Patients that are noticing the affects of passing years on their facial tissues many times consider procedures to
give improvement in the various structures of the face.
It is important to realize that each area of the face should be considered for each individual patient to obtain
the desired effect.
The most important consideration is how a patient feels about the areas of their face that may be improved. Typically
the face is divided into three areas: the lower face being those tissues extending from the upper lip into the neck,
the mid-face are those tissues extending from the lower lids to the upper lip, and the forehead area being the
tissues of the upper eyelid and the forehead.
Many newer techniques have been developed to treat these areas with more or less extensive surgeries to obtain the
type of result that is desired. Same procedures using an endoscope to operate through small incisions for treatment
of the forehead and midface have become quite refined. Results can be obtained with minimal evidence of operation.
Typically, operations on the lower face involve moving the skin back and slightly upward to avoid the pulling and
stretching which may be noticed in individuals that have had more traditional techniques.
Operations certainly can be performed to maximize a patient’s result based on the need for larger incisions as opposed
to smaller incisions and the level of improvement desired. These operations are typically performed in the Office
Operating Suite under general anesthesia (going to sleep). These operations, depending on the combination and extent,
may last from one to four hours.
Patients return home after their operation and are followed in the office as needed. Many times combinations of
procedures are performed utilizing endoscopic techniques, laser surgery techniques, and fibrin glue techniques to
obtain results with minimal swelling and postoperative recovery. Recovery periods range from one to three weeks.
It is important also to realize that procedures can be performed simultaneously or in stages to gradually improve
facial appearance without overly dramatic changes. Areas of concern may be treated early to avoid larger procedures
later.
– James Green, MD
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