Eyelid cosmetic blepharoplasty in Greenville, South Carolina

Eyelid tuck (blepharoplasty) is the most common facial cosmetic surgery both nationally and in our practice in Greenville, Upstate South Carolina.

People notice our eyes as the most expressive part of our face. The skin is thinner there and years of expressions & possibly sun damage cause wrinkles, deeper lines, thinning of the lower rim, protruding fat bags, draping loose skin. Gravity pushing the forehead and eyebrows down adds to the tired or sad impression that the eyes can give.

Surgery can be the answer for some of those problems. Blepharoplasty can removes skin folds, tighten skin, remove protruding fat pads, and add support to loose lids. Browlift can reduce forehead lines, raise overly low eyebrows, and decrease fullness of the upper, outer eye socket area. Laser peel can greatly improve skin texture, crinkling, wrinkling, crepiness. Some skin tightening is possible too. Lighter laser treatments are available that have shorter recovery times and don't need anesthesia.

Comprehensive treatment means more than surgery, and we have staff and experience with many other methods. Obagi Professional Skin Care is very helpful, particularly for pigmentation and surface texture concerns. Botox and Dysport are important to reduce excessive muscle motion in the squint & frown areas. Restylane and Juvaderm injectable fillers solve under-eye hollows and thin lower rims. We offer Latisse, the only FDA approved product to grow thicker, longer, darker lashes. We also offer lash and brow tinting or more permanent tattoo eyeliner or brow tint. Patients enjoy visits with out Skin Care Specialists and Nurse Practitioner. They enhance your results and enjoyment.

If you're interested in eyelid or other facial rejuvenation contact us by e-mail at info@expertplasticsurgeon.com or call 864-676-1707.

Eyelid & Facelift Surgery: Attention turns to facial procedures

With summer almost over and fall approaching we notice a trend among our patients' interests. Many now want facial cosmetic procedures, often thinking ahead to looking their best for holidays, social and family gatherings.

Patients who have visited our office in the past and people who review our website have seen our strong emphasis on facial cosmetic surgery. Dr. Graham is well known for beautiful, natural looking facelifts, necklifts, short-scar cheeklifts, eyelid tuck (blepharoplasty), browlifts, laser wrinkle treatments, Botox & the new Dysport, lip enhancement, fillers such as Restylane, Perlane and Juvaderm, and finally natural fat grafts.

In addition to Dr. Graham, we have talented and experienced staff including 2 Skin Care Specialists (licensed estheticians) and our nurse practitioner (advanced-practice nurse). They enhance the results of both pre-op and post-op surgical patients and of women and men who want non-surgical enhancements. After surgery, our patients are provided sessions to reduce swelling and any bruising, improve circulation and increase comfort. If ultrasound or laser technology will speed healing, they can provide those as well.

Often we see a new patient who is wondering about facial cosmetic surgery, but isn't ready yet. We'll provide detailed information to help them with their decision. We have tools that they can use to help without surgery. For example, early eyelid skin wrinkles can improve with some combination of Obagi skin care products, microlaser peel, or Botox & Dysport neurotoxins. As another example, signs of age around the mouth can be improved with laser skin tightening (non-ablative), Juvaderm & Perlane fillers, and possibly selective Botox / Dysport. We also offer permanent make-up (medical tattooing) including lip liner, lip color, and eye liner which enhance those areas further. If you have facial pigmentation problems caused by sun exposure, hormones, etc. we have several treatments that can give you uniform smoother appearing skin.
http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/facelift.html
http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/other-face.html
http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/injectables.html#botox
The majority of our patients come from the million or so residents of Upstate South Carolina (Greenville, Spartanburg GSP, Anderson, Greer, Greenwood, Abbeville, Laurens, Clinton, Union, Gaffney, Inman, Taylors, Easley, Pickens, Clemson, Seneca). Georgia communities including Hartwell, Clayton, and Toccoa are included. North Carolina patients frequently consult us (Asheville, Henderson, Brevard, Highlands, Cashiers, Franklin, Waynesville). We do accommodate patients traveling from out-of- state through GSP airport, local hotels or B&B's, or those staying with family locally.

