Patients from all over the world have benefited from the expertise of Andres Bustillo, MD, FACS. Dr. Bustillo has over ten years of experience in his practice as a facial plastic surgeon. Located in Coral Gables, Florida, the doctor specializes in five surgical procedures:
· Rhinoplasty (commonly referred to as the “Nose Job”)
· Revision Rhinoplasty (also called Secondary Rhinoplasty)
Patients frequently consult with Dr. Bustillo regarding blepharoplasty (cosmetic eyelid surgery) and rhinoplasty. One of the questions patients sometimes raise is whether the improvement can be carried out with surgery or with a non-surgical procedure. Most often, the answer is surgical. However, there are some excellent non-surgical options available for certain cosmetic fixes in appropriate patients. Below, two common plastic surgery procedures that Dr. Bustillo performs are explained as both surgical and non-surgical procedures.
Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is aimed at restoring youth and vitality to the eyes. Typically performed on patients with puffy eyelids and excessive skin, this procedure can improve the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. In the upper eyelid, a very small amount of fat and skin are removed to restore the eyelid to more youthful one. In the lower eyelid, a very small amount of skin and fat is removed to restore the youthful lower eyelid. Dr. Bustillo takes extreme caution to remove just the right amount, as to not create a hollowed-out eyelid. Often times, fat is transferred to the tear trough to smooth the eyelid-cheek junction. In the upper blepharoplasty, the incisions are hidden in the crease and in the lower blepharoplasty they are hidden just below the eyelashes. Once they are healed, they will be invisible.
Non-surgical blepharoplasty may be performed through a series of Botox and filler injections. Botox is a serum that inhibits muscle contractions by blocking the nerve impulses that cause them to occur. The injections are placed in the crow’s feet to improve these wrinkles, in the lower lids to smooth out the wrinkles and in certain areas to elevate the brow and improve the over-hanging skin in the upper lids. Fillers can also be placed in the tear trough to help camouflage the lower eyelid bags. Using these combinations, the upper and lower eyelids can be improved significantly.
Rhinoplasty
During a rhinoplasty procedure, the nose is reshaped to improve the appearance and sometimes the function of the nose. The nasal bones may be broken, and the dorsal hump and cartilage can be shaved and reshaped to produce a more desirable look that better suits the other parts of the face. This surgery creates permanent changes to the architecture of the nose.
A non-surgical rhinoplasty can be performed with the use of injectable fillers to augment the nose. None of the tissues are removed, but imperfections can be improved. Asymmetry and crooked areas of the nose can be evened out, and some prominent areas of the nose, such as a nasal bump or a highly sculpted tip, can be camouflaged. Depending on which filler is used, the result may last from 12 to 18 months.
Which is the Better Option?
Surgical alterations to the face are permanent. These changes are created from within the structures themselves, and can be seen once healing completes. Dermal injections will temporarily change the look of a feature, but the structures remain the same. The cost of surgery may be higher initially, but when measured alongside a lifetime of injections to keep up one’s appearance, it is likely the less expensive option. Dr. Bustillo is conservative with his work, and strives to provide his patients with natural results that will appear as though patients were born with their newly enhanced features.
While non-surgical options often involve fewer risks and less downtime, surgery is generally the best way to achieve dramatic, long-lasting results.
Contact Dr. Bustillo, an expert facial plastic surgeon in the South Florida area. His Coral Gables office can be reached at (305) 663-3380, or you can opt to fill out the Patient Consultation Form prior to your visit.