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Q: I'm 44 years of age and have noticed some excess wrinkling around my eyes, jowling, and some thickness in my neck and under my chin. My friends say I am looking tired. Am I too young for a facelift? |
A: The trend over the past ten years has been for more and more patients in their late thirties and early forties to actively consider facelifting. Using less invasive techniques such as the endoscope, a growing number of patients are having a limited incisional facelift to tighten up the jowl and neck area. By having the browlifting procedure, the corners of the eyebrows are elevated, thereby tightening the upper cheek area.Often, especially in the Australian environment, some kind of skin rejuvenation program as well as laser resurfacing or chemical peels are sought. No, you are not too young to consider facelifting, the newer procedures today do not lead to that stretched, over-operated-on Hollywood appearance. Facelift
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Q: What is a good age to have my nose fixed? |
A: At our clinic in Double Bay we have found the most common age for people to undergo nose surgery is in their young adult years between the ages of 20 and 40. The range of patients, however, extends from 15 to 75 years old! Improving a person's profile can dramatically enhance their overall appearance, and often rhinoplasty is combined with a cosmetic procedure on the chin or facial rejuvenation surgery to balance and enhance the appearance of the face. For more information on rhinoplasty and other procedures, just phone us at the Clinic Rhinoplasty
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Q: What is the S-Lift? |
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Many patients ask this. The S-Lift is a re-invention of a very antiquated
technique of facelifting; one that was abandoned because it did not
address the major problems of ageing which include laxity of the soft
tissues of the neck and fat accumulation. The S-Lift is described as
"surgery for beginners" and a technique which "merely approaches the
laxity of skin issue". It is commonly known that tightening the skin
alone leads to unacceptable scars and extremely short-term results.
Before and after results most often published show patients after only
a few days or weeks. The plastic surgical community abandoned the initial facelifting techniques (which were introduced in the 1920s and 1930s and continued into the 1950s) to perform more thorough procedures. With these early techniques, patients were dissatisfied with the fact that they underwent a surgical procedure with subsequent visible scarring and very temporary results. In the 1970s and 1980s, with the introduction of the more thorough procedures, it was established that by working first on the fat and the loose tissues underneath the skin to re-establish a youthful contour and then redraping the skin, a longer lasting, more natural and hence cost-effective result without the unwanted scars could be achieved. I am still following up the first facelift I did for a patient upon my return to Australia in 1990. This patient is still satisfied with her result nearly ten years later, because the issues and tissues of the ageing face were dealt with properly at the outset.I hope this explains to you what the S-Lift is and why I would never revert to a procedure which I know is a waste of a patient's time, energy and money. |
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Q: I want to have my nose fixed, but how long will I have to be off work? |
A: Recovery from rhinoplasty takes approximately 7 -10 days, and the operation is routinely carried out as an outpatient surgical procedure at the Double Bay Day Surgery. It usually involves sculpting and shaping the bony and cartilegenous structures of the nose to produce a much more pleasant profile and importantly, not an over-operated upon appearance. Most patients have a good idea about what they dislike about their nose, but their biggest concern seems to be how much time they will miss from work and/or how much pain they will experience. The surgery surprisingly causes minimal discomfort, usually controlled by oral painkillers such as Panadol. Patients can resume most activities except for contact sports within two weeks. Rhinoplasty
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Q: I have a sagging neck but do I need a facelift? |
A: No-one likes having a double chin ("turkey neck"). But young or older, you can usually do something about it. From late teenage years, some patients notice the hereditary feature of a chubby fat neck. Just checking your relatives gives you the clue this is not going to go away with diet or exercise. Liposuction is generally highly effective for these fatty accumulations up to the age of about 40. After 40 years, men and women who are aging relatively normally note laxity of skin and the sagging of muscles under the chin. A mini-lift is the treatment of choice at this age and can result in a marked "firming" and tensioning of the underlying muscles of the upper neck. After about 45 years of age, fat and sagging skin combine to make the problem more severe, and usually a neck lift or facelift is performed. To find out the best procedure for you, be sure to consult a surgeon with experience and expertise. Beware of the "latest", the "newest", the "L" or the "S" or the "turbo"! These procedures may have a nifty eponym but liposuction, mini-lift and neck lift have a proven track record of over 20 years. Mini-lift
