Question:
Is there a risk with hair transplantation that you’ll end up worse than when you started, with more hair loss?

Answer:
If you have male pattern baldness, you will definiltely lose more hair as you age. With transplantation we move some of the hair that will not be lost with age to an area that is strategic for styling.

Question:
I’m interested in a mini facelift mainly because I’m getting the beginning of jowls and I’ve lost a lot of definition in my jawline. Would getting a mini facelift make any difference in the aging process and help to stave off more serious surgery for a while?

Answer:
A “minilift” is not that much less surgery or recovery than a “regular face lift” for someone who has early aging.

Question:
What should I consider when trying to decide between a mini facelift and a regular facelift?

Answer:
A mini facelift typically addresses the lower face and jowls but not the neck. A “regular” facelift typically will address all of these areas. A surgical consultation can help you to decide between the two. So much depends on the degree of aging and your expectations.

Question:
Can you explain how the midface lift is performed?

Answer:
There is no one method to achieve rejuvenation of the mid face. Facial implants and fat injections are presently favored by me.

Question:
What is the difference between getting botox and having a facelift? Which one is better for wrinkles and sagging in the facial skin?

Answer:
Botox is used to hinder underlying facial muscle movement to decrease the fine lines and creases created by their movement. Botox is best utilized in the forehead, brows and around the eyes. Sagging facial skin, on the other hand, is usually improved best with a facelift.

Question:
What happens during a facelift consultation? Is there a chance my doctor will tell me not to have the surgery?

Answer:
During a consultation, your facial features and concerns will be analyzed. A thorough medical history and physical will also be performed. Depending on your age, overall health and surgical goals, surgery may or may not be recommended.

Question:
I am 68-years-old and I am seeking a facelift procedure, but I live alone and my family lives at least an hour away from me. Is it possible to drive myself home after the facelift surgery?

Answer:
It would not be appropriate for you to drive yourself home after a facelift procedure.  Typically, anesthesia is used for this kind of surgery, and it would be unsafe to operate a vehicle afterward.  You will also likely have large bandages around your head that would hinder your driving capabilities.

Question:
I’ve had a dent on my nose for the past five months. My rhinoplasty was a year and a half ago. The surgeon recommended Restylane but that isn’t permanent. What other options do I have?

Answer:
Restylane is a good option because it is not permanent. If you don’t like the way it looks, it can always be removed with the use of an enzyme like Vitrase. Another option would be revision surgery to correct the indentation. There are other long lasting injectable materials that can be considered.

Question:
What are natural vs. artificial implants for rhinoplasty and what are the advantages or disadvantages to each?

Answer:
Natural implants used during rhinoplasty can be cartilage, bone or soft tissue. Advantages of these are that it is your own tissue and will be better accepted by your body. These tissues should not resore and are not likely to extrude. A disadvantage is that sometimes cartilage or other tissues may have to be borrowed from other areas of the body like the ear or rib. This means a separated surgical site and scar although these are usually well hidden and tolerated. Artificial implants are things like silastic and other synthetic materials that can be placed inside the nose for augmentation. Advantages are that it is readily available and prefabricated and doesn’t require a separate surgical site like the ear or rib. Disadvantages are a higher chance of rejection and extrusion by the body.

Question:
I have a typically flat Asian nose and I’m wondering if there are any limitations to how high you can raise the nose and how this is achieved.

Answer:
Some of the limitations are your nasal bony and cartilaginous structure as well as the amount of stretch that your nasal skin can withstand once augmentation has been performed. There are many methods to achieve lengthening or raising the height of the nose including only grafts and tip work. Your nasal anatomy and goals will help dictate what can and cannot be achieved. Also the adjacent features of your face have to be analyzed so that augmentation is in harmony with the facial features.