Cosmetic Surgery Times - April 2009 - (Page 22) CosmetiC surgery times | 22 body breast face section Laser facelift Laser-lipo combo technique tightens — with reproducible results All photos credit: Patrick McMenamin, M.D. (Far and middle left), 57-year-old patient shown pre-facelift (under eye bruising results from a lower lid transconjunctival bleopharoplasty with a skin pinch and a Webster canthopexy performed three days earlier), and (middle and far right) at six weeks post-laser facelift. the area under the chin will improve over time. the patient had the procedure on monday and attended her photography class on thursday night. Quick read in its early going, it appears that the laser facelift, using liposuction in combination with lipolysis, is a winner, resulting in impressive results with minimal downtime. But its pioneering surgeons add that they’re still exploring the learning curve. Karen Donley-Hayes Staff CorreSpondent Sacramento, calif. — Cosmetic surgeons are developing innovative approaches to techniques in order to meet the patient demand for effective procedures, yet with less downtime and less trauma. One such development is the laser facelift, says Sacramento-based Patrick McMenamin, M.D., boardcertified facial plastic (ABFPRS) surgeon and board-certified cosmetic surgeon (ABCS), and president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. Dr. mcmenamin He and several of his colleagues from around the country have been using the procedure, refining it, comparing notes and working toward reproducible standardization. � Procedure at a glance This technique combines use of Smartlipo (Cynosure) laser-assisted lipolysis and liposuction skin-and-tissue tightening associated with subcutaneous application of light and heat energy. After administering tumescent local anesthesia, the surgeon creates three or four small incisions, one behind each earlobe, and one or two under the chin. The surgeon removes a variable amount of fat (depending on the individual patient), then uses a laser probe between the skin and muscle to uniformly liquefy additional fat. In addition to removing extraneous fat underlying the skin, the laser facelift technique heats the skin, which stimulates collagen formation, tightening the tissues. “There are all kinds of theories about what mediates this healing process, whether it’s cytokines, leukotrienes, prostaglandins,” or some other mechanism, Dr. McMenamin tells Cosmetic Surgery Times. But what he knows for a certainty is that in the hands of skilled surgeons, liposuction — and laser treatments — provide exceptional results. “In my experience, this represents a different healing process than what I’ve seen before with my standard facelift techniques. And, on some levels, based on the parameters I use with my patients, it’s better. Recovery is easier.” Patients have their procedures on Monday or Tuesday, for instance, and go back to work by the end of the week. They also have
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