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Q: What options do I have for Lip Enhancement? |
Lip enlargement is a popular procedure at the Cosmetic and Restorative Surgery Clinic and we can provide a number of excellent ways of enhancing your lips, either temporarily or permanently. The newest injectable filler is a non-permanent injectible. This normally lasts longer than Collagen, which has now been used for 20 years. For permanent enhancement, I use either a dermal graft or a patient's own fat. With the trend towards more cosmetic dentistry, we find using the above techniques to frame an attractive smile has become a very popular procedure with people of all age groups. Lip Enhancement
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Q: I am only 28 and I have a double chin. What can I do? |
A double chin is not only a sign of aging or being overweight but can also be a hereditary area for fatty deposits. For persons in their teens to thirties who still have good elasticity in their skin (and even older in some cases) Liposuction to the chin can produce remarkable results. Naturally, the surgeon must be artistically skilled in remodelling the patient's profile to suit their features and facial balance. Neck Liposuction
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Q: Do Cheek Implants feel natural? |
Cheek Implants have now become more popular as we are exposed to so many attractive fashion models with very prominent high cheek bones. High or prominent cheek bones are typically associated with young and beautiful, smiling faces. Flat cheeks may produce a sad or depressed appearance and cheek implants can produce a fullness similar to smiling. Cheek implants are created from silicone or Gore-tex and are usually inserted through a small incision inside the mouth. A wide variety of shapes and sizes is available. This is an outpatient procedure performed under twilight anaesthesia. After about a month, implants do indeed feel natural and produce an improvement in shape and appearance of the face, glamourising the face for women and strengthening it for males. Careful selection of the size and shape of your implants should be made by you and your surgeon. Cheek Implants
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Q: How long will it last? |
Many people, when considering cosmetic surgery, want to know how long their result will last. For rejuvenation surgery or any procedure which turns back the hands of time, how long the results last really depends on many factors, from genetics to life style habits such as drinking and smoking, exposure to sun, or stress and other causes. While we all do continue to age after we have had surgery, the surgical procedure itself can help in setting back the hands of time and starting them ticking again from an earlier point. Different types of rejuvenation surgery include facelift, browlift, eyelid surgery, and laserbrasion for the removal of fine lines. For more information on this type of surgery, please contact us at the Clinic or check out our online gallery. Facelift
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Q: I want to look just as competitive as I feel - what can I do? |
A: Men are feeling the pressure of ageing, not only feeling less enthusiastic and fatigued by the age of 50 but generally looking that way. Encouraged by the success of rejuvenation surgery in women, about 40% of my practice is now comprised of men. By the age of 50, normal ageing in men can result in a sagging of the jowls, a double chin and a very aged, tired, bedraggled appearance. However, most 50 year olds do not regard themselves as old and to maintain their vitality, they turn to the gym, nutritional awareness, less smoking, antiageing medicines, and yes, facelifts. Male Facelift Before Facelifts for men concentrate on defining the jaw and eliminating the double chin - so you can now look just as competitive as you feel! |
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Q: What information is available to help me decide whether or not nose surgery is for me? |
A: At the Cosmetic and Restorative Surgery Clinic we encourage patients to make use of the many tools that we have available to help them explain to us the results they want to achieve. The use of “before and after” photographs of actual patients, clinical procedural brochures, videos and digital computer imaging all play a vital role in helping us to understand the patient’s expectations and the results desired. In all cases, clear, accurate communication between doctor and patient is a top priority to allow a proper assessment to be made and realistic advice to be given. Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)
