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Face Lift (Rhytidectomy)
Face lifts are recommended for those men and women who want to reduce the obvious signs of aging such as sagging facial skin, jowls and loose neck skin. During the procedure, which takes several hours under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, muscles are tightened and the skin is redraped. Frequently, a small incision is made under the chin, and the neck muscles are sewn together. This is called a platysmaplasty. In certain situations, a facelift may be accompanied by eyelid surgery, a forehead lift, liposuction or facial implants. This, of course, is based on Dr. Gerber's recommendation with the full consent and agreement of the patient.
Depending on the extent of the surgery, patients generally experience some bruising, swelling, numbness and skin tenderness. The skin may also feel tight and dry. Normally, patients can return to work within 14 days but should wait two weeks or more before engaging in strenuous activity.
Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
Drooping eyelids or puffy bags below the eyes can be improved by removing excess skin and/or fat. Patients look refreshed and less tired. In some cases, vision is improved by reducing the droopiness of the eyelid.
Eyelid surgery is generally done under local anesthesia with sedation. Often, there is some temporary discomfort, swelling and bruising. Patients can usually go back to work within seven to ten days. Those with contact lenses can resume wearing them in two weeks or more with Dr. Gerber's approval.
Brow Lift
This one to two hour procedure can minimize drooping eyebrows, hooding over the eyes, furrowed forehead and frown lines. Muscles are softened and the brows are lifted. This technique may accompany a facelift or be used as a singular procedure. It can usually be done with the use of an endoscope for minimal scarring, generally under local anesthesia with sedation.
Patients normally experience some temporary swelling, numbness, headaches or bruising, but can go back to work or non-strenuous activities within about a week.
Facial Implants
Larger implants are used to reshape areas of the face, such as the cheeks, jawline or chin. This may be done alone, with liposuction of the neck, or with a facelift. The surgery generally takes from 30 minutes to two hours under local anesthesia with sedation or general. Often, there is some discomfort, bruising and swelling or numbness. Recovery takes one to two weeks.
Smaller implants, such as Gore-Tex®, are permanent implants that may be placed under the skin. They work well in the grooves between the nose and mouth, the corners of the mouth, and the lips. They help to plump up the tissue under the skin. Sometimes, filler injections may be needed over these implants to fill out the areas more fully. Recovery is minimal.
Injectable Facial Fillers
Soft tissue fillers are injected under the skin to temporarily plump up creased, furrowed, or sunken facial skin or to add fullness to lips. Normally it takes 15 minutes to 1 hour per session. Patients may experience a burning sensation, as well as bruising, light redness or swelling. There are many different injectable fillers, including Restylane® (hyaluronic acid), human and bovine collagen, injections of your own fat, and others. The technology is advancing very quickly.
BOTOX® Injections
These injections help reduce frown lines between the brows, around the eyes and on the forehead. The Botox weakens the muscles that cause these stress lines. It may even help migraine headaches.
Laser Facial Resurfacing
Facial resurfacing can be performed using ablative laser devices, such as the Erbium Yag laser , to treat layers of damaged skin and to smooth the face and fine wrinkles. They help to soften lines around the eyes and mouth and minimize facial scars and unevenly pigmented areas. Laser resurfacing takes a few minutes to one hour and may require more than one session. Often it is performed under local anesthesia with sedation. Patients may experience temporary swelling and slight discomfort, as well as some redness and sun sensitivity. Within two weeks, patients can return to work.
The benefits and drawbacks of the different lasers as they relate to specific problem areas and skin types will be discussed during consultation.
Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)
Patients generally request this type of surgery because they don't like the shape or size of their nose or they are having difficulty breathing and wish to have it surgically corrected. The nose can be reshaped, reduced or increased in size. The tip of the nose can be altered, nostril size or span adjusted or the angle between the nose and upper lip can be changed. If rhinoplasty is required for health reasons, it may be covered by insurance.
Local anesthesia with sedation is generally used for nose surgery and the operation takes from one to four hours. There will often be some swelling and bruising and possibly some headaches. Patients often return to work or normal, non-strenuous activities in one to two weeks.
Ear Pinning Surgery (Otoplasty)
Prominent ears can either be set back closer to the head or reduced in size. The surgery generally takes two to three hours Children and adults are given local anesthesia with or without sedation. Patients can return to work or school within five to seven days; however, strenuous activity or contact sports should be avoided for one to two months.