Facial Plastic Surgery Procedures

Medically referred to as blepharoplasty, eyelid surgery can often be a great option for patients interested in smoothing wrinkled or sagging skin in upper/lower eyelids; diminishing bagginess or puffiness around the eyes; reducing fat buildups in the upper/lower eyelids; excising redundant eyelid skin that may be obstructing proper vision; and/or improving the appearance of dark circles underneath the lower eyelids. Customized to the patient’s needs, eyelid surgery can be performed to target the upper eyelid (upper blepharoplasty), lower eyelid (lower blepharoplasty), or both. During upper blepharoplasty, small incisions are hidden in the eyelid’s natural creases, and excess fat and skin are removed until an optimal outcome is achieved. For lower blepharoplasty, a tiny incision is concealed in the natural crease located beneath the lashes, and extra skin, muscle, and fat tissues are excised as needed. If necessary, fat can be redistributed to help reduce puffiness or bulging throughout the eye region, and sagging skin can be tightened for further enhancement.

Performed under local or IV sedation, eyelid surgery typically takes about one to two hours to complete, depending on whether or not the procedure involves upper blepharoplasty, lower blepharoplasty, or both. Following the operation, most individuals are able to resume their daily activities within about five to seven days.

Also called “nose surgery” or “nose job,” rhinoplasty can be conducted to increase/decrease the size of the nose; recontour the nostrils; diminish the size of the nasal tip or nasal bridge; and/or improve nasal breathing by correcting a deviated septum. Depending on the individual’s needs and goals, the rhinoplasty procedure can be performed either “open”—incisions are made inside the nose—or “closed”—the incision is located in the vertical strip of the nose. Once the incisions are made, cartilage and bone are reshaped until an optimal result is achieved. Though rare, a cartilage graft may also be necessary in certain cases.

The average surgical time for rhinoplasty is about one to two hours, though this will vary based on the complexity of the operation. A special splint will need to be worn to protect the nose in the days following surgery, but non-strenuous activities can generally be resumed after about one week.

More commonly known as ear surgery, otoplasty can often be a great option for reducing the size of the ears; recontouring the ears for better facial symmetry; pinning back protruding ears; and/or improving the proportions of the ears in regard to the face. Performed for both children and adults, this procedure involves the use of tiny incisions hidden in the natural crease behind the ear. Using these incisions, cartilage is meticulously reshaped and/or removed, and if necessary, the ears are repositioned using small sutures also concealed behind the ears.

Depending on the patient’s age as well as the complexity of surgery, otoplasty can be performed under local or general anesthesia, typically taking about one hour to complete. A head wrap—followed by a special headband—will need to be worn initially to help protect the ears as they heal, and both children and adults are generally able to return to school and/or non-strenuous work after approximately five to seven days.