Face
Iowa Plastic Surgery
FaceLift
For those with laxity of the neck and cheeks, a full facelift may be the answer. We strive to create a rejuvenated natural appearance, rather than a tightened, operated result. The goal is to replace the tissues in the proper place rather than just tighten the skin. The scars are largely hidden, and patients report that discomfort was much less than expected. Compared to fees in Beverly Hills or New York City, the costs at Iowa Plastic Surgery are surprisingly affordable for the same procedure and methods. Additional improvement can be obtained with fat grafting, blepharoplasty (eyelid rejuvenation) or brow lifts. The goal of facelifts is now more volume restoration than just skin removal for the most natural look. We explain the different types of facelifts in detail and help you pick the proper one for your goals, recovery, and appearance.
MACS Lift (Minimal Access Cranial Suspension FaceLift)
For those that don’t need or desire a full facelift, the MACS lift is a natural looking facelift. Developed in Belgium, the MACS lift re-elevates the cheeks in a vertical lift and avoids the operated on look. It suspends the deeper volume by sutures rather than pulling on the skin to return to a younger version of yourself. It differs from a weekend facelift in that the results are longer lasting. It differs from the full facelift, in that it does not do as much rejuvenation to the neck. The procedure takes about 2 and half hours and recovery is from one to two weeks. We have had patients that have applied makeup and sunglasses and were out and about in a few days.
Necklift
The neck may sag as a result of aging or weight loss, and is often affected before the face. Loose neck muscles can lead to an appearance of bands on the neck or drastic drooping of the skin. A necklift is a surgical procedure that can smooth and tighten the skin on the neck and provide a more toned and youthful appearance. The results of this procedure offer a drastic improvement to the appearance of the neck and subtle changes to overall appearance. A necklift may be performed alongside a facelift, or may be performed alone, after which your friends and family may not even realize that a surgical procedure was performed.
A neck lift procedure includes both a cervicoplasty to remove excess skin and a platysmaplasty to remove or alter muscles in the neck. Liposuction can also be used to remove excess fat during a necklift. This takes two to three hours and may be performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation, depending on the preference of the patient. Most procedures are performed within an outpatient basis.
Swelling and bruising may occur shortly after the procedure and last up to ten days. Most people can return to work and other regular activities within two weeks after a necklift procedure.
There are certain risks involved in a necklift, as there is with any surgical procedure including problems with anesthesia or infection. There is also a risk of facial nerve damage that may occur during surgery and can result in muscle paralysis. Although these complications are rare, they emphasize the importance of choosing a skilled and experienced surgeon for your cosmetic procedures.
Rhinoplasty (nose)
The nose is the most prominent feature of the human face. For many people, it is simply a part of their good looks and rarely merits a second thought. For countless others, the nose is an almost constant source of embarrassment. Today, however, plastic surgery can correct a multitude of faults. Rhinoplasty can shorten, tilt up, build up or straighten. Rhinoplasty can make the most prominent feature on your face a permanent source of pride. It can give you a whole new appearance and a new outlook on life.
Rhinoplasty is one of the oldest operations in plastic surgery. The nose is a source of pride for many and a source of great embarrassment for others. Rhinoplasty can correct many of the faults we see in our nose. Often this procedure can be combined with functional improvement of the nasal airway through correction of abnormal internal nasal structures.
Rhinoplasties are individualized to meet the patient's needs and expectations. All rhinoplasties are performed through predominantly internal incisions and usually include an improvement of the nasal tip, straightening of the dorsum and adjustment of the bony nasal skeleton. These procedures may be performed as an open procedure with a small externally visible incision through the columella (base of nose) or may be performed as a closed procedure where all of the incisions are hidden. Different advantages exist in either approach. The choice is usually left to the discretion of your plastic surgeon.
Otoplasty (ears)
Otoplasty or ear pinback is done to correct protruding ears. It happens to be one of the few cosmetic surgeries performed on children.
An incision is placed in the natural creases behind the ear and the cartilage of the ear is weakened so that it bends into a new shape. The cartilage is also stitched into position to hold the ear into position.
Recovery normally takes one to two weeks and results can be noticed after many months.
