Facial Procedures
Face & Neck Lifts
A facelift (technically known as Rhytidectomy) helps to reduce some of the most visible signs of aging by removing excess fat, tightening underlying muscles, and reshaping the skin of the face and neck. A facelift can be done alone, or in conjunction with other procedures such as a forehead lift, eyelid surgery, or nose reshaping. The best candidates for a facelift is a man or woman whose face and neck have begun to sag, but whose skin still has some elasticity and who’s bone structure is strong and well-defined. Most patients are in their forties to sixties, but facelifts can be done successfully on people in their seventies or eighties as well.
The Surgery
A facelift usually takes several hours or longer, especially if more than one procedure is performed. Incisions usually begin above the hairline at the temples, extend in a natural line in front of the ear (or just inside the cartilage at the front of the ear), and continue behind earlobe to the lower scalp.
The skin is separated from the fat and muscle below. Fat may be removed from around the neck and chin to improve the contour. Dr. Marouk then tightens the underlying muscle and membrane, pulls the skin back and removes the excess. Stitches secure the layers of tissue and close the incisions, and metal clips may be used on the scalp
Following surgery, a small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin behind the ear to drain any blood that might collect. The surgeon may also wrap the patient’s head loosely in bandages to minimize bruising and swelling.
Face Lift Recovery
Sutures and/or staples will be removed between five and ten days after the surgery. Expect bruising which varies by patient and typically dissipates in seven to ten days. Patients are usually surprised that their discomfort is minimal. Returning to work will depend on how much is expected, physically speaking. A chin-strap will be worn for approximately ten days.
Mini Face Lifts
Also known as a mid-facelift. This procedure is designed to correct and elevate the cheek fat pad which descends over time causing deeper nasolabial folds (lines around the mouth). It also decreases early signs of jowling, which enhances and defines the jawline.
The mini facelift is generally performed on individuals in their 30′s and 40′s. Usually there is little to no bruising and most of Dr. Marouk’s patients return to work in 2 to 3 days. Incisions are hiddin in the ear creases and generally heal without detection.
The Surgery
Mini Face Lift Recovery
Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty, commonly known as a nose job, is one of the most common of all cosmetic surgery procedures. Rhinoplasty can reduce or increase the size of the nose, change the shape of the tip or the bridge, narrow the span of the nostrils, or change the angle between the nose and the upper lip. It may also correct birth defects or injuries, or help relieve some breathing problems. The best candidates for Rhinoplasty are people who are looking for improvement in the way they look.
The Surgery
When the surgery is complete, a splint will be applied to help the nose maintain its new shape. Nasal packs or soft plastic splints also may be placed in the nostrils to stabilize the septum, dividing the wall between air passages.
Rhinoplasty Recovery
Some form of a splint for stability is usually in place for 7 to 10 days. Dried blood (crusting) will subside after a day or two. No heavy lifting or straining for 10 days. Expect bruising under eyes. Most swelling is diminished after one month; however, the nose remains a bit swollen for approximately six months. Only on rare occasions is nasal packing used.
Lip Augmentation
Lip augmentation is a cosmetic procedure used to increase the size of the lips through surgery or injections. This procedure can be performed on the upper or lower lip, or both at the same time, and may offer temporary or permanent results depending on the type of material used.
Fuller lips can be achieved through several different cosmetic techniques. The best procedure for you depends on your overall health and desired results, along with several other determining factors. Dr. Marouk will discuss these factors with you to help you decide which treatment option is best for you to achieve the full lips you desire.
The Surgery
Lip augmentation procedures are performed on an outpatient basis and are done in Dr. Marouk’s office. Anesthesia may or may not be used for this procedure, depending on how the procedure is performed. Injections may only require a topical anesthetic, while implants usually require a local or general anesthesia.
Once anesthesia is applied and the risk of allergies is eliminated, the filler is injected directly into the lips through a minimally invasive procedure that takes just a few minutes to perform. Proper placement is important in order to achieve optimal results.
