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Enhance Facial Harmony by Combining Your Facelift with Other Procedures
While some patients may achieve their desired results with a single isolated procedure, sometimes it is better to combine multiple procedures together. For example, a facelift on its own can treat certain signs of aging, but combining a facelift with other procedures may provide even more optimal results. Here we’ll discuss some of the most complementary treatments for facelift surgery that can help you achieve a more harmonious and balanced outcome.
The following procedures can all work synergistically with a facelift: a brow lift, neck lift, eyelid surgery, BOTOX® Cosmetic, and dermal fillers.
More »Eyelid Surgery is on the Rise: Here’s Why You Should Get Blepharoplasty
Did you know that eyelid surgery is on the rise? Statistics from 2020 indicated that eyelid surgery was the second most popular cosmetic surgery among Americans, with over 325,000 procedures performed despite the COVID-19 pandemic. More recent survey data from 2021 showed that 73 percent of surgeons—up 17 percent from 2020—all reported an increase in patients asking for eyelid procedures to help them look less tired. So, what’s behind this trend? Here are some of the reasons people are getting eyelid surgery these days and why you may want to consider jumping on this trend yourself.
More »Get Softer, Smoother Skin with Dermabrasion
If you’re looking for a way to achieve softer, smoother skin, dermabrasion may be the answer. Dermabrasion is a cosmetic procedure that can correct dull, rough, scarred, and blemished skin by improving its texture and appearance. Here is what you need to know about this procedure and how dermabrasion could benefit you.
More »BOTOX® vs Fillers: What’s the Difference Between These Popular Anti-Wrinkle Treatments?
When it comes to anti-wrinkle treatments, the two most popular treatments tend to be BOTOX® Cosmetic and dermal fillers. But what’s the difference between these treatments? And which one should you get? In this blog post, we will explain the differences between BOTOX® Cosmetic and facial fillers so that you can decide which treatment is right for you.
More »Facelift vs. Fillers: Which is Better?
With the rise in facelift alternatives for facial rejuvenation, many patients wonder which approach to facial rejuvenation is best. The truth is, either a facelift or fillers (or even both) could be recommended to you based on your needs. Below are some general guidelines that will help you prepare for your consultation with Dr. Mouchantat. He will help you decide which approach is best for you, as he tailors every facelift procedure for each individual to ensure the best results.
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Facelift Surgery
As you age, your skin loses collagen and elastin, which can cause your skin to sag. If the skin on your face has begun to sag, it can make you look older than you feel and older than you want to look! Denver plastic surgeon, Dr. Richard Mouchantat, can perform a facelift to lift and tighten the skin on your face, which can make you look years younger.
What Is A Facelift?
Facelift surgery is one of the most popular cosmetic facial treatments Dr. Mouchantat provides in his state-of-the-art Denver surgery center. Facelift surgery helps improve the visible signs of aging in the face and neck for men and women. A facelift is ideal for Denver area men and women who show signs of sagging in the face, deep creases along the mouth or loss of skin tone.
A facelift is a cosmetic surgical procedure that lifts the skin on your face and raises the supportive tissue beneath the skin. A facelift targets your mid and lower face. It has pronounced effects on the jawline and the area around the chin, and has some effect on the skin of the upper neck.
Dr. Mouchantat can use a facelift to alter the following signs of facial aging:
- Sunken, hollow cheeks
- Sagging skin along the jawline
- Loose skin in the upper neck area
Facelift Options
A facelift can address many signs of facial aging, and alone, has a moderate effect on excess skin on the neck. If you have a great deal of sagging, excess skin, or banding on your neck, a neck lift can be performed at the same time as your facelift.
Additionally, if you experience sagging, loose skin on the forehead, you may wish to consider a brow lift along with your facelift for a total transformation.
The Facelift Procedure
A facelift is performed under general anesthesia. Dr. Mouchantat will make an S-shaped incision around your ears and into the hairline. From this incision, he will first access and tighten the underlying structure of your mid-face (referred to as the SMAS). After he has surgically lifted this underlying tissue, he will re-drape the skin on the face and pull the skin taut. A small amount of excess skin will be removed near the incisions, and then the incisions will be closed.
Facelift and/or Necklift: Pre-operative Instructions
Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen, herbal medications or vitamin E for 14 days prior to surgery.
Have your prescriptions filled before the day of surgery and take your pre-op medication as directed. Review the medication information and instructions for use from your pharmacy prior to taking medications.
Take the Arnica Montana as directed on the package starting 7 days pre-op and for 1-2 weeks post op.
Prepare some small bags with frozen peas or crushed ice for use post-operatively, I will write on the facilities discharge instructions if you are to use ice packs.
Wear comfortable clothing that does not pull over your head and slip on shoes on the day of surgery.
Arrange for a ride to and from the procedure and have someone stay with you for at least the first day.
