How do you achieve a more youthful face if you are not ready for or interested in a facelift? Can you get great results without a facelift? We say, “Absolutely.” Short of a facelift, we recommend three effective procedures for a more youthful, refreshed look.
BLEPHAROPLASTY
Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that improves the appearance of your eyelids. It helps reduce the look of tired eyes from your lower lids and removes drooping skin from your upper lids. You can focus on just the upper or lower lids, or address both at the same time.
CO2 LASER RESURFACING
CO2 laser treatment aims to improve the appearance of the skin by removing the top layer and stimulating the formation of new skin cells. CO2 Laser Resurfacing is used to tighten the skin and to treat fine lines. It also treats wrinkles, sun-damaged skin, and scarring.
FAT TRANSFER
Facial fat transfer uses a person’s own existing body fat to restore volume to and plump sunken or sagging areas of the face. This procedure is used to treat deep creases on the forehead or between the eyebrows as well as hollow areas under the cheeks and eyes. It can also aid with contouring around the nose, temples, upper lip and the jaw.
Each of these procedures requires confirmation that you are a candidate, as well as some downtime.
This patient had all three of these procedures: lower eyelid surgery with fat grafting and CO2 laser resurfacing of the skin around the eyelids.
When Should You Choose a Facelift?
While we have described some effective procedures for facial rejuvenation, sometimes these methods don’t do the trick.
Maybe you have tried injectables and chemical peels for a while, and they do not provide the long-term results you want. Or perhaps laser or radio frequency treatments just are not achieving what you want.
Whatever the reason, facelift surgery can achieve results that non-surgical results cannot match. Facelift surgery can reposition and lift facial tissues, which is something non-surgical options cannot replicate. It can also remove excess skin, which can roll back the clock on the face by years.
If your silicone gel implants are more than two decades old, it’s crucial to meet with a plastic surgeon to assess their condition and explore your options. Dr. Suzanne Quardt, a board-certified plastic surgeon, offers breast revision services to patients in Newport Beach and nearby areas.
The primary concern with older implants is the possibility of leaking or rupturing. It’s important to note that silicone gel implants from over 20 years ago differ significantly from today’s versions. Advances in implant technology have led to thicker outer shells that are more rupture-resistant and the development of more cohesive silicone gel that doesn’t leak as easily. Modern implants, classified as 4th to 6th generation, are vastly improved over older models.
While mammograms are effective for early breast cancer detection, they aren’t very reliable for spotting implant ruptures unless the damage is severe enough to appear on the scan. Instead, watch for changes like hardening of the breast tissue, known as capsular contracture, or noticeable flattening of the breast, which may indicate a ruptured implant. Pain in the breasts warrants an immediate check-up, though many women with ruptured implants experience no discomfort. Silent ruptures, which occur without obvious symptoms, are best detected through MRI, a highly accurate diagnostic tool for this purpose.
If your old implants are saline, replacement is only necessary if issues arise. A saline rupture is harmless as the body absorbs the saline naturally. However, ruptured silicone gel implants can lead to intra-capsular or extra-capsular ruptures. Intra-capsular ruptures contain the silicone within the surrounding scar tissue, while extra-capsular ruptures allow the silicone to escape, potentially reaching the skin or lymph nodes. Immediate removal is recommended for ruptured silicone implants, as advised by manufacturers.
Even without a full rupture, the outer shell of a silicone gel implant may degrade over time, allowing the silicone to leak gradually in a process called silicone bleed. This can cause a capsular contracture, where the tissue around the implant hardens. In some cases, no visible signs of leakage are present, yet the implant may still be compromised.
Many women, for a variety of different reasons, decide to remove their breast implants. One of the biggest concerns is “how will my breasts look after removing my implants?” The volume loss can sometimes create a “caved in” deformity of the upper and central breast after removing the implant. This type of volume loss can NOT be corrected with breast lifts alone.
Dr Suzanne Quardt’s breast reconstruction technique after implant removal, also called explant surgery, offers an innovative and personal approach to addressing a common concern for women undergoing explant surgery.
Her procedure, which she calls the “Q Flap,” enhances the breast’s fullness without using replacement implants by using a patient’s own native breast tissue.
For the appropriate candidate, Dr Quardt has taken her knowledge and training in Breast Reconstructive Surgery to help prevent the explant deformity. Using her intraoperative technique, she performs a rearrangement of the soft tissues of the breasts to create a fuller-looking breast, particularly in the specific area of volume loss after removing the breast implants. By transposing a patient’s own tissues into the void created by the explants, Dr Quardt gives women a much prettier and fuller yet natural-looking breast result after implant removal.
“This is a great procedure for women who want their implants removed but want to maintain fullness in their breasts.”
Suzanne Quardt, MD
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(949) 880-0062
“A Mommy Makeover is just a Breast Augmentation and Tummy Tuck, right?”