Items in the media

Some recent online articles about cosmetic plastic surgery.


http://www.theweekender.com/cover/One_lift__tuck_or_suction_at_a_time__cos_07-28-2009.html

http://www.healthywomen.org/blogs/midlifematters/2009/07/lines-and-wrinkles-be-gone.html

Safe, Experienced Injectables (Juvaderm,Restylane,Botox,etc.)

We want patients to have a great experience, whether they need standard facial rejuvenation surgery, some type of mini-lift, or enhancement with injectables such as Juvaderm, Restylane or Botox.

We recommend you do your homework. Ask about certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or the American Board of Otolaryngology (with Certificate of Added Qualifications in Facial Cosmetic Surgery) for surgical procedures. Ophthalmologists should also be experienced around the eye area.

Recently, doctors from all unrelated specialties have been attracted to cosmetic surgery (ie. Emergency Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Internal Medicine, General Surgery, etc.). When you find a "Medical Spa" or "Cosmetic Medicine" practice, inquire about the board certification and experience of the physician. If other personnel will be performing your injections (nurse[RN], nurse practitioner [NP-C], esthetician [non-medical] or technician [un-licensed]) you need to know even more.

Dr. Graham and Janice Sarrer NP-C have excellent background and specific additional injectable training.

The Physicians Coalition for Injectable Safety was set up by reputable organizations to promote public safety. See their site at http://www.injectablesafety.org/. They have videos and quality information. There is additional info on our site http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/injectables.html

Magic Wand Analogy (laser or injection): Check out the Witch or Wizard (plastic surgeon) using that thing! (copyright)

Wrinkle treatments, newest lasers, latest filler injections. We regularly get calls and we welcome questions about new developments. We are constantly looking at the many offerings of companies to find the best to offer our patients. Each new "Botox-alternative," "non-surgical facelift," "minilift" or "new laser wavelength" is a potential benefit, but quality studies are often lacking.

The "magic wand" analogy occurred to me recently. Potential patients need to ask the question posed by Glinda in the Wizard of Oz, "are you a good witch or a bad witch?" You don't need to know so much about the wand as the one waving it. The witch or wizard using the magic wand is the person who will determine the quality of your outcome.

Expert surgeons can obtain similarly excellent facelift results using a variety of techniques (SMASectomy, SMAS plication, MACS lift for example). Quality "injectors" using Botox at different concentrations or Juvaderm Ultra Plus versus Perlane can obtain superior results. The most important questions are questions about the doctor or nurse's skill, training and experience. You are not just buying a uniform product (25 units of magic neurotoxin). You are buying their medical experience.

So, my advice is don't worry so much about the wand, seek quality witches and wizards; you want the good ones.

Silicone Facial Injections: Avoid

On National Public Radio this morning a reporter discussed the controversial subject of having silicone liquid injected into various areas of the body as a filler.

The procedure is rarely done by qualified plastic surgeons, and thought of as a poor choice of filler material by most. Some of the people injecting silicone are not physicians and lack appropriate medical training. Some of the material is not medical-grade silicone.

We have seen some patients at The Aesthetic Center who have had injections of an unknown permanent material, who developed undesirable hardening, scarring and distortion.

Our recommendation is to avoid injectable silicone. Hyaluronic acid fillers are excellent, well-tolerated, and reversible. Juvaderm and Restylane are best for most patients.

Summer Question & Answer Sessions: Cosmetic Surgery

SUMMER OFFICIALLY BEGINS JUNE 21st.

Join us for question & answer sessions. Dr. Sutton Graham and his staff at the Aesthetic Center for Breast & Cosmetic Surgery will host two summer presentations.

o Good chance to learn more about how procedures can benefit you.
o Opportunity to have your questions answered.
o Ways to help a friend or family member get helpful information. Bring them along! They’re welcome.
o Find out about new procedures, costs, downtime, and specialized ways we minimize discomfort.


YOUR BEST FACE: Tuesday June 16th 6:30-8:00pm
Subtle or dramatic, but always natural. Injectables, minimally invasive, short-scar, modified techniques. And when established procedures give the best results.
Eyelift. Facelift. Necklift. Botox, Juvaderm & Restylane. Chin suction lipectomy. And more.

BETTER BREAST & BODY: Tuesday, June 23rd, 6:30-8:00pm
Procedures that accomplish what diet & exercise cannot. Clothes fit better. Better proportions. More shapely. Chest, arms, hips, tummy, thighs. Lifts, implants, fillers, tucks, liposuction.