Post-operative (after surgery) Instructions
Rest with your head supported in an elevated position, such as in a recliner. Sleep with your head and shoulders elevated on several pillows as well.
Have a non-strenuous activity level, no bending, straining or lifting. Walking is fine for a few minutes at a time. Don’t bend over to tie shoes, etc.
After your dressings are removed clean your wounds at the suture line using a Q-tip with hydrogen peroxide diluted in half with water twice a day. Apply the Bacitracin ointment to the suture line after cleaning. It is safe to shower after your drain is out and do not let the shower spray your face directly.
Suture removal is usually done in stages and complete within 7-10 days. You can expect swelling and discomfort in the first couple of days after surgery. Resolution of swelling and bruising is usually complete by three weeks from surgery. If you are experiencing increasing pain or pressure please call immediately.
Empty the drains and record the amount of fluid two or three times a day. Bring the record of output to your follow up office appointment.
Take medications as directed, try to keep some food in your stomach before taking pain medications as they can cause nausea. Pain medications can cause constipation, take plenty of liquids and an over the counter stool softener such as: Colace or Senna Kot can help prevent problems. Milk of Magnesia as directed on the bottle is safe if you are constipated.
Learn More About the Facelift in Denver
Are you interested in a facelift? If you wish to learn more, contact Denver plastic surgeon, Dr. Richard Mouchantat. We encourage you to schedule a consultation today.
Eyelid Surgery
If you are concerned about signs of aging around the eyes, such as excess skin that hoods your eyes or creates bags under your eyes, you may wish to consider an eyelid surgery with Denver plastic surgeon Dr. Richard Mouchantat.
What Is Eyelid Surgery?
A cosmetic eyelid surgery is called a blepharoplasty.
Dr. Mouchantat of Denver can use blepharoplasty to correct:
- Puffiness and bags beneath the eyes
- Excess skin and tissue above the eyes
- Fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes
Eyelid surgery can help correct fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes when excess skin is removed and the skin in the eye area is tightened.
Eyelid Surgery Options
You can choose to have eyelid surgery to correct excess skin and tissue above the eyes, underneath the eyes, or on both the upper and lower eye area.
If Dr. Mouchantat is performing an eyelid surgery to correct the area beneath your eyes, he can make the incision on the inside of the eyelid or on the outside of your lower eyelid near your lash line.
The Eyelid Surgery Procedure
Eyelid surgery is performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia. For an upper blepharoplasty, to correct the appearance of skin and tissue above your eyes, Dr. Mouchantat will make an incision above your eyelid. For a lower blepharoplasty, he will make an incision inside the lower eyelid or on the bottom eyelid near the lash line.
From this incision point, Dr. Mouchantat will access the fat deposits around the eyes through the muscle wall. He will remove fat deposits and excess skin. Once excess skin and fat are removed from the eye area, he will close the incisions.
Blepharoplasty: Pre-operative Instructions
Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen, herbal medications or vitamin E for 14 days prior to surgery. It is OK to have a light breakfast before surgery.
Have your prescriptions filled before the day of surgery and take your pre-op medication as directed. Review the medication information and instructions for use from your pharmacy prior to taking medications.
Take Arnica Montana as directed on the package starting 7 days pre-op and for 1-2 weeks post op.
Prepare some small bags with frozen peas or crushed ice for use post-operatively.
Wear comfortable clothing that does not pull over your head and slip on shoes on the day of surgery.
Arrange for a ride to and from the procedure and have someone stay with you for at least the first day.
Post-operative (after surgery) Instructions
Rest with your head supported in an elevated position, such as in a recliner. Sleep with your head and shoulders elevated on several pillows as well.
Have a non-strenuous activity level, no bending, straining or lifting. Walking is fine for a few minutes at a time. Don’t bend over to tie shoes, etc.
Use ice packs for 20 minutes of each hour that you are awake and the refrigerated cool gel pad for another 20 minutes of each hour while awake.
Clean your wounds at the suture line using a Q-tip with hydrogen peroxide diluted in half with water twice a day. Apply the Bacitracin Ophthalmic ointment to the suture line after cleaning; it is not necessary to put it in your eye but safe if it touches your eyes. It is safe to shower in 24 hours if your eyes are closing well and do not let the shower spray your face directly.
Suture removal is usually done in stages and complete within one week. You can expect swelling and discomfort in the first couple of days after surgery. Resolution of swelling and bruising is usually complete by three weeks from surgery. If you are experiencing increasing pain or pressure in an eye or visual changes please call immediately.
Learn More About Eyelid Surgery in Denver
Are you interested in eyelid surgery? If you wish to learn more, contact Denver plastic surgeon Dr. Richard Mouchantat. We encourage you to schedule a consultation today.
Ear Surgery
Denver plastic surgeon Dr. Richard Mouchantat uses ear surgery to alter the appearance or shape of the ears for those who dislike the look or prominence of their ears.
