Learn More About
Facial Rejuvenation!

Read "Save Your Face"

Archive for the 'Face Lift' Category

[Click on question to read complete answer.]

« Previous Entries
Next Page »

Dear Dr. Seckel, I had a face lift 4 months ago. Now my upper right lip doesn’t move properly. When I try to pucker my lips the right upper lip doesn’t pucker. When I press my upper lip to my lower lip and put pressure on it the middle of my upper lip moves to the left quite a bit which does not look very good. It is difficult for me to eat. My upper right lip will move upwards and my smile is fine. My surgeon told me that he may have damaged my orbicularis oris muscle during the surgery. He explained to me that he separated my skin from the corner of my mouth up to my ear to allow him to try to minimize a wrinkle that was at the corner of my mouth. I saw some improvement in my upper lip during the first couple of months but have not seen any improvement for over a month. The right side of my face is still numb in several places. Will my upper lip improve with more time? Can this condition be permanent? Thank you in advance for your reply. Sherri, Dana Point, CA

Sunday, January 27th, 2008

Dear Sheri,
Most likely the buccal branch of the facial nerve was injured during your face lift.
Fortunately buccal branch injuries recover because of generous additional nerve branches in the cheek area, however recovery can take many months. This creates a problem because the inactive muscle around the lip undergoes atrophy and when the new nerve branches [...]

Posted in Face Lift, Unhappy Results | Comments Off

Dear Dr. Seckel, I had a face lift 4 months ago. Now my upper right lip doesn’t move properly. When I try to pucker my lips the right upper lip doesn’t pucker. When I press my upper lip to my lower lip and put pressure on it the middle of my upper lip moves to the left quite a bit which does not look very good. It is difficult for me to eat. My upper right lip will move upwards and my smile is fine. My surgeon told me that he may have damaged my orbicularis oris muscle during the surgery. He explained to me that he separated my skin from the corner of my mouth up to my ear to allow him to try to minimize a wrinkle that was at the corner of my mouth. I saw some improvement in my upper lip during the first couple of months but have not seen any improvement for over a month. The right side of my face is still numb in several places. Will my upper lip improve with more time? Can this condition be permanent? Thank you in advance for your reply. Sherri, Dana Point, CA

Sunday, January 27th, 2008

Dear Sheri,
 
Most likely the buccal branch of the facial nerve was injured during the surgery.
 
Buccal branch nerve injuries usually recover because there are many other branches of the nerve in this region that can take over the function.
 
The problem is that it is important to maintain the viability and function of the muscle while it [...]

Posted in Face Lift, Unhappy Results | Comments Off

Dear Dr. Seckel, I had a face lift 4 months ago. Now my upper right lip doesn’t move properly. When I try to pucker my lips the right upper lip doesn’t pucker. When I press my upper lip to my lower lip and put pressure on it the middle of my upper lip moves to the left quite a bit which does not look very good. It is difficult for me to eat. My upper right lip will move upwards and my smile is fine. My surgeon told me that he may have damaged my orbicularis oris muscle during the surgery. He explained to me that he separated my skin from the corner of my mouth up to my ear to allow him to try to minimize a wrinkle that was at the corner of my mouth. I saw some improvement in my upper lip during the first couple of months but have not seen any improvement for over a month. The right side of my face is still numb in several places. Will my upper lip improve with more time? Can this condition be permanent? Thank you in advance for your reply. Sherri, Dana Point, CA

Sunday, January 27th, 2008

Dear Sheri,
 
Most likely the buccal branch of the facial nerve was injured during the surgery.
 
Buccal branch nerve injuries usually recover because there are many other branches of the nerve in this
region that can take over the function.
 
The problem is that it is important to maintain the viability and function of the muscle while it is [...]

Posted in Face Lift, Unhappy Results | Comments Off

Dear Dr Seckel, I am 38 years old and have good skin and most people say I look younger than I am. I am beginning to notice some loose skin under my chin and some lines running from my nose down to the corner of my mouth. I have read a lot about the face lift on the internet but it seems very extreme. Can you explain the difference between a face lift and a mini face lift? Thanks, Cheri, Boston, MA

Saturday, October 6th, 2007

Boston is the medical “Mecca” and as in all areas of medicine there are many expert doctors in the Boston area who do face lift surgery.

If you are considering a face lift or any facial rejuvenation procedure it is important to understand what a facelift can and cannot achieve and the many variations of [...]

