Facial Cosmetic Surgery in Baltimore, Maryland: Facelift and More

Although the sagging of jowls and eyebrows is a natural part of the aging process, these features can make you look older than your chronological age. In addition, the drooping of upper eyelid skin and the puffing out of fat under the lower lid can give you a chronic tired look when in fact you feel quite energetic. The patients that visit us and have facial surgery in our Baltimore, Maryland office report that facelift, eyelid surgery, and neck contouring have proven to be a few of the tried and true solutions to these problems. These procedures rejuvenate the face, brow and eyelids and can freshen your appearance so you look as good as you feel. In addition, the use of our medically supervised skin care program before and after surgery will maximize the appearance and quality of the surface of your facial skin.

Facelift, as well as these other facial procedures, is popular in Baltimore, Maryland among both male and female patients. Our personal philosophy with facial cosmetic surgery in particular is to make you look better and younger. Our goal is not to make you appear different or “operated upon.” The highest compliment my patients (and our practice) can receive from their friends and neighbors after facial cosmetic surgery is that they look well rested, must have lost some weight, or must be very happy because they look so great! Often facial cosmetic procedures, including facelift, are performed in our Baltimore, Maryland surgical suite alone or in combination with other procedures such as liposuction, hair restoration, or breast augmentation.

We look forward to answering your questions about facelift and other procedures provided by our Baltimore, Maryland practice. We are available to meet with you personally so that you will be fully informed about the procedures, alternatives, and risks.

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Facelift
Baltimore, Maryland

Any of a number of factors can cause facial skin to sag or droop: excessive sun exposure, the aging process, changes in weight. Such wrinkles and jowls can make you look much older than you really are and how you feel. Facelift is a surgical procedure that can give you a smoother, more youthful appearance with long-lasting results. Here's how it works:

Length: 1 - 5 hours (this applies to all facial procedures)
Anesthesia: IV Sedation
In Patient/Out Patient: Out patient
Potential Side Effects/Risks: Bruising, numbness, muscle weakness and nerve weakness
Principal Benefits: More youthful, alert appearance

Facelift

We also offer another type of facelift, called the S-Lift. This procedure, which is performed under iv sedation, is designed to correct sagging in the lower two-thirds of the face, particularly in the chin and neck. The S-lift is performed using shorter incisions, is less invasive, and is performed in half the time. The postoperative course involves less swelling and less discomfort, and it also offers a shorter recovery time than traditional facelift. The procedure is not for all patients but for those who are good candidates the results are terrific. The best patients for the S-lift facelift are those who have mild or moderate sagging of the cheek and neck skin and those who have minimal to no excess fat in their face. The procedure is especially good for individuals who have limited time to recuperate but desire a method to significantly freshen their appearance.

S-Lift

If you live in or near Baltimore, Maryland and would like to learn more about facelift, please contact the office of Dr. James Vogel today.

I do not want to look like I had a facelift or appear tightly pulled; can I obtain a natural look?

Absolutely! My goal is to have patients appear younger and refreshed, not "operated upon." The technique I use for the procedure pulls deep layers and does not require tight skin stretching. I encourage patients to bring photos of themselves taken 15 years ago to the consultation. This serves as an important starting point for the planning of the procedure.

How long does a facelift usually last?

Depending on the patient's age, health, smoking history and skin type, a facelift's results should last ten years. However, the facelift can be thought of as lasting forever in that individuals who undergo a facelift will always look better having had the procedure than not.

Will a facelift help if I have a lot of facial wrinkles?

A facelift itself is not entirely effective against very fine facial lines. In addition to a facelift, you might need laser resurfacing, dermabrasion and/or fat augmentation.

Do men commonly get facelifts, and are there any special concerns?

Yes, men commonly have facelifts with terrific success. A man's face has more blood vessels than a woman because of the male beard. Therefore, there can be a higher incidence of postoperative bleeding. Also, the bearded skin is pulled closer to the ear and behind the ear so shaving will be necessary in those areas.

What is recovery like following a facelift?

You will have only moderate soreness for a few days, but this will improve quickly thereafter. A tight feeling will persist for a few weeks. Numbness of the face will persist to some degree for several months. Most people take off about 2-3 weeks from work to recuperate.

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Eyelid Surgery
Baltimore, Maryland

Excess fat and skin on the upper and lower eyelids can make you look tired or much older than you are. The medical term for eyelid surgery is blepharoplasty. Blepharoplasty is an eyelid surgery designed to reduce the signs of aging around the eyes and can take years off your face through the removal of protruding fat and hanging eyelid skin.

Here is some additional information about eyelid surgery:

In our Baltimore, Maryland practice, blepharoplasty is often performed in conjunction with brow elevation and facelift surgery.

Prior to deciding to have surgery, our patients are encouraged to consult their ophthalmologists or optometrists to ensure there are not any undetected underlying visual or dryness problems. You will have only moderate soreness for a few days, but this improves quickly thereafter. Most people take off about 7 days from work to recuperate.

Eyelid Surgery

If you live in or near Baltimore, Maryland and would like to learn more about eyelid surgery, please contact the office of Dr. James Vogel today.

My eyelid skin is hanging over my eyes. Am I a candidate for eyelid surgery?

Definitely. The removal of upper eyelid skin and fat will improve the overhang.

Does eyelid surgery effect your Vision?

Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) does not have an effect on the eyeball. In some cases vision is enhanced because overhanging skin is removed from acting as an obstruction. In addition, following removal of overhanging, more light is allowed to enter the eye so vision can be enhanced that way, as well. It is a good idea to consult your ophthalmologist or optometrist before getting an eyelid procedure to assure there are not any underlying visual or dryness problems that you may not be aware of.

What is eyelid surgery recovery like?

You will have only moderate soreness for a few days but this improves quickly thereafter. Most people take off about seven days from work to recuperate.

Can I speak to some of your previous patients who had facelifts or eyelid procedures and get a reference?

Absolutely, I would encourage this. My past patients are my greatest endorsement. My staff will gladly arrange this for you.

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Nose Reshaping
Baltimore, Maryland

Rhinoplasty is a procedure to reshape the nose. In some cases, a bump on the top of the nose is reduced or the tip and bridge are narrowed. Occasionally, an augmentation to certain parts of the nose are required and steps are taken to improve breathing, as well.

Here is some additional information about rhinoplasty:

Length: 1 1/2 - 2 hours
Anesthesia: IV Sedation
In Patient/Out Patient : Outpatient
Potential Side Effects/Risks: Irregularity of nose, incomplete enhancement of nose, difficulty breathing
Principle Benefits: A nose that you are more comfortable with, that is in better balance with your face.

The nose is located at the center of one's face, and often people are quite unhappy with the appearance of their nose but are concerned to have an "operated" look after surgery. My particular belief is to try and create a natural appearing nose that fits your face and looks natural. Often, people with a long nose with a large hump on the top also have a small chin. Not infrequently, these individuals can benefit from a chin augment as well.

Rhinoplasty (Nose Reshaping)

If you live in or near Baltimore, Maryland and would like to learn more about nose reshaping, please contact the office of Dr. James Vogel today.

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Neck Contouring
Baltimore, Maryland

Neck contours can be improved with a variety of techniques. This is illustrated by the different approaches seen on the web site photos below. The technique that will give you the best result depends on several factors. These include your age, amount of fat in the neck, degree of excess skin, and quality of skin tone. Other relevant features of facial aging such as prominent jowls and wrinkling of the skin are also considered when formulating the best plan for you. Sometimes, neck contouring is combined with facelift in our Baltimore, Maryland practice. The only way to really determine what is best for you is through a personalized consultation.

Neck Contouring