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Every morning we each wake up and shuffle sleepily into the bathroom. Wiping the sleep residue from our eyes, we gaze at our faces in the mirror. What do we see?
Most of us take in the big picture. An overall exhausted look from long hours of work, or maybe it’s a look of generalized congestion complete with red eyes and runny red nose, courtesy of our allergy-promoting Austin climate. How about an overall splotchy face – perhaps the result of crying over a lost love or from the margaritas downed in an effort to wash away the pain? No matter what the look, the vast majority of us will shower, dress and do that thing we do with hair and make up to “put our best face forward” and prepare to face the world. For some women, no amount of grooming or make-up can hide what they believe are glaring imperfections with their face.
“Even fully made-up, I look tired,” laments one woman. “I was having the best day and someone walked up to me and asked me if I was tired. It’s maddening.”
Whether it’s a persistent droopiness around the eyes, the ever-present family heirloom hump along the nose or an increasingly sloping chin and neck, these individual imperfections make it impossible for some people to see the big picture when it comes to their appearance and they feel that these imperfections detract from other people seeing them for who they really are. Some people have suffered their worse fears as reality – passed over for promotions or stuck in dead-end careers only to learn it’s because they are perceived as old, not cutting edge or too tired to be able to handle demanding new tasks. Social interactions may dwindle. Relationships may suffer. When personal perception and self-esteem are affected, it’s time to take action.
“Do something or have something done when an imperfection bothers you every day,” says William Gorman, MD, plastic surgeon and partner at Austin Plastic Surgery Institute. His partner, Robert Clement, MD agrees and adds:
“When you’re willing to take the risks associated with plastic surgery – or any surgery – then you’re ready to do something about your problem.”
At age 30, Janet swore she’d never have plastic surgery. But at age 55, the former sun worshipper was very unhappy with the deep creases across her forehead, her sagging double chin and what she calls “turkey neck.” In her early 50’s she had begun to contemplate plastic surgery, but didn’t think she could go through with it. Two years ago a friend convinced her to attend an open house at Austin Plastic Surgery Institute. She continued to contemplate plastic surgery before she booked a consultation with Dr. Clement in March 2007. She felt so confident plastic surgery could help her after meeting with him that she went forward with surgery two weeks later.
“I had a lower face lift (for my chin and sagging neck), brow lift and blepheroplasty (eyelid tuck). The surgery was pretty extensive and lasted 5 hours. I stayed in the hospital (Austin Surgical Hospital) overnight and I am really glad that I did. I was pretty wiped out afterwards and was on pain meds for two days. Once the stitches and staples were out, I felt lots better. I am thrilled with the results. I look brighter and cheerier.”
The five physicians of Austin Plastic Surgery institute perform a wide variety of cosmetic surgery, from facelifts to body contouring and dermatologic procedures. “If we can help people feel better about themselves, we do it,” says Fred Wilder, MD. “However, if a patient really needs to take better care of themselves, lose weight and stop other bad habits, we tell them that as well and won’t operate.”
NJA had a lower face-lift, brow lift, eyelid tuck and autonomous fat transfer to her under eye area in May 2006 by Dr. Edward Buckingham. A chemical peel completed her makeover.
“To be perfectly honest, the photos don’t fully tell my story. Dr. Buckingham is truly remarkable, a real architect of the face. Some surgeons give you a new face, one that looks nothing like the old you, but Dr. Buckingham takes what you’ve got and makes it look better. Even though I look better, I still look like me.”
Edward Buckingham, MD is the medical director at Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery. Trained as an otolaryngologist (ears, nose and throat specialist) Buckingham also completed fellowship training in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. “I really enjoy head and neck anatomy,” says Buckingham. Not only does Buckingham perform elective plastic and reconstructive surgery, but he is one of very few plastic surgeons in Central Texas who perform skin cancer reconstruction. His practice is half facial cosmetic plastic surgery and half facial reconstructive surgery – mainly post-cancer treatment.
“Because of our warm, sunny, southern climate here in Central Texas, there is lots of sun exposure and consequently lots of skin cancer. Dermatologists remove skin cancers then I fill in the holes left after the cancer is removed and restore a natural look to the face.”
That is the hallmark of plastic surgery – to restore to a (presumed) natural appearance. One of the most common and complex facial surgeries is rhinoplasty. According to Daniel Slaughter, MD, otolaryngologist and plastic surgeon of Renu Facial Cosmetic Center, “One reason rhinoplasties go wrong is that the nose looks great but it doesn’t function properly, i.e., the patient can’t breathe. The key to a successful rhinoplasty is to have a great looking nose that isn’t noticed and that works well. Your nose should not be the focal point of your face.”
Slaughter cites these key elements to a successful rhinoplasty. “The nose must fit the patients overall size and it must be consistent with their race. Post operatively the patient should be able to breathe freely and the nose should neither be “fallen” (arc too far forward like a beak) nor be over rotated (tilted up like a pig nose). Finally, the projection, how far the nose actually protrudes from the face, must also be consistent with the dimensions of the patient’s face.”
Slaughter believes that the current success of facial cosmetic plastic surgery is due to technical advances made during the last decade. “The microsurgical procedures allow the nose to be addressed as three distinct sections; the upper nasal bone section, the cartilaginous midsection and the cartilaginous lower section involving the nostrils. Making a small incision just under the nostrils and lifting the nasal skin allows me to reshape the nose and at the same time to make sure that I am preserving the patient’s ability to breathe.” This open approach to nasal surgery allows for control of all the elements that make a nose attractive and able to breathe freely. It also allows for minimal bruising and much less discomfort without all the packing placed with older techniques.
Patients who decide to have facial plastic surgery – whether it is elective for cosmetic reasons or recommended for medical reasons – must strongly consider all of the risks and benefits of surgery before they proceed. As NJA quickly advised, “Don’t take anything at face value. Interview several surgeons and be sure that your surgeon’s personality and philosophy aligns with yours. They should listen to what you want and not try to force other procedures on you.”
Janet summed it up this way, “In the end, you have to do it for yourself.”
Indications for Facial Plastic Surgery
• Redundant Skin – Too much skin in an area. For example, redundant skin on the eyelids causes a sleepy appearance.
• Fatty Deposits – Fat accumulation under the skin. Fat deposits under the cheeks and jaws can give the appearance of jowls.
• Volume Loss – Loss of muscle and subcutaneous fat can give the face the “skeleton” appearance of skin and bones.
Why is plastic surgery on the rise?
• Our population is aging. Many baby boomers feel great and want to
look as good as they feel.
• There are more cosmetic surgery options available than ever before.
• There are more minimally invasive and non-invasive procedures available.
• Surgery has improved technically. There is less
surgical trauma and much less “down time.”
• Media influence. Our culture idolizes youth.
Explanations courtesy of Dr. Edward Buckingham,
medical director of Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery
Resources
The Austin Plastic
Surgery Institute
3003 Bee Cave Road,
Ste. 203
Austin, TX 78746
512.327.3773 (surgery)
www.austinpsi.com
Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery
102 Westlake Drive,
Ste. 104
West Lake Hills, TX 78746
512.401.2500
www.buckinghamfacialplastics.com
RENU Facial Cosmetic Center
12201 Renfert Way,
Ste. 105
Austin, Texas 78758
512.970.7368
www.RenuAustin.com