Face

Are you considering having a facelift? Otherwise known as a rhytidectomy or rhytidoplasty, a facelift aims to rejuvenate the face by targeting wrinkles, saggy skin and facial fat. There are numerous different types of facelifts which you can undertake, including the full, mid and mini facelift. These target different areas of the face including the jaw, eyelids, cheeks, jowls and neck.

However, sometimes a facelift alone won’t achieve the desired results. In these instances, it may be best to undergo multiple procedures at the same time in order to get the best outcome.

So what procedures are the best to combine with a facelift?

1. Neck lift

A neck lift will reshape the neck and jaw, making the skin tighter and removing any droopiness and sagginess. To do so, the surgeon will make several incisions below the neck and the ears, ensuring they are in discrete locations. The muscles are then able to be tightened and if necessary any excess skin and fat are removed.

This is a popular procedure as the neck is often one of the prominent areas which will show signs of ageing and which are unable to be reversed through exercise or a healthy diet.

2. Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty is a suitable procedure for those who want to improve the appearance of their eyes. It is commonly requested by people who have loose skin, droopy eyes, eye bags or heavy eyes. There is a range of methods for blepharoplasty. An upper blepharoplasty targets hooded eyes and wrinkles, while a lower blepharoplasty excess fat or tissue beneath the eyes. You may elect to have either upper or lower, or you may wish to have both procedures.

Blepharoplasty is also a suitable procedure for men and for people of Asian origin.

Undergoing a blepharoplasty will help to remove any puffiness and lines around the eyes, making the face appear more youthful.

3. Brow Lift

Otherwise known as a forehead lift, a brow lift will tighten the skin and reposition the eyebrows. In a traditional brow lift, the surgeon will make an incision within the hairline, which allows them to move the forehead, brow and hairline up. This option is generally preferred by women or those who do not have any hair loss, as the incision is easily concealed within the hairline. For those who have thinning or no hair, the incision will be made along the eyebrows and the skin is pulled downward.

This procedure will leave the eyebrows in a higher position and remove any wrinkles from the forehead.

4. Anti ageing injectables

Anti wrinkle injections are a non-surgical solution to facial rejuvenation. These can be used to further enhance the results of your facelift. Best of all, as anti wrinkle injections are considered a non-surgical procedure, they will not add to your recovery time.

Anti wrinkle injections can improve frown lines, forehead lines, lines around the mouth and periocular wrinkles.

If you are considering combining any procedures with your facelift, you will need to discuss this in a consultation with your surgeon. As everyone’s face is different, results will differ from person to person, and the best combinations will change. Your surgeon will be able to assess your face and suggest what the best strategy is to ensure you have the most rejuvenated, youthful looking face possible.

Are you interested in having any facial rejuvenation procedures? Contact Centre for Surgery today to find out more information or to book a consultation with one of our surgeons.

Pixie ears refers to when the earlobe merges onto the skin on the face. The stretched earlobe then makes the person appear as if they are a pixie. This can be something you are born with, can be caused by wound contraction, or more commonly caused by a facelift procedure which has been performed badly or incorrectly. The pixie ear will develop as a result of too much tension in the skin, which was sometimes the result of older-style facelifts.

Fortunately, the earlobe can be repaired with pixie ear correction.

Am I a good candidate for pixie ear correction?

Pixie ear correction is a good procedure for those who have been born with earlobes that have no shape and are merged onto the skin on their face, or the look has been achieved as a result of a facelift.

Candidates will need to be at least 18 years old to proceed with surgery.

You will be able to meet with a surgeon during an initial consultation, who will be able to determine whether or not you are eligible for a pixie ear correction.

What does pixie ear correction involve?

Prior to having pixie ear correction, you will be given a local anaesthetic, which will ensure you do not feel any pain or discomfort for the entirety of the procedure.

There are various surgical techniques which can be used for pixie ear correction. Analysis of your ear and whether or not you had a previous facelift will help to determine the method used for your particular surgery.

One of the more common methods is a minimally invasive technique. This involves removing the existing scar which was as a result of a facelift, which then allows the earlobe to be repositioned into its correct position. This method involves new incisions, which will leave you with new scars. However, the new scars will be discreetly placed around the ear and cheek.

The procedure may take between 40 to 60 minutes to complete.

In some instances, patients will be unhappy with the initial facelift they received. In these cases, a repeat facelift can take place which fixes the appearance of the face, as well as corrects the pixie ears. However, if you are satisfied with your initial facelift, you may wish to opt for the minimally invasive technique instead.

What is the recovery period like?

Pixie ear correction is performed as a day-case procedure, so you will be able to leave after the surgery is complete.

You may notice some redness and swelling, particularly around the incision area. If necessary, you can place an ice pack on the ears, which may help to alleviate pain and reduce swelling, therefore speeding up the recovery period.

