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Cosmetic Surgery for Asian patients is a unique field. While many of the surgical techniques developed in North America were designed specifically for Caucasians, unique features and anatomy of the Asian patient necessitate a different approach, in particular when considering the nose, upper eyelid and chin.
Dr. Andrew B. Denton is as a board certified facial plastic surgeon with fellowship training from the University of California San Francisco who practices in Vancouver, British Columbia. Because both of these locales boast vibrant and large Asian communities, Dr. Denton has extensive experience and expertise in the field of Asian cosmetic surgery.
During your consultation, you will have the opportunity to discuss your treatment options with Dr. Denton in a confidential and unhurried setting. Computer imaging will be performed to demonstrate to you the expected result following your procedure. Surgery is performed in Dr. DentonŐs fully accredited private operating facility in.
Asian rhinoplasty (nose reshaping)
Research has shown that Asians have relatively fewer growth centers in the nose and mid facial areas than their Caucasian counterparts. This helps to explain the position of the nose and upper lip. Often the bridge of the nose is low and the tip is wide and can be poorly defined. As a result, during Asian rhinoplasty surgery, the goal is usually to raise and narrow the bridge and to add definition to the tip with or without narrowing the nostrils. This is in contrast to the typical Caucasian rhinoplasty which usually involves making the nose smaller. As with all surgery performed on Asian patients, success is measured by a result that is consistent with the individual's ethnic identity.
Like facelift surgery, browlift techniques have evolved significantly over the past decade. Previously, browlifting required large scalp incisions and lengthy healing periods. Modern methods utilize endoscopic telescopes that minimize incisions and recovery time.
Browlifting works by restoring the forehead skin and eyebrows to a more youthful position. Individuals with drooping eyebrows, heavy upper eyelids and prominent horizontal and vertical forehead wrinkles may all benefit from this procedure.
On the night before your surgery we ask that you not have anything to eat or drink (including coffee, tea and juice) after 12:00 am. This allows your stomach to empty thereby minimizing any postoperative nausea.
Surgery is performed in our fully accredited operating room under twilight anesthesia. After surgery, patients are taken to our specially equipped recovery area. Once recovered, all patients proceed home or to an after care facility.
Asian blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)
The differences between the upper eyelids of Asian and Caucasian patients are threefold. The Asian eyelid is characterized by a poorly defined or absent crease, an excess of fat and an epicanthal fold (the skin that covers the inner corner of the eye) of varying size and configuration. The goals of Asian blepharoplasty are to create a natural appearing upper lid crease that complements and is in balance with the other facial features, to remove excess fat and, if necessary, to make changes to the epicanthal fold. Two techniques are used to create the eyelid crease during blepharoplasty, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The "suture method" limits the size of the incision but may be less permanent than the "incisional method" in which excess skin is also removed at the same time as the crease is being created or changed. The suture method does not address excess fat or the epicanthal fold, both of which require skin incisions.
When considering cosmetic surgery of the lower eyelid, fewer differences exist between the techniques used in Asian and Caucasian patients. In both ethnic groups, the goals are to reduce eyelid puffiness and skin wrinkles.
Like facelift surgery, browlift techniques have evolved significantly over the past decade. Previously, browlifting required large scalp incisions and lengthy healing periods. Modern methods utilize endoscopic telescopes that minimize incisions and recovery time.
Browlifting works by restoring the forehead skin and eyebrows to a more youthful position. Individuals with drooping eyebrows, heavy upper eyelids and prominent horizontal and vertical forehead wrinkles may all benefit from this procedure.
On the night before your surgery we ask that you not have anything to eat or drink (including coffee, tea and juice) after 12:00 am. This allows your stomach to empty thereby minimizing any postoperative nausea.
Surgery is performed in our fully accredited operating room under twilight anesthesia. After surgery, patients are taken to our specially equipped recovery area. Once recovered, all patients proceed home or to an after care facility.
Chin and jaw surgery in the asian patient
The chin is one of the structural anchors of the face. Ideally it should be neither too small nor too big. Among Asian patients, a small chin is observed much more frequently than an overly prominent chin. During chin augmentation surgery, a small incision is made either inside the mouth or in a skin crease just behind the rounded area of the chin. The chin implant, which has a consistency similar to the soft tissues of the chin, is secured in position in front of the jawbone. The incision is then closed, undetectably concealing the chin implant. Chin augmentation can be carried out as a stand-alone procedure but is often performed in combination with neck liposuction, rhinoplasty (nasal reshaping) or facelift surgery.
A jaw line that is overly prominent and out of proportion with the rest of the face detracts from an otherwise attractive appearance. In the past, surgical treatments were offered that involved grinding away the outer part of the jaw to narrow the face. Because in most cases excess jaw width is caused by an enlargement of the jaw muscles, the most exciting advancement in this area has been nonsurgical treatment using Botox™. When small amounts of Botox™ are injected into the body of the muscle, a decrease in the size of the muscle and, therefore, the width of the jaw are observed within a period of weeks. Research has shown the beneficial effects to last greater than one year.
Cheek implants are placed through the inside of the lip to avoid any skin incisions. Chin implants are placed either through the inside of the lip or through an incision hidden within the skin crease normally found under the chin. Not infrequently, chin implant surgery is combined with rhinoplasty and/or neck liposuction.
Any individual with a small, short or narrow chin or flat and sunken cheeks could be considered for this type of surgery.
On the night before your surgery we ask that you not have anything to eat or drink (including coffee, tea and juice) after 12:00 am. This allows your stomach to empty thereby minimizing any postoperative nausea.
Two weeks prior to your surgery all blood thinning medications and supplements (e.g. aspirin, ibuprofen, ginkgo, ginseng and vitamin E) must be stopped. This reduces the amount of swelling experienced postoperatively. A prescription for antibiotics and pain medication will be provided.
A simple blood test to measure your hemoglobin level is performed prior to surgery and, if you are over 50 years of age, a cardiogram is required for your safety.Surgery is performed in our fully accredited operating room under twilight anesthesia. You will be asked to arrive 30 to 45 minutes prior to the onset of surgery. After surgery, patients are taken to our specially equipped recovery area. Once recovered, all patients proceed home accompanied by a responsible adult or to an after care facility.
Moderate swelling and some bruising are normal in the early postoperative period. A tape dressing is placed following surgery and is kept in place for 1 week. Stitches used to close any incisions inside the mouth dissolve on their own and skin stitches placed under the chin are removed in 5 to 7 days.
Following surgery, you should rest quietly for the first 24 hours. Sleeping with two pillows under your head for the first 2 nights helps minimize swelling and bruising. Cold compresses are soothing and will also help with swelling.
Patients are permitted to shower and wash their hair 3 days after surgery.
Bending, heavy lifting and straining are prohibited during the first 48 hours. Light non-cardiac exercise can be resumed 2 weeks following surgery and slowly increased over the ensuing 7 days.
Most patients are back at work within 7 to 10 days of surgery.
Following your consultation, a quote is provided which is guaranteed for one year. Our quotes include all costs: pre-operative tests, anesthesia, facility charges, the services of our staff, and applicable taxes. You are encouraged to make cost comparisons. In comparing, be sure you determine the total of all costs related to the surgery.
A deposit is required at the time the surgery is scheduled in order to hold a specific date for you. The balance is due two weeks prior to your surgery. For your convenience, we accept MasterCard, VISA and debit cards.
We have arranged a financing plan for our patients with an outside financial institution. Ask our patient care coordinators for details about how to qualify.