If you’ve been considering facial plastic surgery, chances are you have a lot of questions. Facial surgery is suited for individuals who are unhappy with a particular feature. Plastic surgery can be used to improve the appearance of any facial feature. The most popular facial plastic surgery procedures include:

• Facelift
• Revision facelift
• Rhinoplasty
• Revision rhinoplasty
• Neck lift
• Eyelid surgery

Facial surgery can greatly improve your feelings of confidence in your image, your self-esteem, and give you a more youthful, fresh, rejuvenated facial appearance.

What is the difference between a mini-lift and a full facelift?

Depending on your goals and expectations, a facelift can be a minimal procedure or more extensive.

• Mini-facelift: A mini-facelift is a less invasive surgical procedure. A mini-lift typically involves a much shorter recovery time. The procedure involves manipulating the facial muscles for a lifting effect and removing fat or excess skin. It may be a good option for younger patients who are living with the early signs of facial aging.
• Mid-facelift: The mid-facelift addresses the mid portion of the face, including cheeks and lower eyelids. This procedure treats the appearance of drooping cheeks and nasolabial folds (from cheek to nose). Muscles and tissue are lifted to create a more youthful, rejuvenated, fresh facial appearance.
• Full facelift: A full facelift addresses all facial areas. It targets the signs of aging by resolving wrinkles, creases, lines, and any sagging around the eyes, cheeks, and mouth. A full facelift is often the appropriate procedure for patients with more advanced signs of aging.

Revision Facelift

The last thing a patient wants is to feel disappointed with the results of a facelift. Unsatisfactory results may leave you dismayed and seeking resolution, most often needed when certain facial areas were undertreated or when they look unnatural due to a poorly-performed procedure.

For other patients, years have passed since a facelift was performed. A facelift does not halt the aging process, and another surgery may be necessary. Typical results of a facelift last about ten years, after which another surgery can be performed to restore a youthful, smooth, rejuvenated look. If you are considering a facelift revision, meet with us to discuss your goals and expectations for surgery. If your first surgery was recent, our skilled plastic surgeon, Dr. Christopher Chang, can advise you how soon you can undergo revision surgery.

Rhinoplasty and Revision Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty, or a “nose job,” is a surgery to correct imperfections by reshaping the nose to a more appealing, balanced look. During the surgery, cartilage and bone are reshaped to enhance facial appearance. It is important to allow for a sufficient recovery time after surgery to let the nose thoroughly heal. Dr. Chang will discuss your procedure specifics and what you can expect about final appearance, recovery time, and all your other concerns.

In some cases, we help patients who come to us unhappy with a previous nose job performed by another surgeon. In these situations, a revision rhinoplasty may be required to resolve a botched rhinoplasty. This is a very delicate surgery, requiring high-level surgical skills. Dr. Chang is an extremely talented facial surgeon and is often called upon to repair a nose job that has produced an unpleasant, uneven, or unsightly result.

Adding volume back to the nose is a delicate and complex procedure. It is critical that this treatment is performed by a highly-skilled facial plastic surgeon. If cartilage needs to be added to the nose, it may involve harvesting it from another part of the body. Dr. Chang is considered a top provider of revision rhinoplasty in the Washington DC area.

Neck Lift

The neck is one of the first places to show signs of aging. Some people choose to get a neck lift to resolve unsightly problems such as a double chin, turkey wattle, vertical muscle bands, and sagging skin and tissue. The procedure can shave years off your appearance, restoring a youthful, defined jawline and a smooth, attractive look to the neck and jaw.

Different neck lift procedures may be required, based upon the condition of the patient. Common neck lift procedures include:

• Removal of excess skin to smooth and redefine the neck
• Liposuction to remove fatty deposits
• Modifying neck muscles to correct vertical bands

We will advise you of the treatment you will need to restore your neck and create a younger, more attractive appearance. Depending on the scope of the treatment needed, a neck lift procedure will vary in the time needed. More extensive procedures to remove excess skin and fat, along with resolving vertical neck bands, may require from two to four hours.

Eyelid Surgery

An eyelid lift can leave the face looking younger, happier, and rejuvenated. Droopy eyelids and undereye bags add years to your appearance. Undergoing eyelid surgery addresses a range of aesthetic issues, including:

• Droopy eyelids
• Saggy brow
• Undereye bags
• Dark circles
• Smooths crow’s feet

As we age, the delicate skin on the eyelids starts to droop and sag. The muscles around the eyelids may become weaker, creating a sad, angry, or aged look. These issues can be resolved with a correctly-performed upper eyelid surgery, lower eyelid surgery, or both. For some patients, the procedure resolves problems associated with excess eyelid skin limiting vision. In these cases, health insurance may cover some portion of the cost of the procedure.

Speak with Us About Facial Surgery: Accomplished DC Plastic Surgeon

The first step for a successful facelift or other facial surgery is to speak with our accomplished, experienced plastic surgeon. It is extremely important that your surgeon has exceptional surgical skills and is meticulous in performing the procedure.

Dr. Christopher Chang is a leading facial plastic surgeon in Washington DC. He is known for excellence in surgery and for the impressive results he achieves in facial surgery procedures. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons urges potential patients to choose a plastic surgeon carefully – for good reason. You want the result you envision, and to avoid the need for revision to correct errors.

If you are considering facial plastic surgery, or have questions about a specific procedure, please contact us to schedule a consultation.