Dissolvable stitches will be used, so stitches will not need to be removed. However, you may be required to attend a follow-up session with your surgeon, which will allow the surgeon to monitor your progress, and give you the opportunity to ask any questions and have the ears checked.

It is important to avoid sleeping on your sides so you can avoid any injury to the ears and the incision sites. It is recommended that you also sleep with your head elevated with multiple pillows. This will help to reduce swelling and ensure you have a faster recovery period.

Do you wish to have pixie ear correction? Contact Centre for Surgery today for more details, to see if you are eligible or to book a consultation with one of our surgeons. 

Are you wanting to improve the appearance of your lips? Do you want that perfect pout? The lips are considered to be the most appealing when the teeth are visible when the mouth is slightly open. If you don’t naturally have this, you don’t have to miss out. You can achieve this look by having a lip lift.

What is a lip lift?

A lip lift involves shortening the space between the upper lip and the nose. This gives the lips a more youthful, fuller, more feminine appearance.

Can I have a lip lift?

Those who are an appropriate candidate for  a lip lift include:

• Those who want to permanently alter the appearance of their lips, rather than temporarily, such as with lip fillers.
• Those with thin lips
• Those whose lips are not balanced or are out of proportion with the rest of their face

To have surgery, you will also need to be:

• 18 years or older
• Physically and mentally healthy
• Have reasonable expectations about what the surgery can achieve

What does a lip lift involve?

Before a lip lift, you will be given a local anaesthetic. This means that while you will be awake throughout the whole procedure, you will not feel any pain or discomfort.

The lip lift should take around one hour to complete.

A lip lift involves the surgeon cutting out a section of skin between the upper lip and the nose. This is generally located directly below the nose. Skin and tissue will be removed from the area. No nerves or muscles in this area are touched. Once the skin and tissue have been removed, the skin is lifted into the new position. The lips will have added volume, while also exposing the teeth, giving you a more desirable look.

What will happen during the recovery period?

It is normal to experience some bruising and swelling following a lip lift. Bruising will be gone after around 7 to 10 days.

As an incision was made, you will have a scar that is visible below the nostrils. With time, this scar will fade and will be less prominent and visible. You will have stitches on the incision site. These will be dissolvable and as such you will not require another visit to the surgery to have them removed.

You may have to take at least four days off work, however, some people will feel the need to take a longer period of time off work. During this time you will have difficulties eating, and may need to stick to a diet of purely soft foods.

Interested in a lip lift? This is a procedure Centre for Surgery currently offers. Contact us today for a consultation or to find out more information.

At Centre for Surgery, one of our most asked about procedures is forehead osteoma removal. But what exactly is it, and what does surgery involve?

What is forehead osteoma removal?

An osteoma is a benign growing lesion which is located on the forehead but can also be found on the neck. The lump consists of bone which forms beneath the skin and can appear as a singular lump or multiple lumps. They can be apparent from birth, or appear as we age. The osteomas are often slow growing, however, they can be unsightly and cause self-esteem or self-image problems. Currently, there is no known cause for forehead osteomas. Sometimes they may occur as a result of a head injury; however, the cause of osteomas apparent from birth is unknown.

While forehead osteomas are benign and do not cause any further health problems, many people will opt to have them surgically removed.

Am I a good candidate for forehead osteoma removal?

Prior to undergoing forehead osteoma removal, it will need to be confirmed that the growth is actually an osteoma. Forehead osteomas are commonly mistaken for lipomas. However, there is a crucial difference between osteomas and lipomas. While osteomas are formed of bone, a lipoma is formed of fatty tissue. A lipoma will feel soft and be able to move when touched, while an osteoma will be hard to touch and will not move.

To be considered for forehead osteoma removal, you will need to be:

• 18 years or older
• Physically and mentally healthy
• Have a healthy BMI
• Have realistic expectations about what surgery can achieve.

How is a forehead osteoma removed?

There are numerous options available for surgical removal of a forehead osteoma. These include:

• Direct incision method: this involves the surgeon making an incision directly over the osteoma. The bone is removed using a small bone chisel. The osteoma is then separated at the base and smoothed, leaving a flat forehead surface.
• Minimal access method: this is often preferred for those who do not want an incision made directly over the osteoma, and for those where the bone which is not as hard. In this method, the incision is made within the hairline so it is not visible. The osteoma is scrapped off and the raised area is flattened.

Prior to surgery, you will have an in-depth consultation with your surgeon, who will be able to determine which is the more suitable and preferred method for you.

What happens after the operation?

Forehead osteoma removal is considered a minimally invasive procedure. Majority of people are able to return to work the following day.

It is normal to experience some swelling around the osteoma removal area, which can be treated with an ice pack application. You may also experience some mild pain and discomfort. Your surgeon will be able to give you medication to help alleviate any symptoms.

