Facial Plastic Surgery FAQ
The following is a compilation of some of the most common questions that we answer for patients seeking facial plastic surgery at our Omaha practice. You can find answers to questions about specific procedures or topics, including:
If you have further questions about Omaha facial plastic surgery, request a complimentary cosmetic consultation at Aesthetic Surgical Images. Or you can call our office at (402) 390-0100 or (800) 331-5001 and one of our highly trained staff members will schedule your appointment.
Facelift & E-lift
What are the benefits of a facelift procedure?
A facelift is designed to tighten loose skin of the face and neck. It can and should result in a fresher and more youthful facial contour. It does not address lines of the forehead, crow's feet, and lines around the mouth.
Are there significant risks associated with facelift surgery?
There are risks with any type of surgery. Your surgeon will do everything possible to decrease the risk of surgery. The risks that are most commonly associated with facelift surgery would be an injury to underlying facial nerves (nerves that control the movements of the face), infection, bleeding after surgery (requiring return to the operating room to evacuate the accumulated blood), and scarring.
What is the difference between a facelift and the E-lift?
A facelift is an operation designed to tighten the skin of the neck and the lower third of the face. Typically, it will improve the jaw line and help eliminate jowling. In this operation, an incision begins in the scalp above the ear and continues in front of the ear and sometimes actually inside the external ear, to conceal the scar. It then comes back out and continues behind the ear and into the scalp. Through that incision, the skin of the face is loosened from the underlying tissue. This often extends down into and across the neck. Following that, the underlying tissue is often tightened first and the excess skin is then pulled back and removed. The skin removed is the skin in the scalp and the area in front of the ear.
The E-lift is less invasive. Typically, it begins with an incision at the top of the ear. It extends down in front of and sometimes inside the external ear. After it comes back out, it curves around the back of the ear. It may not extend beyond that point. The skin is then elevated out to the mid-portion of the cheek. The big difference between a standard facelift and the E-lift is that the E-lift has less undermining of the overlying skin. Typically, the deeper layer is tightened and the excess skin is removed. The E-lift should end up with a shorter incision. Because it is less invasive, it has a shorter recovery time. The "E" in E-lift stands for: 1) More Economical, because the charge is less than a full facelift. 2) Earlier intervention. The E-lift is often done at early signs of facial aging in patients who do not need a full facelift. 3) Easier recovery because it is less invasive.
Am I a good candidate for a facelift?
A good candidate for a facelift would be somebody in overall good health who has loose skin of the lower face and neck.
Are facelift results permanent?
The process of a facial aging and the effects of gravity will continue after the operation. There may come a time later in life where another facelift or possibly an E-lift is indicated. The longevity of results varies from person to person and also depends on the age of the patient.
Is a facelift performed under general anesthesia?
Normally, our patients undergo general anesthesia for the facelift procedure. Many times, other operations are also performed, such as upper and lower eyelid surgery and brow lift surgery.
What is the recovery period for the facelift surgery?
A full facelift will normally require approximately two weeks before the majority of the bruising and swelling subsides. The E-lift procedure has a shorter recovery time.
Can I have a facelift without surgery?
A facelift by definition is a surgical procedure whereby the skin of the face is disconnected from the underlying tissue and tightened. Other techniques that use the word facelift in their definition usually refer to the addition of injectables such as BOTOX® Cosmetic, JUVÉDERM® or fat. The use of these fillers may provide some but not all of the changes produced by a facelift.
Rhinoplasty
Am I a good candidate for a rhinoplasty?
A person is a good candidate for a rhinoplasty if they have a problem with the appearance of their nose that can be safely and predictably changed with surgery. Typically rhinoplasty patients complain of a hump on the top of their nose, a large nasal tip, or a wide nose.
How long does it take to recover from a rhinoplasty?
Patients are normally presentable after one week following a rhinoplasty. Swelling is still present, especially in the tip, but is usually minor enough that it is only noticed by the patient and the surgeon.
How is the rhinoplasty procedure performed?
A typical rhinoplasty includes incisions on the inside of the nose. Sometimes, the nose reshaping can be done through these incisions alone. Very often, however, these incisions are connected at the base of the nose. This allows the surgeon to lift the skin off the underlying structures and actually visualize both sides at the same time. Changes in the cartilage and bone are made under direct vision. This type of rhinoplasty is called an open rhinoplasty. Your surgeon will recommend what he or she thinks is the best procedure for you.
If I have trouble breathing, will a rhinoplasty help me?
A rhinoplasty is designed to change the outward appearance of the nose. It is not a procedure that is intended to improve breathing. If breathing is a problem, a patient may require a septoplasty or turbinate reduction. The septum is the wall between the two nasal passages. Sometimes, it is deviated (crooked), thereby decreasing the air flow on one side of the nose. There are structures inside the nose called turbinates. These are outward projecting structures on the outside wall of the nasal passages. Sometimes, they become enlarged and reduction of the turbinate may improve breathing.
Brow Lift
Will I end up with a surprised look after my brow lift surgery?
A properly performed brow lift should not result in a surprised look. It should result in an overall natural and more alert appearance.
How long does a brow lift last?
A brow lift should last several years. It will depend on the patient and their skin characteristics.
Will a brow lift get rid of the deep wrinkles between my eyes?
During the course of a brow lift, it is possible to disrupt the muscles that cause the wrinkles between the eyes. Unfortunately, this function cannot be completely eliminated. By weakening it, however, the deep wrinkles are often improved, but probably never erased.
Will a brow lift get rid of horizontal winkles in my forehead?
