Facelift

Are there significant risks associated with facelift surgery?
There is uncertainty and risk involved with any surgery. Although significant complications from facelifts are rare, some complications could occur, which could include, infection, bleeding, and adverse reaction to the anesthesia. With proper wound care and follow-up, complications should be minimal.

Am I a good candidate for a facelift?
The best candidate for a facelift is a person whose facial skin has started to sag, but whose skin retains some elasticity. A good candidate should have a strong, well-defined bone structure to support the procedure. It is important for patients to have a realistic expectations and to understand the risks and benefits of a facelift.

Can I expect permanent results from a facelift?
The results will vary from person-to-person. However, most people can expect their results to last between five and ten years depending on curtain factors. Dr. Hoffmann can further answer question

How long before I can resume normal activities after my facelift?
This depends on each individual. Most people are able to return to work between 10 and 14 days after their surgery even though swelling and bruising may take up to three weeks to disappear. Dr. Hoffamann may advise against returning to any strenuous activities for at least two weeks. Sun exposure should be kept to a minimum.

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Forehead Lift (Browlift)

Am I a candidate for a browlift?
Healthy men and women who are bothered by a flattened brow and/or a brow that contributes to unwanted heaviness above the eye may be good candidates for a brow lift. Patients who are interested in a brow lift often look to improve a tired, sad, or aged look caused by unwanted heaviness of the upper eyelid.

What does a forehead lift do for my appearance?
A forehead lift is typically done on people between 40 to 60. The skin and subcutaneous tissue of the forehead is raised, smoothing out forehead wrinkles and raising the eyebrows. This will give you a more alert and youthful appearance. Extra tissue may be removed, and the skin is anchored in its new position, either with or without sutures depending on the situation.

What’s an endoscopic browlift?
It is a browlift done using a narrow device called an endoscope, which is a small hollow tube with a camera and light at the end of it. It is inserted into small incisions. Dr. Hoffmann, with the use of a TV monitor, will be able to see the muscles and tissue under the skin working safely and efficiently.

Are the results permanent?
Results are long-lasting, however procedure longevity will depend on your lifestyle, heredity and your individual aging process. Re-evaluation may be needed later on depending on your desired look and the doctor's assessment.

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Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

What are the advantages of blepharoplasty?
By removing excess fat, skin and muscle from the upper and lower eyelids, blepharoplasty can rejuvenate puffy, sagging or tired-looking eyes. Blepharoplasty is typically considered a cosmetic procedure, however, this procedure can also improve vision by lifting droopy eyelids out of the patient’s field of vision, which is not cosmetic in nature and may be covered by your insurance.

Can the procedure be combined with others?
Because blepharoplasty cannot be used to raise the eyebrows or reduce the appearance of wrinkles, crow’s feet or dark circles under the eyes, this surgery is often combined with other procedures, such as a facelift and facial filler treatments.

Will I have visible scars? 
The incisions made for the eyelid lift do result in scars, however the incisions tend to be well-concealed. For an upper eyelid lift the incision is made within the natural skin crease of the upper eyelid, which results in a scar that is essentially invisible. For a transconjunctival lower eyelid lift, the incision and resulting scar are completely hidden on the inside of the lower eyelid. For a subciliary lower eyelid lift, a small incision is made just below the eyelashes with a short extension into the natural skin crease at the corner of the eye, resulting in a well-concealed scar.

What is recovery like after surgery?
Swelling and bruising may occur. Patients should sleep with the head slightly elevated for the first few days to help minimize the swelling. Ice compresses should be applied for twenty minutes on and twenty minutes off during the first three to four days to control swelling and bruising. Any pain is well controlled with medication.

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Nose Reshaping (Rhinoplasty)

Am I a good candidate for rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is ideal for healthy, psychologically stable men and women who are seeking improvement in their facial appearance.

What does a rhinoplasty procedure involve?
Surgical techniques for reshaping the nose vary. This procedure generally involves the separation of nose skin from its framework of cartilage and bone. This can be done either from an incision made inside the nose or through an external incision in the tissue separating the nostrils. The surgeon then reshapes the nose, replaces the skin over the new framework and applies a splint to help the nose maintain its shape while healing.

What are the risks associated with rhinoplasty?
As with any surgery, the procedure carry some risks. Fortunately, complications are rare and usually minor. Complications may include infection, bleeding, and adverse reaction to anesthesia.

How long does it take to recover from rhinoplasty?
Healing after rhinoplasty is slow and gradual, with subtle swelling for several months. However, patients can usually expect to return to work or school within a week or two.

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Ear Reshaping (Otoplasty)

Who will ear correction surgery benefit?

If your ears are overly prominent, and you are feeling self-conscience as a result of this prominence, then you would benefit from ear corrective surgery. Men and women are transformed as a result of this surgery.

