Posts Tagged ‘san diego plastic surgeon’

Five Top Plastic Surgery Procedures for Men at San Diego Changes

Thursday, December 22nd, 2011

For years, women have taken advantage of the physical and psychological benefits of elective plastic surgery. Once the domain of women, “cosmetic” surgery as the name implies, is designed to enhance and improve the appearance of one’s face or body. Times are changing, however, and men seem to be adopting a new attitude when it comes to aesthetic enhancement. The gender gap is narrowing.

Gilbert Lee, M.D., F.A.C.S. at Changes Plastic Surgery & Spa in San Diego, California sees the trend toward more male plastic surgery cases, noting that more and more men are seeking cosmetic procedures as a way to look more vital and youthful in the job place. Divorce also motivates some men to turn back the aging clock in hopes of appearing more energetic and attractive as they enter the dating scene again.

Currently, a little over ten percent of Dr. Lee’s patients are men, but if the national trend continues, he will be treating more and more of the male population. Data compiled by the ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgery) for 2010 shows an increase in male eyelid surgery, liposuction of the love handles and breast liposuction surgeries with other non-surgical treatments gaining in popularity.

The top five male cosmetic procedures at Changes Plastic Surgery & Spa in San Diego are:

Eyelid Surgery including treatment for undereye bags and correction of tear trough deformity.
Eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty is performed essentially the same way for men and women. For men who complain of undereye bags, Dr. Lee may suggest the insertion of tear trough implants to smooth the lower lid to cheek transition and achieve a more youthful contour.
Injectable wrinkle correction (BOTOX®, Dysport®, as well as many injectable fillers).
Non-surgical, but highly effective injections can smooth out even the toughest of worry and frown lines, giving way to a more relaxed and pleasant facial appearance.
Male Breast Surgery for the treatment of gynecomastia.
“Gynecomastia” or benign enlargement of male breast tissue can be quite disconcerting for men. The removal of fat and/or glandular tissue from the breasts results in a flatter, firmer and more masculine chest.
Liposuction
The ideal male body type is athletic with a “V” shape of broad shoulders and narrow waistline. As men age, fat tends to accumulate around the abdomen and flanks. Most males over the age of 30 have “love handles” which can be removed through liposuction.
Laser Facial Rejuvenation
Outdoor activities and constant sun exposure in San Diego can leave men with facial brown spots, uneven pigmentation and rough texture. All are signs of photo-aging. Rejuvenating facial skin with laser treatments results in an overall more youthful appearance.

Dr. Lee is a triple board-certified plastic surgeon and has been voted Top Doc in Plastic Surgery by his peers in the San Diego Medical Society for five consecutive years (2007-2011). He has been changing the lives of his patients since 1994. If you are interested in a consultation with Dr. Gilbert Lee, please call Changes Plastic Surgery & Spa at 858-720-1440 or fill out our online request form.

Tags: Botox, cosmetic surgery, Dysport, eyelid sugery, Gilbert Lee MD, gynecomastia, injectable wrinkle correction, laser rejuvenation, liposuction, love handles, male breast surgery, male plastic surgery, san diego plastic surgeon, top doc
Posted in General | 2 Comments »

San Diego Top Doc Discusses Tear Trough Deformity

Monday, November 14th, 2011

San Diego Top Doc Discusses Tear Trough Deformity

Gilbert Lee, M.D., F.A.C.S., voted five consecutive years as Top Doc in Plastic Surgery by the San Diego Medical Society, discusses under-eye bags and treatments to diminish their appearance.

The eye sockets contain fat which forms a cushion for the eyeball. This peri-orbital fat is held in the eye socket by a thin orbital septum within the eyelids. As we age, the orbital septum weakens and allows the fat to bulge into the lower lids. This bulging casts a shadow below the bulge and gives us the appearance of under-eye bags. The hollow area of shadowing below the eye is the "Tear Trough".

A tear trough deformity is a deep indentation between the eye and the nose. Technically known as the nasojugal fold, this natural indentation becomes very noticeable if it gets too deep. Some people have tear troughs naturally (see negative vector orbit), while others develop them with aging. Either way, it creates a dark shadow which is cosmetically distracting. The best treatment is to build up this area of hollowing and bring this skin into the light and stop the shadow formation. This filling can be accomplished with injectable fillers such as Restylane or Juvederm, fat injections or by placement of a Flowers Tear Trough Implant.

A Flowers Tear Trough Implant inserted under the eyes will augment the cheek bone (infraorbital rim) and eliminate the shadowing. Tear trough implants are made of silicone – a soft rubber-like material that is inserted through a small incision and placed over the bone mass under the eyelid to augment its shape and create a more youthful appearance. Dr. Lee performs tear trough implant surgery with a transconjunctival method of putting implants in place by way of a small laser incision on the inside of the eyelid. By using this advanced surgical technique, there are no visible signs of scarring since there is no incision made on the outside of the eyelid. Transconjunctival tear trough implant surgery has a quicker healing time post-surgery than less effective surgical techniques and leaves no change to the shape of the eyelid. This is the most lasting and predictable treatment for tear trough deformity.

