Facelift surgery is often thought of as being no different between a man and a woman. In reality, the differences couldn’t be greater in terms of basic skin structure, tone, thickness, and texture, which make it more of a challenge for any experienced NYC surgeon performing a facelift procedure on a man.

Viva La Difference?

Why is it more challenging? The reasons are several. Men in general have thicker skin compared to women. And having thicker skin is necessary to support the growth of facial hair, which makes it even more necessary for there to be a richer, more nourishing blood supply to the face.

Other key differences between the sexes that exist can have a direct impact on the choice of surgical methods and incisional and suturing techniques used. For example, men have stronger ligamental supports, larger faces, heavier necks, and more vascular skin. The latter reason is why men generally bleed more profusely during cosmetic facelift surgery. As a result, there is an increased risk of post-operative hematoma. Conversely, the facial skin of a man is less prone to bruising and heals faster because it is thicker.

For men, the presence of facial hair requires that different surgical anchoring techniques be used to make sure that the sideburns and beard don’t shift from their normal position. Even more important, the surgeon must take special care not to leave the male patient with a feminizing result. The surgeon also must be careful when suturing the male patient to prevent noticeable scarring.

Because of their heavier neck and facial features men aren’t usually considered to be the best candidates for mini-lift procedures in which the best results tend to be found on female patients.

Real Men Do Have Facelifts

Physical differences aside, an estimated 20 percent of facelift patients are men and that trend is expected to continue well into the next decade. No longer is there a stigma associated with men having facelift or necklift surgery to improve personal appearance. But since there are important physical differences between the sexes, physicians are ever mindful of the “masculine side” to cosmetic facelift surgery.

Talk with a board certified facial plastic surgeon in New York to see if you might be a good candidate for a cosmetic facelift or other facial procedure.

Dr. Philip Miller is a board certified facial plastic surgeon with offices located at 60 East 56th, Third Floor, New York, N.Y. Call (646) 791-3025for a personal consultation.

Traditional Neck Lift and Face Lift surgery can be performed as stand-alone procedures or together at our New York facial plastic surgery office. In fact, surgeons look at them as sister procedures, as they both address the lower half of the face, the chin, neck, and jowls. But which is right for you?

A Tale of Two Chins

It depends on the patient’s unique cosmetic issues and desired results whether he or she decides to get a neck lift, face lift, or combination procedure.

The traditional neck lift resolves the related problems of a “double chin” and “turkey neck” by surgically removing the excess loose fat and skin on the neck. The neck muscles are then tightened and lifted to reduce sagging and “banding.” Excess fat is removed using liposuction as an adjunct procedure. To learn more about neck lift, visit clinicaltrials.gov

Two Procedures: Same Difference

Lower face lift surgery, like the popular neck lift, addresses more pronounced cosmetic issues with the chin and jowls as well as the lower cheek area. Its focus is on the middle and lower face to eliminate excess fat and skin on the cheeks, jaw line, and nasolabial folds. These are age-related deep lines which form on either side of the nose when the skin has lost a sufficient supply of collagen to keep the facial skin moist and supple. The deeper the nasolabial folds, the older one’s facial appearance.

Neck Lift vs Face Lift: Which One to Choose?

Challenges of a Dual Facial Plastic Surgery Procedure

The basic distinction between the two procedures is that the neck lift improves the appearance of the lower jaw line and neck, while the lower face lift focuses on the lower third of the face and neck. Though both procedures can be performed in isolation, there is a large degree of overlap which makes them an excellent dual procedure.

In fact, some plastic surgeons see no difference in either procedure and consider them to be one and the same in terms of results. Both correct the problem of excess fat in the neck and jaw line leading to the appearance of vertical lines – Granny Lines – from the chin to the chest. They also remove droopy jowls as well as tighten and smooth the jaw line for a rejuvenated look.

Whichever procedure you choose to have done, be sure to talk with a board certified facial plastic surgeon in personal consultation. This will help you better define – and refine – your cosmetic goals and anticipated results.

Dr. Philip Miller is a board certified facial plastic surgeon with offices located at 60 East 56th, Third Floor, New York, N.Y. Call (646) 791-3025for a personal consultation.