What results can I expect from ear correction surgery?

Results from this surgery will provide a balanced, symmetrical appearance to your face.

How long is the recovery period from ear correction surgery?
You will be required to wear a head bandage for a week after surgery. After this time period, you will need to wear a head bandage at night for 2 more weeks. Your ear(s) will be swollen and red for several weeks following your procedure.

Are there risks associated with ear correction surgery?
As with all operations, there are some risks associated with ear correction surgery, but are rare. You can talk through these concerns at your consultation with Dr. Hoffmann.

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Cleft Lip and Palate Repair

What is a cleft lip and cleft palate?

A cleft is an opening in the lip, the roof of the mouth and/or the soft tissue in the back of the mouth. A cleft lip may be accompanied by an opening in the bones of the upper jaw and/or the upper gum. A cleft palate occurs when the two sides of a palate do not join together, resulting in an opening in the roof of the mouth. A cleft lip and palate can occur on one side (unilateral) or both sides (bilateral). A child can suffer from cleft lip, cleft palate or both.

Can cleft lips and cleft palates be repaired?

Yes. Surgery provides excellent results. Dr. Hoffmann will work closely with you to determine the best timing for surgery. Most surgeons agree that a cleft lip should be repaired by the time a baby is 3 months old. A cleft palate generally is repaired between the ages of 12 and 18 months. This surgical procedure depending on a child's general health and the extent of cleft lip or cleft palate.

In cleft lip surgery, the most common problem is asymmetry, when one side of the mouth and nose does not match the other side. The goal of cleft lip surgery is to close the separation in the first operation. Occasionally, a second operation may be needed to correct symmetry.

In cleft palate surgery, the goal is to close the opening in the roof of the mouth so the child can eat and learn to speak properly. Occasionally, poor healing or poor speech may require a second operation.

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Scar Revision

When can Scar Revision be performed?
Scar revision can be performed at anytime and has no age barriers.

What should I expect post-operatively?

If you were sedated for your treatment, you may be groggy from the anesthetic and/or oral medications and probably won't remember much the first. Bruising and swelling are a normal occurrence. Pain can be alleviated with medication.

Is is safe to sunbath after my procedure?
You must keep your treatment area out of the sun for about a year. Scar tissue takes approximately a year to mature and becomes 80% as strong as non-altered skin. Sun exposure can cause collagen degradation, hypo- and hyperpigmentation, burns, permanent redness and more.

What are the risks of Scar Revision?
All surgery has risks and complications. With scar revision under anesthesia, these include an allergic reaction to the anesthetic and infection. Numbness is possible, it usually subsides within the first few months, but may become a permanent.

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Skin Cancer Reconstruction

Who is a good candidate for Reconstructive surgery?
Ideal patients for reconstructive surgery have realistic expectations and a good understanding of the procedure.

Does Reconstructive surgery have possible risks and complications?
All surgeries have risks. The specific risks will vary depending on the particular procedure performed. In general, reconstructive surgery poses a low risk of infection, problems related to anesthesia, excessive bleeding, and bruising. Potential complications depend on the patient's personal health history.

How long does it take to recover from Reconstructive surgery?
Most reconstructive surgery procedures require one to two weeks for healing. However, recovery time also depends on the patient and specific surgery performed. Some patients are able to return to a normal routine immediately after a reconstructive surgery procedure, while others require several weeks to regain a normal level of function.

Does Reconstructive surgery leave any visible scarring?
When reconstructive surgery requires incisions, scarring is an inevitable side effect of the procedure. However, Dr. Hoffmann is specially trained to minimize scar size and to place them in inconspicuous locations.

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Endoscopic Lifts

What are some of the advantages of endoscopic plastic surgery?
Dr. Hoffmann specializes in endoscopic cosmetic surgery and believes that it offers his patients exceptional results with minimal scarring and faster healing. Facial cosmetic surgery procedures include forehead lifts and facelifts. Endoscopic surgery also reduces the risks of inflammation, bleeding and bruising. Recovery time is quicker compared to traditional methods.

Is endoscopic surgery the best option for me?

Patients who tend to be the best candidates for cosmetic endoscopic procedures are those who don't have large amounts of loose hanging skin. Patients with loose facial skin may benefit from a combination of classic and endoscopic techniques in face or forehead lift.

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Portrait® Skin Rejuvenation

What is Portrait skin treatment?

Portrait has been FDA cleared for the full-face treatment of fine to deep wrinkles, superficial skin lesions and pre-cancerous skin growth. It can reduce or eliminate brown spots and wrinkling caused by the sun. Portrait® Plasma works by delivering millisecond pulses of nitrogen plasma energy to the skin's resurface via a special hand piece that stimulates and produces new collagen, the building blocks for skin regeneration.

