Face

A double chin can often be resolved with neck lift surgery.

If you are concerned about a double chin, you are certainly not alone. Many people notice this issue, especially as they get older. The good news is that is often possible to resolve the problem and achieve a more pleasing facial shape. Although each person is different, and the treatment that you choose will depend on your particular needs, your surgeon may recommend a combination of approaches to get rid of excess fat and tighten your skin for a firmer, more defined neck and chin.

One of the best ways to get rid of a double chin is by means of neck lift surgery — read on to find out what this involves…

What is a double chin?

Also known as submental fat, a double chin occurs when an excess layer of fat forms below the chin. Although a double chin can be a side-effect of weight gain, other factors can also contribute to this common issue. These include genetics, as well as loose skin and a loss of skin elasticity caused by the natural ageing process.

As we get older, the skin tends to get thinner and weaker over time and the body produces less of the proteins that keep the skin firm and plump. This leads to sagging skin, which often affects the area under the jaw and in the neck area.

What are the treatment options?

Sagging skin in the neck area, as well as excess fat under the chin, are common concerns as one begins to age. In fact, the neck is often the first place to show visible signs of ageing. If you have noticed excess fat and loose skin in the area of the neck, chin and jaw, your surgeon might recommend one or a few procedures.

To get rid of excess fat from under the chin, liposuction is often an effective option. But, if you would like to remove excess skin and tighten the neck muscles, it is worth considering neck lift surgery.

What does neck lift surgery involve?

The purpose of neck lift surgery is to remove excess skin and fat and tighten the muscles for improved definition in the area of the chin and neck. The surgery can resolve a range of issues, including excess or sagging skin in the lower face; deposits of fat under the chin; loose neck skin; and muscle banding in the neck. In fact, the treatment often goes a long way in improving many of the visible signs of aging and helps to achieve a smoother, more youthful-looking contour.

Although the procedure is highly effective, it is important to understand that neck lift surgery cannot stop the aging process. It does however create excellent definition and a well-defined profile while achieving a natural, but rejuvenated result.

How can we help?

Dr Sophie Ricketts offers a range of procedures for the face and neck, including neck lift surgery. If you are concerned with some of the visible effects of ageing, such as excess fat or sagging skin in the area of the jaw, chin and neck, we encourage you to come in for a consultation.

Many of the effects of ageing can be reversed or reduced with face and neck lift surgery, and Dr Ricketts will work hard to achieve natural and pleasing results. You might choose to combine your procedure with another treatment, such as a facelift for optimal results.

To find out more about neck lift surgery and what it involves, as well as to see some before and after images of patients who have had a neck lift surgery and liposuction,  please have a look here.

If you would like to arrange a consultation with Dr Sophie Ricketts, please don’t hesitate to get in touch here.

Lower eyelid surgery can help to resolve eye bags and puffiness.

If you have noticed puffiness, sagging, or wrinkles underneath your eyes, you are not alone. These are all common cosmetic concerns that can occur as part of the natural ageing process. The good news is that the appearance of the skin underneath the eyes can be considerably improved with the help of a procedure known as lower lid blepharoplasty. Often, this procedure is combined with other facial treatments, such as an upper eyelid lift or brow lift. Read on to find out what the process involves, and if it’s worth considering if you have eye bags…

What does the procedure involve?

Lower lid blepharoplasty is a cosmetic treatment that works by getting rid of excess fat and loose skin underneath the eyes, and reducing the appearance of wrinkles in this area. Many people struggle with puffy and wrinkled eyebags as they get older as the skin loses elasticity, fat and volume. Lower lid blepharoplasty helps to resolve the issue by achieving a much smoother, more youthful-looking appearance.

During the surgery, your surgeon will carefully remove skin and fat from underneath the eyes before stitching the skin for a tighter, smoother appearance.

Why consider lower lid blepharoplasty?

Lower eyelid surgery is often an effective option when it comes to addressing a range of cosmetic concerns. Some of the most common issues that are resolved with the procedure include bags underneath the eyes; sagging eyelids; wrinkles on the eyelids; dark circles underneath the eyes; and asymmetrical lower eyelids.

If you have noticed any of these issues and are concerned about your appearance as a result, it is advisable that you speak to your surgeon about your treatment options. Let your surgeon know exactly what you are worried about and what kind of results you would like to achieve. They will then work with you to formulate a treatment plan and let you know what you can expect from the process.

What can you expect after surgery?

The recovery period following blepharoplasty is generally surprisingly fast. You can expect some bruising and swelling after surgery, but these side effects should resolve within 10 to 14 days. By three to four weeks following surgery, most evidence of your surgery should have disappeared.

Once your cosmetic procedure is complete, your surgeon will let you know how to take care of your treatment site. You may find it helpful to apply cold compresses to your eyes for around 48 hours in order to minimise swelling.

Although the recovery period is generally very quick, you should limit strenuous exercise for about a week after surgery. You might notice some discomfort and dryness for a few days, but these side effects are completely normal.

How can we help?

