
There
is no other field of medicine which demonstrates the degree of innovation
and evolution that we see in plastic surgery. The concepts and techniques
which we utilize are dynamic and constantly seek to improve efficiency,
comfort and safety in the interests of our patients
One of
the most significant trends today is the replacement and enhancement of
facial volume. We have always appreciated an increase in skin looseness
as a feature of aging. More recently, it has been shown that a reduction
in fullness of the cheek area greatly accentuates an aging look. This
hollow look usually worsens with age but can be present in younger people
if they are genetically predisposed. Hollow cheeks make people look older,
sad and tired. Restoration of this lost volume makes a dramatic difference
by creating a younger, fresher look.
There
is no other field of medicine which demonstrates the degree of innovation
and evolution that we see in plastic surgery. The concepts and techniques
which we utilize are dynamic and constantly seek to improve efficiency,
comfort and safety in the interests of our patients
One of
the most significant trends today is the replacement and enhancement of
facial volume. We have always appreciated an increase in skin looseness
as a feature of aging. More recently, it has been shown that a reduction
in fullness of the cheek area greatly accentuates an aging look. This
hollow look usually worsens with age but can be present in younger people
if they are genetically predisposed. Hollow cheeks make people look older,
sad and tired. Restoration of this lost volume makes a dramatic difference
by creating a younger, fresher look.
The days
of the common facelift stretching thin skin over a tight bony framework
are numbered. The overstretched look which results may have fewer wrinkles,
but does a patient really look younger? An alternative approach
involves a procedure called Microfat Injection. In this technique we take
some excess body fat from the abdomen or hip using fine liposuction instruments.
The fat is then prepared and concentrated under sterile conditions and
carefully injected into areas of volume deficiency. The result is a permanent
enhancement of contour with no risk of allergic reactions or possible
problems with implant materials.
Not only
has Microfat Injection proven to be an excellent technique for recontouring
the cheek area, but it has also been very successful in permanent lip
enhancement giving a soft, plump, natural look. Contour problems of all
types, such as scars, wrinkles, and expression lines around the mouth
are all well treated by microfat injection It is a safe, conservative
technique which, if properly planned and performed, gives a permanent
result indistinguishable from natural facial contour. I have personally
used this technique on hundreds of patients and they have been extremely
pleased not only with the improvements in appearance but also with the
long lasting nature of the result.
Another
plastic surgical refinement involves breast reduction using a “no
scar” technique. There are many ways to undertake breast reduction
surgery to relieve the cumbersome weight of large, heavy breasts. All
of the traditional methods leave surgical scars which can be significant
and unsightly. A reduction method using liposuction can achieve excellent
volume reduction while avoiding extensive scarring. The only incision
is a one centimeter line in the crease under the breast on each side –
virtually ”no scar”. This method is suitable for most, though
not all patients and requires a preoperative examination and assessment
as does any plastic surgery procedure. The procedure provides an excellent
degree of reduction, insignificant scarring, and a much lower risk of
complications when compared to older techniques.
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