lift, also known as lower rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure designed to improve visible signs of aging in the neck and jawline. Common concerns addressed by a neck lift include:
- Excess fat and skin relaxation in the lower face that creates jowls
- Excess fatty deposits under the chin
- Loose neck skin (“turkey neck”)
- Muscle banding in the neck, which creates abnormal contours
- Double chin appearance
At Premier Head and Neck Surgery, we offer several approaches to neck rejuvenation, tailored to address your specific concerns:
Traditional Neck Lift
A traditional neck lift provides the most comprehensive improvement for moderate to severe neck aging. This approach:
- Addresses excess skin, fat, and muscle laxity
- Redefines the jawline and reduces jowls
- Improves the appearance of vertical bands in the neck
- Creates a more defined transition between the face and neck
- Provides long-lasting results
Limited Incision Neck Lift
This less invasive approach is appropriate for patients with mild to moderate neck aging and good skin elasticity. This technique:
- Uses shorter incisions, typically around the ears only
- Provides more subtle rejuvenation with less downtime
- Focuses primarily on the jawline and upper neck
- Can be combined with liposuction for enhanced results
Platysmaplasty
This procedure specifically addresses the platysma muscle bands that create vertical “cords” in the neck. This technique:
- Tightens and realigns the platysma muscles
- Reduces or eliminates visible banding
- Creates a smoother neck contour
- Is often combined with other neck lift techniques for optimal results
Cervicoplasty
This procedure focuses on removing excess skin from the neck. This technique:
- Addresses skin laxity and “turkey neck” appearance
- Redrapes the skin for a smoother neck contour
- May be combined with other procedures to address muscle and fat
Submentoplasty (Mini Neck Lift)
This focused procedure addresses the area under the chin through a small incision. This technique:
- Removes excess fat under the chin
- Tightens the platysma muscle in the central neck
- Provides improvement with minimal incisions
- Is ideal for younger patients with good skin elasticity
Benefits of Neck Lift Surgery
A neck lift offers numerous benefits for appropriate candidates:
- Elimination of “turkey neck” or loose, sagging skin
- Reduction or removal of a double chin
- Improvement in visible muscle banding
- More defined jawline and neck contour
- Smoother transition between the face and neck
- Restoration of a more youthful neck appearance
- Long-lasting results (typically 5-10 years)
- Can be combined with other procedures like facelift for comprehensive rejuvenation
During your consultation, we’ll discuss whether a neck lift is the most appropriate option for your concerns and goals, or if a less invasive alternative might better meet your needs.
Chin Lift and Chin Implant
Understanding Chin Enhancement
The chin plays a crucial role in facial balance and profile aesthetics. A weak or recessed chin can make the nose appear larger, create the illusion of a double chin, and diminish the definition of the jawline. Conversely, enhancing the chin can dramatically improve facial harmony and create a more defined profile.
At Premier Head and Neck Surgery, we offer several approaches to chin enhancement, each tailored to address specific concerns:
Chin Implant (Mentoplasty)
A chin implant is a surgical procedure that uses a biocompatible implant to augment the size and shape of the chin. This approach:
- Increases chin projection and improves profile
- Creates a more defined jawline
- Balances facial proportions
- Provides permanent enhancement
- Can be combined with other facial procedures
Sliding Genioplasty
This surgical procedure involves cutting and repositioning the chin bone. This approach:
- Allows for more significant changes in chin position and shape
- Can address both horizontal and vertical chin deficiencies
- Provides permanent enhancement using your own bone
- May be combined with orthognathic surgery for bite correction
- Is ideal for patients with more complex chin deformities
Injectable Chin Augmentation
For patients seeking non-surgical options, dermal fillers can temporarily enhance chin projection. This approach:
- Provides immediate results without surgery
- Allows you to “preview” potential surgical results
- Requires no downtime
- Lasts approximately 9-18 months, depending on the filler used
- Can be adjusted or dissolved if desired
Chin Enhancement Procedure
The specific procedure will depend on the technique chosen:
Chin Implant Procedure:
- An incision is made either inside the mouth or under the chin.
- A pocket is created over the chin bone.
- The implant is positioned and secured.
- The incision is closed with sutures.
- The procedure typically takes 30-60 minutes and is often performed under local anesthesia with sedation.
Sliding Genioplasty Procedure:
- An incision is made inside the mouth.
- The chin bone is cut horizontally.
- The lower portion is moved forward or backward as needed.
- The repositioned bone is secured with small plates and screws.
- The incision is closed with dissolving sutures.
- This procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia and takes 1-2 hours.
Benefits of Chin Enhancement
Chin enhancement offers numerous benefits for appropriate candidates:
- Improved facial balance and harmony
- Enhanced profile and jawline definition
- Reduction in the appearance of a double chin
- Better proportion between facial features
- Strengthened appearance of a weak or receding chin
- Improved neck-chin angle
- Long-lasting or permanent results with implants or bone repositioning
- Can be combined with other facial procedures for comprehensive improvement
During your consultation, we’ll discuss which chin enhancement approach is most appropriate for your facial structure and aesthetic goals.
Rhinoplasty
Understanding Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty, commonly known as a “nose job,” is a surgical procedure that reshapes the nose to improve its appearance, proportion, and sometimes its function. As the central feature of the face, the nose plays a crucial role in facial harmony and balance. Even subtle changes to the nose can significantly enhance overall facial aesthetics.
At Premier Head and Neck Surgery, we offer both cosmetic and functional rhinoplasty, often combining the two approaches to improve both appearance and breathing. Common concerns addressed by rhinoplasty include:
- Nose size in relation to facial balance
- Nose width at the bridge or in the nostrils
- Nose profile with visible humps or depressions on the bridge
- Nasal tip that is enlarged, bulbous, drooping, upturned, or hooked
- Nostrils that are large, wide, or upturned
- Nasal asymmetry or deviation
- Breathing difficulties due to structural abnormalities
Types of Rhinoplasty
We offer several approaches to rhinoplasty, each tailored to address specific concerns:
Cosmetic Rhinoplasty
Focuses primarily on improving the appearance of the nose. This approach:
- Refines the shape, size, and proportion of the nose
- Enhances facial harmony and balance
- Addresses specific aesthetic concerns like bumps, width, or tip shape
- Preserves or improves nasal function
Functional Rhinoplasty
Focuses primarily on improving nasal breathing and function. This approach:
- Corrects structural abnormalities that impair breathing
- Repairs deviated septum
- Reduces enlarged turbinates
- Strengthens weakened nasal valves
- Often improves appearance as a secondary benefit
Septorhinoplasty
Combines cosmetic reshaping with correction of a deviated septum. This approach:
- Improves both appearance and breathing function
- Addresses the central wall between the nasal passages
- Provides comprehensive nasal improvement
Revision Rhinoplasty
Corrects or improves results from previous rhinoplasty surgery. This approach:
- Addresses persistent aesthetic or functional concerns
- Corrects complications from previous surgery
- Often requires more complex techniques
- May involve grafting to rebuild nasal structure
Ethnic Rhinoplasty
Respects and preserves ethnic characteristics while making desired improvements. This approach:
- Maintains cultural identity and facial harmony
- Addresses specific concerns common in different ethnic groups
- Preserves unique nasal features that contribute to ethnic identity
- Creates natural results that complement overall facial features