Facial Aesthetics

Facial plastic surgery is a popular choice for those seeking to enhance their appearance and address various concerns.

There are several types of facial procedures:

  • Rhinoplasty for nasal asymmetry and breathing difficulties

  • Facelifts to reduce signs of aging and sagging skin

  • Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) to correct drooping eyelids and improve vision

  • Split earlobe repair to fix torn or stretched earlobes

These procedures can often be combined, such as a facelift with blepharoplasty, to achieve a comprehensive rejuvenation.

  • The transfer of autologous fat (from the patient’s body) or lipostructure is also known as fat grafting, lipofilling or lipomodelling. It allows the patient’s own fat to be transferred to fill another part of the body or increase an area, such as the buttocks, breasts or restore the lost volume on the face.

    Operating Procedure

    Local anaesthesia, combined with sedation, or a general anaesthetic, will be used depending on the size of the area to be treated. Sampling from the fatty area is done using a very fine suction cannula. This tissue will be treated and filtered so that the intact fat cells can be used. Reinjection is done using micro-cannulas that leave minimal scarring. The procedure will last between 30–90 minutes. It will be performed on an outpatient basis and sometimes combined with another intervention, such as cervico-facial lifting or the fitting of breast implants.

    Post Operation

    The discomfort should be bearable, with bruising or swelling that subsides within 10–15 days. There should be no sun exposure for at least two weeks. There will be visible results about 2–3 weeks after the operation, even if it will not be complete until after two months, when an improvement in the texture and elasticity of the skin will be seen. Sometimes a second operation may be necessary in the event of significant volume losses.

    *During your consultation, Dr Ratner will show you examples of before and after cases.

  • The neck begins to relax at the age of 40 years and neck surgery will correct this sagging skin, whether or not it is associated with excess fat under the chin and in the jowls. For an isolated double chin, and if the skin there is of good quality and elastic, the surgeon can perform a simple liposuction for a harmonious retraction. Local anaesthesia and sedation are used on an outpatient basis. If there is significant sagging skin, a cervico-facial lift is necessary to rejuvenate both the neck, the lower third of the face and the cheeks. The cervico-facial lift, or face and neck lift, corrects sagging skin and underlying structures, both in the neck and in the middle and lower third of the face. Dr Ratner will redraw the lower third of the face, and the neck and chin angle. The aim is not to change the shape and appearance of the face but, on the contrary, to give the face a rejuvenated, fresh and firm appearance as it was a few years earlier.

    Operating Procedure

    This is an outpatient surgery under general anaesthetic that lasts between 1.5–2.5 hours, depending on the importance of the gestures and the corrections made. The very discreet scars are located in the scalp, and inside and behind the ear, where they are placed in the natural folds. They are also located at the level of the posterior scalp. This intervention will replace tension the muscles and the structures under the skin. In addition, so that the skin will be redraped over the new curves, thanks to an effective and discreet surgical procedure. The skin then follows, without unnatural or excessive tension, over the “sub structure”. The result will be both natural and lasting. Effective surgery will not only result in correcting the sagging, but also improve associated psychological distress the patient may have had pre-surgery. If excess fat needs to be corrected, it will be treated at the same time with liposuction. However, if the face is emaciated, an injection of fat will remedy this.

    Post Operation

    The patient will leave the operating room with a bandage around the head which should be kept for three days, until the follow-up appointment. During the first five post-operative days, the application of cold arnica gel and keeping the head raised at night, will help prevent and reduce bruising and inflammation. The bruises and swelling will disappear within about ten days. During the first ten days, the patient must rest as much as possible and avoid any violent exertion. Sun exposure for two weeks and intense sport should be avoided. After 1–3 months, the patient will get a good idea of ​​the final result. However, the scars will still be slightly pink and hard, and they will not fade until about the sixth month. Although complications from this operation are rare, the patient should be aware that a hematoma, skin pain, nerve damage or changes in sensitivity may occur. This procedure can be completed at the same time or at a later date, with further treatment, such as dermabrasion, peeling, injections of hyaluronic acid, or injections of botulinum toxin, or surgery, such as a fat graft, blepharoplasty or mentoplasty (chin surgery). These will all improve the process of facial rejuvenation by acting on areas that a facelift cannot correct. If the patient’s wishes are realistic, then they should be very satisfied with the results.

    *During your consultation, Dr Ratner will show you examples of before and after cases.

  • Split or torn earlobes are common issues that arise from accidents, long-term wear of heavy earrings, or even as a result of genetic predisposition. These types of earlobe damages can significantly affect an individual's self-esteem and comfort, restricting the types of jewelry one can wear. Our specialized earlobe repair procedure is designed to restore the natural shape and integrity of the earlobes, allowing for a seamless and aesthetically pleasing appearance. This minimally invasive procedure is tailored to each patient's specific needs, whether it involves correcting one earlobe to achieve symmetry or addressing both. The result is beautifully healed earlobes that offer the freedom to wear earrings again, with confidence in their appearance and strength. Our expert team ensures that the process is straightforward, effective, and produces results that blend naturally with the surrounding tissue, prioritizing your satisfaction and comfort.

    Operating Procedure

    The procedure is performed in the operating room or office under local anaesthetic, on an outpatient basis. The split ear lobe edges are recut a d freshened up and closed ensuring no notching or dimpling. The operation lasts 30 minutes.

