Facial Rejuvenation (Just Where You Want It)

Facial Rejuvenation (Just Where You Want It)

One facelift doesn’t fit all. Facelifts have been a popular cosmetic surgery for decades, giving women and men the opportunity to rejuvenate their face, remove excess skin, and restore a more youthful appearance. But many kinds of facelifts exist, giving surgeons the ability to target specific areas of the face that patients are unhappy with. Which type of facelift surgery is right for you?

The S-Lift

laughing womanAn S-Lift is essentially a “mini-facelift,” giving patients many of the benefits of a full facelift, but with reduced recovery time. Named for the s-shaped incision made by the ear, the S-Lift tightens skin on the lower part of the face, reducing the appearance of sagging jowls. Because loose skin around the jaw line is often an early sign of aging, it’s a popular choice for patients who are dissatisfied with their appearance, but aren’t ready for a full facelift.

Mid-Facelift

A mid-facelift improves the appearance of the cheek area. Dr. Brantner makes small incisions in the hairline and inside the mouth. This allows him to elevate the fat pad in the cheeks, tightening sagging skin of the mid-face. A mid-facelift restores fullness to the cheeks and lower eye area, giving the patient a fresher, rejuvenated appearance.

Upper Facelift

Dr. Brantner can target specific areas of the upper face with a brow lift or eye lift procedure. A brow lift can reduce frown lines by lifting the skin and tightening muscles in the forehead and brow area. An eye lift removes excess skin around the eyes, rejuvenating the appearance and improving vision that could be impaired from drooping skin above the eyes.

Full Facelift

A traditional facelift addresses many of the issues resolved by more specific facelift procedures. A full facelift lifts sagging skin of the mid-face, removes excess skin around the jaw, addresses creases below the eyes, and smooths lines around the nose and mouth. A facelift may also involve removing fatty deposits under the eyes, chin, and on other areas of the face.

If you’re not sure which type of facelift is right for you, we can help. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Brantner to find which facelift suits your desired outcome.

Is Vaping as Bad as Smoking?

Is Vaping as Bad as Smoking?

Cigarettes and surgery are longtime foes. Surgery seeks to improve the patient’s health and appearance through reconstructive or elective procedures, while cigarettes lead to aging, healing complications and, in some cases, cancer. But what are the risks and benefits of the mediator between smokers and healthcare professionals: vaping?

What Is Vaping?

woman exhaling smokeThe use of e-cigarettes, more commonly known as “vaping,” is becoming increasingly popular in response to the proven negative effects of traditional smoking. Vapers inhale a flavored vapor that contains a lower nicotine content than old school cigarettes. Vaping also removes smoke inhalation from the equation. While it’s not as healthy as abstaining altogether, vaping involves fewer health risks than smoking tobacco. And e-cigarettes can also help smokers quit, allowing their bodies adjust to lower levels of nicotine.

Vaping and Plastic Surgery

When smoking and surgery mix, they put the life of the patient at risk. Smoking can lead to serious complications, both during surgery and during the healing process. Does vaping have the same risks, or is vaping before surgery acceptable?

As they seek more information about the health risks of vaping, the FDA has placed it on par with tobacco use. Medical researchers are still analyzing the long term effects of vaping on the body. But one thing is clear: because of the nicotine content, vaping may cause vasoconstriction (reduced blood flow), which can lead to skin flap failure in surgical procedures. Doctors recommend vapers follow the same rules as traditional smokers before a procedure: stop vaping 4-6 weeks before surgery (or at the recommendation of your doctor).

Are you considering cosmetic surgery in East Tennessee? Call Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery to schedule a consultation.

How to Survive the Holidays (and Still Look Good)

How to Survive the Holidays (and Still Look Good)

What do Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s have in common? They’re all holidays, they’re all about spending time with loved ones, and they usually involve loss of sleep + overeating. So how can you fully enjoy the holidays without dragging for weeks afterwards? Follow our healthy holidays survival guide.

