Classic vs. Endoscopic Brow Lift: Which is Right For You?

, , , Lifestyle

Cosmetic-injection-on-the-pret

Classic vs. Endoscopic Brow Lifts: Which One Is Right For You?

If you have sagging or heavy brows, a brow lift would work wonders for you. A brow lift procedure comes in two types: the endoscopic lift, and the classic (coronal) lift. Although the endoscopic lift is a favorite for a number of reasons, the coronal lift has its unique advantages as well.

The Endoscopic Lift

The endoscopic lift is named after the procedure’s essential tool: the endoscope. This minimally invasive technique holds a number of advantages over the coronal lift, which was once the industry standard.

In any brow lift, the objective is to lift the skin surrounding the brow after it has begun to sag from muscle constriction around the eyes. With the endoscopic brow lift, small incisions about an inch-long are made in the scalp above the hairline. Then an endoscope (with a camera and light) is used to assist the surgeon in making the incisions, which will separate the skin from the muscles and adjust it to create the appearance of a lift. The forehead is then secured with metal posts, which are removed ten days later.

The procedure is quick, lasting about an hour and a half. Patients can expect to resume normal activities in ten days, and to recover completely in about three weeks. Overall, the procedure produces similar results to the classic lift, with less scarring.

The Classic Lift

The classic lift earned its title from its history of being the industry standard of brow lift surgeries. It involves a much longer incision, extending from ear to ear. This incision may also be made mid-scalp, following the skull to appear less conspicuous. This procedure removes a strip of skin, allowing the surgeon to lift and smooth the remaining skin.

A minority of coronal lift patients may experience alopecia: circular bald patches which usually resolve after a few months. There is also the small chance of swelling, which has been nearly eliminated.

There is also substantial postoperative pain, and even numbness around the incision. This soon leads to itchiness, which may last for six months.

How They Compare

Some surgeons doubt that the endoscopic method will produce long-lasting results. This is due to the fact that the skin is merely shifted upwards and not removed, leaving a chance that the skin may resettle over time. The endoscopic lift also shifts the hairline upwards, thus making the classic lift a better option for people with thin tissue or a receding hairline.

When deciding which brow lift procedure is right for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Binder today with any surgical questions or concerns.

Why Custom Implants Are Right For You

, , Lifestyle

beauty-people-and-health-concCosmetic surgery is a momentous personal decision affecting your image of yourself and to the outside world. When choosing implants, many patients simply settle for the standard, off-the-shelf models. However, given that this is a permanent decision, it’s important to consider how you truly want the procedure to make you feel and look, as well as how much you are willing to spend to achieve it.

Shape

While standard implants do come cheaper at around half the price, both the shapes and sizes of standard facial implants may not align with your personal aesthetic desires. It is also unlikely that a standard implant is going to match the unique curves and contours of your individual face. A custom implant, on the other hand, can be designed to fit your specific desires with the discretion of your medical professional.

Size

Despite the array of implant materials—such as saline and silicone—standard implants are not one-size-fits-all. While implants can be adjusted and carved to some extent, many facial asymmetries, imperfections, and injuries cannot be sufficiently addressed with standard implants. This is especially true for patients who have had previous implants that they are unhappy with due to sizing or asymmetry problems.

Reconstruction

If you are seeking reconstructive surgery, it may be more difficult to determine how to fit a standard implant over your injury, necessitating a custom implant. Fortunately, many insurance companies are willing to cover some of the cost of surgery, as well as the cost of follow- up visits and consultations, especially if the custom implant is essential to your health. Custom implants are also considered more natural-looking, with many people struggling to discern between a custom implant and an untouched face.

If you feel that custom facial implants are right for you, schedule a consultation today with the esteemed Dr. Binder for a personalized path to a happier, more radiant you.

5 Reasons Why You Should Consider A Facelift

, , , Lifestyle

closeup portrait of attractive young woman isolated on white bac

People undergo plastic surgery for all types of reasons, from health, to self-esteem. Also known as a rhytidectomy, a facelift is one of several plastic surgery procedures that is designed to restore youth and vitality to your features. A facelift specifically targets the lines, wrinkles and aberrations on your face. There are many different kinds of facelifts, ranging from a deep-plane facelift to a mini-facelift.