How does it work?
The innovative Portrait technology transfers nitrogen plasma energy to the architecture of the skin using a non-contact technique producing controlled, uniform regeneration of skin.

How long does the treatment take and what is involved?
A full-face treatment usually takes less than 45 minutes. Regional treatment can be as short as 5-10 minutes. Shortly after, you will see improvements in your skin texture and elasticity and diminished wrinkles giving you a new, more vibrant and youthful appearance. Over time you will see continuing improvement that is truly unique.

What should I expect following treatment?

At lower level treatment, there is some mild redness and flaking of the skin. At higher concentrations, the outer layer of skin browns and sheds three to five days after treatment. Once this occurs, the redness of the regenerated skin will last for 2-3 days. Shedding may take a little longer at the edges of the treated area.

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Botox®

How does Botox work?

Those moderate to severe frown lines between your brows form over time as the result of muscle activity. Botox is injected directly into the muscles between your brows. It works by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses to the injected muscles; this reduces the activity of the muscles that cause those persistent lines to form.

When will I see results from my treatment?

Within days, you may see a marked improvement in the moderate to severe frown lines between your brows. Lines continue to improve for up to a month. Results may vary.

How long does Botox last?
Results from treatment with Botox can last for up to 4 months. If you discontinue treatment, the frown lines between your brows gradually will look like they did before treatment.

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Restylane®

What are the benefits of Restylane?
Restylane can instantly soften age lines and improve your looks by enhancing your natural features, such as your cheeks or lips. Restylane restores volume, improves skin elasticity, and smoothes nagging lines and imperfections. Long lasting but not permanent, Restylane allows you to stay in control of your looks.

How does it work?
Restylane is a crystal-clear gel produced biotechnologically using stabilized, non-animal hyaluronic acid and water. The hyaluronic acid is a tissue friendly substance closely resembling the hyaluronic acid that occurs naturally in the body. By replenishing nature’s supply of hyaluronic acid, Restylane revitalizes and plumps up the skin, instantly diminishing the appearance of lines and giving the face a softer look.

What areas can be treated?
Restylane treatments can be used to smooth out facial lines, create fuller lips and shape facial contours, such as cheeks and chin. It is a naturally subtle approach to enhancing your looks.

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Radiesse®

Is Radiesse filler safe?
After years of rigorous clinical testing and use by physicians in hundreds of thousands of patients worldwide, Radiesse is proven to be safe and effective. In the FDA clinical studies there were virtually no allergic reactions. There may be some injection site related occurrences, such as bruising, discomfort, swelling, or redness that resolve on their own.

Am I candidate for this treatment?
You may be a candidate if you are beginning to notice facial wrinkles, lines, and folds. Radiesse filler provides immediate and long-lasting wrinkle correction.

Why "correct" wrinkles with Radiesse?
Over time, tissue volume diminishes, leaving folds and wrinkles in several common patterns, including the deepening of nasolabial folds (sometimes called "marionette lines"). Radiesse is injected into the skin to compensate for the loss of volume. By stimulating the body to produce new collagen, Radiesse provides a natural, fresh, rested, and healthy appearance that still looks like you.

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Perlane®

What is Perlane used for?

Perlane is used to smooth moderate to severe facial folds and wrinkles such as the lines from the nose to the corners of the mouth (nasolabial folds). It has been found to be a safe dermal filler that restores volume and fullness to the skin.

How does Perlane work?

Perlane is injected into the skin with an ultra-fine needle. It plumps the skin to smooth away wrinkles and folds. Perlane's water-loving nature attracts and binds water molecules to help maintain volume.

Perlane is composed of hyaluronic acid, a natural substance that already exists in the body. The hyaluronic acid in Perlane is a crystal clear gel that is chemically cross-linked (the long chemical strands are tied together) to delay breakdown by skin enzymes. Perlane is non-animal-based and free from animal protein. This quality prevents disease transmission. Allergy pre-testing is not necessary.

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Juvéderm™

How is Juvéderm used in treatment?

Your healthcare provider eases the injectable gel into the skin using a fine needle to temporarily fill in and and smooth moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds such as “smile lines” or “parentheses” (nasolabial folds) and “marionette lines."

What will treatment with Juvéderm accomplish?
It will help to smooth moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. Most patients need one treatment to achieve optimal wrinkle smoothing. One treatment can smooth your lines and wrinkles for up to 1 year. Ask your doctor what you should expect from your initial treatment.

Is treatment with injectable gel painful?

Some discomfort may occur during and after your injection. A fine needle to used to reduce discomfort. Your doctor may choose to numb (anesthetize) the treatment area to further minimize discomfort.

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