How to Survive the Holidays (and Feel Great)

  • smiling coupleMoisturize. We’ve had a long, warm autumn, but Old Man Winter has finally gotten ahold of East Tennessee. Keep your skin looking and feeling good by applying moisturizer twice a day. And remember: stepping into a warm house may feel like a hug from home, but it dries out your skin. Help your skin stay supple and smooth by moisturizing when you get home at the end of the day.
  • Get moving. There’s still time to sign up for the Turkey Trot (and you can even walk it!). Prefer to get an early start on cooking? Take a breather (and spend time with loved ones) with a family stroll around the neighborhood. Just make sure someone stays home in case the potatoes boil over (football fans are great for this job!).
  • Indulge (but not too much). There’s nothing wrong with enjoying juicy turkey, buttery mashed potatoes, and crisp apple pie—in moderation. Indulge in your favorite treats this Thanksgiving, but eat slowly to prevent overeating. You won’t only look better in the morning, you’ll feel better, too.
  • Feel the love. It’s a scientifically proven fact: hugs are good for the soul. So go ahead and hug your kids, snuggle up on the couch with your spouse, and cuddle your new grandbaby. God blessed you with an amazing family (and He’ll keep on blessing you).

Happy Thanksgiving from your friends at Dr. Brantner’s office!

4 Ways to Refresh Your Appearance for the Holidays

4 Ways to Refresh Your Appearance for the Holidays

Nobody wants to look back on holiday pictures and think, “Wow, I should have deleted that one.” The good news is that with a little planning, you can smile without reservation when someone tags you in a holiday Facebook pics. How can you guarantee you look great for the holidays?

4 Ways to Look Good for the Holidays

  1. woman christmasTake care of your skin. You might feel haggard after staying up until early morning prepping holiday potatoes (and we don’t recommend that you add it to your beauty routine), but implementing a good skin care routine will help you look fresh even when you’re not. Start by washing your face, moisturizing, and applying sunscreen daily, then find a skin care routine that works for you.
  2. Take care of yourself. We know you have three million items on your holiday to-do list. But don’t forget to eat regular, healthy meals, exercise a few times a week, and get some sleep. You’ll be amazed what an extra hour of sleep and 20 minutes of exercise can do for you, both physically and mentally.
  3. Freshen up. Want a quick facial refresh before the holidays? Injectables, fillers, and chemical peels can smooth, tighten, and refresh the skin without the downtime of a major procedure. You’ll be back on your feet in five minutes. Recovery from side effects like redness, bruising, or swelling only takes a few days.
  4. Plan that procedure. If you’re not making a big deal out of the holidays this season (or if your spouse is willing to pitch in with the cooking and cleaning), you can use the extra vacation time to schedule the surgery on your wish list. Speak frankly with your surgeon about how much time you have for recovery, and be realistic when choosing your date. Even if you’re back on your feet for Christmas, you may have residual scarring or swelling. If you want to snap next year’s Christmas card photo on Christmas Eve, you may want to wait until the New Year for your procedure.

Wish you could refresh your appearance for the holidays? Call Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery to book a consultation today.

Leave the Aging to the Wine

Leave the Aging to the Wine

Like a good wine or cheese, you only get better with age. Unlike wine and cheese, you don’t have to show your age if you don’t want to! Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is hosting our first Wine & Cheese Party on December 2nd. For the night of the party, we will offer discounted rates on non-surgical facial rejuvenation like Botox, Juvaderm, and liquid nitrogen.

Wine & Cheese Party

botox eventWant to freshen up for the holidays? Reserve your place at the Wine & Cheese Party. There you can mingle, learn about injectables and fillers, and get discounted rates on some of our most popular non-surgical procedures. Space is limited, so call to reserve your ticket today. The event will be at our Johnson City office on Friday, December 2nd at 7pm.

What You Need to Know about Botox Parties

This isn’t your typical Botox party. Botox parties are a risk to patients, putting needles in the hands of inexperienced and under-qualified people. Getting Botox by an uncertified physician or technician can lead to serious complications. All procedures, no matter how minor, should be preformed by an experienced physician in a sterile environment.

Our Wine & Cheese Party allows patients to socialize, talk to our team, and get the same great discounts that make Botox parties so popular—all without putting the patient’s health or results at risk. Enjoy good wine, great food, and face time with certified medical professionals who can answer any question you may have about both surgical and non-surgical facial rejuvenation.

If you want smoother features and a youthful glow in your family pictures this Christmas, don’t miss this exclusive event. For more information about our Wine & Cheese Party, call Dr. Brantner’s office.