The benefits of ear surgery may include:
- No longer trying unsuccessfully to hide prominent or deformed ears,
- Finally wearing your hair in a ponytail or up-do without embarrassment, and
- Correction of a child’s ears if they cause other children to tease them.
What Is Ear Surgery?
Ear surgery, also called an otoplasty, is a cosmetic surgical procedure that can reshape the ears. Ear pinning is a type of otoplasty that corrects prominent ears that stick out dramatically.
Ear Surgery Options
Ear surgery is one of the few cosmetic procedures that can be performed on children. Other cosmetic procedures, like rhinoplasty, cannot be performed until the patient is at least sixteen years old. Ear surgery can be performed on children as young as five years old. It is a low-risk procedure that has great psychological benefits for children or adults.
Ear surgery can also be done to either pin back prominent ears or reshape the ear if it has an undesirable appearance, such as a folded ear or cauliflower ear deformity.
The Ear Surgery Procedure
The ear surgery procedure varies depending on the type of correction being made. Injuries or ear deformities will be corrected through different procedures than the correction of prominent ears.
To correct prominent ears, an incision will typically be made behind the ear to allow ear cartilage to be removed or shaped. Some types of ear surgery will require incisions to be made in the front of the ear, and Dr. Mouchantat will take care to hide these incisions in the folds of your ear.
After ear cartilage has been removed or reshaped, permanent stitches may be placed in the ear to alter the ear’s position, and the external incisions will be closed.
Ear Surgery Aftercare
Following your ear surgery, you will need to care for any external incisions, and you will wear special bandages on your head. For the first few days, these bandages that protect the ears will be worn around the clock. After this, they will need to be worn only at night for several weeks.
Learn More About Ear Surgery in Denver
Are you interested in ear pinning or ear surgery? If you wish to learn more, contact Denver plastic surgeon Dr. Richard Mouchantat. We encourage you to schedule a consultation today.
Brow Lift
As we age, the skin on our forehead can droop and sag. This is caused by the skin’s loss of elastin and collagen, which help keep the skin tight and youthful.
Denver plastic surgeon Dr. Richard Mouchantat uses a brow lift to help correct:
- Horizontal lines across the forehead
- Furrows between the eyebrows
- Crow’s feet next to the eyes
What Is A Brow Lift?
A brow lift, or forehead lift, is a surgical procedure that lifts and tightens the skin and muscles of the forehead. As part of the procedure, excess skin is removed. This causes the skin to be more taut, and it softens lines and wrinkles that have developed in the skin.
Brow Lift Options
There are two popular brow lift techniques.
The first is an open, or coronal brow lift. This traditional technique involves a single long incision starting near the ears, across the scalp above the forehead.
The second type of brow lift in Denver CO is called an endoscopic brow lift. This type of brow lift involves a series of small incisions, and Dr. Mouchantat uses a small camera to assist in the operation.
A traditional, coronal brow lift may allow a greater degree of lift, and a better correction of horizontal forehead lines, but both methods can achieve a good result. Dr. Mouchantat will tell you which type of brow lift is best for you.
The Brow Lift Procedure
A brow lift in Denver CO is performed under anesthesia. Dr. Mouchantat makes a single incision or a series of incisions above the forehead, in the hairline. All the scars from the surgery will be hidden in the hairline.
Through these incisions, Dr. Mouchantat has access to the underlying muscle structure of the forehead. He can then lift the underlying muscles and connective tissue of the forehead. Once the underlying tissue is lifted into position, the skin will be lifted as well. Excess skin will be removed at the incisions, and the incisions will be closed.
Brow Lift Aftercare
Following your brow lift, you will need to care for the incisions from your surgery. Dr. Mouchantat may place surgical drains at the site of your incisions for several days, and, if so, you will have a follow-up appointment to have your surgical drains and sutures removed.
You will need to rest for several days while your incisions and any local swelling or bruising heal. You may have temporary changes to the mobility of your forehead following a brow lift, but, like swelling and bruising, this effect should diminish, leaving behind your new, more youthful appearance.
Learn More the Brow Lift in Denver
Are you interested in a brow lift in Denver CO? If you wish to learn more, contact Denver plastic surgeon Dr. Richard Mouchantat. We encourage you to schedule a consultation today.
Facial Fillers and Other Procedures With Fat Grafting
Fat transfer injections are one of the most natural procedures available, due to the basic procedure, which involves the use of the patient’s own fat as an injectable filler. These procedures provide the double benefit of fat removal and increased volume to the target area. Their wild success has led to the development of uses for this procedure throughout the body and refined techniques for each.
According to recent research that was published in the September 2012 issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the variance in the use of this procedure has become so large that new naming methods may be needed. As reported in a recent article on DoctorsLounge, these surgical techniques have been constantly evolving, producing more effective procedures and dramatic results.
