Facial Surgery Procedures

San Francisco Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgery in Walnut Creek, CA

Eyelid Lift | Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty, also know as an eyelid lift, is one of the most frequently performed plastic surgery procedures. Bay Area Blepharoplasty patients may benefit from eyelid surgery if their upper eyelids are heavy with redundant skin, or if the lower eyelids are baggy and full.

Upper eyelid surgery (upper blepharopalsty) is most frequently perfromed to remove excess skin. When the skin is blocking upward gaze or peripheral vision, sometimes insurance will help cover the cost. Without visual impairment, the procedure is considered cosmetic. Lower eyelid surgery (lower blepharoplasty) is usually performed to remove excess fullness in the lower lid. The presence of excess upper eyelid skin makes the lid look heavy, and gives a tired appeaance.

Lower eyelid fat makes the eyes look puffy and sad. Removal of the excess upper lid skin and lower eye bags gives a rejuventated rested appearance. For information on eyelid surgery, please visit our Eyelid Surgery and Blepharoplasty Page.

Nose Surgery | Rhinoplasty

The nose is the central landmark of the face, and the appearance of the nose can set the mood for the entire face. Rhinoplasty surgery is cosmetic plastic surgery designed to carefully change the shape of the nose. If you are bothered by the shape of your nose, San Francisco Bay Area Rhinoplasty surgeon, Joseph A. Mele, MD, can provide you with expert guidance. It begins with a personal consultation appointment and computer simulation to explore your options. Many options exist, and no two noses are the same. Ethnic variations can be maintained, or minimized, depending on your goals. For information on nasal surgery, please visit our Nose Reshaping and Rhinoplasty Page.

Face Lift | Rhytidectomy

Despite modern medicine's best efforts, nothing can replace a well performed facelift to minimize the appearance of facial aging for the carefully selected patient. Small to moderate wrinkles will respond to facial fillers like Restylane, Juvederm, Perlane and Radiesse, and animations lines will respond to neurotoxins like BOTOX Aesthetic and Dysport. Dr. Mele offers a full line of cosmetic procedures for his San Francisco Bay Area Plastic Surgery patients. As facial lines deepen, and the skin becomes lax, the facelift can help provide enhanced correction, with longer duration. Dr. Mele is expert in many styles and methods of rhytidectomy, and can tailor the approach to your specific needs. For information on facelift surgery, please visit our Face Lift and Rhytidectomy Page.

Neck Lift

Does extra fat or loose, sagging skin beneath your chin make you feel self-conscious? Are you looking for a simple way to increase your self-confidence and take years off your appearance? A Neck Lift may be the right answer for you. During this relatively simple procedure, the plastic surgeon removes the excess skin and uses liposuction to remove fatty deposits under the chin. When indicated, the neck muscles are also tightened. The final result is a firmed and more toned appearance.

Neck Lifts can be performed as an isolated procedure or combined with other facial plastic surgery procedures. Since the eyelids, face and neck tend to age in concert, Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) and Face Lift Surgery (Rhytidectomy) are often combined to maintain facial harmony.

To find out if neck lift is right for you, please contact our office, in the San Francisco Bay Area city of Walnut Creek, today.

Brow Lift

A heavy brow, forehead wrinkles and frown lines can all be treated with the Brow Lift. The procedure can be performed by itself to treat specific indications, but is often combined with upper eyelid surgery and facelift procedures to keep the face balanced. Dr. Mele is an expert in multiple Brow Lift techniques, and provides his San Francisco Bay Area Brow Lift patients with both the traditional Open Brow Lift and the Endoscopic Brow Lift.

To learn more about the Brow Lift, please visit our Brow Lift Page, or call (925) 943-6353 for a personlized consultation appointment.

Otoplasty (Cosmetic Ear Surgery)

Ears are another prominent feature that tend to draw people's attention. When the ears are unusually large or protruding, the attention can lead to feelings of insecurity, especially for young children vulnerable to taunting by peers. Otoplasty, commonly referred to as Ear Pinning, can correct this problem. By reshaping, or when necessary removing, excess cartilage, the ears are flattened more closely against the head.

Otoplasty can be performed at any age, but it is one of the few cosmetic plastic surgery procedures that is frequently performed on children. By five years of age, the ear size approximates the adult ear size, otoplasty can be performed safely at this early age with good predictability.

To learn more about otoplasty, either for yourself or your child, please visit our Otoplasty Page.

Lip Augmentation

Full lips are a sign of youth and vitality. Lips are often largest during pregnancy, so it is natural to associate full lips with fertility. Thin lips, on the other hand, are associated with age. Some people are born with thin lips, but many more have lip shrinkage slowly sneak up on them.

Many options are available to plump your lips back up to size. The most common method of correction is with a filler. HA fillers like, Restylane, Juvederm and Perlane, have replaced collagen. When compared with collagen, Lip Enlargement with HA's provide enhanced longevity and a softer feel. Surgical options for Lip Enhancement are also available.

For more information about Lip Augmentation, check out Dr. Mele's Lip Augmentation Page.

Chin Augmentation Before and After Photos (Augmentation Genioplasty or Chin Implants)

Chin Implants and Cheek Implants

Sometimes all that is needed to give a face added contour and balance is a little bolstering in the areas of the chin or cheekbones. Facial implants can provide this added definition to the face.

Chin Augmentation - Chin implants help strengthen the jaw line, bringing definition to the lower portion of the face. A strong jaw can balance a strong nose. Chin augmentation can compliment or diminish the need for Rhinoplasty
Cheek Augmentation - Cheek implants can give needed contour and improve overall facial symmetry. Our facial implants are custom designed to suit the natural shape of your face and are placed through small, discreet incisions. Cheek augmentation can compliment a lower eyelid Blepharoplasty, and provide support for the lower eyelid.

To find out if facial implants might be the right option for you, please contact Dr. Joseph A. Mele, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon for the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, for more information.

Expert Cosmetic Plastic Surgery by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Joseph A. Mele, MD, in the San Francisco East Bay Area city of Walnut Creek, serving Northern California including: Pleasant Hill, Lafayette, Alamo, Moraga, Orinda, Concord, Danville, San Ramon, Pittsburg, Antioch, Brentwood, Oakland, the greater San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.