Facelift Surgery and CO2 Laser: A Powerful Combination

 

 



Facelift Surgery is one of the more commonly performed operations for facial rejuvenation. Facelift surgery focuses on improving several signs of aging. When the fractionated CO2 laser is used in combination with a facelift, the results can be quite dramatic.

1.       Of all the areas on the face associated with facial aging, the neck is almost invariably the region that patients would like corrected. As we age, the platysma muscle in the neck becomes more lax. As the muscle becomes more lax, a banding appearance appears on either side of the midline of the neck. One of the most important maneuvers in facelift surgery is to improve the appearance of these bands.

2.       Another common area on the face that patients would like to improve are the jowls. As we age, the cheek tends to fall. As the cheek falls, the skin and subcutaneous tissue tend to hand below the level of the mandible. In the mid-portion of the mandible, the retaining ligaments are loose. This areas tends to lead to an ill-dfined mandibular border.  When a facelift is performed, attention is placed on lifting this area of the cheek so that the border of the mandible can be more readily seen.

 

 



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Facelift Surgery

One of the earliest signs of facial aging is the lower face and neck. Facelift surgery is one of the more common procedures performed in our practice.

Facelift surgery is designed to rejuvenate those areas of the face that have been affected by time. The most common areas that are improved in facelift surgery are the platysmal bands, the jowls, the nasolabial folds, and the area beneath the lower eyelid.

One of the rejuvenating benefits of the facelift is the restoration of volume beneath the lower eyelid. Typically, by lifting the cheek or restoring the volume beneath the lower eyelid, the face takes on a more youthful appearance.


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Male Blepharoplasty Surgery

There are an increasing number of male patients who present to our office who are excellent candiates for upper blepharoplasty surgery. Typically male patients begin to notice that they have developed an obstruction of their visual fields. This often is described as having difficulty seeing when driving out of their peripheral vision, a feeling of heaviness, or feeling tired early at work or in front of the keyboard.

When blepharoplasty surgery is performed for male patients, there are subtle differences in terms of the amount and pattern of skin to be excised as well as the positioning of the eyelid crease. Satisfaction is quite high with male patients who undergo blepharoplasty surgery.

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Blepharoplasty Surgery, Upper Eyelid Surgery

Blepharoplasty is a common procedure among young women. Women typically come into the office in consultation with a complaint that their eyes feel tired or heavy at the end of the day. They often describe a sensation of fullness on the lateral aspect of their upper eyelids that either makes them feel tired or look tired. 

Q: What is commonly involved in a blepharoplasty procedure?

A: Upper blepharoplasty procedures are very common. Blepharoplasty procedures are commonly performed under general anesthesia. I find that patients are often most comfortable under general anesthesia when performing surgery on the eyelids. I find that when the patient is relaxed, the entire surgical experience is much more enjoyable.

Q: What is the recovery time for upper blepharoplasty?

A: I typically tell patients that if surgery is done on Friday, on Monday they are fine going back to work...meaning e-mails, cell phone, phone conference meetings, or paperwork. Typically, I prefer if patients wait for a full two weeks before performing any heavy lifting or straining.

Patients are instructed to sleep with the head of their bed elevated for 48 hours to reduce swelling. Bruising can occur and can be visible for anywhere from 3 days to 3 weeks.

There is usually one suture placed on each eyelid that is removed at approximately 5 days following surgery.

All patients are given pain pills such as Percocet or Vicodin. Typically, patients do not complain of any pain following upper eyelid surgery and can easily convert to Tylenol or Motrin within a day or two.

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Ptosis Repair & Eyelid Surgery

Eyelid ptosis occurs when the levator muscle of the eyelid can no longer lift the eyelid or maintain it in its proper position. This commonly occurs with aging and often also occurs concomitantly with the accumulation of excess skin along the upper eyelids. The accumulation of excess skin along the upper eyelids is called dermatochalasis. It is not uncommon for the excess skin to accumulate along the upper eyelids and eventually obstruct the visual fields. Removal of the excess skin of the upper lids is called and upper blepharoplasty surgery. Often ptosis repair and upper blepharoplasty surgery can be done at the same time.

Not only can these two surgeries restore a youthful appearance to the face, they can also improve the patient's visual field. These improvements can have a significant positive impact on a person's quality of life as they now look and feel well rested.

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Lower Blepharoplasty, Lower Eyelid Surgery

Blepharoplasty surgery is common. Typically patients who wish to undergo blepharoplasty surgery complain of bags beneath their lower eyelids that do not disappear after a good night of sleep. As a result, patients often feel tired. Typically lower blepharoplasty surgery is performed on an outpatient basis. The incisions tend to be placed in the conjunctiva or pink part of the eyelid so incisions can be concealed. The fat from the lower eyelids is then carefully removed so as to not remove too much. At the same time fat can be transferred from one region of the body to the nasolabial folds or tear trough area.

Blepharoplasty in Facial Rejuvenation

Blepharoplasty is one of the more effective aesthetic procedures for facial rejuvenation in the right surgical candidate. Patients who present for upper blepharoplasty often complain of excessive skin or fullness in the upper outer quadrant of their eyes. Occasionally, this excess skin can obstruct their visual field or can simply cause a heavy feeling in the eyes giving the patient a tired appearance or tired outlook. Typically patients who undergo upper blepharoplasty report not only do they begin to look younger, but also feel younger.

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