Facial Plastic Surgery includes reconstructive surgery and cosmetic surgery of the structures of the head, neck and face. This includes rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, rhytidectomy, brow lift, otoplasty and chemical peels.
Rhinoplasty is surgery that changes the shape of the nose. It can involve the removal of excess tissue such as a hump, the addition of tissue to correct a deficiency such as “ski slope” nose or straightening a crooked nose. A rhinoplasty can lead to a more pleasing appearance to the face in addition to correcting deformities due to injury or illness.
Blepharoplasty involves the removal of excess skin and fat from the upper and/or lower eyelids. While this surgery is often done to give a more youthful appearance it is also performed to improve a person’s field of vision. Often the excess skin of the upper eyelids can form a “hood” over the eye and obscure vision. The removal of this extra skin opens the eye up allowing for improved sight.
Rhytidectomy, or face lift, is surgery that removes excess skin from the face and neck. It also removes, or makes smooth, wrinkles on the face which gives a more youthful appearance. Another type of rhytidectomy is the brow lift – this procedure addresses the forehead. In addition to the cosmetic component of a brow lift there is a functional component, since this surgery can raise the eyebrow, thereby opening the eye up and improving one's visual fields. As previously mentioned, upper eyelid skin can overhang the eye and reduce vision; this results from too much upper eyelid skin or from the brow forcing extra skin around the eyes.
Often the ears protrude too far from the head or are misshapen due to congenital malformations or trauma. The shape of the ears and their position on the head can be corrected by surgery called an otoplasty. This can be done as an adult or as a child.
A chemical peel involves the use of liquids placed on the skin to smooth out finer wrinkles and remove hyper-pigmented areas. This will lead to a more youthful and refreshed appearance. Chemical peels are also used in the treatment of cancerous and precancerous skin lesions.
Reconstructive surgical techniques are employed in the head and neck to repair defects caused by cancers, trauma or viral and bacterial diseases. These techniques help to restore the normal or near normal form and function to the involved areas of the face, head and neck.
At Tri-State Otolaryngology we are able to offer all of the above, as all of our surgeons are trained and certified in these procedures and techniques.
