BY ALFREDO HOYOS
Medical
FACE PROCEDURES
FAQ QUESTIONS
1. Why do people get facial cosmetic surgery?
Although the concept of beauty varies, the desire to be attractive to others has been shared by people of all races from the beginning of history to modern times. Facial cosmetic surgery can be one means of achieving this end. It is well known that surgically altering one’s appearance for the better usually increases an individual’s self-esteem, and often may affect one’s lifestyle. Yet the patient should maintain a sense of realism throughout the process and not be motivated by unrealistic expectations.
2. What steps can I take after the surgery to help maintain my new looks?
Proper education in skin care techniques will preserve the health and vitality of the skin and will allow the aesthetic surgery performed on the face to last longer.
3. Does a facelift address the whole face?
A facelift addresses only the lower half of the face by lifting the cheeks, eliminating jowls, defining the jawline, softening the creases between the nose and the mouth (laugh lines or nasolabial folds), removing the creases from the mouth down to the chin (marionette lines) and reducing general facial wrinkles in the lower face. If the neck requires correction this is done at the same time by performing a necklift. A brow lift is used to correct the forehead and eyebrows. For signs of aging around the eyes, he offers eyelid surgery.
4. At what age should I undergo a facelift, browlift or eyelid surgery?
The decision to undergo face or neck surgery is based less on the chronological age of an individual than it is on whether a person feels his or her appearance negatively affects their self-confidence, contentment or overall quality of life. The physical signs of aging depend on your genetics, such as skin type and environmental factors, including sun exposure and lifestyle factors such as smoking.
5. When can I resume normal activities after face or neck surgery?
In the days immediately following surgery, any activity that increases blood flow to the face increases the risk of swelling, bruising and bleeding; therefore, strenuous activity or exercise should be curtailed until necessary healing has occurred. An appropriate healing time is dependent upon the procedure performed and the patient’s condition. Patients can typically engage in light activities, such as slow walking shortly after anesthesia has worn off. More demanding activities, such as yoga, heavy lifting, running, cycling or other aerobic activities are usually permitted after 2 weeks following the procedure. Patients should refrain from contact sports until 6 weeks after surgery.
6. How is the Recovery?
A certain amount of swelling and bruising is perfectly normal following a facelift. Once they begin to fade a younger, revitalized self will be looking back at you when you face the mirror.
7. What are the risks of a facelift?
A face-lift surgery can cause complications. Some can be managed with appropriate care, medication or surgical correction. Long-term or permanent complications, while rare, can cause significant changes in appearance. The risks include:
• Hematoma. A collection of blood (hematoma) under the skin that causes swelling and pressure is the most common complication of face-lift surgery. Hematoma formation, which usually occurs with 24 hours of surgery, is treated promptly with surgery to prevent damage to skin and other tissues.
• Scarring. Incision scars from a face-lift are permanent but typically concealed by the hairline and natural contours of the face and ear.
• Nerve injury. Injury to nerves, while rare, can temporarily or permanently affect nerves that control sensation or muscles. Temporary paralysis of a select muscle, resulting in an uneven facial appearance or expression, or temporary loss of sensation can last a few months to a year.
• Skin loss. Rarely, a face-lift can interrupt the blood supply to your facial tissues. This can result in skin loss (sloughing). Sloughing is treated with medications, appropriate wound care and, if necessary, a procedure to minimize scarring.
EYELID: BLEPHAROPLASTY PROCEDURE
8. Where are the incisions placed?
The incisions for upper lid surgery are placed in a crease about 1/4 � above the eyelashes. In the lower lid, the incision is placed just below the lashes and extends past the corner of the eye.
9. How are the scars?
Usually, the scars are imperceptible even for those who have a history of thick scars.
10. Am I a candidate for an incision inside my lower eyelid?
This type of incision (transconjunctival approach) is used when there are fat bags present with little or no excess of eyelid skin.
11. Will eyelid surgery fix my peripheral vision?
Eyelid surgery only fixes peripheral vision that is blocked by droopy eyelids. There are many other causes of peripheral vision loss, including glaucoma, occlusions, a detached retina or a compression of the optic nerve. If you are experiencing peripheral vision loss, it is important to schedule an appointment with our eye doctor for a thorough examination and diagnosis.
12. How long does the surgery take, and is it performed on an outpatient basis?
Eyelid surgeries are generally performed on an outpatient basis. Since local anesthetic is used, we do ask that you bring an alternative driver with you or have someone drop you off and pick you up. The surgery typically takes two hours or less, but can take longer.
13. How long will I need to recover?
Since the surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, you will be allowed to go home and recover as soon as the local anesthetic has worn off, and it has been determined that it is safe for you to return home. Recovery times vary. In general, your stitches, if not selfdissolving, will be removed after 10 days, and most patients are fully recovered after one month. However, recovery can take longer.
14. What side-effects will I experience after the surgery?
After your surgery, our eye doctor will provide you with paperwork on activities to avoid and signs of serious complications. Most people experience swelling, bruising and redness at the incision sites. You may also have some light sensitivity, double vision and watery eyes. Keeping the head elevated and using cool compresses can reduce swelling and bruising. In addition, we may prescribe eye drops or creams to help with discomfort.
ABOUT NOSE SURGERY...
15. Ideal Nose Reshaping Candidates?
A good candidate for nose-reshaping cosmetic surgery may: • Have a nose that he or she feels is too large or too small in comparison with other facial features • Have a bump on the bridge of the nose • Have a wide nose • Have a nasal tip that droops, protrudes, or is enlarged • Have a bulbous tip • Have nostrils that are excessively flared or pinched • Have a nose that is crooked or off-center • Have been injured so that the nose is asymmetrical • Have problems breathing due to irregularities with internal nose structure (i.e. a deviated septum or related problems) 16. How long does the surgical procedure take? A rhinoplasty usually takes about 2 hours, but may run up to an hour longer in certain complicated cases.