All of these separate procedures target different areas of the face with varying degrees of intensity, and only a licensed medical professional will be able to determine which type of facelift is right for you. The decision is ultimately yours, but here are 5 popular reasons to consider getting a facelift procedure:

Loss of Muscle Tone and Skin Elasticity

This is a natural part of aging, and can sometimes occur as early as your thirties. While some medical professionals will recommend a regular regimen of facial exercise to tighten everything up, a facelift will have a more permanent effect. A mini-facelift would be the best option here, as this only requires a minimal amount of surgery.

Tired Appearance

Perhaps the most common motivator for seeking plastic surgery, a tired appearance can mean anything from droopy eyelids to dark circles under your eyes. A blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) is usually all that is needed to remedy this issue.

Deep Creases Around the Nose and Mouth

This issue is a bit trickier, and can cause serious health concerns down the line in addition to negatively impacted appearance. A deep-plane facelift may be the best option here, as it will mobilize and reposition facial features through the stimulation of facial nerves.

Deep Wrinkles of the Neck and Face

This is another issue that onsets with age, although it is not harmful in any way. The best procedure for this is a mid-facelift, which rejuvenates sagging and wrinkled skin, especially in the middle of the face around the cheeks.

Sagging Neck Skin

A neck contouring facelift, which targets a sagging neck by defining the jawline and chin, would be the recommended procedure here. Sagging neck skin is something that unfortunately comes with age, but it is easily fixable.

For more information, schedule a consultation today with a medical professional so that he can determine which facelift procedure would be best for you. Make sure to bring questions on what work you want done and what it would take to achieve the desired level of youth and vitality that you seek in your facial features.

Standard Versus Custom Facial Implants: Which One Is Right For You?

, , Lifestyle

facial-implantsPlastic surgery can be a big decision that will affect your self-image and your way of life. When choosing what will be right for you, consider how you want to feel and how much you are willing to spend in order to achieve the results that you want. Both standard and custom facial implants come with benefits and risks that clients should be aware of before deciding what they want with a doctor. Below are a few factors to consider:

Prices Vary

While standard implants have become quite common and affordable, custom implants are more expensive and require more attention. While those considering standard implants might pay up to $3,000 or $4,000, custom implants tend to cost at least double that amount.

The Process Might Take Longer

While standard implants may only take one or two visits to the plastic surgeon, custom facial implants require a lot more detail, with the surgery itself tending to take longer in order to achieve the desired effect.

For standard implants, you most likely will have to have an initial consultation with a doctor. He or she can tell you what the process will be like and how much time you should expect to take to recover. The surgery is incredibly easy and takes only a few hours under anesthesia, and the subsequent recovery time is only a few weeks.

However, custom implants may take more than one meeting with a doctor in order to get the measurements exactly right for your face. He or she will need to construct a digital model so that you can know exactly how you will look when the implants are added. The surgery might also take longer and require more recovery time as well.

Consider Why You Need the Implants

There are a number of different reasons why you might consider plastic surgery. If you have suffered from an injury and are looking for reconstructive surgery, it might be even more difficult to determine which option will be right for you. Fortunately, your insurance might be able to cover the costs of the surgery and the doctor visits.

Many who have suffered from an injury choose custom implants for reconstruction because they can look very natural. Custom implants can also be a good choice when there are noticeable asymmetries in the face.

Whatever you decide, you’re making an active effort to feel good about how you look while choosing the best option for your budget and your lifestyle. Schedule a consultation today to determine which implant is best for you.

Why and How to Massage Your Skin After Liposuction

, , Lifestyle

massage after liposuctionThe reality is a Liposuction surgical procedure usually creates pooling of excess lymphatic fluids. This results in swelling and dissatisfaction with the patient.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage (LDM) is a specialized massage technique that is recommended by plastic surgeons, after liposuction, to accelerate the recuperation period.

The science behind why this massage works is fairly simple. Stroking the areas of the body that process the lymph fluid, and the lymph nodes, causes the fluid to drain.

This massage procedure works well and has been demonstrated to show positive results, only after a couple of massage treatments! However, most patients need 4 to 6 LDM treatments to remove most of the excess fluid. Patients can expect relief from swelling after the 6th treatment.

