Otoplasty (Ear surgery)

Otoplasty is surgery designed to pin the ears closer to the head or lessen the appearance of larger than average ears. It is most commonly performed on children and teens. However, many young adults seek Otoplasty as well.

Some Otoplasties involve removing a sliver of cartilage from the ear and suturing the cartilage back together allowing it to fuse together either closer to the head or of a smaller size.

Ear pinning is not the only complaint that can be resolved by Otoplasty. This procedure can correct ears that have congenital deformities as well as those caused by trauma or bad habits of "ear pulling". Many toddlers tend to pull on their ears during the teething stage and this habit may remain throughout their younger years well after their teeth have emerged. Ear pulling or congenital deformities can leave children with stretched earlobes (which can be corrected with a slight snip of the excess skin) as well as the uncurling of the natural folds and the folding over of the top of the ear.

Are You a Candidate for Otoplasty?

If you are a physically healthy and emotionally stable individual you are more than likely a candidate for Otoplasty. There really is no restriction on having an Otoplasty. As long as you are healthy and are not prone to Keloid, hypertrophic scarring or even hyper- or hypopigmentation - you should be fine. Be sure to discuss any health concerns with Dr. Hecht beforehand.

Septoplasty (Nasal surgery)

A Septoplasty is the surgical procedure to straighten a deviated, "twisted", "bent" or "crooked" septum to improve breathing, function, sinus infections, comfort and possibly, cosmetic.

Many individuals go through their entire lives never knowing that their difficulty breathing through the nose could be corrected through a Septoplasty. Many people breathe very loudly and many people may think they are "stuffed up" but they , in fact, suffer from a deviated septum and when their tissues naturally swell the side with the extreme deviation is even more restricted

Are You A Candidate For Septoplasty?

If you are having difficulty breathing, either constantly or sporadically, one sided or both, interchangeable or not, you should seek out an exam by a qualified Otolaryngologist; ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) Specialist. There are very few people in the world with a perfectly straight septum. But usually when the bend or deviation is great enough it can cause problems. And even if you are diagnosed with a deviated septum, it may only be a posterior (rear or back) deviation in which the front half is fine but the back half is '"crooked". Not only can a deviated septum wreak havoc on your ability to breathe through your nose, if severe enough it could contribute to repeat sinus infections. If you are just having sinus surgery but the tools and instruments are having difficulty accessing the sinus cavities it is quite possible that you will need a Septoplasty as well.

Rhinoplasty (Nose surgery)

Rhinoplasty is the surgery of the nose to either thin, turn up, augment, shorten, elongate or otherwise bring balance to the face through its alteration and may include It also and more than likely will include Tiplasty to refine and define the tip of the nose as well. Tiplasty is normally the surgery of the nose involving only the cartilages of the nose. Septoplasty, to restore or otherwise introduce functionality as far as ease of breathing to the individual. All three of these can be performed together, but for cosmetic reasons only many patients seek the full rhinoplasty which include the alteration of the bone and cartilage of the nose and not the septoplasty.

Are you a Candidate For Rhinoplasty?

If you are in great physical and emotional health as well as have reasonable expectations, elastic skin and no previous existing medical conditions or bone disorders, are not or have not been on Accutane® for the last 6 months (cause excessive facial bone growth) you may be a good candidate for Rhinoplasty. Only a qualified plastic surgeon can determine this after speaking to you as well as going over your medical history, examining your facial structure and skin. You must realize that no doctor can perform miracles but a highly skilled surgeon can transform what you do have into a more balanced look altogether.

Chin Augmentation

Chin augmentation is the use of synthetics, biologicals or even chin/jaw bone advancement (called Genioplasty; ) to augment, or make the mentum ( the lower portion of the face lying below the lower lip and including the prominence of the lower jaw -- called also chin) bone structure of the face more prominent. It can give balance to an otherwise less defined face or further augment an already existent chin structure.

It also may be that the face needs Mandibular (jaw) augmentation or Malar (cheek) augmentation to balance out the features in addition to chin augmentation. It is also very common to have chin augmentation in conjunction with rhinoplasty. Dr. Hecht can help determine your needs by examining your facial structure and photographs.

Are You A Candidate For Chin Augmentation?

If the above pertains to you and you wish to augment your area of compliant, you may be a good candidate for chin augmentation. Only a qualified plastic surgeon can determine this after speaking to you as well as going over your medical history, examining your facial structure and skin. You must realize that no doctor can perform miracles but a highly skilled surgeon can transform what you do have into a more balanced look altogether.

Platysmaplasty (Neck Lift)

A Neck Lift, or platysmaplasty and even submental platysmaplasty, is a surgery designed to reduce the loose look of sagging skin in the neck area and under the jaw line. Some patients who complain of having a fleshy neck, "jowls", plastysma or neck "banding", or a "turkey waddle" can benefit from this procedure. Many times patients choose to have a neck lift with a face lift procedure. You must realize that the neck lift or face lift procedure is not designed to rejuvenate the area above the brow or around the eyes. If this is what you seek a brow (forehead) lift or blepharoplasty may benefit you. These four procedures can be performed in conjunction with one another for a complete transformation. You may even wish to consider laser resurfacing, if you are a candidate, for increased wrinkle ablation and facial rejuvenation.

Are You a Candidate for Platysmaplasty?

If the above describes you and you have the desire to rid yourself of loose sagging skin around the neck, you may be a good candidate for platysmaplasty (neck lift).