Asian Blepharoplasty (Asian Eyelid Surgery)
Asian Eyelid Surgery is very similar to Occidental eyelid surgery, but there are some important differences. The San Francisco Bay Area’s proximity to the Pacific Rim means that many of our neighbors are Asian or mixed race with Asian Eyelids. Fortunately, if you are considering Asain Eyelid Surgery, this also means that many SF Bay Area Blepharoplasty Surgeons have experience treating Asian eyelids. When choosing an Eyelid Surgeon, be certain to find an experienced and qualified Board Certified Expert, like Dr. Mele.
Whether you are rejuvenating your eyelids, or are trying to Westernize your appearance, Dr. Mele has the experience and expertise to help.
Eyelid Lift (Blepharoplasty)
Blepharoplasty, also know as an eyelid lift, is one of the most frequently performed plastic surgery procedures. San Francisco Bay Area Blepharoplasty patients may benefit from eyelid surgery, if their upper eyelids are heavy with redundant skin, or if the lower eyelids are baggy and full.
Upper Eyelid Surgery (Upper Blepharoplasty)
Upper Eyelid Surgery (Upper Blepharoplasty) is most frequently performed to remove excess upper eyelid skin. When the skin is blocking upward gaze or peripheral vision, sometimes insurance will help cover the cost. Without visual impairment, the procedure is considered cosmetic. The presence of excess upper eyelid skin makes the lid look heavy, and gives a tired or sleepy appearance.
Lower Eyelid Surgery (Lower Blepharoplasty)
Lower Eyelid Surgery (Lower Blepharoplasty) is usually performed to remove excess fullness in the lower lid. Lower eyelid fat makes the eyes look puffy and sad. Removal of the lower eye bags, smooth the contour of the lower eyelids, and restores a rejuvenated and more rested appearance.
Quad Blepharoplasty (Upper and Lower Blepharoplasty)
When Upper Eyelid Surgery and Lower Eyelid Surgery are combined, it is termed a Bilateral Upper and Lower Blepharoplasty. Since the procedure includes a Blepharoplasty of all four eyelids, it is more simply referred to as a Quad Bleph (four eyelids).
Since the eyelids frequently age at the same rate, a Quad Bleph can provide balanced rejuvenation for the area around the eyes. This helps retain the upper and lower eyelid as a matched set, and is an important part of maintaining facial harmony. Another advantage of a Quad Bleph is the single recovery period for the two operations.
People with significantly dry eyes may not good candidates for the combined procedure. Working on both the upper and lower eyelid at the same time will often increase the symptoms of dry eyes. If you have symptoms of dry eyes, and you are considering upper and lower eyelid surgery, Dr. Mele may recommended the Upper and Lower Blepharoplasty be performed separately. This will allow time for the operated eyelid to recover, and reduce problems with dry eyes during your recovery.
Brow Lift
A heavy brow, forehead wrinkles and frown lines can all be treated with the Brow Lift. The procedure can be performed by itself to treat specific indications, but is often combined with upper eyelid surgery and facelift procedures to keep the face balanced. Dr. Mele is an expert in multiple Brow Lift techniques, and provides his San Francisco Bay Area Brow Lift patients with both the traditional Open Brow Lift and the Endoscopic Brow Lift.
Facelift (Rhytidectomy)
The face is one area of the body that everyone sees, and covering it up is not an option. Loose neck skin can be hidden with a high collar, but for the jowls and deep facial lines it is not that easy. The Facelift is an excellent cosmetic plastic surgery procedure for the correction of facial aging. The facelift normally includes a necklift as part of the facelift procedure. The techniques for facelift and necklift are very similar; however, when cosmetic concerns are isolated to the neck, correction is primarily focused on the neck, it may be better termed a Necklift.
Despite modern medicine’s best efforts, nothing can replace a well performed Facelift to minimize the appearance of facial aging. For the well selected patient, however, sometimes less is more. Small to moderate wrinkles of the lower face will respond well to Facial Fillers like Restylane, Juvederm, Perlane and Radiesse. Upper facial animations lines, like frown lines, transverse forehead wrinkles and crow’s feet, will often respond to neuromodulators like BOTOX® Cosmetic, Dysport and Xeomin. These procedures are temporary, lasting a few months, and need to be maintained; however, they also have less downtime than surgery. Dr. Mele offers a full line of cosmetic procedures for his San Francisco Bay Area Plastic Surgery patients, including dermal fillers and neuromodulators. If this is a better option for you, Dr. Mele will let you know.
As facial lines deepen, and the skin becomes lax, the Facelift provides enhanced correction, with longer duration. Dr. Mele is expert in many styles and methods of rhytidectomy (Face Lift), and can tailor the approach to your specific needs. The face lift can improve the appearance of the face, and includes the cheeks, jawline and neck. If one area is more important, or needs more attention, emphasis will be placed on preferential correction.