Before Call us at the Clinic to learn more or learn more in our Procedures section and check out our Patients' Before and After Gallery. |
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Q: The “skijump” nose - what can I do about it? |
A: The “skijump” nose is usually caused by trauma, an accident or in some unfortunate cases, previous over-zealous rhinoplasty surgery. I have recently treated a young man who suffered such a situation and was extremely embarrassed by his profile. In a male, a small, weak nose is seen as most unattractive and lacking masculinity. Most men want a good strong nose and to achieve this we use a patient’s own tissues to build up the top of the nose, thereby producing a more handsome, defined profile. You can leave the ‘skijump’ on the slopes for the snow fields! Rhinoplasty (secondary)
Before A strong projection to the nose can be achieved by the use of nasal grafting. To learn more about this or other procedures, please call us at the Clinic or just check out our website. |
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I want my nose fixed, but I want it to be in proportion with my face |
Rhinoplasty or a ‘nose-job’ is performed for difficulties in breathing, and also to improve the appearance of the face, especially when seen in profile. A long drooping tip as in this young man with an apparent hump in his nose can be dramatically improved by restoring a more handsome tip and balancing it with the dorsum or top of the nose. A strong nasal profile complements his strong chin.Rhinoplasty is one of the most common procedures for teenage boys and young men, especially those who have received trauma in schoolboy and sporting activities. The procedure is usually carried out on an outpatient basis at the Double Bay Day Surgery. Rhinoplasty
Before I was recently interviewed by Effie on her SBS program, and she seemed most interested in procedures for the “ethnic nose”. To learn more about nasal reconstruction and rhinoplasty, please call us at the Clinic or just check out our website. |
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I know I need a facelift, but how about my heavy eyelids? |
When thinking about a facelift, it’s important to consider your eye area as well. “Droopy”, “sleepy” upper eyelids and excessive “baggage” on the lower lids are quite common complaints by many patients seeking cosmetic improvement around their eye area. Racial characteristics, excessive expression, allergies and sun exposure all contribute to “droopy” lids where loose skin bends down the eyelashes. Removal of the excessive skin above the eyes and readjustment of crows’ feet can be achieved by blepharoplasty. In the lower lids, bulging fat is removed alleviating the baggage and reducing the dark rings under the eyelids. Facelift with Blepharoplasty (Eyelid lift)
Before To learn more about blepharoplasty, facelifts or other procedures, please call us at the Clinic or check out our website. |
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What can I do about my heavy eyelids? |
Some Asian patients don’t have an upper eyelid fold when their eyes are open but want to have what is called the “double eyelid” fold. Basic techniques just use a stitch through the eyelid which does not last very long. The surgical procedure that creates the best, permanent result involves making an attachment between the levatar muscle that lifts the eyelid and the skin of the eyelid. Caucasian and Asian patients have a natural attachment, but it is usually much lower in Asian eyes, so may not be noticeable when the eyelid is open. It is very important to make the fold the correct height. If a Caucasian height is chosen it may look unnatural for an Asian so a midheight is usually best. The procedure involves very carefully making a symmetrical incision, taking a very conservative amount of fat and stitching a connection between the levatar muscle and the skin. Twilight sedation is used so the patient can open their eyes during the procedure to ensure the folds are absolutely symmetrical. Blepharoplasty (Eyelid lift)
Before To learn more about this or other procedures, please call us at the Clinic or just check out our website. |
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Are more men seeking cosmetic surgery? |
In the last eight years I have seen the number of men seeking cosmetic surgery double. Men currently comprise over 40% of my practice. The common procedure men choose in their twenties is rhinoplasty; in their thirties it is liposuction and surgery for male breasts; and in their late forties and fifties, face/neck lifting. The neck lift in a man redefines the jawline producing a more youthful, dynamic appearance and eliminates the double chin. The surgery is carried out on an outpatient basis at the Double Bay Day Surgery, which is fully licensed for procedures involving general anaesthesia . Male Necklift
