With recovery from a facelift, you will experience some tightness and soreness that is well-relieved with oral pain medicine. Dr. Downey can be reached at any time during your recovery if you have any questions or concerns. The first night after your surgery, you will be wearing a facial and head dressing. You will also have thin drain tubes which are removed the next morning. You should avoid strenuous activities for four weeks, but will be presentable in public after two weeks. Most incisions are well concealed during the surgery near the ear or hairline, so scarring will be minimal. The smoothing and tightening from a facelift can last between three to ten years depending on a host of factors. Patients who smoke have a much higher complication rate from a facelift. BACK
Necklift - Typically patients with loose skin and muscles mainly under the chin and jawline consider having a necklift to smooth and elevate the contour of the neck. The planning and performance of their necklift is very similar to that described above for a facelift. You and Dr. Downey will discuss in detail the differences between the two operations and decide together which will be most beneficial for you. Because it is a more limited operation, the recovery is easier and shorter. BACK
Contour Threadlift - People who desire improvement of early signs of loose skin in the cheek, jawline or neck may also consider a Contour Threadlift. Beyond a certain degree of looseness, more traditional methods of facial rejuvenation, such as facelifts, are more effective.
A Contour Threadlift is performed under local anesthesia with sedation. Tiny incisions are made in the scalp and face. Special one-way barbed sutures are passed under the skin and then gently pulled upwards, lifting the facial skin. The Contour Thread is anchored in the scalp, holding the lifted skin in place.
During recovery, you will experience some mild swelling and soreness. You should feel comfortable in public within two weeks of your procedure. The refined look of the lifted skin will be apparent in a few weeks.
As it is a less invasive procedure than some facial surgeries, major complications from a Contour Threadlift are rare but could include bleeding, infection, scarring, hair suppression in the scalp, asymmetry, continued skin looseness, numbness or facial weakness. BACK
Nose Reshaping - Rhinoplasty, or cosmetic nasal surgery, is one of the oldest recorded procedures performed upon people to change their appearance. People typically consider rhinoplasty to lessen the fullness of the nasal tip, change the degree of projection of the tip or lessen the height or shape of the nasal bridge. Others consider internal nose reshaping, called septoplasty, to improve their breathing.
The appearance of your nose is very distinctive. You and Dr. Downey will devote sufficient time before scheduling surgery to discuss your individual goals and the techniques and options available for your treatment. Reviewing precise photographs of your face together is sometimes helpful in planning your operation.
On the day of your operation, it is performed under general anesthesia and lasts one to four hours. During the surgery, a small external incision is made under the tip, and the skin is lifted off the cartilage framework of the nose. The bones of the upper nose are smoothed and sometime fractured to reposition or reduce them. The cartilage of the tip is reshaped and repositioned to meet the goals made preoperatively. Sometimes the nostrils are modified in shape, as is the partition between the nostrils, called the septum. This is most commonly done to improve breathing or to straighten the tip of the nose.
Then the skin incision is closed, foam strips are placed in the nostrils, and a plastic splint laid over the bridge of the nose. You will be asked to rest and elevate your head for a week. Pain is usually easy to control with oral pain medication. A week after your procedure, the foam sponges are gently removed. While the fundamental change in the nasal bridge or elevation or refinement of the nasal tip will be apparent right away, your nose won’t be fully healed for many weeks. Exercise and strenuous activities should be avoided for three to four weeks.
Complications are rare, but could include bleeding, infection, numbness, continued stuffiness, asymmetry, scarring or persistence of some part of the original nasal feature. BACK
Ear Reshaping - Otoplasty is intended to change either the shape or external position of the ear. For either medical or aesthetic conditions, it is a procedure that can be performed on school-aged children or adults.
This operation is performed under general anesthesia. Inconspicuous incisions are made on the back and occasionally on the front of the ear. The cartilage is tailored to control the projection of the ear and stitches are placed that hold the cartilage in the desired position.
Following the surgery, you will have to wear a dressing over your ears for about a week. After that, an elastic headband will need to be worn at night to protect your ears.
Complications are uncommon but include bleeding, infection, numbness, scarring, asymmetry of the ears or persistence of some degree of the original features.
As with all surgeries, risks increase with smoking, obesity, diabetes, age, and other medical conditions. You should discuss with us any medications, including natural or herbal remedies, to help avoid complications with your operation. BACK
Financial Considerations
Downey Plastic Surgery offers competitive pricing as well as flexible payment plans. We accept most major credit cards and will help coordinate with your insurance carrier whenever coverage is available.
For elective cosmetic treatments, you will receive an estimate of fees during your initial consultation. Full payment for your procedure will be due at your pre-operative visit, which is usually two weeks prior to the surgery.
For more information, please visit the financial section of our web site.
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