Dr Sophie Ricketts offers a range of procedures for the face, including eyelid surgery. If you have noticed puffiness underneath your eyes, and are concerned about always looking tired, you might consider lower blepharoplasty. We encourage you to come in and see Dr Sophie Ricketts for a consultation so that you can discuss your concerns and expectations in detail. She will explain the process to you and address any questions that you have regarding the treatment and recovery period.

If you would like to find out more about eyelid surgery, please have a look here.

Dr Sophie Ricketts also offers a number of other cosmetic procedures for the face. These include brow lift; face and neck lift; chin surgery; ear surgery and rhinoplasty. No matter which treatment you choose, Dr Ricketts will guide you through the process from consultation to surgery and the recovery beyond. To find out more about the procedures that Dr Sophie Ricketts offers, please have a look here.

If you would like to arrange a consultation with Dr Sophie Ricketts, please don’t hesitate to get in touch here.

Brow lift surgery usually takes an hour or two to complete.

Brow lift surgery is a procedure that is performed in order to raise skin, soft tissue and resolve the appearance of a heavy, tired or angry-looking brow. The procedure can go a long way in improving one’s overall appearance, and is often ideal for those who have an asymmetrical or sagging brow area. In some cases, brow lift surgery is performed along with other facial procedures, but can also be done as a stand-alone treatment. Read on to find out how long the surgery usually takes, and what you can expect from the process…

Why consider a brow lift?

The brow can begin to sag or lower as part of the natural ageing process. This often occurs as the result of a loss of elasticity in the skin and soft tissues of the face. When the brow lowers, it can contribute to a tired or angry-looking appearance. By raising the position of the brow, it is often possible to achieve a more youthful-looking appearance.

How long does it take?

Brow lift surgery generally takes between one and two hours to complete. The exact duration of your procedure will depend on the type of surgical technique that your surgeon deems most appropriate for you.

Some of the possible techniques that may be used include endoscopic brow lift, in which small incisions are made behind the hairline through which tiny surgical instruments are inserted; coronal brow lift, in which an incision is made behind the hairline across the top of the head; and hairline brow lift, in which skin and tissue is removed from the top of the forehead instead of the scalp.

What can you expect from the recovery?

After your surgery is complete, your surgeon will let you know how to take care of your incisions. They will also recommend some medications to help alleviate any pain and discomfort that you feel. It is completely normal to experience some swelling — you may find it helpful to apply a cold compress to the affected area to minimise this side effect.

You may experience swelling for a few weeks but this, along with any discomfort that you feel, will gradually resolve with time. Your surgeon will let you know when you can begin all of your usual activities again. Any sutures that you have will typically be removed after around a week to ten days following surgery.

What kind of results can you expect?

Once the swelling has subsided, you will begin to notice the results of your brow loft procedure. The skin and soft tissues of your brow and forehead will be raised to a higher position, and you can expect your face to take on a refreshed and generally more youthful aesthetic. Your eyes will also appear more open than before, and any heaviness over your eyes will be reduced.

How can we help?

Regardless of your age, if you are unhappy with the appearance of your brow and would like to achieve a more youthful look, then brow lift surgery may be worth considering. We encourage you to speak to Dr Sophie Ricketts about whether the treatment is right for you and to raise any questions or concerns that you have during your consultation. It is important that you are fully informed before going ahead with any cosmetic procedure.

To find out more about brow lift surgery with Dr Sophie Ricketts, please have a look here.

Besides brow lift surgery, Dr Sophie Ricketts offers a number of other procedures for the face, including eye lid surgery; face and neck lifts; chin surgery; ear surgery and rhinoplasty. She also offers treatments for the breasts and body — to see the full list of procedures that are available, please have a look here.

If you are ready to arrange a consultation with Dr Sophie Ricketts, please don’t hesitate to get in touch here.

The downtime required after rhinoplasty is fairly short.

Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that can improve both the function and appearance of the nose. The surgery can be performed in order to fix structural defects or simply change the shape and size of your nose for an enhanced aesthetic.

Rhinoplasty is performed by a surgeon with specialised training in facial plastic surgery techniques. The length of your recovery will depend on many factors, including your individual anatomy, the extent and complexity of your surgical procedure, and your overall health during the healing period.

Read on to find out how long it usually takes to recover from rhinoplasty surgery, as well as what side effects to expect after treatment…

How long does the recovery take?

Although each patient is different, you should ideally plan to take around two weeks off work. During your first week, you will begin to feel gradually better over time. You should be able to resume most of your normal day-to-day activities after around a week to ten days, and you will probably feel back to normal within a month. Your surgeon may recommend that you avoid strenuous exercise for between four and six weeks after treatment.

One of the side effects of rhinoplasty surgery is swelling. This swelling can take up to a year to completely resolve, although it will be less noticeable after around two months.

What are the side effects of rhinoplasty?

After your rhinoplasty procedure, you can expect some swelling and bruising at the site of surgery, as well as around the eyes. This bruising can last up to two weeks. You will be required to wear an external nasal splint for your first week of recovery and often at night for up to six weeks.