Some patients will experience lumpiness to the areas affected with liposuction. This is normal for most patients after surgery. The lumpiness is caused by inflammation and trauma from the surgical instrument that is used under the skin to extract the fatty tissue. The tunnels and channels which are created by the surgical instrument will fill with fluid and become swollen with both fluid and left-over fat. This fluid and left-over fat tends to begin to harden between one week and three weeks after surgery. LDM will help move the fluid by gently pushing back into the lymph passages.

Doctors will advise their patients that, without LDM, there is a risk that the swelling and inflammation could turn into fibrosis, which is a permanent hardening of the area. LDM ensures you’ll achieve the best results possible from the surgery.

Every patient is different, however, most doctors advise their patients to begin their LDM treatment after the 4th or 5th day after surgery to obtain the best, and fastest, results.

A professional LDM massage therapist will know exactly what to do. He/she will massage in right place and with the right amount of pressure. However, this can be a DIY project at home, if you so choose. Here are some high-level instructions on how best to perform a ‘Self-Lymphatic-Massage’.

• Place index and middle fingers in the indent area, just above the collarbone.
• Gently move the fingers up onto the neck area.
• Gently rub in a clockwise fashion in the direction of your chest.
• Make sure to drive the lymph toward the node. This will encourage the lymph fluid to flush throughout the body.
• Press and pull, firmly, the skin under the armpit in the direction of the neck. Repeat this motion several times.
• Using a flat hand, massage the complete thigh area in the direction of the inner knee. Do not apply heavy pressure, as this will risk flattening the nodes.
• Finally, massage the back of the knee in a pushing, and scooping, motion.

It is very important, during your consultation with Dr. William J. Binder, M.D., F.A.C.S., that you ask questions before embarking down the path of Self Lymphatic Massage.

What is Otoplasty and Can It Help My Child?

Lifestyle

Otoplasty
What is Otoplasty?  Otoplasty is a plastic surgery procedure to reshape the outer ear.  It is performed for cosmetic/appearance reasons or for reconstruction of the ear after an injury.  Otoplasty will not change the ears hearing ability.  Otoplasty is sometimes incorrectly referred to as ear pinning.

Otoplasty surgery is a very common plastic surgery procedure for children between the ages of 4 and 14.  This surgery is usually performed to correct large ears caused by excessive cartilage in the ear.

 Otoplasty can help your child’s self-esteem.  A child’s ear is usually over 90% developed by the age of 4 or 5.  The surgery will dramatically improve the appearance of your child’s ears which will lead to potentially less ridicule, verbal abuse, or bullying from peers during their childhood.

 There are a couple of very good justifications for electing to provide this surgery to your child at a young age:

  • From a self-esteem perspective, the sooner the surgery, the greater the psychological benefits of not having to endure the unwanted attention on the playground.
  • The cartilage is much easier to shape because it is much more pliable at a young age.

Otoplasty surgery usually takes between 1 ½ and 2 ½ hours under normal conditions.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine conducted a study that clearly demonstrates the psychological benefits of Otoplasty for children.  The study was performed over a 4 year period on children between the ages of 5 and 15.

Here are some excerpts of that study:

 

  • 97% of children reported an increase in happiness
  • 92% of children reported an increase in self-confidence
  • 100% reported that bullying was reduced or completely stopped.

 

The study concluded that Otoplasty is an effective surgical procedure in diminishing and relieving the psychological anguish in most children that have the Otoplasty surgery.  The study strongly supports Otoplasty for children with large or prominent ears.

When selecting a Otoplasty plastic surgeon for your child, choose carefully:

 

  • Make sure you have a clear understanding of how many times your surgeon has performed this exact same procedure.
  • Look at before and after pictures of his Otoplasty patients.  An experienced doctor will offer these in advance and will give you enough pictures to make you feel comfortable.
  • Make sure your surgeon provides you with specific steps to follow before and after the surgery.

 

The healing process is critical to the success of the surgery.  After your child has the surgery, your doctor will ask that you limit and restrict their physical activities for about three weeks.

Otoplasty should not be forced on to your child.  Dr. William J. Binder, M.D., F.A.C.S. will want to meet with you and your child at a consultation to ensure he/she is emotionally ready and willing to have the surgery.