Mini Facelift (Mini Rhytidectomy)
Smaller problems require smaller solutions. For younger patients, patients with smaller amount a skin laxity and patients with elastic skin, a Mini Facelift may be all that is needed. The Mini Rhytidectomy can do many of the things a full Facelift, with a shorter procedure and a quicker recovery. Mini Facelifts can often be performed as an outpatient under local anesthesia. The incisions are hidden around the ears, like a full Facelift; however, since less skin laxity needs to be corrected, the incisions are normally shorter.
Lip Augmentation
Full lips are a sign of youth and vitality. Lips are often largest during pregnancy, so it is natural to associate full lips with fertility. Thin lips, on the other hand, are associated with age. Some people are born with thin lips, but many more have lip shrinkage slowly sneak up on them.
Many options are available to plump your lips back up to size. The most common method of Lip Augmentation is with a filler. HA fillers like, Restylane, Juvederm and Perlane, have replaced collagen. When compared with collagen, Lip Enlargement with HA’s provide enhanced longevity and a softer feel. Surgical options for Lip Enhancement are also available.
Neck Lift (Platysmaplasty)
Does extra fat or loose, sagging skin beneath your chin make you feel self-conscious? Are you looking for a simple way to increase your self-confidence and take years off your appearance? If you are bothered by the appearance of your neck, a Neck Lift may be right for you. During this relatively simple procedure, the Plastic Surgeon removes both the excess neck skin and any excess neck fat, often with liposuction. This allows the neck skin to be tightened and the reduction of neck fullness due to fatty deposits under the chin. When indicated, a Platysmaplasty (tightening of the neck muscles) is performed. This is particularly helpful when there are bands of loose skin running from the chin to the lower neck. Often, these are caused by separation or laxity of the platymsa muscle, and the Platysmaplasty tightens these like an internal corset, smoothing the neck, and enhancing your appearance. The final result is a reshaped neck with a firmed and more toned appearance. Tightening neck skin is usually performed as part of a Facelift, so the discussion above and on the Face Lift page applies to the Neck Lift as well.
Neck Lifts can be performed as an isolated procedure, or may be combined with other Facial Plastic Surgery procedures. Since the eyelids, face and neck tend to age in concert, Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) and Face Lift Surgery (Rhytidectomy) are often combined with the Neck Lift to maintain facial harmony.
Otoplasty (Cosmetic Ear Surgery)
Ears are another prominent feature that tend to draw people’s attention. When the ears are unusually large or protruding, the attention can lead to feelings of insecurity, especially for young children vulnerable to taunting by peers. Otoplasty, commonly referred to as Ear Pinning, can correct this problem. By reshaping, or when necessary removing, excess cartilage, the ears are flattened more closely against the head.
Otoplasty can be performed at any age, but it is one of the few cosmetic plastic surgery procedures that is frequently performed on children. By five years of age, the ear size approximates the adult ear size, otoplasty can be performed safely at this early age with good predictability.
Rhinoplasty
The nose is the central landmark of the face, and the appearance of the nose can set the mood for the entire face. Rhinoplasty surgery is cosmetic plastic surgery designed to carefully change the shape of the nose. If you are bothered by the shape of your nose, San Francisco Bay Area Rhinoplasty surgeon, Joseph A. Mele, MD, can provide you with expert guidance. It begins with a personal consultation appointment and computer simulation to explore your options. Many options exist, and no two noses are the same. Ethnic variations can be maintained, or minimized, depending on your goals.
Facial Wrinkles (Minimally Invasive)
Oftentimes, facial wrinkles can be treated through minimally invasive means, such as the use of cosmetic injectables and dermal fillers. For appropriate candidates, these products can offer exceptional, natural-looking results without recovery or significant downtime.
Facial Augmentation (Facial Implants)
Sometimes all that is needed to give a face added contour and balance is additional volume in areas like the chin, cheeks or upper nose. Facial implants can provide augmentation to these areas. Below are links to the Chin Augmentation, Cheek Augmentation and Nasal Augmentation pages.
Chin Augmentation (Genioplasty)
Chin Augmentation – Chin implants help strengthen the jaw line and brings definition to the lower portion of the face. A strong jaw can balance a strong nose. Chin augmentation can compliment or diminish the need for Rhinoplasty.
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Cheek Implants (Malar Augmentation)
Cheek Augmentation – Cheek implants can give needed definition to the cheek bones and improve overall facial symmetry. Malar implants are selected to suit the natural contours of your face and are placed through small, discreet incisions. Cheek augmentation can compliment a lower eyelid Blepharoplasty, and provide support for the lower eyelid.
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Nasal Implants (Dorsal Nasal Augmentation)
Nasal Augmentation – Nasal implants can give needed contour and volume to a flat nose. Nasal implants are designed to suit the natural shape of your nose and are placed through a small incision inside the nose. Nasal augmentation can be performed by itself or used to compliment a more comprehensive Rhinoplasty.