Like any surgical treatment, rhinoplasty is associated with some potential risks, probably less than most other surgeries actually. These include bleeding and infection. Some of the risks of rhinoplasty specifically include usually temporary numbness of the skin of the nose; and nosebleeds. The most important risk is undergoing a rhinoplasty and not being happy with the result. This is why choosing your surgeon carefully is so important. These risks and potential complications will be explained by your surgeon at your consultation and you should feel comfortable with this before considering surgery.

When will you see the results?

Although side effects like bruising and swelling will resolve with time, it can take many months or even up to a year to see the final refined results of your rhinoplasty. The healing process takes time, and it is important to understand this before going ahead with the surgery. As the swelling subsides though, you will gradually begin to see how your procedure has enhanced your overall facial appearance and balance.

How can we help?

Dr Sophie Ricketts offers a number of procedures designed to improve the appearance of the face, including rhinoplasty. If you are concerned about the appearance of your nose or have functional problems that you would like resolved, we encourage you to come in for a consultation. Dr Ricketts will discuss your concerns and expectations with you and let you know if you are a suitable candidate for treatment. She will explain the details of the procedure to you, as well as what to expect from the recovery period.

During your consultation, you will have photographs taken, including some with a 3D camera — this allows Dr Ricketts to simulate the changes of your nose so that you see what you can expect from your final results. This is also helpful in showing you the limitations of the procedure to ensure that your expectations are realistic.

If you would like to find out more about the rhinoplasty procedure and what the process involves, please have a look here.

If you are ready to arrange a consultation with Dr Sophie Ricketts, please don’t hesitate to get in touch here.

Dr Ricketts offers a comprehensive range of cosmetic procedures for the face, breast and body. To see her full list of services, please have a look here.

Rhinoplasty, brow lift and eyelid surgery are some of Australia’s most popular facial procedures.

Cosmetic surgery is becoming increasingly popular around the world, and Australia ranks in the top ten countries when it comes to the amount of money that is spent on cosmetic procedures. Breast augmentation, liposuction, abdominoplasty and breast reduction are some of the most popular treatments, but when it comes to the face, many people are opting for rhinoplasty, brow lift and eyelid surgery.

Read on to find out more about these popular treatments, what they involve, and if they are right for you…

Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty can be performed for a number of different reasons. In fact, the procedure has both cosmetic and functional benefits. Individuals who are simply dissatisfied with the appearance of their nose may opt for the surgery for aesthetic reasons, but the surgery can also be performed in order to repair a past injury or resolve a structural concern that may be affecting one’s ability to breathe. It is, however, possible to have rhinoplasty performed for a combination of cosmetic and functional reasons.

If you are a suitable candidate for rhinoplasty, your surgeon will work with you to plan your treatment based on your particular concerns. A 3D camera will be used to visualise your results before the procedure even begins. This is very helpful as you will be able to see exactly what can be changed, as well as any potential limitations.

Eyelid surgery

Eyelid surgery is currently one of the most popular cosmetic treatments in Australia. The surgery, known as blepharoplasty, is often performed to get rid of excess skin on the eyelids and achieve a more youthful-looking appearance. Individuals who have noticed puffiness and loose skin around the eyes may choose to undergo surgery.

Blepharoplasty can be performed on either the upper or lower eyelids. Upper blepharoplasty gets rid of excess skin on the eyelids and helps to redefine the crease above the upper eyelid. It also resolves puffiness that may be affecting the inner corners of the eyes. Lower blepharoplasty, on the other hand, is highly effective when it comes to addressing dark shadows and hollows underneath the eyes. The procedure helps to flatten out puffiness and smooth wrinkles underneath the eyes.

Brow lift

If you have noticed a heaviness above your eyes that make you tired or angry all of the time, you might consider brow lift surgery. The brow lift procedure is best suited to individuals who are dissatisfied with a heavy brow that has become wrinkled over time, or which has even started to droop over the eyes.

A brow lift procedure allows the brow muscle to relax, which in turn reduces forehead wrinkles and reduces heaviness and sagging over the eyes. This helps to open up the eyes and achieve a more youthful, refreshed appearance. One of the benefits of brow lift surgery is that all surgical techniques result in scars that are hidden very discreetly in the hairline.

How can we help?

Dr Sophie Ricketts is a specialist plastic surgeon based in Melbourne. She offers a number of cosmetic procedures for the face, nose and neck. These include brow lift; eyelid surgery; face and neck lift; chin surgery; ear surgery; and rhinoplasty. If you are considering one of these procedures, we encourage you to come in for a consultation with Dr Ricketts so that she can get to know you and learn about your particular needs and concerns. She will then guide you through your treatment of choice and answer any questions that you have throughout the process.

Dr Sophie Ricketts also offers procedures for the breasts and body, including breast augmentation; breast reduction; breast lift; gynaecomastia; abdominoplasty; and mummy makeovers. To find out more about the full range of available services, please have a look here.

If you would like to arrange a consultation with Dr Sophie Ricketts, please don’t hesitate to get in touch here.