 The short answer is that Otoplasty can absolutely help your child self esteem and quality of life.

 

Beauty-woman-giving-botox-inje

Recovery Tips After Facial Reconstruction

, , , Lifestyle, rhinoplasty, Face Lifts

Facial reconstruction equals big changes in your life. Post-surgery can be a big adjustment. Not only does your face look different, but you also feel different. Taking steps and preparing in advance to have a smooth recovery can help ease the adjustment period. Preparation can also help your face heal better so that you achieve the best possible results when you’re done healing. The length of time needed to recover from facial reconstruction differs from person to person depending on the condition of each individual’s overall health, the specific facial reconstruction procedure they elect to undergo, and the specifics of their procedure:

 

Rhinoplasty

Generally by 3 months after a rhinoplasty procedure, most of the swelling has subsided, the new shape and size of the nose is apparent, and patients can go back to their normal routines, including exercise. They should, however, avoid high-impact, high-risk activities for at least 6 months after surgery.

 

Facelift

For most patients undergoing a facelift procedure, most of the swelling and bruising subsides after about three weeks, and it may be hard for anyone else to tell that they have even had a facelift, other than their more youthful appearance. Patients can return to their normal routine after about two weeks.

 

Eyelid Surgery

While no two patients are alike, some patients experience a full recovery from eyelid surgery in as few as four or five days, although in other cases a complete recovery may take as long as three to four weeks.

Whatever kind of facial cosmetic surgery you elect to undergo, here are a few helpful tips to ensure that your recovery is as easy, successful, and painless as possible:

 

Enlist An Assistant

Facial reconstruction affects the whole face, and sometimes the bandages can make it hard to see. During the first couple of days, you may need someone to provide you with transportation, changing bandages, preparing your meals, and other everyday tasks. Enlist a close friend or relative to help with those things for the first few days after surgery.

 

Invest in a Food Processor

One of the biggest concerns following facial reconstruction surgery is diet. It’s still okay to eat all of your favorite foods, but they have to be chopped into small pieces that do not require chewing. This way, you can easily eat all of your favorite foods until your no-chew diet restrictions are lifted.

 

Take Your Pain Medication!

Facial reconstruction surgery can affect the nerves throughout your face. This can cause severe discomfort in addition to the pain already experienced from the incisions and other corrective measures. Staying ahead of the pain curve will keep you calm and comfortable. It will also reduce the amount of stress on your body, ensuring that you heal quickly and properly.

 

Dust Off the Recliner

Sleeping with your head elevated is important after facial reconstruction. It will reduce the amount of swelling and stabilize circulation. It is also recommended to sleep in a reclined or a seated position. You can also prop two or three pillows under your head and shoulders while lying in bed to keep your body elevated.

 

Buy Some Frozen Veggies

Ice is another important factor in reducing swelling after surgery. Medical ice packs can be helpful, but frozen veggies, especially corn or peas, make for pliable ice packs.

 

Use Squirt-Top Water Bottles

Staying hydrated is required after any type of surgical treatment. Facial reconstruction patients must also be sure to keep their mouth clean after surgery. A water bottle with a squirt top is helpful because it makes it easy to stay hydrated while also aiding in rinsing out your mouth with very little head movement.

Bonus Tip: Use a child’s toothbrush to help brush in between meals, as it is smaller and easier to fit into the mouth without opening too widely.

 

Stock Up On Food & Supplies

Having a fully stocked house can make recovery time less stressful. Be sure that you have all of the bandages, antibiotic ointments, and over-the-counter pain medications as recommended by your doctor. Also make sure that you have foods that can be cut into bite-sized pieces or are soft enough to eat after treatment. Don’t forget to also make sure you have the essentials, such as laundry detergent and toilet paper.

 

Talk To Your Doctor

The most important recovery tip is this: attend all of your follow-up appointments and don’t hesitate to call your doctor with questions or concerns. Dr. Binder would rather you bring up a concern than have it go unaddressed and that lead to bigger problems later. Rest easy and know that your facial reconstruction by Dr. Binder will help you achieve the best possible aesthetic results.

1 … 3 4 5