A brow lift will improve the wrinkles in the forehead. In many cases, however, it may not completely eliminate them, but it should significantly improve their appearance.
What is the difference between a brow lift and an endoscopic brow lift?
There are several different ways to perform a brow lift. The oldest and most established method is to make an incision from one ear across the top of the head to the other. The brow is then disconnected from the underlying bone. The muscles between the eyes are then weakened. The brow is then pulled back and a strip of scalp is removed. Once the two edges are brought back together, the brow has been lifted.
An endoscopic brow lift is done with much smaller incisions. Typically, there are three to five small incisions, each approximately three-quarters of an inch long. These are all in the hair-bearing scalp. Through these small incisions, an endoscope is placed and the disconnection of the scalp from the bone is accomplished while viewing the structures on a video monitor receiving the picture from the endoscope. The nerves that need to be preserved are well visualized during this procedure and greater precision in avoiding them and disrupting the muscles between the eyes can be accomplished. The small incisions eliminate the need for long incisions across the top of the scalp and the removal of the strip of scalp. Sometimes, the removal of the strip will leave a small area of baldness. Removal of the strip of scalp normally disrupts the sensory nerves that begin at the brow level and travel up the head and back across the scalp. Usually a portion of the scalp behind the incision is numb. The endoscopic forehead lift does not require this incision, therefore numbness is less likely.
How much pain will I have after my brow lift?
Normally, patients do not complain of significant discomfort after the brow lift. Occasionally, they describe symptoms of a headache, which are normally short-lived. Any discomfort is normally well handled by the postoperative pain management prescribed by your surgeon.
What do I need to do to prepare for surgery?
In preparation for the surgical procedure, it is important to follow the preoperative instructions given to you by your surgeon. Your preparation will vary slightly depending on the procedure to be performed.
Blepharoplasty
What are the risks involved with a blepharoplasty?
A blepharoplasty carries with it the same risks of any surgery, which include scarring and possibly infection. Postoperative bleeding is a possibility with a blepharoplasty. This can be very serious and can lead to visual impairment. For that reason, conditions that may predispose a patient to bleeding are carefully considered before the operation. This includes making sure the patient has a normal blood pressure and is not taking any type of drugs or food substances that can lead to thinning of the blood and postoperative bleeding. A condition known as ectropion can develop in the lower eyelids. In this case, the lower eyelid is pulled downward. This is very unusual and there are techniques your surgeon can employ to help prevent this.
How do I know if insurance will cover my surgery?
If your surgeon believes that excess skin of your upper eyelids or your sagging brow can result in visual field impairment, he or she will order visual field testing to be done by your optometrist or your ophthalmologist. If there is sufficient documentation to make the diagnosis of visual field impairment, insurance may cover the procedure.
Does this procedure help with dark circles under my eyes?
Many patients who complain of dark circles under their eyes have pigmentation in the lower eyelids that cannot be removed. Sometimes, the dark circles are the result of shadowing underneath bulging in the lower eyelids. If the dark circle is due to this shadow effect, removal of the bulges may help with the dark circles.
Genioplasty
What is the difference between a genioplasty and a chin implant?
Very often, a movement of the chin as small as six to eight millimeters can have a very significant effect on facial appearance. To move the contour of the chin forward, there are two available methods. One is to cut the bone of the chin, advance it forward, and hold it in place with a small metal plate. This cut in the bone does not affect the teeth or the bite. This operation is called a sliding genioplasty.
Another method to improve the chin contour is to insert a chin implant. A chin implant is artificial. It has a slightly higher potential for infection, requiring removal. There is also the small risk that it can become displaced and lead to a crooked chin. The sliding genioplasty fixes the bone in a new position, which will not move postoperatively.
Consultations
What is the cost of a consultation?
Cosmetic consultations are complimentary. This gives you the opportunity to meet with the doctor and have your questions answered with no obligation.
What hours are available for consultation?
Cosmetic consultations are offered most afternoons and evenings until 8pm.
What is a cosmetic consultation?
Any procedure that may be run through insurance is not considered cosmetic in nature. The following procedures are often considered cosmetic (exceptions may apply): Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, Liposuction, Tummy Tuck, Facelift, Brow Lift, Eyelid Surgery and Rhinoplasty.
What happens at a consultation?
Your Consultation Will Include:
- Discussion with your physician
- Evaluation with your physician
- Computer imaging (except breast surgery)
- Fee quote
- Financing options discussed
- Tour (when operating room is available)
Consultations usually last an hour to an hour and a half. During your appointment, you will have the opportunity to discuss your concerns and goals with your physician and have your questions answered. You may discuss as many procedures as you wish at your appointment, as it is quite common, and safe, for patients to have more than one procedure performed at the same time. Your physician will evaluate you for the procedure(s) you are considering and inform you about all of the associated benefits and risks with surgery.
Computer imaging may also be used to help you have realistic expectations regarding your post-surgical result. Unfortunately, the computer technology is not capable of breast imaging, but for most other procedures the imaging is very helpful.
At your initial consultation, you will meet with your own individual patient care coordinator. Throughout your experience at Aesthetic Surgical Images, she will always be available to take your calls, answer your questions, and assist you in any way she can. Feel confident when you visit Aesthetic Surgical Images, you will receive an honest opinion regarding your concerns.
Appointments are available from 1:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday (some exceptions can be made based on the physicians' surgical schedules if you have limited availability). Request a complimentary cosmetic consultation at Aesthetic Surgical Images. Or you can call our office at (402) 390-0100 or (800) 331-5001 and one of our helpful staff members will schedule your appointment.
