Face Procedures
Facelift Surgery - Browlift - Eyelid Surgery - Nose Surgery - Facial Implants
Facelift Surgery
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a surgical technique used to combat the effects of time and gravity on the face. A common misconception is that only people of "a certain age" need a facelift. Age, however, is not the only factor that changes the appearance of your face – other things, like genetics, sun exposure, smoking, and even weight loss, can dramatically affect the way your face looks.
Facelifts often address the entire face and neck, but there are also specialized types of "facelifts" that target smaller, more specific areas. Examples of these more specialized facelifts are midfacelifts, MACS lifts, and neck lifts.
Facelifts can also be done in conjunction with other surgical procedures (such as browlift or eyelid surgery) or medical spa services (such as peels, laser treatments, or dermal fillers). At Duet Plastic Surgery, we help you learn which procedures may be right for you to achieve a natural, refreshed appearance.
Am I a good candidate?
Good candidates for facelift are in good health, have a stable weight, and do not smoke. They have often noticed certain signs of facial aging:
- loss of volume at the "apples" of the cheeks
- sagging cheeks or jowls
- creases from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth
- skin or fat that has "fallen down"
- a "turkey neck", or loose skin beneath the chin.
What can I expect?
Performed under general anesthesia, a facelift may take 3-4 hours, or longer if done in conjunction with other procedures. Since Dr. Lim and Dr. Weintraub work together as a team, you benefit from having the expertise and judgment of two plastic surgeons in the operating room; another advantage of Duet is that the surgical time is also often reduced with two pairs of experienced hands working.
Depending on your uniquely customized surgical plan, incisions and scars may differ. Generally, facelift scars are carefully hidden behind the hairline at the temple, in the creases and shadows of the ear, and behind the hairline at the back of the ear. Additional incisions for other procedures may be made at the lower eyelid, in the scalp near the forehead, or beneath the chin.
After surgery, you will have an extensive dressing – something vaguely reminiscent of an extra in a mummy movie. Pain and nausea medication are key, as well as having a friend or family member around to help and a quiet place to recover. Some of our patients choose to spend the first night after surgery in the care of one of our excellent postoperative nurses.
You may have some bruising and swelling, which is usually at its worst 2-3 days after surgery. Your usual strenuous activities are restricted for the first few weeks as you heal.
There will be a series of important office appointments after the surgery. The first day after surgery, you return to have the dressing removed, drains (if any) removed, and incisions checked. Four to six days after surgery, stitches are removed. Regular follow up appointments are made afterwards.
Swelling may prevent you from appreciating the final results of your facelift for several weeks to months. It often takes this long for scars to mature as well. In the meantime, sun protection (wide-brimmed hats and sunscreen) is as critical as always.
Browlift
A browlift, or forehead lift, is a surgical technique that can smooth the creases of the forehead and restore the position of drooping brows, opening up the eye area in the process. Aging certainly affects the appearance of your forehead, but genetics, sun exposure, and smoking have a contribution as well.
Dr. Lim and Dr. Weintraub are trained in the "Endobrowlift" – one of plastic surgery’s most modern, cutting edge techniques for browlifts. This is a minimally invasive approach that uses laparoscopic techniques (a small surgical camera and a series of tiny incisions hidden behind the hairline) for lasting results.
Browlifts are often done in conjunction with other surgical procedures (such as facelift or eyelid surgery). At Duet Plastic Surgery, Dr. Lim and Dr. Weintraub will carefully examine you, listen to your specific concerns, and help you discover which procedure or combination of procedures are right for you.
Good candidates for browlift are in good health with a stable weight and do not smoke.
What can I expect?
Performed under general anesthesia, a browlift may take 1-1.5 hours, or longer if done in conjunction with other procedures. Since Dr. Lim and Dr. Weintraub work together, you benefit from having the judgment and efficiency of a team of plastic surgeons in the operating room.
The traditional browlift technique leaves patients with long scars along the scalp, from ear to ear. With the Endobrowlift technique, you have a series of five small scars hidden behind your hairline: one at the top, two on either side of the middle, and two more behind the temples. The Duet surgeons are trained in use of bioresorbable devices to maintain the lift achieved during surgery.
After surgery, you will have an extensive dressing around your head – something which may make you think you’re an extra in an adventure movie. You may have some bruising and swelling, which is usually at its worst 2-3 days after surgery. Your usual strenuous activities are restricted for the first few weeks as you heal.
There are a series of important office appointments after the surgery. The first day after surgery, you have the dressing removed, drains (if any) removed, and incisions checked. Four to six days after surgery, stitches are removed, and one to two weeks after, staples are removed. Follow up appointments are progressively made afterwards. Our patients have been delighted with the relatively easy recovery after an Endobrowlift and how much "happier and refreshed" they look once the healing is complete.
Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a surgical technique that can rejuvenate the area around the eyes. People often develop "heavy lids" or "bags under the eyes" as a result of aging and genetic disposition. Sometimes there can be so much skin that it interferes with vision. Surgery on the upper or lower eyelids, or both, can brighten the eye area, often allowing patients to look "more awake" and "well-rested".