    Post Operation

    A dressing will remain in place for 24 hours. Sutures will be removed in our office approximately 2 weeks after your procedure. The procedure and post-procedure are relatively painless.

    Otoplasty, or protruding ears surgery, will correct the shape and position of the ear flaps. It is intended for patients who are not happy with the size and appearance of their ears. Sometimes this means correcting only one ear, if there is an asymmetry. The symmetry of tightly glued ears that will be achieved, by reshaping the cartilage to ensure a natural size and appearance. It can be carried out on children, who wish it, from the age of seven years.

    Operating Procedure

    The procedure is performed in the operating room under local anaesthetic, with sedation, on an outpatient basis. The incision, in a natural fold behind the ear, remains very discreet without a haircut. The operation lasts between 30–40 minutes.

    Post Operation

    An elastic bandage to be worn for 24 hours after the procedure and this will be replaced by a tennis head band for eight days. The pain is quite bearable, and the first results are visible immediately, although the ears can sometimes be swollen and show some bruising. But to appreciate the final result, it will take between 1–2 months, depending on the rate of healing of the patient. For a month, physical or sports activities with risk of contact must be avoided. At first, the ears will be sensitive to extreme cold.

    *During your consultation, Dr Ratner will show you examples of before and after cases.

  • Blepharoplasty, or cosmetic eyelid surgery, is primarily intended for patients, men or women, whose eyelids tend to sag over time as they age. However, it can also involve a hereditary defect such as bags under the eyes. The doctor can treat either the two upper or lower eyelids, or on all four eyelids at the same time. This operation will decrease the signs of ageing on the eyelids. It will replace the tired look of the eyes, or the wrinkled appearance of the eyelids, to provide a more rested and relaxed appearance. This usually involves removing excess skin from the upper or lower eyelids. Blepharoplasty can also remove fatty bulges on the eyelids.

    Operating Procedure

    If it is the upper eyelids, a local anaesthetic, combined with sedation will be used. However, for surgery of the lower eyelids or that of all four eyelids, a short general anaesthetic is required. The procedure from 30–90 minutes, depending on what is involved, and it is performed on an outpatient basis. The incisions are concealed in the natural folds and the very fine sutures are withdrawn after 5–6 days. The operation on the isolated pockets of the lower eyelids will not leave any scars, the incisions being made inside the eyelids. Small self-adhesive strips on the skin of the operated eyelids are the final dressing that should be kept for a few days.

    Post Operation

    Homeopathic treatment will be prescribed. Extreme exercise should be avoided, and the head should not be tilted forward to reduce the risk of bruising. The patient can shower from the first evening and wear sunglasses when leaving the clinic. There will be minor pain with occasional discomfort, and a feeling of tension in the eyelids. To appreciate the results, the patient will have to wait between 3–6 months: this is the time required for the tissues to regain their flexibility and for the scars to fade. Generally, the results of a blepharoplasty are among the most lasting of cosmetic surgery. The pockets are almost completely removed, and they never recur. Finally, you should know that blepharoplasty can be associated with a cervico-facial lifting or be supplemented by other procedures such as peeling, dermabrasion, injections of hyaluronic acid or botulinum toxin. And this can take place during the same procedure.

    *During your consultation, Dr Ratner will show you examples of before and after cases.

  • Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that changes the shape of the nose for cosmetic purposes. However, it can also correct nasal breathing problems caused by the deviation of the septum. It can be done to improve any irregularities of the nose by reshaping a hook nose, the tip or the nostrils, or by correcting the angle between the nose and the upper lip. It can also be to remedy deformations due to an accident. Nasal surgery cannot be considered before the age of 18 years, until the facial bones have stopped growing. The pre-operative consultations will allow the doctor to assess the patient’s psychological profile and personality. This will ensure the doctor can respond efficiently to the patient’s requests. The aim of the surgery will be to obtain a natural-looking nose, harmonizing with the other facial features.

    Operating procedure

    Performed under general anaesthetic, rhinoplasty lasts about one hour, on an outpatient basis. The incisions are made most often inside the nose, and sometimes outside, at the level of the columella. A supporting plaster splint will protect the patient’s nose after the operation. The splint may extend up to the forehead and will be kept for a week.

    Post operation

    The swelling may persist for a few days, with minimal bruising around the eyes. Rest, absence of sun exposure and no smoking should be observed for the first two weeks. Sport or extreme sporting activities should be avoided for one month. It will take between 6–12 months year of slow and subtle development before the final result can be fully appreciated. Complications are rare.

    *During your consultation, Dr Ratner will show you examples of before and after cases.

  • Mentoplasty or genioplasty is surgery that reduces or increases the size of the chin but can also be used to change its shape or position. In the case of an augmentation, the bony chin can be advanced using either a hard silicone implant or localized injections of the patient’s fat or hyaluronic acid. It often involves performing a mentoplasty as part of a rhinoplasty to restore a face to true harmony. It can also be a complement to a facelift to improve the profile and contour of the face.

    Operating Procedure

    Genioplasty requires a short-term general anaesthetic performed on an outpatient basis. There will be no external scar since the incision is made inside the mouth.

    Post Operation

    There is sometimes moderate swelling of the lower lip as well as the neck and temporary local numbness. Excellent oral hygiene with mouthwashes is essential.

    *During your consultation, Dr Ratner will show you examples of before and after cases.

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