facial implants

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Facelift by by Dr. BCK Patel MD, FRCS in Salt Lake City and St. George, Utah

WHAT ARE FACIAL IMPLANTS?

The appearance of a face is dependent upon the condition of the skin, the thickness and distribution of the deeper tissues (fat and muscles), and the basement upon which all this is built: the skeleton. Sometimes, there may be enough weakness of the bony skeleton to make it difficult or impossible to reposition tissues or augment the soft tissues (with fat or fillers) enough to make a significant improvement. In such circumstances, we augment the bony skeleton. ​

The aging mouth

WHAT KIND OF FACIAL IMPLANTS ARE USED?

Although there are onlay implants to augment many different parts of the facial skeleton, the commonest implants used for cosmetic and reconstructive purposes are:
  1. Chin implants
  2. Extended chin implants
  3. Pre-jowl implants
  4. Cheek (malar) implants
  5. Orbital rim implants (which are a variation of cheek implants)

Rarer implants are mandibular angle implants, vertical mandibular implants, forehead implants, nasal bridge implants (used more commonly in Asian faces).
“Well, the last time I had a picture taken I could hardly see my eyes because of the weight of heavy eyelid. Then I paid attention to how I was actually using my eyes and I really noticed when I was looking at anything especially the computer I was straining my forehead to see better. Since I have had it done I no longer have to lift the forehead and tilt my head to see. It is amazing! I love…”  D. Rock  63 Yrs Old with Fat Droopy Eyes – Salt Lake City, UT

AM I A CANDIDATE FOR FACIAL IMPLANTS?

With all facial structures, the aim should be to leave the area looking better without obviously augmented. To that end, under-correction is the key, lest we cross the line and look dysmorphic. In the early days of facial implants, aggressively sized implants were used. Nowadays, the intelligent surgeon will use an implant only when softer augmentation (with fat and/or fillers) is not sufficient, and, even then, will augment a facial implant with the softer fillers to “hide” the implant. An analysis of the face, the relative structures and proportions is vital to deciding the need for,
​or otherwise, of facial implants.

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?

Cheeks: if cheek lifts and fat and/or fillers will not give enough of a proportional improvement to weak cheeks, onlay implants may be considered. Examination of the face in repose and in profile helps one assess the relative positions and proportions of the structures (nose, brows, forehead, cheeks, chin, jaw, etc), thereby allowing one to
decide if an implant should be considered.

With chins, performing a perfectly beautiful facelift will fail if the proportion and prominence of a chin is not considered. Although facial beauty has often been broken down into sections of fifths and thirds, practical life
​(and beauty), is more prosaic.

WHAT OTHER PROCEDURES MAY BE PERFORMED WITH FACIAL IMPLANTS?

Facial implants are only rarely inserted in isolation. As proportions and curves and prominences are addressed, implants are often inserted in conjunction with other procedures like cheek lifts, face and neck lifts, liposuction, and orbital decompression in patients with thyroid orbitopathy.

WHAT KIND OF RESULTS CAN I EXPECT AFTER FACIAL IMPLANTS?

The aim is to achieve balance: your implants should be invisible to casual observation. Furthermore, attention should be paid to our aging process so that one does not use the type or size of implants which may be a harbinger of things to come as one ages! We also follow the motto: “if in doubt, do not use a facial implant.”We will guide you as to whether a facial implant may be a wise choice. 

DOES INSURANCE COVER FACIAL IMPLANTS?

Cosmetic surgical procedures are never covered by insurance.

I DON’T WANT FACIAL IMPLANTS TO LOOK OBVIOUS?

Neither do we! We take great pride in performing understated surgery: a beautiful result without the stigmata! 

WILL I HAVE TO REMOVE THE IMPLANTS IN THE FUTURE?

Porous onlay facial implants made out of material called “medpore”(which is a brilliant material for deeper implants) used to be difficult to remove. Modern plastic surgeons us implants made of smooth silicone: these can be fixed to the bone and also easily be removed, should the need arise. Infections are rare with appropriate peroperative and postoperative care. Sometimes patients will request the removal of implants for various reasons: as long as they are of the smooth variety, this can be performed easily with minimal incisions. 

ISN’T SILICONE BAD BASED UPON THE BREAST IMPLANT PROBLEMS?

Solid silicone, of which facial implants are made is very safe and not at all like liquid silicone. There are no instances of “rejection”, undue inflammation, or systemic problems from these solid implants.

