OG Aesthetics - Menlo Park

A: This is a wonderful question and one that deserves a clear explanation. Terminology used in the the aesthetics world is very confusing. Every surgeon wants to market their own facelift. "Pony tail facelift" Mini Facelift" "weekend facelift" "Vertical vector facelift" "Refresher FAcelift". What does it all mean?!!. Amongst plastic surgeons we can tell the difference based on the techniques that are used. As with most surgeries, the techniques and surgeries have evolved over time. In earlier times, surgeons would make incisions around the ears and hair and pull on the skin to achieve a tightening effect on the lower face. This method often left the skin very tight, distorted and pulled particularly around the eyes and mouth. It was very obvious and un-natural. Because the skin is relatively elastic, over time the pull would weaken and the results did not last long. The facelift further evolved into pulling on the SMAS (Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System) A sheet of fibrous tissue and muscular connections which runs through the middle layer of the face and neck. Surgeons found that by pulling on this structure we could achieve longer lasting results without the stigma of the "skin only" method. These were done in two main types, - imbrication (Cutting) and plication (folding). These techniques have been the mainstay of facelifts over the past 20-30 years. There is also a MACS lift which is a minimal access cranial suspension lift that uses sutures to pull on the ptotic structures. The idea of anything "mini" or "minimal access" is usually a facelift through smaller incisions and less dissection and pulling. It is important to remember that these will often not give you long lasting or powerful results. Many physicians use this as a marketing tactic - minimal facelift shorter recovery, less down time..... Deep plane facelifting has been around for about 40 years but has undergone a huge overhaul in the past 15 years by pioneers like Dr. Andrew Jacono. Surgeons have found that by entering deep to the SMAS and releasing the SMAS layer allows you to reposition the tissue, midface volume in a more natural and powerful way. This is now combined with transection of several fibrous ligaments in the face to allow even more of a durable pull on the deep structures. The vertical vector just refers to the way we are repositioning the tissue after we release it. These newer techniques are novel and are only taught at very specific fellowships/training programs. There is a newer generation of surgeons (The first wave) that are still in their 30-40's who are all using this. Most older surgeons are still using Imbrication or Plication techniques. The older surgeons who are doing Deep Plan facelifting are likely the ones who have pioneered this technique, but their surgeries come at a steep price. Soon the Extended Deep plane facelift will be the standard of care. Judging by your photos you would benefit most from an extended deep plane facelift. I would not do anything mini. Hope this helps!

A: Piercings do not preclude you from getting nasal surgery, but you may. have to get them re-pierced after surgery. So it may be best to wait.

A: What a wonderful question and more of a hot topic now a days. You may start seeing the trend of younger people looking towards more surgical options. As we age we start losing volume in the face. This happens at multiple levels including the bony platform that provides structure for fat muscle and skin to drape. Fat pads start to atrophy, the skin can thin out and the muscle becomes more noticeable leaving static and dynamic wrinkles in the skin. People age differently due to genetics, social factors as well sun exposure. Filler augmentation is a great option to help provide the volume necessary to give a youthful appearance. It can also help build underlying infrastructure to help re-drape the soft tissue. Once the skin laxity and descent becomes more severe you are really looking at lifting procedures (facelift, necklift etc). You should be very careful about "over filling" the face, especially in the lower face. In general, Filler is "camouflaging" the underlying issues, and not necessarily addressing the problem. Many practitioners rely on filler too much to inflate the face to the point where it "lifts" the skin. If not done carefully this can lead to a heavy, un-natural appearance. Because of this, a newer/educated/younger cohort of patients are seeking surgical options earlier. They heal alot faster because they are younger and they can enjoy their surgical results for a longer period of time. You will always look younger than if you did not get the procedure, but aging will still continue after the procedure. You can expect results to last 10-15 years. Skin maintenance with neuromodulators, select fillers and skin tightening procedures may be required to make your surgical results last longer, but microneedling and radiofrequency will not fix jowls or neck bands. They offer a good skin plump, some mild to moderate tightening and collagen formation. From a cost analysis, many years of filler, botox and microneedling procedures will often add up and exceed the cost of surgery. Hope this helps!