 Introduction to Services
At Northwest Facial Plastic Surgery we provide our patients with individualized attention and surgical excellence. As a fellowship trained and board certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Elizabeth Whitaker is dedicated to improving function as well as appearance, with an emphasis on a natural “un-operated” look. Our philosophy is the best cosmetic surgery does not draw attention to itself, but to a refreshed and natural appearing you.
We offer a complete range of cosmetic procedures including rhinoplasty, chin/cheek implants, neck liposuction, facelift, eyelift, brow lift and earlobe repair. We also offer medical grade skin care, Restylane and BOTOX injections and skin resurfacing peels and laser treatments. Reconstructive surgical procedures include excision and repair of skin lesions, scar revisions, keloid removal, facial fractures and otoplasty for protruding or malformed ears.
During your confidential consultation, we will discuss your goals and concerns in considering cosmetic surgery. We strive to answer all your questions and provide you with information on the procedures and products that will help you achieve your goal of gaining a more youthful appearance or addressing reconstructive needs.
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Cosmetic Surgery
Facelifts
Aging results in loosening of the skin of the face and neck. Jowls develop along the jawline and excess skin develops beneath the chin creating a double chin or "turkey neck." All incisions are camouflaged in natural creases and tailored to the patient's face and hairline. Traditional facelift techniques address the sagging of the muscle, fat and skin of the lower face. Aging of the face can also cause hollowing of the lower eyelid and loss of fullness in the cheek or "mid-face" not always addressed with traditional facelift techniques. Rejuvenating the mid-face as well as the lower face can result in a natural, refreshed and un-stretched appearance.
Eyelid Lift (Blepharoplasty)
Droopy eyelids can be due to inherited or the result of the individual’s aging process, and can make you look older and even impair vision. Puffiness and bags under the eyes also give a tired appearance. Blepharoplasty removes the excess skin and fat in the eyelids. In upper eyelid surgery, a fine incision is placed in the natural eyelid crease to remove the loose skin and bulging fat. For lower eyelids, fat can be removed with no external incision through the inside of the eyelid. If there is loose skin, a fine incision is made in the natural line underneath the lower lashes. Blepharoplasty, when performed conservatively, can result in a natural, rested appearance that does not change the shape of the eye.
Brow Lift
Skin loses elasticity as we age. The aging forehead can develop frown lines and eyebrows can become heavy in appearance giving a tired, angry or sad appearance to the upper face. Droopy, tired eyelids may result from excess eyelid skin and fat alone. However, drooping eyebrows can also contribute to the excess skin and tired appearance of the upper face. Elevating the brow, alone or in conjunction with an eyelid lift, can result in a natural, refreshed appearance. Brow lifts are frequently performed endoscopically with minimal incisions hidden in the hair.
Mid-face Lift
As we age, the mid-face descends, resulting in loss of fullness of the cheeks, deepening nasolabial lines and a hollow appearance in the lower eyelids. A mid-face lift is performed primarily through incisions hidden in the hair. These techniques are ideal for younger patients with minimal aging changes in the lower neck. Rejuvenating the mid-face can bring fullness back to the cheek, improve the lower eyelid area, and soften nasolabial folds.
Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty, more commonly known as a ‘nose job,’ can improve the appearance of your nose, correct aging changes that cause it to droop or straighten a crooked nose. Rhinoplasty is performed through strategically placed incisions primarily inside the nose. This allows the surgeon to sculpt the cartilage and bone to improve the appearance of the nose. The profile of the nose can be reduced; the tip shaped and narrowed or remove a hump on the bridge of the nose. Improvement not only in appearance, but also in the function of the nose is frequently a goal of this type of plastic surgery. Rhinoplasty can enhance your appearance by creating a nose that complements your other features.
Facial Liposuction
Excess fat under the chin can be hereditary and may not respond to diet and exercise. In younger patients with good skin elasticity, removal of this excess fat can improve the neck and jaw line. In patients with a receding chin, the addition of a chin implant can help improve the neckline and balance of the profile. Facial liposuction is also frequently combined with a facelift.
Lip Augmentation
Full lips can improve facial harmony and complement other facial features. Undersized lips can be inherited or lips may thin and wrinkle as we age. Lip implants can be used to enhance the fullness and shape of your lips. The procedure can be done in our offices under local anesthesia or in an operating room setting. Injectable fillers such as Restylane can also be used to improve the shape and fullness of the lips and are less invasive. Restylane typically lasts six months, after which follow up injections can be performed to maintain fullness.