When young patients seek Dr. Lee’s advice regarding lower eyelid bags, it rarely is due to "bags", but is usually due to an anatomic imbalance called a "Negative Vector Orbit." Patients with this condition describe themselves as having "bags" since they were very young, and that the bags are worsening with time. The anatomic finding is usually an underformed (hypoplastic) cheek bone under the eye giving you a "prominent eye" appearance (the opposite of a deep set eye). When the eyeball and the normal fat of the lower lid (periorbital fat) protrude farther than the cheek bone, they cast a shadow, giving the appearance of dark circles under the eyelids. An example of negative vector orbits can be seen in actors Susan Sarandon and Marty Feldman. Most facial models have positive vector orbits. Catherine Zeta Jones is a nice example.

Improving the eye area is key in improving overall facial appearance. Correcting a tear trough deformity restores balance and rejuvenates the entire face. If you are interested in discussing your desired area of improvement with Dr. Lee, please call Changes Plastic Surgery & Spa at 858-720-1440.

Tags: facial implants, negative vector orbits, san diego plastic surgeon, tear trough deformity, undereye bags
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San Diego Physician Performs Asian Double Fold Eyelid Procedure

Monday, August 29th, 2011

Unique facial features help characterize each of us and our ethnic origins. Approximately 85% of Asians are born without a distinct fold in their upper eyelids. The change to a "double fold" in the Asian eyelid is considered by many to create a wider or more open eye. This then conveys more definition and expression of Asian beauty. For these reasons, the double fold eyelid procedure is the most common aesthetic procedure performed on Asian patients, both male and female.

The Asian eyelid operation differs from the blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, performed on Caucasians. In Caucasians, a blepharoplasty is almost exclusively done to correct the effects of aging by removing excess skin and fat from the eyelids. By contrast, the double fold procedure is usually performed on younger Asian patients who desire a more defined, dramatic appearance to their eyes. The objective of the surgery is not to create a Caucasian eyelid, but to enhance the natural beauty of the native Asian eye. Another benefit of the procedure is that eye make-up is easier to apply and keep in place.

To correctly perform this procedure, the plastic surgeon must have a keen understanding of the differences in anatomy between Asian and Caucasian eyelids. These differences include a smaller distance between the eyelid and the eyebrow in Asians, the presence of more fat and muscle in the Asian eyelid, and a shallower eye socket in Asians. The manner in which eyelid muscles attach to the skin and eyelid also differs.

Despite the wide popularity of this procedure in Asia, most American plastic surgeons have very limited experience with this operation. For the best results, your plastic surgeon should be experienced in this procedure, in addition to knowing the anatomy of the eyelid.

We are proud to say that our plastic surgeon Gilbert Lee, MD, FACS has studied this procedure in depth in Taiwan and offers the finest most reliable techniques to our patients. We tailor each operation to the specific needs of each individual Asian patient.

For more information on the Asian Double Fold procedure at Changes Plastic Surgery & Spa call 858-720-1440 or email us at info@changesplasticsurgery.com.

Tags: Asian eye, blepharoplasty, caucasian eye, double fold procedure, eyelid surgery, san diego plastic surgeon
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The Eyes Have It – Focusing on Non-Surgical Eye Rejuvenation

Monday, August 8th, 2011

The eyes are the windows to the soul. They hold a gaze and are the first thing people see when looking at our face. It is also the first place we notice the signs of aging. Thinning skin, sun damage and facial expressions take their toll on the delicate eye area. Dark circles appear and eyeshadow disappears as sagging skin droops over the lid. Crow’s feet and laugh lines appear and stay there even if we’re not laughing! But aging eyes are nothing to cry about. Rejuvenating the eye area is relatively simple and most importantly, addressing the eye area first results in a more youthful appearance for the entire face.

Although blepharoplasty (eyelid lift) is a common surgical solution to the aging eye area, non-surgical options are discussed here.

Dark circles under the eyes can make you look tired and worn out or worse, unhealthy. As the skin in the eye area thins with age, blood vessels beneath the surface show through creating the illusion of dark circles. In some cases the dark circles are simply shadows caused by a hollowing of the area above the cheeks (tear troughs). One way of masking this appearance is with the injection of hyaluronic acid to plump the area and provide better support for the undereye skin. Restylane and Juvederm are two most commonly used products to achieve this. Both products are affordable, effective for approximately 8-12 months and can be performed in a single office visit. A patient’s own fat can also be injected into the tear trough hollows for a more permanent correction.

