Plastic Surgery & Cosmetic Surgery in Dallas

The past ten years has witnessed an explosion in cosmetic surgery. Techniques have advanced now so that the long recovery time is a thing of the past. The wide incisions, numbness, and swelling that were characteristic of surgery in the 1980s and 90s have been replaced by smaller incisions and less invasive surgery. Many more options are also available to the patient who does not desire any downtime. Dr. Lam's textbooks, Comprehensive Facial Rejuvenation and Complementary Fat Grafting, instruct physicians on how to rejuvenate the entire face through surgical and non-surgical methods as well as introduce a brand new paradigm of aesthetics and facial rejuvenation.

• •Experience our Virtual Consultation on facial rejuvenation.
• •Have your Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) answered about facial rejuvenation.
• •Learn more about facial rejuvenation with our unique Learning Module.
• •View our Video Testimonials on facial rejuvenation.
• •View the Video Journeys page to see the recovery process with the various rejuvenative procedures.

See comprehensive listing of facial rejuvenation options below. Or click here for complete facial rejuvenation before and after gallery, or click here for the selective facial rejuvenation before and after gallery.

As the face matures over the years, facial fat loss contributes to a hollow, sunken look that typifies the aged countenance. The analogy of the full grape that begins to transform into a shriveled raisin may be helpful in understanding the process of volume loss that affects the face. Transferring fat from your thighs or belly to the areas that have lost fat in the face, like the brow, lower eyelid, cheek, and jawline can restore the youthful vitality of your face. Removal of fat from the body does not constitute body contouring or “liposuction”, as the technique that Dr. Lam uses to harvest the fat from the body is different from traditional liposuction. Care must be exercised to remove only the appropriate amount of fat from the body in a gentle manner, while ensuring that harvested fat cells remain undamaged. Fat transfer may not be the solution for everyone. Traditional face lift and brow lift can be appropriate for many individuals seeking facial enhancement. However, facial fat transfer can also be effectively combined with face lifting procedures to provide the optimal aesthetic result in the right candidate. Fat transfer to the lips, smile lines, and around the mouth is less than ideal due to the risks of eventual fat absorption as well as unnecessarily prolonged recovery. Dr. Lam tends to reserve the use of other fillers or skin therapies in this region when individuals desire enhancement around the mouth. Fat transfer has become a cornerstone of rejuvenation for Dr. Lam, as volume enhancement for the face represents an entirely new way of looking at the aging face. Rather than remove away precious tissue, Dr. Lam prefers to restore lost tissue and shape to the deflated and sunken face using his unique approach to fat enhancement. Dr. Lam has already completed his third textbook on fat enhancement, entitled Complementary Fat Grafting (Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia, PA 2006), and believes that fat enhancement represents the present and the future for facial enhancement. Fat grafting requires very little sedation (light anesthesia), and Dr. Lam's method does not require any body or facial incisions at all. For patients seeking a non-surgical option for volume restoration of the face, many other choices are available at Dr. Lam’s office, including Sculptra, Restylane, and Radiesse, each of which has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages. Although facial implants can be used in volume enhancement of the aging face, Dr. Lam typically prefers to use fat transfer, as this method provides the ability to shape complex areas of volume loss and facial implants alone can worsen the hollowness below one's eyes. Dr. Lam also specializes in fat transfer for aging hands in order to provide matched facial and hand rejuvenation. Oftentimes after wonderful facial rejuvenation, an individual exhibits mature-looking hands that still give away his or her age. Fat transfer to the hands is a short, pain-free procedure that provides not only immediate benefit but ongoing improvement in skin texture and tone.

Face lift surgery has come a long way. In the past, pulling the skin back was the only method of face lifting, which would lead to an artificial "windswept" look, poor wound healing, and transient results. More aggressive surgery was in vogue during the 80s and 90s but has fallen out of favor with many surgeons because of the long operative time, higher risk of surgery, protracted recovery period, and minimal cosmetic benefit. Dr. Lam employs the most advanced techniques that lift the tissues from within to provide a natural and long-lasting face lift result. All incisions are discreetly undertaken to provide effective camouflage and avoid any hair loss. Further, instead of pulling back, which can lead to a pulled look, his lift is unique in that it is a vertical lift, i.e., lifting tissues upward to counteract gravity more directly and naturally. Recovery time is short, usually 10 to 12 days; and the results are long lasting and, most importantly, natural. After a thorough consultation, you should begin to understand whether a face lift would be best for you or if an alternative procedure is warranted.

A standard face lift and neck lift may not be beneficial for every individual. For some men who want the “turkey gobbler” gone but do not want to have a “face lift”, direct removal of extra skin and fat of the neck can be an alternative. Typically, more mature men who have lax skin can hide the incisions more easily than younger men and are more ideal recipients of the procedure. In addition, a standard face lift and neck lift can distort the beard distribution in men; and therefore, men who prefer to wear a beard may not be appropriate to undergo a traditional face lift. A consultation with Dr. Lam will help decide whether you are a suitable candidate for this type of procedure.

Liposuction of the neck is part of every face lift and neck lift. However, in the younger individual who only has extra fat under the chin without a need for a face lift, then liposuction alone will oftentimes suffice. The technique involves a very small incision under the chin hidden in a crease for access. Dr. Lam believes in achieving a uniform tightening of the entire neck rather than just the central portion, which is often done. If a small chin is present, then chin enhancement may also contribute to an improved result in visually lengthening the neck.

In the old days, brow lift surgery meant a long incision that went from ear to ear across the scalp. Patients experienced a prolonged convalescence that included oftentimes a year or more of numbness that could last indefinitely. Loss of hair and scarring could arise along the lengthy incision. Endoscopic surgery has provided a natural method of lifting the brow with only a few, short incisions. The brow has become recognized as a critical aspect to overall facial rejuvenation. Oftentimes, the tired expression that one exhibits is a result of a descended brow rather than excess eyelid skin or fat. Accordingly, cosmetic eyelid surgery alone for a tired expression may not always be the right option. Now that brow lift surgery has reached a very advanced state, the brow can be restored in a natural and pleasing way without notable downtime. The "startled" look after a brow lift reflects poor surgery and will not occur with Dr. Lam's technique that emphasizes a natural rejuvenation.

The puffy lower eyelids or sagging upper eyelids may belie the more youthful energy and temperament that a person has within. A simple procedure that can correct this tired look may provide a considerable uplift in one's spirits and outlook and also favorably impact upon public perception. Dr. Lam uses a non-external incision approach (known as transconjunctival) to remove the excess fat of the lower eyelid in most cases and may combine it with a physician's peel of the lower eyelid to achieve maximal aesthetic benefit. Not one single technique for eyelid surgery is ideal for everyone, and Dr. Lam will decide with you what is the most appropriate method to bring back your beautiful, vibrant eyes.

At times with the aging process, abnormal skin can develop in the cheek region that exhibits a cyclical pattern of swelling usually worse in the morning hours. This entity is known as a “malar mound”, which Dr. Lam has created an original and new classification for in his book, Complementary Fat Grafting. Milder conditions can be managed with fat grafting around the mound to minimize its presence. However, in very advanced cases, direct removal of the offending skin can lead to permanent correction of the problem.