Not according to Dr. Suzanne Quardt (aka Dr Q). That is a limiting definition of what this life-changing transformation can include. In Dr. Quardt’s practice, a Mommy Makeover is any combination of procedures that a woman and her plastic surgeon deem beneficial to make her look and feel her best. There is no set formula, but more of a “mixing and matching” of specific procedures tailored to achieve each patient’s desired results for this new stage in her life.
Dr. Quardt guides each patient through the process, educating them on their options, what is realistic and best for them, and how to best prepare for and recover from their procedures.
“It is so rewarding for me, as a female surgeon and mother, to help women to look and feel their best after the wonderful, life-changing (yet body-altering) event of becoming a mother.”
Mommy Makeovers can include any combination of a wide range of procedures such as the following:
- Breast Augmentation – with implants, or through fat transfer
- Breast Lift – to create perky breasts by removing excess skin, or to enhance breast shape and breast size along with implants
- Breast Reduction – to reduce overly large breasts and also create a lift
- Liposuction – to the abdomen, hips, thighs, back in order to create a waistline and contour the body
- Tummy Tuck or Mini Tummy Tuck – to remove excess skin and fat and flatten the underlying abdominal muscles (often combined with liposuction)
- Labiaplasty – to reduce redundant outer lip skin/tissue
Pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding certainly change a woman’s body, but the Mommy Makeover isn’t about “restoring a pre-pregnancy body” per se. It is more about determining a woman’s unique needs and goals moving forward, and establishing a road map with the advice and expertise of her surgeon to attain the optimal body aesthetic for each woman’s unique stage in their lives.
This 49-year-old mother complained of loss of fullness of her breasts after having one child and breastfeeding. She was very fit, but didn’t like a small flap of skin on her lower abdomen. She underwent a Breast Augmentation with Silicone Gel Implants as well as Mini Tummy Tuck.
This 30-year-old mother of one lost about 80 pounds after her pregnancy. She desired fuller breasts and a flat tummy. She underwent a Breast Augmentation using “Gummy Bear” Implants, a Tummy-Tuck, and Liposuction of her torso.
The jawline can be a crucial part of facial aesthetics. A strong jawline in men is often associated with attractiveness and confidence. For women, a jawline can represent youth and beauty. We offer two approaches to refining the jawline: liposuction and injectables.
LIPOSUCTION
Liposuction of the jawline is a procedure where a skilled surgeon removes excess fat to improve the jaw’s contour. It can be done on its own or combined with other facial procedures. The results of this procedure are considered permanent for most patients.
INJECTABLES
Allergan (the maker of BOTOX and JUVEDERM) has created a product specifically for the jawline. This long-lasting filler, called VOLUX, is FDA-approved and is the first and only HA filler specifically designed for jawline definition.
VOLUX is a slightly more cohesive and thicker formula than JUVEDERM VOLUMA. Both of these fillers build volume and create a lift beneath the skin, but while VOLUMA is FDA-approved for the chin and cheeks, VOLUX is FDA-approved to treat the jawline.
The procedure only takes a few minutes, and any swelling is dramatically improved within 48 hours. Results last between 12 and 18 months.
Kenny Bernstein, known as the King of Speed, is a renowned drag racer and successful buisnessman. In his nearly 40-year career as a racer, he collected dozens of event victories and multiple championship titles, most of these with his iconic Budweiser King Race Team.
In this installment of Skin Cancer Stories, we get to know the King of Speed, talk to him about the ups and downs of his illustrious racing career, and explore his journey with skin cancer.
Are you noticing excess or loose skin around your eyes? When it comes to lifting and tightening the skin in this area, we have two approaches, one surgical and one done with a laser. Often our recommendation for optimal results is to combine the two.
SURGICAL APPROACH: BLEPHAROPLASTY
Blepharoplasty is intended to enhance the upper and/or lower lids, to create a more refreshed, youthful look. For the upper lid, the procedure involves making an incision in the natural crease of the eyelid, and then removing and reshaping the skin, muscle, and fat that deflate and droop with age and sun exposure.
Blepharoplasty can also be performed on the lower eyelid. As people age, the tissue that holds the fat in place can loosen and the fat can protrude, giving the appearance of bags under the eyes. These bags can be repositioned and reshaped.
THE MAGIC OF CO2 LASER RESURFACING
CO2 laser resurfacing is an excellent way to tighten skin and reduce discoloration of the skin around the eyes.
This laser tightens minor excess skin on the eyelids, reduces of signs of aging in the eye area, and the completely renews the skin. And with the CO2 laser we can tailor treatment according to the nature and extent of photodamage, wrinkling, skin type and individual requirements for recovery time.
When considering a fractional CO2 laser for the eyes, remember that the effects can take up to 8-12 weeks to see, so plan accordingly!