See why we have a reputation for excellent care and excellent results!

REGISTRATION IS IMPORTANT. Plus you can send us any questions in advance.

Register online by e-mail through our website (see the “Quick Question” box). Tell us how many are coming with you. http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/.

Or register by phone 864-676-1707.

Refreshments will be provided.

Facial Aging & Blepharoplasty: Recent items in the media

Time Magazine ran an article in February with some very interesting observations on genetically identical twins and how environment makes us look younger or older. It reinforced recommendations that plastic surgeons have been making; that enhancing volume in the face makes one look more youthful. We use hyaluronic acid fillers (Juvaderm, Restylane, etc.) and Fat Graft Transfer to maintain full healthy cheeks, correct jawline thinning, and fill in under-eye grooves. Facelifting techniques elevate and restore sagging or lost healthy tissues. The article contains other thought provoking ideas.
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1877717,00.html
http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/injectables.html

More Magazine followed one woman through the process of blepharoplasty (eyelid lift). They show early post-op swelling, etc.
http://www.more.com/style/beauty/anti-aging/eyelift-one-womans-story/
http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/other-face.html#eyelid-surgery

Interest in Cosmetic Procedures in a Down Economy

In addition to general reporting on the US economy, many national media reports mention the impact on cosmetic surgery and cosmetic medical procedures.

Greenville and Upstate South Carolina appear to have several advantages. Our regional economy is stronger because of our exporting sector. We continue to have employers expanding and investing. We have not seen the dramatic home price inflation of other areas. Our region remains attractive to families moving from many parts of the country.

In our practice, as summer winds down, Skin Care clients return to continue their routines and minimize the effects of past sun exposure. Minimally invasive procedures (BotoxCosmetic, Restylane, Juvaderm, MicroLaserPeels, laser hair removal, etc.) continue being popular. Breast and facial cosmetic surgery procedures continue to be the most sought after, followed by body contouring (tummy tuck and liposuction). We expect to be busier as fall season approaches.

Evolence - New Injectable Filler Material

Johnson & Johnson has just obtained FDA approval to market Evolence, an injectable collagen used to treat facial wrinkles.

This will be interesting for several reasons. First, J&J is the first large pharmaceutical corporation to enter a market populated by smaller specialty companies like Allergan (Juvaderm) and Medicis (Restylane & Perlane). Their marketing will, no doubt, be superb. Second, the new product is made of porcine collagen derived from pig tendon. J&J emphasizes the source as "naturally sourced", rather than synthetic like established fillers. Finally, bovine (cow) collagen has been declining in popularity for 10-15 years. It was the first available filler, but fell out of favor because of rapid disappearance and the need for skin allergy tests.

Evolence has been used in Canada and some European countries, but there is little US experience. We will evaluate its risks and benefits over time before incorporating it into our selection of products.

"Water Bottle Lips" Instead of "Smokers Lines"

Friends tell me that the national news ran an amusing item. It seems someone has decided that sucking from the spout of sports water bottles on a regular basis may cause wrinkles in the skin around the lips. Hydration is good for the skin, so don't stop drinking plenty of water.

Smoking was a problem in two ways. It seemed to accelerate skin aging chemically and smokers pursed their lips while sucking in the smoke.

If excessive lines develop, we offer a variety of solutions:

• Obagi skin care
• Fillers such as Restylane or Juvaderm
• Skin Tightening, minimally invasive
• Laser Peels

Pick Your Recovery Time

One way to choose among the various options for facial rejuvenation procedures is tell your surgeon how long you have to recover. This will let him or her tailor your procedures to your desired "down-time." If you have no down-time: choose from Botox, Restylane of other fillers, Intense Pulsed Light photofacials, or non-ablative skin tightening. If you have one weekend: you may select the above and /or MicroLaser Peels or Periorbital resurfcing. When you have 1 week available: enhance you appearance with a endoscopic browlift or submental liposuction (under the chin). A 2 week recovery gives you plenty of options: you could have either eyelid blepharoplasty, short-scar facelift, or a combination of the above procedures. A three week recovery is best for: facelift, necklift, and combinations of procedures on several parts of the face. At our office we'll discuss these issues and the features you would like to improve, and make individual personal recommendations. Call if you're interested.