L. Franklyn Elliott, M.D.

Cosmetic Surgery of the Face

• How do I know if I need a tummy tuck or a mini-abdominoplasty?
  

  The facelift procedure involves lifting the cheeks, jaw line, and neck for a tighter, more youthful appearance. The operation is often combined with eyelid procedures (blepharoplasty) and/or a brow lift for an overall facial rejuvenation. Multiple combinations can be used, and in fact, Dr. Elliott prefers to tailor each operation to patients’ individual wants and needs. Dr. Elliott does not like to encumber the patient postoperatively with large, uncomfortable dressings that lead to swelling. By facilitating the recovery process for his patients, Dr. Elliott feels they are more likely to adhere to aftercare guidelines and obtain favorable facelift results. Dr. Elliott feels that the facelift procedure should be preceded by a topical regime of the facial skin (including daily moisturizer and sunscreen application) to ensure optimal healing and facelift surgery results. To view Dr. Elliott’s facelift results click here.

• Mini-Facelift

  A mini-facelift is simply a smaller version of a full facelift operation for patients who need less lifting. Dr. Elliott’s chief focus with a mini-facelift is to provide his Atlanta facial cosmetic surgery patients with a refined jaw line and cheek contour. This lift usually involves less skin removal and less severe tightening. Thus, the scar is shorter and recovery time is abbreviated.

• Short Scar Facelift

  The short scar facelift, a surgical technique used by Dr. Elliott, could be likened to the mini-facelift. This facial rejuvenation procedure is more appropriate for younger patients or those who have less need for a full facelift. Short scar facelift is a less invasive procedure as Dr. Elliott repositions skin and soft facial tissues affected by the signs of aging. Dr. Elliott performs short scar facelifts on patients under local anesthesia, eliminating the need for extended downtime.

  Scarring is completely removed in short scar facelift because Dr. Elliott uses small incisions in temporal hair extending downward in front of the ear lobe. With this technique, Dr. Elliott addresses the signs of aging including wrinkles, prominent nasolabial folds, lax skin, and jowls.

• Eyelid / Blepharoplasty
  

  Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is a procedure used to rejuvenate the appearance of the face, reducing bags underneath the eyes, lift drooping eyelids, and is often combined with a facelift or short scar mini facelift. Eyelids begin to droop as collagen degrades with facial ageing. During an upper blepharoplasty, Dr. Elliott surgically removes the excess skin of the upper eyelids that contributes to the patients’ eyes’ hooded appearance. While bags underneath the eyes are often a result of genetics, the fat deposits can become more pronounced as other areas of the face begin to thin. Dr. Elliott remedies these deposits with a lower blepharoplasty. To view Dr. Elliott’s eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) results click here.

• Endoscopic Browlift

  The brow lift or forehead lift procedure is an effective way to reduce forehead’s skin wrinkling and lift the position of the eyebrows. This procedure is occasionally combined with a lower lid blepharoplasty to remove bags under the eyes. Dr. Elliott accesses the relaxed muscles of the brow and forehead through small incisions hidden within the hairline or the natural creases of the facial anatomy. Dr. Elliott carefully repositions the muscles and skin of the forehead to restore a lifted, more youthful, alert facial appearance for his Atlanta facial plastic surgery patients. To view Dr. Elliott’s brow lift/ forehead lift results click here.

  
• Nose Surgery / Rhinoplasty
  

  Rhinoplasty, generally known as a nose job, is a common, yet complicated reconstructive and/or cosmetic surgery procedure. Patients may choose to have a nose job to improve breathing problems or specifically for aesthetic purposes. This procedure can be complicated due to the complex anatomy of the nose, so it is of utmost importance to choose a board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, like Dr. Franklyn Elliott, who is experienced in rhinoplasty. A successful nose surgery will improve the appearance of the nose: making it more proportional to the patient’s face; without compromising its vital function. Dr. Elliott will thoroughly discuss the patient’s expectations and any functional issues to determine if rhinoplasty, or another facial cosmetic procedure, will yield the most favorable result. To view Dr. Elliott’s rhinoplasty results click here.

• Laser Resurfacing

  Laser skin resurfacing has evolved over the last several years to achieve significant results in patients with wrinkles and fine lines of the face. As a minimally invasive alternative to procedures such as facelift surgery, Dr. Elliott performs laser skin resurfacing to remove damaged skin cells and promote collagen growth. Laser skin resurfacing treatments tighten and firm skin, removing fine lines and wrinkles. This procedure can also reduce surface conditions such as scarring, acne and hyperpigmentation.

  During consultation, Dr. Elliott discusses aesthetic goals, treatment plans, and expectations with each patient. Dr. Elliott can perform laser skin resurfacing following a surgical facial procedure to improve results and reduce scars or in-office as a minimally invasive rejuvenation treatment.

• Fat Injection for Wrinkles and Enhancement
  

  Dr. Elliott prefers to use the patient’s own fat to fill wrinkles and areas of the face, such as the cheeks, that have lost volume with age. During autologous fat transfer, Dr. Elliott harvests the patient’s own fat through liposuction from an area such as the abdomen or thighs, purifies it, and re-injects the material into hollowed areas of the face. Other fillers such as Juvederm® and Restylane® are made with chemicals that mimic your body’s youthful qualities; however, they work on a temporary basis, require regular re-injection to maintain results, and present the risk of allergy because of their foreign composition. Dr. Elliott has achieved remarkable results in the nasolabial folds and other areas of the face.

• Botox® Cosmetic

  Botox® Cosmetic is an excellent procedure for achieving smoothness of the skin on the forehead, in between the eyebrows, and lateral to the eyes (crow’s feet). Botox® is an agent that temporarily relaxes the wrinkle-causing muscles in any of these areas for up to 6-7 months. The results of Botox® Cosmetic injections are predictable and successful; accounting for the product’s extreme popularity. Additionally, Botox® injections are easily combined with other topical procedures such as laser skin resurfacing to magnify all-over facial wrinkle reducing results. Dr. Elliott is reluctant to use Botox® in areas other than those described above.

• Neck Lift

  For patients who experience signs of aging in the neck and throat area, such as sagging skin and excess fat, a neck lift may be able to give them a slimmer, more youthful appearance. Depending on the patient’s desired results, Dr. Elliott will use a combination of liposuction, removal of excess skin, tightening of remaining skin, and firming of underlying neck muscle to create a contoured and rejuvenated neck. A neck lift is often combined with procedures like a facelift or chin surgery to achieve a more desirable shape and balance of the facial features.

• Chin Surgery

  Many patients are seeking to balance their facial features in a more aesthetically pleasing way, and this often involves adjusting the structure of the chin. To create a “stronger,” more pronounced chin, Dr. Elliott uses biocompatible chin implants that are inserted through incisions concealed either within the mouth or underneath the skin. Other patients desire a smaller, less elongated chin, and this procedure involves using incisions to gain access to the bone before sculpting the bone and tissue to create the desired appearance.