This procedure can be done on its own or in conjunction with eyelid surgery.
Neurotoxins—like Botox and Dysport—are a nonsurgical form of wrinkle treatment that have minimal discomfort and quick recovery rates.
Most of us know that these injections can improve forehead lines, crows feet, and the vertical lines between the eyebrows. But did you know that these injections can also benefit the lower face, including the chin and overall face shape?
This graphic shows both cosmetic and therapeutic uses for neurotoxins:
● GUMMY SMILE: Some people’s upper lip elevates too far above their upper teeth when they smile, exposing a large portion of their gums. Botox can lower the upper lip to reduce the visibility of the gums.
● LIP FLIP: A lip flip is a popular procedure that makes your lips look fuller without increasing the volume of your lips.
● CHIN DIMPLING: Sometimes the chin can appear dimpled or bumpy. Neurotoxins can relax the muscles in the chin area to smooth out its appearance.
● DOWTURNED SMILE: Injecting neurotoxins can weaken the muscles that pull down the mouth causing a downwards looking smile, or scowl.
● MASSETER PAIN RELIEF: Neurotoxins can be used to provide relief from the painful and uncomfortable symptoms of Bruxism. This condition causes involuntary teeth clenching, jaw pain, headaches, and tooth damage. Neurotoxin injections can reduce or eliminate these symptoms by relaxing the overactive masseter muscles. Additionally, when the masseter muscle is injected it can slim the overall look of the lower face.
Our team of expert injectors has extensive experience with facial injectables.
Non-Surgical Option: Are You a Fan of Fillers?
Do you wish your lips could be plumper or more balanced? Thanks to dermal fillers, this wish is easily granted. We offer products specifically formulated to enhance and augment the lips to your desired size and shape, or to correct asymmetry.
Juvederm: For Silkier, Smoother, Natural-Looking Lips
Juvederm products utilize hyaluronic acid to create instant volume in the exact way that your lips need it most. Juvederm Vollure is specially formulated with a balance of gel firmness and low cohesivity, which subtly adds volume. This means that it is firm enough to hold its shape, but malleable enough to move, making the results noticeable yet natural. It lasts up to 18 months.
Juvederm Ultra adds fullness to the lips, while Juvederm Volbella adds subtle volume and even softens the appearance of vertical lip lines. Both of these products last between six and 12 months.
You only need around 30 minutes for your dermal filler lip treatment.
A Surgical Option for Fuller, Lifted Lips
A lip lift is a surgical procedure that shortens the space between the nose and the top of the lip. This increases the amount of pink lip tissue that’s visible, which makes the lips look fuller and more pronounced. It can also increase how much your upper center teeth show when your lips are resting. It leaves a small scar at the base of the nostrils, but it is usually undetectable after a few weeks.
It’s a good option for people who want to add height instead of volume to their lips. Younger people who haven’t achieved the look they want from fillers, or if they find that fillers make their lips look unnaturally plump or duck-like, may prefer a lip lift.
And a lip lift is a good option for reducing the space between the lips and the nose. With age, this space can increase and can make the upper lip look thinner.
Gary McKnight is the head basketball coach at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana. At his time there he has become the winningest high school basketball coach in California history. See a video about his story HERE.
Coach McKnight has led Mater Dei to more than 1250 victories, including a National Championship and 11 California State Titles. He has coached nine players who have gone on to play in the NBA.
More recently, he has faced a different battle. “At a regular checkup, my doctor saw a spot on my face and said, we’ve got to get you to the best, and referred me to the SCARS Center. I went in there and they said it required Mohs surgery. Two Mohs surgeries and big reconstructions on my face.”
McKnight had squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) on his cheek, neck and ear.
Dr. Adam Aronson and Dr. Matthew Goodman performed the Mohs surgery, followed by Dr. Simon Madorsky reconstructing the defects. “They all took good care of me. There is no guesswork. They get you in right on time, they explain what they need to do. I went in the morning and I walked out in the afternoon, cancer free and reconstructed.”
“I had four skin cancers—the first two didn’t require plastic surgery, the last two did. It was major surgery. Dr. Madorsky was really caring and I’ve still got my good looks.”
At first, his students were worried about him, but his current students don’t even know it happened because he healed so well.
Coach McKnight is now an advocate for skin health and getting regular skin checks. “I really encourage people to go and get checked and stay on top of it. Especially here in Southern California where the sun is beating down. Probably being a basketball coach instead of a baseball coach saved my life, because I wasn’t out in the sun all the time.
He is in charge of 86 young men and consistently reminds them about protecting their skin.
“I talk to the kids all the time about wearing sunscreen when they go to the beach and surf. I say ‘put it on your ears, your nose, your forehead. Wear a baseball cap. You all know what happened to me.”