Eyelid surgery is often done in conjunction with other surgical procedures (such as facelift or browlift). At Duet Plastic Surgery, Dr. Lim and Dr. Weintraub will create with you a carefully tailored plan for refreshing and rejuvenating the area around your eyes.
Good candidates for eyelid surgery are in good health with a stable weight and do not smoke. They have also seen their optometrist or ophthalmologist recently and do not have any serious medical conditions of the eye or thyroid.
What can I expect?
Performed under general anesthesia, eyelid surgery may take 1-1.5 hours, or longer if done in conjunction with other procedures. Since Dr. Lim and Dr. Weintraub operate together, you benefit from having two plastic surgeons working to achieve your goals, resulting in careful judgment, impressive expertise, along with reduced time under anesthesia.
Blepharoplasty scars can be carefully hidden in a natural crease in the eyelid, along the lash line, or even on the underside of the eyelid. Dr. Lim and Dr. Weintraub share a conservative approach to eyelid surgery and believe in removing excess skin (and sometimes muscle) but treating the delicate eyelid fat very carefully to give you a natural, yet refreshed result.
After surgery, you will have stitches and surgical tapes around your eyes. You may have some bruising and swelling, which is usually at its worst 2-3 days after surgery. Cool compresses help keep you comfortable, as well as special eye ointments or drops. Your usual strenuous activities are restricted for the first few weeks as you heal.
There are a series of important office visits after the surgery. The first day after surgery, your stitches and incisions are checked. Four to six days after surgery, the stitches are removed. Follow up appointments are then progressively spaced out as your swelling continues to subside and you return to normal activities.
Nose Surgery
Nose surgery, or rhinoplasty, is a surgical technique that can improve the appearance of your nose, and in turn, the balance of your entire facial aesthetic. Certain procedures can also improve breathing cause by structural differences in the internal anatomy of the nose. People sometimes develop a “crooked nose” after an accident, or sometimes people become bothered by the appearance of a nose that “runs in the family”.
At Duet Plastic Surgery, Dr. Lim and Dr. Weintraub will sit down with you to find out what you like and dislike about your nose. They may also take a series of pictures and may draw or “morph” the images to help everyone understand your goals. They will also take the time to explain the details of surgery and what it can do to improve your appearance and self-confidence.
Good candidates for rhinoplasty are in good health and do not smoke. They are also able to articulate what kinds of changes they would like and understand the limitations of surgery, particularly rhinoplasty.
What can I expect?
Performed under general anesthesia, nose surgery may take 3-5 hours, depending on the complexity of the changes desired. Since Dr. Lim and Dr. Weintraub operate together, you have the advantage of having two sets of critical eyes and collective surgical expertise.
Often, a small incision is made in the small bridge of skin between the nostrils; most of the rest of the rhinoplasty scars can be carefully hidden inside the nose. Dr. Lim and Dr. Weintraub use the latest techniques to refine and reshape the defining support structures of the nose.
After surgery, you will have stitches, a dressing, and surgical tapes around your nose. Small splints that rest inside your nostrils are often used to protect your newly sculpted nose, as well as an external splint. You may have some bruising and swelling, which usually peaks 2-3 days after surgery. Your usual strenuous activities are not allowed for the first few weeks.
There are a series of important office visits after the surgery. The first day after surgery, your stitches and incisions are checked. The dressings and splints are removed. Four to six days after surgery, the stitches are taken out. About a week later, the surgical tapes are changed. The time between appointments is then slowly lengthened as your swelling continues to subside and you return to normal activities.
Noses after surgery are notorious for how long they stay swollen. It may take up to a year after surgery before the final form and contour of your new shape can be fully appreciated.
Back to top
Facial Implants
Facial implants can be used to create a more harmonious balance to the features of the face. Common uses for facial implants at Duet Plastic Surgery are to create a stronger-appearing chin and to give better definition to the cheekbones. Sometimes, facial implants are used in conjunction with other facial surgeries, such as facelifts, to help restore volume and fullness.
Dr. Lim and Dr. Weintraub will carefully examine you and discuss your personal goals and expectations. They may take photographs and create drawings to better understand your needs and explain what facial implants can or cannot do for you.
Facial implants, including those that augment the chin or cheekbones, are usually placed under general anesthesia. Surgery may take around an hour, unless it is being done in conjunction with another procedure. Small incisions for chin implants are usually made just under the chin or inside the mouth; similarly well-hidden incisions for cheek implants can be made inside the upper lip or lower eyelid. Because Dr. Lim and Dr. Weintraub work together as a team, you benefit from having the expertise and judgment of two plastic surgeons at your operation.
After surgery, you will have a dressing over your incision. Your usual activities – including smiling, talking, and eating – will be limited after surgery as you heal. You will experience significant swelling, which is at its worst 2-3 days after surgery, but it may take several months to subside completely and reveal your true shape. Facial implant surgery may use relatively small implants to restore or create facial harmony, but these subtle changes can make a great difference in your life.
Back to top