Minimally Invasive Procedures
New technological advances have improved the results of minimally invasive procedures. Many patients prefer these techniques to more extensive procedures because they offer excellent results for lower cost with less downtime.
Injections are performed by Justin H. Piasecki, MD. Please inform our scheduler of your preference. Dr. Piasecki is a Board Certified plastic surgeon. Safety is our first and foremost priority. We will work with you to create the natural, refreshed and rejuvenated look you are striving for.
Manufacturers often offer discounts on these products and periodically and we will help you receive rebates on top of VIP discounts. We also have monthly injectables clinics the last Friday of almost every month where all injectables and products are 20% off our normal prices.
Minimally invasive procedures are those that can be done in a short period of time and require little or no downtime. They include:
Botulinum Toxins are prescription medications that are injected into muscles to improve the look of moderate to severe facial lines caused by muscle movement. They temporarily paralyze the muscles, thus reducing the lines that repetitive muscle movement can cause.
Indications
- Reduces the appearance of moderate to severe lines cased by muscle movement
- Results last for three – six months
- Once injected, takes 2 to 7 days to take effect
- Moderate swelling is possible for the first 24 hours
- We ask that you not engage in strenuous exercise for 24 hours following injections as this could remove the toxin from the muscles, reducing the impact of the medication
- Patients with egg allergies should not use Botulinum Toxins
Fillers are gels that are injected into facial tissue to smooth wrinkles and folds. They can also be used to reshape or augment features such as the cheeks, lips or nose. Much care is taken at Harbor Plastic Surgery Center to use these fillers in a way that enhances your natural appearance and makes you look refreshed and rejuvenated. Our goal is to make it look as natural as possible.
Harbor Plastic Surgery Center offers Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm and Radiesse. These fillers utilize different mechanisms to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and can be used separately or in combination, depending on the goals of the treatment.
Hyaluronic Acids: Restylane, Perlane and Juvederm
Hyaluronic Acids are colorless, injectable gels that are sugars found naturally occurring in the human body. The role of hyaluronic acid in the skin is to deliver nutrients, hydrate the skin by holding in water and acting as a cushioning agent. Injecting it into wrinkles temporarily adds volume to facial tissue and resotres a smoother appearance to the face.
Each filler used by the Harbor Plastic Surgery Center has a slightly different composition and therefore works in a different way to reduce treatments. We’ve found that patients are often happiest combining the various fillers into one treatment. All last 6 months to one year.
Restylane
www.restylaneusa.com
Restylane has smaller gel particles and is injected into wrinkles that are close to the surface.
Perlane
www.restylaneusa.com
Perlane has larger gel particles and is injected into deeper wrinkles.
Juvederm
www.juvederm.com
Radiesse
www.radiesseusa.com
Radiesse wrinkle filler consists of smooth calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres that are suspended in a water-based gel carrier. These microspheres stimulate natural collagen growth, creating a longer-lasting effect than other fillers.
- Radiesse is typically used to reduce moderate to severe wrinkles and folds such as nasolabial folds and marionette lines. It lasts up to 1 year.
- Fillers have an immediate impact, but can cause swelling and redness for the first 24-48 hours
The mini facelift, along with the related “s” facelift, is a relatively new technique. Also known as “the weekend facelift”, it can be performed quickly and involves a shorter recovery period than traditional facelift surgery. The mini facelift focuses on specific areas of the face, such as the neck and folds of the nose. Using smaller incisions, and often taking advantage of endoscopic facelift technology, facial tissue is lifted, and repositioned or removed to achieve optimal results. Once factors contributing to unwanted sagging and drooping have been eliminated, the repositioned skin is secured using small sutures.
Reasons for Considering a Mini Facelift
A mini facelift is appropriate for people who are beginning to experience the signs of aging but don’t want to wait to undergo more extensive surgery. Typically those who opt for this relatively simple “weekend” facelift are still in their 30s and 40s, and simply want to remove minor sagging or drooping around the cheeks, jowls and neck area. Mini facelift procedures cannot address areas such as the forehead or brow.
The Procedure
Because the cosmetic problems targeted are relatively minor, the incisions made during this “weekend” approach to facelift surgery can be quite small, resulting in one of the least invasive procedures in facial surgery.
Depending on the situation, an endoscopic or a non-endoscopic approach will be used. An endoscopic procedure allows the surgeon to insert tiny surgical instruments through three or more small incisions made around the area to be treated. These are used to remove excess fat and reshape the facial muscles that are causing cosmetic problems. The surgeon watches the procedure via a small camera also inserted below the skin. In a non-endoscopic procedure, more continuous incisions are made and the skin is turned over to expose the area to be treated. Both approaches involve minimal cutting of the skin, thereby reducing the risk of scarring and other potential complications of a facelift.
- Anesthesia Local
- Length of surgery 30 minutes
- Length of stay 1 to 2 hours
Recovery Process
Patients might experience minor swelling or bruising
- Back to work 24 hours
- Exercise Return to normal activity after 24 hours
- Discomfort Mild
- Swelling Mild to moderate (should be gone in 2 to 3 days)
- Bruising Common, but easily camouflaged
- Bandages Minimal
- Final result A rejuvenated look and correction of sagging skin in targeted areas
Please click here to see our Eye Lift section
Chin implants improve the balance of your facial profile and correct a “weak” or receding chin caused by a congenital deficiency, age-related bone reabsorption or facial trauma. A weak chin can make the nose seem larger or the neck appear fatty and undefined. Chin augmentation with an implant is the procedure of choice for most patients with normally functioning teeth and jaw development. A chin implant gives the chin more projection and a better shape. In addition to better mouth posture, chin implants can improve the jowls and the hanging tissue in the neck, giving a man a more masculine jaw line and a woman a more aristocratic neck and jaw line.
The procedure
The silicone rubber implant is placed through a small chin incision.
Anesthesia Local anesthesia
Length of surgery 30 minutes
Length of stay 1 to 2 hours
Recovery process
Patients might experience minor swelling or bruising
Back to work 24 hours
Exercise Return to normal activity after 48 hours
Discomfort Mild
Swelling Mild to moderate (should be gone in 2 to 3 days)
Bruising Common, but easily camouflaged
Bandages Minimal
Final result Improved jaw line in less than 2 weeks
Please click here to see our Neck Lift section
Please click here to see our Browlift section
Please click here to see our Liposuction section