Blepharoplasty
This procedure improves drooping upper eyelid skin and bags of the lower eyelids. These problems often give a tired or sad appearance and may interfere with vision. Improvement is accomplished in the upper lid by removing excess skin, muscle and fat. In the lower lid often times only fat must be removed. When only fat is removed from the lower lid, a transconjunctival approach can be done with no outside incision or visible scar. The upper eyelid scar is usually barely visible and mostly hidden in the crease. Minimal if any pain and quick recovery are common. Uppers or lowers can be done separately or more commonly together.
Recovery:
Rest for 2 days, and sutures out, if needed, in 5 days. You can return to work and begin driving again within 4-7 days. Bruising and swelling is mostly gone within 7-10 days. Faster recovery is common in some cases, especially when just upper lids are done, or when the transconjunctival lower lid approach is used. You may resume vigorous exercise or work in 3-4 weeks.
Brow Lift(Forehead Lift)
The goal of this procedure is to improve low or drooping eyebrows and resulting "hooding," fullness, and thickness immediately above the eyes. Frown lines between the eyebrows are reduced, and smoothening of the forehead can also be accomplished to some extent. This is done by redraping the forehead/brow skin and muscle as well as by removing frown muscles. This can be achieved in several different ways depending on the location of the patient’s hairline and extent of the problem. Sometimes an endoscope can be used with minimal incisions in mild to moderate cases or to just remove frown muscles. This procedure is often combined with eyelid surgery or facelift.
Recovery:
Return to work with make up within 7-10 days after surgery. Bruising is gone between 1-2 weeks. You can resume strenuous work or exercise in 4-6 weeks.
Face Lift
As people age, the effects of gravity, exposure to the sun, and the stresses of daily life can be seen in their faces. Folds of skin, underlying muscle and fat appear in the lower face and neck while a hollow ness occurs in the mid face. A facelift (technically known as rhytidectomy) can "set back the clock," improving the most visible signs of aging by removing excess fat, repositioning needed fat, tightening underlying muscles, and redraping the skin to sculpt your face and neck. A Facelift is very commonly done at the same sitting with laser resurfacing, forehead lift, eyelid surgery, nasal surgery or chin implant. Although some of the effects will last forever, in most cases, a repeat facelift may be requested in 5-10 yrs.
Facelift Goal:
Improve visible signs of aging in the lower face and neck. The principle problem areas include loss of jaw line definition with jowl formation and sagging loose skin, fat and muscle under the chin and neck. This is accomplished by correcting the underlying SMAS and muscle layers along with fat sculpting and tightening of skin. Sometimes the skin only needs tightening. Wrinkles and lines of the face are treated with laser resurfacing.
Men and Women with early signs of aging in the lower face and upper neck are the best candidates for this procedure, despite fairly good remaining skin elasticity and bone structure. These early signs begin around the age of 40. Excellent facelifts are accomplished in people much older as well. The operation is customized according to the problems that exist.
Recovery:
Return to work with make-up in 7-10 days, with most bruising gone in 10-14 days. Recovery can take longer if combined with other procedures, and strenuous activity and exercise should not take place for 4-6 weeks after surgery.
Lip Enhancement
More Information Coming Soon...
MidFace Lift
More Information Coming Soon...
Otoplasty
Having an Otoplasty rotates the ears back towards the head, reshape and fold where indicated, and reduce size if necessary. The incision is usually made in the crease behind the ear only. Males or females who are unhappy with their ears that appear too prominent, misshapen, or protruding are the best candidates, and 5 ½ years old is the youngest age to have this procedure performed.
Recovery:
A dressing is worn for 4 to 7 days. Sutures may come out and return to work or school is permitted in approximately 7 days.
Rhinoplasty A Rhinoplasty is used to improve the shape or size of the nose by one or more maneuvers: removing hump, raising or lowering the bridge, changing tip shape, size or projection, narrowing the nostrils, and/or changing the angle between the nose and upper lip. Breathing problems may be corrected at the same time if needed. Chin size may also require correction, usually enlargement with a chin implant. Incisions for Rhinoplasty are mostly inside the nose and chin implants are inside the mouth.
This procedure is best for the patient whose nose is too big or the wrong shape for their face. The patient must be psychologically stable and realistic concerning the results. Computer imaging is often helpful, and 15 is usually the youngest age to have this procedure.
Recovery:
Packing is rarely needed, and an external splint is worn for 7 days. Mild bruising and moderate to severe swelling are much improved in one week. Most swelling is gone and make up can be worn at one week when the splint is removed.
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Dr. Voci began performing Laser Resurfacing in 1994 to treat lines, wrinkles, and scars of the face. The Laser removes ultra thin layers of skin, leaving the skin replenished with new tighter smoother skin while adding new collagen and elasticity. Wrinkles and lines can be improved by 80-90%, and scars are improved by 40-60%.
Men or women with a fair complexion, nonsensitive, nondry skin, and who vow to sun protect and follow instructions carefully are the best candidates for this procedure. Facial segments such as around the eyes or mouth can be done or the entire face. Lower eyelid resurfacing for lines under the eyes, done at the same time as transconjunctival blepharoplasty for bags is an excellent combination. Whole face resurfacing and facelifts must be separated by 6-8 weeks. However, facelifts can be done at the same sitting as resurfacing around the eyes and/or mouth.
Recovery:
There is very little, if any, discomfort, however, this procedure is very high maintenance in the first 2 weeks. Make up is used to cover pinkness and most patients are back to work in 2 weeks. Some cases may even be back to work sooner!
Injectibles
Botox®
Although Botox® has been used by ophthalmologists for more than a decade for muscle problems around the eye, it is now used for cosmetic improvement. Voci·Center was the first Plastic Surgery practice in Charlotte to offer Botox over 10 years ago. When Botox (Botulinum A toxin) is injected into the small muscles causing expression lines on the face and neck, it can dramatically reduce lines and wrinkles. Although Botox is not permanent it can last for three to six months, causing the wrinkles to appear to be gone or reduced when in repose and in animation. Best results are seen when used in the glabella area (between eyebrows), forehead, and the crow’s feet.
Juvederm
Juvederm, produced by the same makers of BOTOX, is the newest, extremely successful, dermal filler on the market. Juvederm can be injected into Nasolabial folds, Oral Commissures, Vertical Lip lines, and Lips, creating the younger look you’ve desired. It has been proven that Juvederm can last up to 6 months or more!
Radiesse
Radiesse is a dermal filler that delivers natural looking results in nasolabial folds. It is not recommended for use in the lips, but can give you the youthful appearance you desire when injected into wrinkles. Results are seen almost immediately, and can last up to a year or more!
Restylane
Plastic Surgeons, and dermatologists have used Restylane since 1996. Restylane is dermal filler, which restores volume and fullness to the skin, correcting facial wrinkles, and folds. Not only can it lessen the signs of aging, but also when injected into the lips, it can provide a fuller, plumper look that gives you the smile you’ve always wanted. Restylane generally lasts for approximately 6 months!
Sculptura
Sculptura is used to correct the signs of facial fat loss. It is injected below the surface of the skin in areas of volume loss, and creates a steady increase in the thickness of skin. Sculptura can help you to achieve a fuller, more youthful, facial appearance, and the results can last up to 2 years!
