FACELIFT
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, addresses the lower two-thirds of the face to maintain a naturally beautiful face, neck, and jawline. While it does not stop the aging process itself, it does reset the starting point for natural aging. Depending on the patient’s skin quality, a facelift may last anywhere from five to ten years.
Is a Facelift Right for Me?
It may be confusing if you are looking to find the best surgeon to perform your procedure, as there can be a wide range of accreditations and certifications that represent certain benchmarks of education and experience in the field. However, The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is the only board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) to certify surgeons in plastic and reconstructive surgery.
In order to become certified with the American Board of Plastic Surgery, a physician must:
- Have graduated from an accredited Medical School
- Completed at least 5 years of surgical training following medical school, with a minimum of 2 years of plastic surgery residency training
- Pass comprehensive oral and written exams
Dr. Nitta is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with the ABPS. In addition, she also has her board certification in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, providing her with additional knowledge and expertise to apply to her practice.
The Procedure
Recovery
Brow Lift
A brow lift, or forehead lift, is a procedure that lifts the eyebrows, resulting in a refreshed appearance to the forehead and the area surrounding the eyes.
Is a Brow Lift Right for Me?
One of the most popular procedures for both men and women, a brow lift works by lifting the eyebrows, removing the weight off the upper eyelids. As a result, the procedure softens the horizontal forehead lines, the frown line, and the furrows between the eyebrows. It also reduces lateral hooding and softens crow’s feet. In women, it will restore and enhance the shape of the eyebrow.
Many patients choose to do this in conjunction with eyelid surgery, which complements the effects of a brow lift nicely.
The Procedure
Recovery
EAR SURGERY
Otoplasty is the clinical word for ear surgery of the external ear. It is commonly performed on children and teenagers with overly prominent ears. The procedure sets the ears back closer to the head so that they do not stick out. While big ears are not a medical problem, the teasing and ridicule that can occur may create problems all their own. The surgery can be done in patients as young as seven years old to help dramatically improve self-esteem and quality of life.
The Procedure
The surgery takes approximately 2-3 hours, and generally requires a single incision behind each ear. It is performed as an outpatient procedure in a surgical facility.
Dr. Nitta performs all varieties of ear reconstruction in her private practice, as well as with her volunteer work in Ecuador. She is Board-Certified in both Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose and Throat) and Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, providing her with excellent expertise and knowledge of all aspects of the ear.
Recovery
RHINOPLASTY
Commonly known as a nose job, a rhinoplasty is a procedure performed in order to change the shape, size, and appearance of your nose. It may involve reducing a hump, straightening an otherwise crooked or broken nose, or making the tip of the nose smaller. If you are unhappy with the outward appearance of your nose and are looking for an improvement, a rhinoplasty procedure may be a good choice.
Is a Rhinoplasty Surgery Right for Me?
Before discussing the outside of the nose, there are two other important factors to evaluate; the inside of the nose and the chin. If you have difficulty breathing through your nose then there may be an obstruction of the air passage due to a twisted septum or enlarged turbinates. Surgery may be needed to clear the obstruction so that the airways do not become too small. The chin is another important factor in the aesthetic appearance of the nose. If the chin is small or weak, the nose may appear to be larger than it really is. In these cases, a chin implant is recommended to achieve better facial harmony.
The best candidates for a rhinoplasty are people who are looking for improvement in their appearance, not perfection. Dr. Nitta will help discuss your options to achieve a realistic expectation of your results. If you are a smoker, you are not a candidate for this procedure.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF RHINOPLASTY
Open Rhinoplasty
Closed Rhinoplasty
Secondary Rhinoplasty
A Word on Filler Rhinoplasty
Which Is Right for You?
The Procedure
Recovery
After the procedure, your nose will be packed and you will have a splint on the surface of your nose. The packing is removed after 5 days, and the splint after one week. Immediately after the splint is removed, your nose will begin to swell. You will be given flesh-colored tape to place on your nose. The initial swelling will decrease by about 70% in two months, though it will take at least a year before all of the swelling has resolved. The appearance of the nose will continue to change for about one year.
Patience is a virtue for this surgery, but for many patients, the resulting confidence in their improved appearance is well worth it.
EYELID SURGERY
A blepharoplasty, or eyelid lift surgery, refreshes the eyes to give a more youthful appearance, and it’s one of the most desired surgical procedures among men and women of any age. The procedure can be performed on either the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both, and will immediately rejuvenate the appearance of your eyes and refresh your face.
Is a Eyelid Surgery Right for Me?
Excess skin and fat in the upper and lower eyelids may give the appearance of looking tired, having puffy eyes, or looking older.
A blepharoplasty can be performed at any age, when excess skin and fat in the eyelids negatively affects the appearance. Hereditary factors usually determine when eyelid surgery may be most beneficial. Examples of hereditary factors can include excessive fat in the lower lids and the rate at which the brow drops over the course of aging. An eyelid lift is often combined with a brow lift when a droopy eyebrow is a contributing factor to the eyelid.
The Procedure
Recovery
Recovery from a lower eyelid lift is a bit different. All sutures are dissolvable. There may be more bruising and swelling. 70% of the swelling will be resolved within one month; however, it may take up to 8 months for the swelling to be completely gone. Despite the swelling, there is an immediate visible improvement.
LIP AUGMENTATION
Lip augmentation refers to improving the visual plumpness or fullness of the lips. When considering lip augmentation, it’s important to know that there is no technique that is totally permanent, though there are some procedures that last longer than most.
Non-Invasive
For a minimally invasive lip augmentation, facial aesthetic fillers such as Juvéderm® are a great option. Results last anywhere from 4-9 months.
Surgical
A surgical option is to use your own tissue. It is a procedure that transplants dermis, fascia and/or fat to the lips. Dr. Nitta prefers using a dermal fat graft for larger augmentations. Approximately 70% of the graft becomes incorporated into the lip, making it a more permanent solution. Fat injections can also be used, with a 50% incorporation rate. The grafts will eventually shrink with time. The lips lose fat