For lip implants, the synthetic implants are inserted into the lips through tiny incisions at the corners of the lips. Once inserted, your doctor will close the incisions with stitches, and the implants will remain in place with permanent results.
Lip Augmentation Recovery
After a lip augmentation, patients experience mild discomfort and swelling for a few days, although these side effects usually subside on their own. The lips may appear to be overfilled at first, since some materials, such as collagen and fat, lose much of their volume within a very short period of time. The exact results for your procedure will depend upon the type of augmentation performed and your desired results.
Most patients can return to work and other normal activities within one to two days after the procedure, although exercise and other strenuous activities should be avoided for a bit longer.
Eyelid Lift
Eyelid surgery (technically called Blepharoplasty) is a procedure to remove fat – usually along with excess skin and muscle from the upper and lower eyelids. Eyelid surgery can correct drooping upper lids and puffy bags below the eyes – features that make one look older and more tired than they may feel, and it can even interfere with vision. However, eyelid lifts won’t remove crow’s feet, dark circles under the eyes, eliminate other wrinkles or lift sagging eyebrows.
The best candidates for eyelid surgery are men and women who are physically healthy, psychologically stable, and realistic in their expectations. Most are 35 or older, but if droopy, baggy eyelids run in the family, patients may decide to have eyelid surgery at a younger age. A few medical conditions make Blepharoplasty more risky.
Patients that have a pocket of fat beneath their lower eyelids, but don’t need to have any skin removed, may opt for the surgeon to perform a transconjunctival Blepharoplasty. In this procedure the incision is made inside the lower eyelid, leaving no visible scar. It is usually performed on younger patients with thicker, more elastic skin.
The Surgery
Working through these incisions, the surgeon separates the skin from underlying fatty tissue and muscle, removes excess fat, and often trims sagging skin and muscle. The incisions are then closed with very fine absorbable sutures.
Eyelid Lift Recovery
Sleeping propped up will feel the most comfortable for the first night. Dr. Marouk will prescribe pain and anti-inflammatory medications to keep swelling and discomfort in-check. However, most patients only take their pain medication on the night of surgery. They return the day after the surgery to remove any crustiness at incision site.
Sutures will be removed in five to seven days, if they are not already dissolved. No excessive lifting or straining for seven days. This surgery has minimal discomfort that tends to vary by patient. All swelling will take months to dissipate; however, it will not be noticeable by the patient or by others after approximately one week. Make-up can be applied after sutures are removed. Patients may drive the day after surgery, if not taking pain medication.
Cheek Augmentation
Dr. Marouk uses facial implants and fat transfer to improve and enhance facial contours. Frequently, these procedure help provide a more harmonious balance to the upper face.
The Surgery
Cheek implant surgery usually takes about 30 to 40 minutes. When cheek implants are being placed in conjunction with another cosmetic procedure, such as a facelift, forehead lift or eyelid surgery, the implants may be inserted through the incisions made for these procedures. Otherwise, an incision will be made either inside the upper lip or lower eyelid. A pocket is then formed and an implant is inserted.
Fat transfer technique is achieved in approximation 30-40 minutes. Local anesthetic is then placed through into the lower abdomen through the navel area. Then a small liposuction cannula is place through a tiny puncture in the navel and fat is removed and re-injected into the cheek.
Cheek Augmentation Recovery
After surgery, a dressing will be applied to minimize discomfort and swelling. The severity and duration of such side effects may vary, especially if another cosmetic procedure was performed at the same time.
Ear Surgery
Ear surgery, or Otoplasty, is usually done to set prominent ears back closer to the head or to reduce the size of large ears. Ear surgery usually takes about two to three hours, although complicated procedures may take longer. The technique will depend on the problem.
The Surgery
With one of the more common techniques, the surgeon makes a small incision in the back of the ear to expose the ear cartilage. He will then sculpt the cartilage and bend it back toward the head. Non-removable stitches may be used to help maintain the new shape. Occasionally, the surgeon will remove a larger piece of cartilage to provide a more natural looking fold when the surgery is complete.
