The Impact of Upper & Lower Blepharoplasty on Facelift Results

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As I complete my one year follow-up on rhytidectomy or facelift, I am impressed by the impact of the combination of upper and lower blepharoplasty on these results.

To evaluate an upper blepharoplasty: look at the amount of skin that "hangs" over or toward the lash line. Only a minimal amount of skin needs to be resected with the incsion best placed in the eyelid crease to hide the incision. Removal of this skin eliminates the "hooding" and allows the eyes to appear more open and well rested.

To evaluate a lower blepharoplasty: examine the lower lid fat pads or "bags" that can easily be treated by removing a small amount of fat from these lower lids. Removal of this fat reduces the "puffiness" of the lower lids and prevents a cast of a shadow on the cheek allowing the eyes to appear more well rested.

These improvements are also readiy apparent when the upper and lower eyelids are viewed in profile.

While the improvement in the appearance in the eyelids are significant in themselves alone, the effect is mangified to a greater extent when used in conjunction with a facelift to elevate the cheek, define the jowls, and improve the neckline.

When viewed from the frontal view the eyes appear awake, alert, and rested from the blepharoplasty. The cheek, jowls, and neck are youthfully restored from the facelift or rhytidectomy.

It is truly a pleasure to perform this powerful combination of procedures together so that small subtle changes can sum to acheive one large dramtic change in the youthful appearance of the face.

Liposuction of the Upper Arm & Bra Line

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Liposuction of the Upper Arm & Bra Line

Frequently women come to the office for consultation and say, “Dr. Dickinson, no matter how hard I exercise, the fat on the back of my upper arm and bra line persists. I become self conscious of this when I wear a bikini or strapless dress. Can liposuction help?”

Liposuction of the upper arm and bra fat can be very rewarding to the patient who is the right candidate. Great candidates for liposuction have localized deposits of fat that are more resistant to diet and exercise compared to the rest of their body.

Significant changes after liposuction can be readily seen within 4 weeks post-operatively and continue to improve over many months and stabilize at one year. It is not uncommon for me to see women who are very self assurred, successful, and accomplished although they may feel limited by the clothing they can wear beause of fat they can not get rid of.

This patient is very happy with her results 4 weeks after liposuction of her upper arms and bra fat.

The Facelift & Necklift Improves the Appearance of the Eyes

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I review my facelift and necklift results in order to learn and improve. Frequently, I notice a youthful change in the appearance of the eyes without a single procedure being done to either the upper or lower eyelid.

I attribute this change to the repositioning of the cheek fat pad or malar fat pad back to the normal anatomical or pre-aged position. This restoration of volume not only recreates harmony to the lower eyelid and tear trough, but also improves the position and contour of the upper eyelid and seems to affect the overall aperture.

It is a pleasure to see a very attractive person pre-operatively become a very well rested appearing individual post-operatively. It is rewarding when patients have a difficult time holding back their smile in their post-operative photos. This makes me very happy.

Brian P. Dickinson, M.D.

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Facial Rejuvenation Procedures and CO2 LASERS

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CO2 LASER for Fine Lines and Skin Resurfacing in Conjunction with Facelift and Blepharoplasty.

Now that the summer months have ended, more women in Orange County and Los Angeles are talking about facelifts. These women are planning their facelifts in the fall and winter months to come.

Facial rejuvenation surgery is enjoyable for me from both a technical standpoint as well as the individuality of each case as it pertains to the patient. Some women require the lower third of the face to be addressed, others the midface, and some the brow and eyelids. Recently, I have appreciated the power of CO2 LASERS in many aspects facial rejuvenation.

I have had great success with the Mixto CO2 laser as it can improve the fine lines of the lower eyelid, the crow’s feet, and the fine vertical lines around the mouth. The CO2 laser effectively tightens and improves the quality of the lower eyelid skin, and in some cases obviates the need for a lower blepharoplasty. The CO2 laser has proven to be very powerful for improving pigment changes secondary to sun exposure and sun spots known as seborrheic keratosis. This patient is very happy with her results 4 months post-operatively from facelift, upper blepharoplasty, and CO2 laser to the lower eyelids and peri-oral rhytids.

Brian P. Dickinson, M.D.

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