Posted in Face Lift | Comments Off

Dear Dr. Seckel: Is there a responsible, viable way to excise some loose (and unwrinkled) skin on the neck without resorting to a face lift or even a lower face lift? Also can the scars be hidden more in the scalp area instead of the sideburns/hairline area? I’m almost 59 and am in my 3rd week post Thermage. I’m not very hopeful, but there’s been a bit of improvement, especially in the jowling area. My face looks okay, however, and doesn’t have much laxity at all. I’d hate to sacrifice my face to achieve a smoother neck, but in NYC there’s just been that one consensus. I’m wondering if some out-of-state genius has invented a way to help me without “overcorrecting,” which doctors promise they need to do first to achieve long-term results, and without giving me “4-5 hours” of surgery I don’t want or really need. Thank you. Elaine, New York, New York

Wednesday, August 15th, 2007

Dear Elaine,
Thank you for your email. Thermage and the other non-surgical technologies do work but achieve only a 20 % skin tightening compared to surgery.
It is possible to tighten the neck skin with a neck lift without visible incisions.
Depending on your particular anatomy and laxity, the neck may be tightened through an incision behind the [...]

Posted in Face Lift | Comments Off

Dear Dr. Seckel, I am 44 years old and in excellent health. I have sagging skin under my chin. I live in Boston and have seen a plastic surgeon who suggests a face lift. I have also read about the lifestyle lift and a neck lift. Can you tell me the difference between the neck lift, face lift, and lifestyle lift? Thank you, Jennifer, Boston, Massachusetts.

Wednesday, August 15th, 2007

Dear Jennifer,
 
Thank you for your email about the face lift. A well done face lift should tighten any loose skin on your neck and beneath your chin. If there is a lot of loose skin on your neck and lax muscles, you may need a platysmaplasty which is a specific technique done with the face [...]

Posted in Face Lift | Comments Off

Dear Dr. Seckel, Can you explain more about the cheek lift. What facial features does the cheek lift improve? How is the cheek lift performed? I could not find pictures on your Boston Website. Thank you, Charlie, New York, New York

Tuesday, August 14th, 2007

Dear Charlie, Thank you for your email about the cheek lift. The cheek lift is also called a mid face lift and is used to tighten and pull up the sagging cheek.

The cheek or midface is usually the first area of the face to sag with aging. The cheek fat pad is normally high [...]

Posted in Face Lift | Comments Off

Dear Dr. Seckel,I am 53 years old and very unhappy about loose skin beneath my neck and chin and on my jaw line. I work very hard at staying fit and have tried facial exercises but see no difference after a lot of effort. I have seen a plastic surgeon in Boston who suggested a facelift and a blepharoplasty but I did not feel comfortable with him and am not sure I want surgery. I have read a lot online about the face lift, the thread lift, the mini face lift and the lifestyle lift, and must admit I am confused by all the options. You also write about the non-surgical face-lift, how good is that, does it last? I am concerned about scarring and about down time as I have to work. I know you have an office in Boston but I would like to hear your opinion before I consider another appointment. I want to do something but don’t know what. Thank you, Sherri, Boston, MA.

Friday, February 23rd, 2007

I repeatedly advise that the most important factor in deciding to have a facelift is your rapport with and the skill and experience of the plastic surgeon

Posted in Face Lift | No Comments »

Dear Dr. Seckel, How can I get rid of the thread lift procedure dimple?

Saturday, February 3rd, 2007

Dimples or depressions in the skin are one of the complications of the thread lift procedure

Posted in Face Lift, Unhappy Results | No Comments »

Dear Dr. Seckel: I am 41 years old and currently get Botox injections around my eyes for crow’s feet and Juvaderm around my mouth for nasal labial folds, about 2 times per year. I am very much interested in doing something a little longer lasting. My doctor recommended Active FX. What do you think would be best for me Active FX or Thermage? My main concern is the lower area of my face to just under my chin, which is just starting to sag. I believe you call this jowls and early platysmal bands or turkey wattle. This area really bugs me and I would love something that lasts longer than a few months but without a face-lift or plastic surgery. Any suggestions? Thank you, Lynda, Scottsdale,AZ

Tuesday, January 16th, 2007

A well-done face-lift by an experienced board certified plastic surgeon is still the most effective long-term solution for facial jowls and neck laxity or the “turkey wattle”

Posted in Face Lift, Skin Tightening | No Comments »

« Previous Entries
Next Page »