The magic of mid-face three-dimensional contour alterations combining alloplastic and soft tissue suspension technologies.

Recent advances in the technology of implant designs and shapes, as well as improved understanding of the principles of facial aesthetics, give the plastic surgeon, for the first time, tools to precisely and permanently change faces in specific areas and with minimum morbidity. Cosmetic facial surgeons must learn and understand the zonal anatomy of the malar-midface region to be prepared for growing patient demands regarding analysis and alteration of facial cheek contours. This article describes and illustrates contemporary technology that uses alloplastic implants throughout the face.

Psychology of the aesthetic patient: the value of personality profile testing.

With the popularity of cosmetic surgery procedures, it is vital that the surgeon select patients for procedures who likely will benefit, handle stress in a healthy manner, and not pose an undue level of aggravation to the surgeon and staff. By using a carefully planned preoperative written assessment, the surgeon can help identify patients who, for psychologic reasons, are emotionally suitable for such surgery.

Customizing jawlines: the art of alloplastic premandible contouring.

Male patients are demanding alloplastic facial augmentation with a frequency that is increasing annually. Traditional methods of using small central chin implants and oval malar implants have proven inadequate. A new generation of malar shell and premandible implants has been designed; they produce dramatic and effective contour alterations in the midface and lower third chin-mandible facial aesthetic units.

Alloplastic contouring for suborbital, maxillary, zygomatic deficiencies.

The authors have developed a new suborbital tear trough-malar extended implant that provides a comprehensive augmentation of the entire suborbital rim and malar region. The results have been excellent in all cases. There have been no postoperative symptoms relating to the infraorbital nerve.

Alloplastic midface augmentation.

The author's anatomic model, dividing the face into 5 distinct zones, is key to his midface augmentation technique. Limiting his approach to intraoral or lower eyelid, he contends that volume alterations within each zone produce easily predictable results.