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON RISKS OF FACIAL IMPLANTS?

Infection is the risk we are most concerned about. Postoperative instructions will be given to you which will lessen the risk of any such occurrence.  Swelling around implants may make it seem the implants are more prominent than one wished for: as soon as the swelling settles, this prominence disappears. Numbness over the site of insertion
​is common: this resolves over time.

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FAQs

Facelifts are performed in an operating theatre for the sake of sterility and your comfort. We have a team of anesthesiologists and nurses who are trained to specifically look after patients undergoing these procedures.
 
 
General anesthesia is best for facelifts, although in some instances, sedation anesthesia may also be used.
 

With a 3-D procedure, there are several layer of sutures, accurately placed to give the lifting, tightening and filling, without leaving any tell-tale pull-lines. Some are slow dissolving sutures, others are more permanent. The skin sutures are generally removed between 7 and 14 days. ​

Lasers will be used to treat peri-oral lines, “sleep lines” on the cheeks and other skin irregularities. The advantage of using all the skills and modalities available to us, rather than performing quick or weekend or one-hour facelifts is that it allows us to give you a remarkable improvement not only in the structure and appearance of the face, but also the health and smoothness of the skin as seen here:
 
Facelift surgery can take between 3 and 5 hours of surgery time, depending upon the planned procedures, patient’s face-type, age and other factors. ​
 
Bruising and swelling are de rigeur! However, significant long-lasting complications are rare.
Bleeding is not common as we pay close attention to proper hemostasis. On rare occasions, a small hematoma may collect.
​
Everyone will experience some numbness in the face: this resolves over weeks to months. This occurs because of the dissection of the face. This is not a complication.
Because of the dissection and repositioning of the tissues, it is common for there to be small differences in the smile between the right and left sides: this is usually only noticeable to the patient and to Dr. Patel! It recovers over a few weeks.

All faces have asymmetry and there will be some degree of asymmetry. This is to be expected.
Permanent weakness of nerves and muscles is rare.
The scars are usually very well hidden. However, some patients may have a tendency to cause hypertrophic scarring: in such cases, certain lasers and treatments will help. By-and-large, scars are rarely a problem. With Caucasian skin, pinkness of scars is to be expected for several weeks. With darker skin, some hyperpigmentation may occur. 
 
Bruising around the jawline and upper neck is common for the first two weeks. The face itself usually will not get much bruising, but may be pink from any laser work. Swelling is to be expected because of the extent of the surgery: the swelling abates over about two weeks. ​
 
Only if insurance will buy you a Rolls Royce (Phantom, of course). ​
 
A sensation of firmness will be there because of the swelling: this is present for the first few days. Most patients do not need prescription pain medication after the first two to three days. ​
 
We will provide you with a special neck dressing which you will wear as much as you can for the first couple of weeks. You will also apply a moisturizer (any brand will do) to the face as healing skin and lasered skin requires moisturizer. Icing the face also helps for the first two to three days. Many of our patients will ice the face for longer as it feels good. You may be up-and-about the day after surgery. Gentle exercise (treadmill and stationary bicycle) may be commenced by day 3. More vigorous exercise like skiing and tennis may be resumed by about day 10. ​
 
Ideally, you should be within about 3 – 5 pounds of your desired weight. Whereas I can create the most beautiful angles and curves in slim patients, if you are able to get close to your ideal weight, we can wonders as can be seen in this patient who lost some weight before her surgery and is absolutely chuffed at her result:
 

In the first few days, everyone will experience some degree of dryness and blurry vision. You will also feel that your lids look a little tight on the outer corner where you will also feel some of the deeper sutures if you put your finger there: this is of no concern. The tightness and the bumps under the skin settle over a few weeks.
More serious complications which are very rare include excessive bleeding, hemorrhage and loss of vision. 

BROWSE TREATMENTS

Browlift
Lower Blepharoplasty
Midface Lift
Lip Lines
Skin Resurfacing

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    Contact Info

    ​Dr. BCK Patel MD, FRCS
    ​1025E 3300S
    Salt Lake City, Utah 84106, USA

    (801) 413-3599 (phone/text)
    E-Mail: bckpatelmd@gmail.com
    bckpatel.info

    Dr. BCK Patel MD, FRCS
    617 E Riverside Dr Suite 101
    ​Saint George, UT 84790, USA
    (435) 215-0014
    ​E: drbckpatel@gmail.com

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