Juvederm to tear troughs

Hooded and sagging eyelids can be tweaked with a little Dysport or Botox injected to simulate a mini-browlift and raise the lids. Although a temporary fix lasting 4-5 months, both products are moderately priced and well tolerated by all patients. Dysport or Botox can also be injected into the crow’s feet area to minimize the muscle movement and allow crow’s feet wrinkles to relax and fade.

Wrinkled, crepey and sagging eye area skin can be improved with laser. Using fractionalized CO2 (carbon dioxide) laser, such as Lumenis Total FX, the delicate eyelid skin can be resurfaced to erase existing lines, improve texture and add a few degrees of tightening to lift the lid without surgery (see below). The CO2 Total FX offers results with only one treatment and can be performed specifically for the eye area at a fraction of the full face price.

Periorbital Fractional CO2 Laser

Gaze into your own eyes and see the possibility of a new reflection. Younger, happier and natural looking with the help of a few non-surgical eye-openers. Visit www.facebook.com/ChangesPlasticSurgery or www.changesplasticsurgery.com for more information and pricing on non-surgical facial rejuvenation.

Tags: aging, anti-aging, blepharoplasty, browlift, changes plastic surgery, co2 laser, cosmetic surgery, crow's feet, dark circles, dermal filler, dermal fillers, eye lift, eyelid lift, eyelid surgery, facial filleres, fractional laser, gilbert lee, hooded lids, juvederm, non-invasive, non-invastive, non-surgical, non-surgical treatments, Radiesse, restylane, sagging skin, san diego plastic surgeon, san diego plastic surgery, skin sagging, top doctor in san diego california, total fx laser, undereye bags, undereye circles
Posted in Facial Aging, General, Plastic Surgery in San Diego California | 3 Comments »

Five Facial Features and How They Age

Wednesday, July 20th, 2011

It happens to the best of us. Aging. It creeps up on us in our late 20's and has us in a stranglehold by 70. We notice the first signs of aging, usually in a panic, as we first detect a line or two that doesn't go away. Lightly etched, but taking a permanent position near our eyes and above the mouth, the aging process has begun.

But just how does our face change with age? Long ago, I learned that noses and ears keep growing throughout our lives. Looking at my grandparents, each with a pretty generous schnoz, I wondered what else is true of an aging face? What can we really expect? And most importantly, can we correct these changes?

EYES APPEAR MORE SUNKEN

As fat pockets in the cheeks flatten and shrink with age, facial skin looses support and begins to sag leaving a hollow trough under the eyes. Furthermore, the brow drops adding to excess upper eyelid skin. The upper lid visually disappears.

To age-defy the eye area, Dr. Gilbert Lee can perform a blepharoplasty (or eyelid lift) to remove excess, drooping skin. Tear trough implants can be surgically placed to correct a sunken look as well as dermal fillers injected into the area.

patient before eyelid surgery

EARLOBES DROOP

Gravity loves to pull on these pendulous appendages. Over time, the earlobes get bigger and longer adding to the overall size of the ears.

If you are getting long in the lobe, Dr. Lee can surgically reduce their size in a simple in-office procedure. Individuals with small, atrophied earlobes see improvement with the injection of a dermal filler such as Juvederm, Restylane or Radiesse to restore volume and plump the earlobes.

THE NOSE GROWS

Although bones cease to grow and in fact shrink with age, the cartilage of the nose does continue to grow. As a result, the end of the nose may appear larger as a person grows older. Gravity does its thing on the tip of the nose pulling it downward extending the length of the nose.

Rhinoplasty is a surgical option for reducing the size of the nose.

LIPS SHRINK

Lips change their shape and begin to look thinner and weaker with a loss of definition to the lip border. Loss of skin elasticity and facial fat volume amplified by the pull of gravity contributes to the development of wrinkles around the mouth (lip lines).

Fractional laser rejuvenation (TotalFX) is a minimally, invasive method of resurfacing the skin to reduce the depth of wrinkles and improve their appearance. A liquid gel dermal filler such as Restylane or Juvederm can be injected directly into the vertical lines around the mouth or directly into the lip to temporarily add volume and minimize the lip lines. Another option is the injection of fat for a more permanent correction.

THE CHIN RECEDES

As bone density diminishes and soft tissue support shrinks, the chin appears to recede. A receding chin causes the nose and upper teeth to appear more prominent. Sagging skin adds to an ill-defined jawline and the prominence of jowls.

Dr. Lee can correct a receding chin and improve your profile with the surgical placement of a chin implant. Radiesse can also be injected into the chin to add volume. Although not a permanent correction, Radiesse can last up to 18 months.

Although aging isn't something we look forward to, it is nice to know these five features have more than five ways to defy their aging appearance. Read more about anti-aging surgical and non-surgical options at www.ChangesPlasticSurgery.com.

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Posted in Facial Aging, General, Plastic Surgery in San Diego California | 4 Comments »