Question:
I have terrible seasonal allergies right now. Can I get rhinoplasty or should I wait until my allergies get better?
Answer:
Allergic rhinitis is not a contraindication for rhinoplasty. The symptoms can be managed with antihistamines and decongestants throughout the operative period. Some congestion is normal anyway after surgery for a brief time.
Question:
I have heard that good plastic surgeons can do wonders. I have a thick nose. The nostrils are very wide, the skin on the nostrils is thick and I have a wide bridge. Can rhinoplasty correct these defects without scar tissue forming?
Answer:
Thick skin is a challenge for any surgeon. There is no magic here, it must be accounted for in designing and executing the rhinoplasty. Realistic expectations must be fully discussed, and these limits accepted.
Question:
My daughter has ears that stick out too far. My husband and I have discussed otoplasty but I am afraid that going through the surgery and having pain will traumatize her. In your practice, have you found that young children can get through the surgery unscathed? My daughter is 9 years old.
Answer:
Otoplasty is not a painful surgery, and children as young as 6 seem to fly through without complaints. The procedure is done with anesthesia for children, but adults can easily have the procedure with only local anesthesia. A good time for otoplasty is just before first grade, when other kids start picking out physical differences and exploiting them.
Question:
After chin implant surgery, will my face be bandaged? If so, for how long?
Answer:
Mentoplasty, or augmentation of the skin generally does not require a bandage after surgery. There may be sutures to mind in the crease below the chin or in the mouth.
Question:
I am a 70-year-old woman and am wondering if I am too old for a facelift. How do you know if your skin has lost elasticity?
Answer:
Age is only a relative indicator of who is a good candidate for facial cosmetic surgery. A consultation with a surgeon can easily reveal the elasticity of your skin, as well as numerous other factors contributing to a successful result.
Question:
I broke my nose years ago which left it slightly bent. I had rhinoplasty to address this but it left a hump on my nose. Why would this happen and how can it be fixed?
Answer:
Long after an injury new bone growth can occur as a consequence of that accident. A hump is the most common sign of this. When this happens a second surgery is often required.
Question:
I would like to undergo laser hair removal on my arms. I have pretty thick, coarse hair there. How many treatments would I need for permanent hair removal?
Answer:
Successful hair removal often requires three to four treatments. This is because not all hair in a given area is in its active growth phase at the same time.
Question:
I’ve always had very flat cheeks and have envied those with nice high cheekbones. Would implants be a good way to improve my flat cheeks? Are there any other options like fillers?
Answer:
The use of cheek implants has a long and successful history. Recently the use of injectable fillers and fat has provided a less invasive method. The implants have the advantage of being permanent, and the injectables have the attractiveness of being office procedures.
Question:
How is chin augmentation performed?
Answer:
Most patients benefit from a simple augmentation utilizing an artificial implant placed on the front of the chin. In some complex cases making cuts in the bone and securing the segments in a new position with plates can advance the chin forward.
Question:
On the plastic surgery board’s website there are several descriptions of facelift procedures. What is the “tension” that is placed in the face during a facelift?
Answer:
In order to suspend the sagging facial tissue the underlying muscle is lifted and secured with some tension. The skin, on the other hand, should never be placed under significant tension in order to avoid an unnatural look.
