BLOG

Question:

I had a mini facelift 3 weeks ago. I’ve been experiencing a lot of pain which I didn’t expect with it being a mini procedure. It’s been getting better, but still uncomfortable. Is this normal?

Answer:

I feel strongly that two sources of information are at work when patients seek my advice with regards to the mini facelift. On the one hand, my pre-operative discussion with patients gives realistic expectations with regards to the length and quality of the recovery period from the mini facelift. I do not consider the procedure a weekend facelift as if it only takes a weekend for your face to recover from the mini facelift; the results will likely be not only short lived, but extremely disappointing. The second source of information about the mini facelift is from the media or less reputable advertising sources such as the “lifestyle lift”. I spend a lot of time dispelling the false claims with regards to the lack of discomfort and recovery time following a mini facelift. It is simply an expectation that cannot be met. So, to answer your question more specifically, some discomfort which is now resolving following your mini facelift is not only acceptable, but, also expected.

Posted by Dr. Philip Schoenfeld

No Comments »

Question:

I had a necklift several years ago and the results were great but I’m starting to see the beginning of jowls again. Is there some reason why the results have only lasted a few years and what should I do now?

Answer:

Individuals age at different speeds. The damage that you have caused to your skin over the years from sun exposure, wind, smoking and even alcohol will contribute to aging of the skin. Genetics also plays a large part in how quickly your skin will show signs of aging. Although I cannot comment specifically on the necklift technique which was used on you in order to rejuvenate your face several years ago, it is very likely that your face has continued to age and your jowls are simply revealing the normal progression of aging. If your jowls are your only issue, ask your surgeon if you are a candidate for a mini facelift procedure.

Posted by Dr. Philip Schoenfeld

No Comments »

Question:

My neck has become very saggy. What are some of my options for firming it up?

Answer:

The degree of neck skin laxity and your tolerance for surgery and subsequent recovery time will dictate which procedures are best for you to address your neck. If there are changes to the quality of the neck skin and only mild sagging then a Fraxel laser is a good option for improvement of skin quality and mild skin tightening especially in thinner skinned individuals. Some success has also been realized with some of the new radio frequency devices that are used to tighten the neck skin, but, the results are only mild improvement. If there is a significant amount of fat and moderate excess skin of the neck then you may benefit tremendously from liposuction of the neck or laser liposuction, which really helps tighten moderate skin laxity. If you are dealing with significant excess skin and laxity of the neck muscles then you are likely going to need some sort of surgical intervention. The surgery you will need will also depend on the issues I outlined at the beginning of my answer as no one surgical procedure is appropriate for all necks.

Posted by Dr. Philip Schoenfeld

No Comments »

Question:

My ears have always stuck straight out from my head. Can otoplasty pin them back so they are at a more normal position?

Answer:

Otoplasty is designed for the purpose of creating a naturally appearing ear. The most common reason for otoplasty surgery is to “pin back” an otherwise protruding ear into a normal nondescript position. Sculpting the ear into a more anatomically correct ear can also be done at the same time.

Posted by Dr. Philip Schoenfeld

No Comments »

Question:

I am having an otoplasty soon. I use a hearing aid and was wondering if I will have to get new ones after my surgery.

Answer:

One of the issues that needs to be dealt with in otoplasty surgery is to not change the position of the ear on the head and not change the shape of the ear canal. Although I would not likely allow you to place your hearing aid in your ear for about 3 weeks following otoplasty, once your ear has healed, I do not suspect that you will need a new hearing aid for either shape, amplification changes, or comfort.

Posted by Dr. Philip Schoenfeld

No Comments »

Question:

How will my ears be protected after I have otoplasty surgery? Will I have bandages put over my ears?

Answer:

Following otoplasty surgery I will put a full head wrap over your ears. The dressing is designed to conform to the newly created structure of the ears and to protect the ears for the first week following otoplasty surgery. After a week the dressing will be removed and you will be required to wear a head band over your ears at night time to protect your ears from trauma while you are sleeping.

Posted by Dr. Philip Schoenfeld

No Comments »

Question:

I keep hearing great things about the stem cell facelift, but I’m dubious. Isn’t this really just fat grafting?

Answer:

If you are reading and hearing about the “stem cell facelift” you should be wary. The stem cell facelift is precisely autologous fat grafting to the face. The claim is that if fat cells are harvested from the lower abdomen there are a greater percentage of stem cells in these fat cells. The ultimate claim of the stem cell facelift is that the results are longer lasting and can even induce your body to produce more fat cells in the area where the autologous fat from your abdomen has been injected. Fat grafting to the face is an excellent procedure to enhance the appearance of many individuals who not only have sagging of the skin from sun or age, but, also in those individuals who have lost volume to their face. I have not seen a single study that demonstrates any difference in the results of a well performed facial fat injection procedure to that of a stem cell facelift.

Posted by Dr. Philip Schoenfeld

No Comments »

Question:

I recently had a chin implant, but still feel as if something is lacking in my face. Would it be possible to inject fillers into my chin area?

Answer:

If you recently had a chin implant and you still feel as though you are still missing something in your face, I would discuss this with your surgeon. A chin implant addresses deficiencies in the strength and projection of the lower jaw. The chin implant does not alter other areas of your face such as the cheeks, if you are deficient in these areas as well. I recommend sitting down with good photographs and discussing the appearance of your face with a surgeon with good esthetic judgment and I think that you will be pleased with some of the small things that can be done to enhance your appearance.

Posted by Dr. Philip Schoenfeld

No Comments »