Next, learn How to be a Great Candidate for a Facelift

Cold and flu season is probably not the ideal time to undergo cosmetic rhinoplasty surgery. The patient may only feel worse as the incisions heal and the nose structures recover from the trauma of surgery. A feeling of congestion and stuffiness is common after rhinoplasty, and this may be intensified with a cold.

While most surgeons agree that developing a cold or the flu won’t impact the results of surgery, patients who have contracted an upper respiratory infection should probably postpone surgery until they’ve fully recovered.

Any plastic surgeon in NYC experienced in nasal surgery will more than likely not perform the procedure while the patient is sick with an upper respiratory infection. It’s good common practice that will reduce the risk of complications.

Not a Pleasant Experience

Still, coming down with the cold or the flu, bronchitis, or viral pneumonia isn’t pleasant. The coughing, sneezing, fever and body aches associated with these head and lung illnesses are uncomfortable at best. The sinuses will be congested and the nose will be swollen and red from the constant wiping away of post-nasal drip.

Imagine how much more unpleasant the experience will be if you’re sick AND recovering from rhinoplasty surgery.

The doctor may prescribe an antibiotic or recommend a cold or flu medicine to ease the symptoms.

Some Common Sense Practices

If you’re sick with the common cold or flu, your nose will be draining mucus almost nonstop. If you’re recovering from rhinoplasty, never rub or wipe your nose hard with a tissue or handkerchief as this may irritate and inflame the suture lines and wound areas. Instead, gently dab away the nasal drip until the nose is completely dry. Also, gently irrigate the nose with a warm saline solution to reduce the viral load, which will help your symptoms clear up faster.

Doctor Knows Best

Patients waiting in line for cosmetic nose surgery are generally an antsy bunch. The thought of having to put off surgery for a week or longer because of some pesky cold or flu virus can be upsetting to them. Even so, never minimize the severity of your condition with your rhinoplasty surgeon. Let your physician decide whether it is safe to proceed.  Your doctor most likely will give the green light if all you have is a simple head cold. But if you’ve developed a more serious upper respiratory infection, don’t blow it and be sure to tell your surgeon right away.

Dr. Philip Miller is a board certified facial plastic surgeon in New York City with offices located at 60 East 56th, Third Floor, New York, N.Y. Contact our office at (646) 791-3025 for a personal consultation.

The amazing thing about rhinoplasty surgery is that it is capable of fixing even some of the most difficult nasal deformities. This includes a twisted or crooked nose.

Having a nose that appears bent may be the result of an injury or surgical error. However, some people are born with an overly angular nose. No matter what the cause of the problem, whether congenital or acquired, cosmetic nose surgery in the hands of an experienced facial plastic surgeon in NYC can correct the problem.

Anatomy of a Twisted Nose

When the nose appears twisted it’s likely because the nasal bones or cartilage inside the nose are also twisted. The interior tension caused by the deformity may push the tip of the nose toward the face at a downward angle, or it may cause an over-projection of the nose from the face. The nasal bridge may also bend to the left or to the right.

The type of rhinoplasty procedure used depends on how much surgical correction is needed. There are many techniques, including cartilage grafting and osteotomy, to correct the basic symmetry and nose angulation. Refinements to the bridge or tip of the nose can be made using one or more techniques. The delicate nasal bones may be cut and reset in order to correct and improve the nasal profile.

The surgeon may recommend less invasive suturing or camouflaging techniques to lessen the appearance of nasal deviation.

Your New York Nose Surgeon Knows Best

While there is no such thing as a perfectly straight nose, the surgeon will make every effort to achieve a perfect result. It will require a thorough evaluation of the basic symmetry of the patient’s face prior to surgery and determining the full extent of nasal or septal deviation. The choice of procedure depends on which part of the nose is twisted.

It’s generally easier to correct a crooked nose caused by trauma than it is to fix a congenitally twisted nose where certain internal tissues or structures may be undersized or absent.

In sum, rhinoplasty is one of the most difficult corrective surgeries to perform and fixing a twisted nose is one of the most difficult sub-categories of procedures. Talk with a board certified facial plastic surgeon experienced in rhinoplasty to find out if you are a candidate for nose surgery.

Dr. Philip Miller is a board certified facial plastic surgeon with offices located at 60 East 56th, Third Floor, New York, N.Y. Call (646) 791-3025for a personal consultation.

Next, read about The Effects of a Rhinoplasty with the Common Cold