17. Are there any preparations necessary before the procedure?
There are very few preparations necessary for a rhinoplasty procedure. In most cases, we just want to make sure that the patient is in good health. Patients are instructed to stop smoking and to avoid taking aspirin or any anti-inflammatory medications or herbal supplements that may increase the risk of bleeding. In some cases, they may have to temporarily adjust their current medication regimen
18.
What to Expect Following Your Procedure?
• Swelling Every operation, no matter how minor, is accompanied by swelling of the surrounding tissues. Medication will be recommended to minimize swelling. Continuous adequate hydration and elevation help. Typically, the swelling will peak the second or third day after your surgery. Generally, it will be worse when you first arise in the morning. Swelling always eventually subsides and your face will return to normal. The application of cool therapy to the eyes and forehead may soothe discomfort and somewhat reduce swelling for the first couple of days. Avoid tanning the face for several months.
• Discoloration It is not unusual to have varying amounts of bruising about the eyes and face. Like swelling, the discoloration may become more pronounced after you have been discharged. It usually lasts no more than a week, all the while decreasing the intensity.
• Hemorrhage If worrisome hemorrhage occurs, lie down with your head elevated on pillows or in a recliner. Try not to get excited. Be sure to take your pain medicine if needed to avoid increased blood pressure secondary to pain.
• Pain Everyone handles pain differently. There is usually only mild pain following rhinoplasty, especially with no nasal packing. You may experience a bruised sensation as a result of the post-operative swelling that occurs, this usually seems to be worse the first night.
• Insomnia
Sleeping can be difficult after surgery, due to nasal obstruction, discomfort, and elevation. This will get easier night by night.
19. Resume activities after surgery
You should walk regularly after a few days. This will help mood, appetite, sleep, constipation, and swelling. Begin light exercise after about ten days. This may include a slow-paced stationary bike. No impact exercises. Slowly work up to running and strenuous aerobic exercise after several weeks. Avoid any activities which may result in an impact to the nose for at least six weeks; any sports for two months where your nose might be bumped.
ABOUT VAMPIRE FACIAL‌
20. What is PRP?
PRP is platelet-rich plasma which we get from drawing your blood, spinning it down and extracting white blood cells and red blood cells, which leaves us with the platelet rich portion of your plasma. This plasma has a variety of benefits, like growth factors that are nutrient-rich and help stimulate the production of collagen.
21 . What is a Vampire Facial?
A vampire facial is a combination of microneedling and PRP. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a concentrate of platelet-rich plasma protein derived from the whole blood after it has been processed by spinning in a centrifuge to remove the red cells
22. What are the main benefits?
It improves skin texture, removes photodamage which helps with hyperpigmentation, increases production and synthesis of new collagen, accelerates wound healing and helps improve acne scarring, improves existing collagen resulting in improved skin tone and contour to give a glowy and dewy appearance to the skin and helps minimize pore sizes.
23. How many treatments does one have to go through to achieve optimal results?
If you have any big issues you want to address, like hyperpigmentation and acne scarring, we recommend 2-3 treatments, 30 days apart. After that, the maintenance is one treatment every 6-12 months, depending on the health of your skin.
24. What are the risks and aftercare for the vampire facial?
Risks are pretty minimal. You can expect bruising and swelling if we are injecting. You will be red for 24-36 hours. It should look like we are sunburned. Right after treatment, you will leave the treatment on for 2-3 hours. After that, you can wash after with gentle cleanser. We encourage no makeup after for 24 hours but use a dermal repair cream, such as the SkinMedica Dermal Repair Cream and a tinted SPF, such as the SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield Broad Spectrum sunscreen. In 3-5 days, your skin will feel amazing!
25. Who would you recommend this treatment to?
Anyone can be a candidate. Anyone with any of those issues that PRP addresses, Anyone who wants beautiful flawless skin is a candidate!
26. Why do you advise not have this treatment?
We don’t recommend this treatment for anyone with poorly controlled diabetes, on blood thinners, currently immune-compromised, in poor health, pregnant, on Accutane, or if you currently have cystic acne.
JOWLS DEFINITION
27. What is Jowl liposuction?
Liposuction of the jawline, jowls, chin, and neck is very common in plastic surgery practices. Exercise and a healthy diet alone often can’t reduce this fat. Other terms that have been used to describe the procedure:
• submental liposuction • chin liposuction • liposculpture • tumescent liposuction • Liposuction addresses the extra fat that is present under the chin but also tightens the skin.
28. Can liposuction be performed alone?
Yes. For patients with excess neck fat, minimal skin laxity, and good bone structure, then neck liposuction alone can provide a dramatic improvement. The decision for plastic surgery, however, is very individual. A trusted plastic surgeon will review appropriate options to help you achieve your personal goals.
29. Can liposuction be combined with other cosmetic surgery?
Yes. While Jowl liposuction alone is a great option, many patients choose to combine procedures for an enhanced effect. The more common complimentary procedures include chin augmentation with an implant, a neck lift, and a lower facelift.
30. What about nonsurgical fat reduction or skin tightening?
Nothing is as effective or has yet replaced plastic surgery, especially when it comes to the neck and chin. Nonsurgical treatments that use radiofrequency, ultrasound, or lasers might be an alternative who aren’t candidates or aren’t ready for traditional liposuction surgery. The results with nonsurgical treatments tend to be subtler and gradually develop after multiple treatments.
TOTAL DEFINER MEDICAL Ca Carrera 15 N. 83- 33 Consultorio 304 Clínica Dhara Bogotá Tel: Tel 7451332 - 3014940700 Email: hello@alfredohoyos.com pacientes@alfredohoyos.com