Are you interested in forehead osteoma removal? Centre for Surgery currently offers this procedure. Contact us today to find out more or to book a consultation. 

Do you want to achieve chiselled cheekbones, but feel like you have too much facial fat? You can fix this with buccal fat removal.

What is buccal fat removal?

Buccal fat can be found in the temple, cheeks and the back of the upper jaw.

People often dislike excess buccal fat on the face, as it can make you appear more childlike. Buccal fat can even be immune to weight loss and make you appear out of proportion when you have lost weight in other areas of the body.     

Buccal fat removal aims to slim the cheeks and the face, giving you a more defined, chiselled appearance.

Can I have buccal fat removal?

You will be a suitable candidate for buccal fat removal if you have buccal fat in the face which you are wanting to remove.

You will also need to be:

• At least 18 years old or older
• Be physically and mentally healthy
• Have a BMI that is lower than 30
• Have reasonable expectations about what the procedure can achieve

There is no upper age limit to the procedure, however, as a result of skin laxity younger patients may experience better results than those who are older. Candidates for this procedure are generally in their 20s to 40s, however, older patients may still be eligible.

What does buccal fat removal involve?

Buccal fat removal can be performed under either a local or general anaesthetic. At Centre for Surgery, the general anaesthetic is known as ClearSleep™. 

Unlike traditional general anaesthetic, ClearSleep™ does not use any breathing machines and tubes. It also allows you to wake up faster and with a heightened sense of wellness.

The buccal fat removal procedure will take about two to three hours to complete.

The procedure involves the surgeon making several small incisions in the gum and the inner cheek. The surgeon will then be able to locate the buccal fat pad. Once this is done, the surgeon will apply pressure to the cheek and cheekbone, causing the buccal fat to protrude out of the incisions. The amount of fat removed will vary from person to person, and will be discussed with the surgeon during a consultation prior to the procedure. Once the desired amount of fat has been removed, dissolvable stitches will then be used to close the incisions.

What can I expect during the recovery period?

It is normal to experience some pain and discomfort in the first few days following the procedure. This can be managed by taking pain medication or applying ice to the cheeks if need be.

As a result of the incisions inside the mouth, you may have to alter the foods you eat, as certain foods may irritate the wound. This will be discussed during your consultation with the surgeon so you fully understand what foods you can and cannot consume during your recovery period.

You will need to ensure you sleep with your head elevated for at least two weeks and avoid sleeping on your side or with your face down. Instead, make sure you sleep on your back. This will help to speed up the recovery and minimise any bruising and swelling that could occur.

Are you interested in buccal fat removal? This is a procedure that Centre for Surgery currently offers. Call us today to find out more information about this procedure or to book a consultation with one of our surgeons.

Do you have excess fat or tissue in your lower eyelid? Feel like your eyes look baggy and your face looks tired or older? The solution for you may be a lower blepharoplasty.

What is a lower blepharoplasty?

A lower blepharoplasty – otherwise known as lower eyelid surgery – involves removing or repositioning any excess skin and tissue in the lower eyelid. This will make you look more awake, younger and refreshed, while still looking completely natural. This can be performed on its own, or in conjunction with an upper blepharoplasty.

A lower blepharoplasty will be performed using Centre for Surgery’s ClearSleep™ anaesthetic, so you will not be awake during the procedure.

The surgeon will make an incision on the lower eyelid, which will expose the excess fat. Skin and muscle layers are then lifted, and any excess skin is removed. The incision is then stitched shut.

What is the recovery period like?

After the procedure, you will have stitches and sutures, which will be removed between 5-7 days later. You can wear makeup again once the stitches have been removed, however, it is advised that you should take care when removing the makeup in order to avoid any damage to the incision line.

You will need to take time a minimum of one week off work to recover, however, you may find you require more time. During this period, you will not be able to partake in any strenuous physical activity, which also includes swimming.

After surgery, you will experience some bruising, swelling and redness. This will start to reduce after a few weeks, however, this varies and it may take longer than this. The incision line will look red directly after the procedure, however, this will fade in size and colour with time.

To help reduce side effects, you can:

• Sleep in an elevated position: for the first few days after surgery, you should use multiple pillows to keep your head upright. Avoid sleeping on your face and on your sides, make sure to sleep on your back.
• Use cold packs: cold packs, or even frozen bags of peas wrapped in a tea towel, are an effective way to reduce swelling.
• Use eyedrops: keep your eyes clean by using eyedrops.
• Wear sunglasses: this will help to protect your eyes from the sun and wind.

To help reduce any pain and discomfort you experience during recovery, you can take pain medication when appropriate.

Are there any side effects or risks?

