A subnasal lip lift elevates the top portion of the lip and reduces the distance between the upper lip and bottom of the nose. The result is a smile that is fuller and more youthful.

To begin the surgery, Dr. Hilger will make a very small incision at the junction between the nose and lip. The surgeons usually make the incision in the natural crease of the area, so that it is well concealed. After making the incision, a small, curved strip of skin is trimmed away, to lift the lip area. The resulting wound is stitched up with sutures. Most of the sutures will be removed within 5 to 7 days. Some of the sutures are dissolvable and will fade on their own.

Injectable fillers have been used off-label for non-surgical rhinoplasty. While this is a good option for some patients, it comes with several drawbacks. First, the procedure is temporary. The results typically last no more than 6-12 months. It is also not appropriate for fixing many of the problems patients are concerned with. Only subtle changes can be made. Finally, there are some risks for unfavorable scarring. During your consultation, if you are interested in non-surgical rhinoplasty, be sure to discuss the option with your surgeon, as they will be able to advise you based on your individual case.

Although the surgery is overall very safe when performed by a reputable facial plastic surgeon, all surgery carries some risks. Bleeding, infection, anesthesia complications, unfavorable scarring, numbness, nosebleeds, hematoma, nerve damage, and poor aesthetic outcome are all possible complications. Experienced surgeons like Dr. Hilger know how to minimize these risks during surgery, and patients should follow postoperative instructions carefully to further minimize risk.

You may be a good candidate for facial augmentation with fat grafting if you are in good health and have experienced a loss of facial volume to due to aging. If you feel that you look tired or older than you really are due to a loss of volume in the cheek area, fat transfer can not only restore fullness to the face, it can also help you feel more confident. There are cases when a younger patient, who has little facial volume due to congenital conditions, might be a good candidate for fat transfer. But it’s often more likely that younger patients are better served by more permanent facial augmentation options, such as cheek implants.

For protruding ears, the surgeon will make small incisions behind the ears to trim, remove, and reshape the cartilage. The ears are then secured with sutures so that they lie closer to the head. Other deformities or shape issues can be corrected by removing skin and cartilage through incisions in the front of the ear or otoplasty. In both cases, scars are barely visible. Children’s surgery is performed under general anesthetic. The surgery typically takes about two to three hours. At the end of the procedure, a soft protective bandage is applied and this remains in place for 2 to 5 days. We generally then ask patients to wear a light elastic headband at night for an additional three weeks to minimize the risk of inadvertently putting traction on the ear or otoplasty.