Skin Resurfacing
Skin resurfacing removes the outer layers of the skin stimulating new skin growth. Chemical peels and laser resurfacing can reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, age spots and sun damage, and improve overall skin quality and texture. A few days of recovery time is usually required. These resurfacing procedures leave your skin with a fresher, more youthful appearance.
Botox
Botox is a therapeutic muscle relaxing agent approved for the treatment of facial wrinkles. When injected into specific facial muscles, it reduces the appearance of lines caused by muscle tension. It is most often used to improve frown lines, crow's feet and forehead lines. The effects of Botox treatment typically last three-to-four months and follow up maintenance injections are necessary
Restylane
Restylane is a synthetic hyaluronic acid which occurs naturally in the skin. Injectable fillers can plump up depressions and wrinkles and soften the appearance of facial folds. Restylane is commonly used for nasolabial lines (smile lines), marionette lines (corner of mouth), lip augmentation and wrinkles. Restylane typically lasts six months and can be performed in the office.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels can improve skin quality, texture and diminish the appearance of facial wrinkles. Light or "lunchtime" peels can improve skin appearance with no significant downtime, just a few hours of temporary redness. The greatest benefit is obtained from a series of light peels increasing the intensity with each peel. Typically a series of six peels is performed, spaced two-to-three weeks apart. For deeper lines and more damaged skin, more intensive chemical peels are used for more dramatic results and require a few days of recovery time.
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Skin Care Products
Beautiful skin starts with healthy skin. Sun exposure, stress and smoking all produce free radicals that damage the skin. Most widely available skin care products primarily affect the surface of your skin. Optimal results are achieved by also affecting the deeper layers of the skin with medical-grade skin care. Medical-grade skin care plays an important role both in protecting our skin from further damage as well as correcting damage that has already occurred. Individual skin care needs vary and we offer a variety of medical-grade products to meet the needs of every skin type. Skinceuticals and Obagi products are available in our office. Our customized skin care consultation allows appropriate evaluation of your skin needs followed by a personalized skin care regiment recommended by Dr. Whitaker.
Northwest ENT & Allergy Center recommends these medical grade skin care products. Please consult with Dr. Whitaker to determine which products are best for your skin.
Skinceuticals
Obagi
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Facial Implants (Before & After Photos)
Chin and Cheek Implants
A well-defined chin gives balance to the face and profile. A "weak" chin can make other facial features such as the nose appear larger or contribute to the appearance of sagging jowls. Chin augmentation can improve the balance of the profile and enhance the neckline. It can be performed alone, but is frequently combined with rhinoplasty, submental liposuction or a facelift to improve overall facial harmony.
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Reconstructive Surgery (Before & After Photos)
Nasal Fractures
Nasal fractures are a very common injury. Broken noses can frequently be repaired with no incisions by repositioning the bones to avoid a permanent crooked appearance.
Facial Trauma
Trauma to the face can affect both appearance and function. Broken facial bones can be repositioned and stabilized with surgery when necessary. Incisions can be placed in hidden or strategic locations to minimize or eliminate any external facial scars. A complete head and neck exam along with CT scanning are usually required to fully evaluate the extent of the trauma and allow for effective treatment planning.
Ear Deformities
Otoplasty can correct protruding or misshapen ears in both children and adults. For protruding ears, the ears are repositioned more closely to the head creating a more balanced appearance. For a misshapen ear or "lop ear" deformity, the ear can be reshaped to a more natural and symmetric appearance. In children, otoplasty is generally recommended at age five or six before starting school.
Skin Lesions
Skin lesions can range from benign blemishes to malignant skin cancers. A complete examination of the head and neck, combined with an evaluation of the skin is important to appropriately diagnose, evaluate and treat skin lesions. For large skin cancers, especially of the face, nose and ears, reconstructive surgery is frequently required to restore a functional and cosmetically acceptable appearance.
Scar Revision
Facial scars can occur from surgery, injury or acne. The appearance of scars frequently improves over time as the body heals. While scars cannot be removed completely, they frequently can be made less visible or repositioned surgically. Skin color and type, age and the type of scarring are all important considerations in scar revision.
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