Side effects

After a lower blepharoplasty, you will experience some swelling, bruising and redness on and around the operated area. You may also experience puffy and watery eyes. These are all normal side effects and will recede in a few weeks. You can apply cold packs to help reduce the swelling and bruising.

Risks

As this is a medical procedure, it does have some potential, but rare, risks. Lower blepharoplasty risks include:

• Blurred vision
• Excess fluid in tissue around the eye
• Asymmetry in the eyes
• Haematoma – a pool of blood which collects under the skin. This will reduce on its own after a few weeks
• Noticeable scarring

Centre for Surgery currently offers lower blepharoplasty, as well as upper blepharoplasty. Contact us to book a consultation or to get more information.

Centre for Surgery is a recognised leader in the latest necklift techniques. A necklift is also known as a cervicoplasty or platysmaplasty. One of the definitive features of the ageing process is the increasing looseness of skin in the neck. While it is an unfortunate reality that with age comes loose and sagging skin in this area, there is a surgical solution called a necklift (cervicoplasty/platsymaplasty) that can reverse the ageing effects by pulling the skin tightly together and creating a youthful appearance and a slim neck contour.

For women who feel concerned about looking older because of loose skin around the neck, a necklift at Centre for Surgery is a very effective surgical solution.  A necklift is also a minimally invasive technique that can often be performed with local anaesthesia and IV sedation. Occasionally, it may not only be older women but simply women with naturally weak neck muscles who wish to have this surgery in order to improve the contour of their neck. The necklift surgeon usually places incisions behind the ears or under the chin, giving access to remove excess tissue without causing scarring. It is vitally important to that to create the correct angle of pull to tighten the muscles, the incision is placed behind the ear. Many surgeons make the mistake of trying to take shortcuts and place incisions only in front of the ear.

At Centre for Surgery, the necklift procedure is also often performed in combination with brow lift, cheek augmentation, and facelifts in order to create a comprehensive transformation of the face for improved facial aesthetics. While necklifts are very effective at removing sagging, excess skin, they are not an appropriate solution for removing large amounts of fat around the neck and chin. If you would like to remove fat rather than skin, neck liposuction in this area would be a more effective solution. Centre for Surgery employs the revolutionary Lipomatic technique for performing neck liposuction. See the video below to see a neck liposuction procedure in action. Neck liposuction is often combined with a traditional necklift for even more dramatic results.

Who is a good candidate for a necklift?

An ideal candidate for necklift can be both men and women over the age of 18 but is most common among people between the ages of 30-70. You must have a good health overall and must have good skin elasticity on the jowls, neck and face. A good bone structure can also contribute to a better result so it is preferred but not required.

You may be refused by our surgeons if you are a heavy smoker and you do not wish to quit a few weeks prior to the surgery as advised. And most importantly you must have realistic expectations of what you will be able to achieve after a necklift surgery.

What can you expect from a necklift?

A necklift can effectively get rid of fat and tighten loose skin that accumulates on the neck with age, as well as help achieve a defined jawline. Although the procedure does not improve the quality of the skin, nevertheless, the patient will still be able to achieve a youthful appearance overall along with an impression of weight-loss. The procedure also addresses various other problem areas such as Turkey neck and retrognathia.

At Centre for Surgery, necklifts are simple and safe procedures to perform. Incisions will be made under the chin or behind the ears or in both areas. These incisions give the surgeon the access which is required to remove excess tissue and skin without causing scarring in visible places. The remaining skin is then fixed together using absorbable sutures, and the whole procedure should take around 2-3 hours to complete. Patients will be able to go home 1 hour after the procedure is completed.

What is the recovery period like?

The first 24 hours following your surgery, we recommend you to have a family member or friend stay with you as it will be difficult for you to move around. You will need to rest for the first few days and then you may go back to your normal routine. However, strenuous activity should be avoided for a few weeks to allow your body to heal. Expect some bruising and swelling for the first few days following the surgery and it is absolutely normal. The surgeon may prescribe pain medications to help you with any discomfort.

The recovery period will be longer if necklift is combined with other procedures such as neck liposuction or facelift.

Following the necklift procedure, the surgeon will make incisions behind your ears or under your chin so that they are not visible. You will have scars, but they will be hidden in discreet places so that they are hardly noticeable to the public eye.

Should I get a necklift or neck liposuction?

A necklift is a more appropriate solution for patients who are concerned about the ageing effect of loose and sagging skin on the neck. It is preferred for older patients with small amounts of fat in the neck region.

Neck liposuction is a better solution for patients who wish to remove excess fat around the neck and chin and do not have excess loose skin – it generally is better suited to younger patients with good skin elasticity.

However, both necklift and neck liposuction come as a complementary package if desired by the patient to achieve the best results, keeping in mind the recovery period will be longer compared to having only one procedure.

Interested in a neck lift or neck liposuction? Centre for Surgery offers both procedures. Contact us today to find out more.