Plastic Surgery of the Face
As the "Baby Boomer" generation ages, the demand for all types of facial rejuvenation increases. We feel that a desire to improve facial features is a very personal one, requiring a great deal of individualized attention by Dr. Lettieri and his staff. Just because a procedure "can be done" doesn't mean that each patient is a suitable candidate for that procedure. Some patients prefer to begin with relatively simple eyelid enhancing procedures while others would choose a combination of procedures to provide more extensive facial rejuvenation.
Blepharoplasty, commonly referred to as eyelid tuck, and facelift surgery are the two most commonly performed operations for facial rejuvenation. Laser skin resurfacing has become very popular as a means of enhancing deeply wrinkled skin, which can be done separately or at the same time as other facial cosmetic procedures. The great majority of these procedures are outpatient in nature and are performed in our outpatient surgery center. Some patients desire, and are candidates for, nonsurgical means of facial skin rejuvenation. Dr. Lettieri has the latest technology available to provide "no down time" skin rejuvenation. The FotoFacialTM technique is becoming a very popular option for our younger patients who desire improvement in their skin but who may not yet be ready for surgical rejuvenation (see "Specials" section).
Eyelids
Blepharoplasty
A blepharoplasty may be desirable if you have excessive, sagging, or wrinkled upper or lower eyelid skin. Eyelid lift (blepharoplasty) can also be helpful if you have excess upper eyelid skin that interferes with vision or if you have lost your natural upper eyelid crease. Eyelid lift is also used to treat puffy pouches of fat in the upper or lower lids that create a tired or aged appearance. This procedure is intended to produce a more youthful and rested appearance of the eyes. Blepharoplasty may also widen your visual fields if excessive upper lid skin has partially blocked your vision. Blepharoplasty is done on an outpatient basis under sedation and local or general anesthesia.
- To read more about eyelid lift surgery (blepharoplasty), click here.
Laser Procedures
Endoscopic Browlift
Browlift may be helpful if you have a sagging forehead or brows that hang too low and too close to the eyes. A forehead or brow lift may also be used to treat deep vertical furrows between the eyebrows (frown lines).
The operation is done using an endoscope. The endoscope in cosmetic surgery allows for greater visualization through minimal incisions.
- To read more about browlift surgery, click here.
Facelift
A facelift (rhytidectomy) procedure may be helpful if you have experienced a loss of skin elasticity and muscle tone of the face and neck. A facelift may also be used to treat jowls and deep creases between the base of the nose and the corners of the mouth, deep facial wrinkles, and neck wrinkles. A facelift may also be helpful if you believe you lack youthful chin and neck contours and/or feel you have a tired facial appearance. Facelifts range in size from "mini" to "standard" depending on the extent of skin laxity. The operation is done on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia with sedation, or under general anesthesia.
The patient goes home with head and neck wrapped in dressings, which are usually removed the next day. Bruising and swelling decrease to "socially acceptable" levels in 10-20 days. The final result of a facelift procedure is evident in 4-6 weeks or sooner, with continued improvement for several months.