Before To learn more about this or other procedures, please call us at the Clinic or just check out our website. |
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How can I get rid of my sagging jowls? |
Jowls are commonly associated with ageing in the lower half of the face, often accompanied by laxity of the tissues under the chin, giving the person a double chin or “turkey neck”. A minimal incision facelift of just the lower two-thirds of the face is often more than enough to elevate these tissues if there is some fixation of the tissues underneath (not just a skin lift). The results always look more natural when they do not rely on skin tightening alone. The advantage of this minimal incision over traditional procedures is that there is less scarring and “down-time” while maintaining the long lasting and more natural results of complete facelifts that include this fixation of the underlying tissues. Facelift with Lower Eyelid Lift
Before To learn more about this or other procedures, please call us at the Clinic or just check out our website. |
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I have a “flat” nose - what can I do about it? |
Some Caucasians and many Oriental patients have a “flat” nose and request us to build up their nose’s bridge. This results in a better balance with the eyes and in Asians creates a more Eurasian apppearance. Nasal fractures, often associated with contact sports like football and boxing, can also cause an undesirable “flattening” of the nose. Elevation of the nasal bridge with silicone is an occasional option, but here at the Double Bay Day Surgery we generally prefer to use the patient’s own tissue. This Indonesian lady had a small piece of bone taken from her elbow and transplanted into her nose to produce not only a more refined profile but also a better appearance from the front view, glamorising and highlighting the upper part of her face. Nose Enhancement
Before For more information on treatment of a “flat” nose, please call us at the Clinic, or just visit our website. |
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I look tired and my friends ask “what are you worrying about? |
A tired or angry appearance is associated with brow ptosis, ie the eyebrows have begun to undergo the effects of gravity and instead of being arched and the eyes open, they have descended and the eyes look small. Over-activity of the face muscles from frowning, squinting, asthma or breathing disorders is often associated with brow ptosis. Although anti-wrinkle injections can temporarily improve the “scowling” appearance, the browlift is a procedure popular in the 30-50 year old age group to take away that worried, severe, concerned appearance you may be projecting to the world. You will look friendlier, pleasant and less concerned. Browlift
Before The endoscopic browlift which I have performed for approximately 500 patients over the past seven years has proven to be a wonderful improvement over the traditional operation as the incisions are small and recovery time minimal. It is always performed as an outpatient procedure at the fully licensed Double Bay Day Surgery. |
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What is a good age to have my child’s ears pinned back? |
Bat ears or very protuberant ears usually cause parents concern when their child is attending pre-school or kindergarten. Because the ear is near adult size by the age of six, it is safe to consider surgery at this age. Protuberant ears can attract unkind comments from peers in early childhood and such comments may prompt parents to seek advice from a plastic surgeon. The ears protrude because of their shape and their projection from the side of the head, and both issues must be dealt with to a varying degree in each patient. Otoplasty
Before The procedure is carried out under a light general anaesthetic or in early teenage years can be performed under sedation. Teenagers often contact plastic surgeons when they get tired of styling their hair to hide bat ears. To find out more, please check our website or just call the Clinic. |
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No matter how much sleep I have, I always seem to look tired. |
We look tired, especially around our eyes, when the eyelids are droopy or we have heavy bags around the upper and lower lids. These bags are due to bulging fat behind the eye. To reverse this situation, laser or traditional surgical approaches are often made to improve the eye area. Performed here at the Double Bay Day Surgery under local, “twilight” or general anaesthesia, these procedures (blepharoplasty) rejuvenate the eyelid area. Often, laser resurfacing is performed at the same time. The results speak for themselves. Eyelid surgery, facelift and browlift
Before For more information on blepharoplasty or other procedures, please telephone us at the Clinic or visit our web site. |
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This web site copyright 2005 Cosmetic and Restorative Surgery Clinic and ZambaGrafix |
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