Surgical Procedures

Provided by Columbus, Ohio Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Robert S. Houser

A note about recovery time and facial plastic surgery: Dr. Houser will discuss your expected recovery time with you during your consultation. Although expected or average recovery times are listed for the procedures on this page, recovery times can vary quite a bit from person to person. In addition, with certain facial surgical procedures, a patient may feel well just a few days after surgery, but may not want to go work or social events  for few of weeks (due to bruising and swelling).

Many patients, whose jobs allow, will choose to work from home during an extended recovery time.  Others choose to completely take this time off from work.  During your consultation, talk with Dr. Houser about your job, lifestyle, and any vacation plans that you may have, so that your surgery will be scheduled at time that best fits into your life!

Face Lift & Neck Lift: A facelift (rhytidectomy) smoothes and lifts sagging skin along the jaw line and jowl area of the lower face and the neck.  A neck lift is typically performed in conjunction with a face lift, but it can also be performed alone (typically following significant weight-loss).

Dr. Houser usually performs a facelift as an outpatient procedure in our AAAASF accredited surgical facility, but in some cases  a facelift may be in-patient.

Recovery time is about two weeks, although swelling may persist for a longer period of time.

Mid Face Lift: A mid-facelift corrects sagging tissue in the midsection of the face, around the nose, below the eyes, and around the upper cheek area.

Average recovery time for a mid face lift is one to two weeks.

Brow Lift/ Forehead Lift: A brow lift, also called a forehead lift, corrects sagging skin and wrinkles on the forehead and lifts the brows.  This procedure  results in a more youthful, rested appearance. Dr. Houser typically performs brow lifts as an outpatient procedures, in our AAAASF accredited surgical suite.

Recovery time is about two weeks.

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty): Blepharoplasty can be performed on both the upper and/ or lower eyelids. In many patients blepharoplasty is a cosmetic procedure.  However, in some patients sagging eyelids actually obstruct the individual’s vision and blepharoplasty corrects this obstruction. Blepharoplasty removes the excess skin and fat on the eyelids and creates a more rested and refreshed appearance. Dr. Houser performs blepharoplasty as an outpatient procedure in our AAAASF accredited facility.

Average recovery time is one to two weeks.

Facial Implants: Plastic surgeons use facial implants to give greater definition to facial features. The most common facial implants are chin implants and cheek implants, followed by jaw and nasal implants. The facial implants that Dr. Houser uses are made of a hard, durable silicone.  This type of silicone has been used for many years and is commonly used by surgeons for many types of surgery. 

Dr. Houser carefully chooses the size and shape of the implant to compliment the patient’s facial structure, creating a natural and balanced appearance.  Many patients choose to combine facial implants with another facial procedure. For example, chin implants are often combined with rhinoplasty and/ or neck liposuction.  Cheek implants are often placed in conjunction with a facelift.

Otoplasty (cosmetic ear surgery or ear pinning surgery): Otoplasty surgery is cosmetic surgery of the ears. This procedure moves the upper part of the ears closer to the head.

Otoplasty is performed on both adults and children. If you are researching otoplasty for your child, you may be wondering what the proper age is for otoplasty. 

Dr. Houser encourages parents to think in terms of maturity level, rather than age, when considering otoplasty for their child. A good time to begin talking to your child is when they start showing subtle signs such as hiding the ears behind the hair or wearing hats.

Dr. Houser performs otoplasty, both as out- patient or in-patient procedures, depending on the details of your surgery. He will discuss this with you during your consultation and exam.

Average recovery time for otoplasty is one to two weeks.

Facial Liposuction: Liposuction is commonly performed on the upper portion of the neck, just below the chin, when a patient wants to correct the appearance of a “double chin.”  This procedure is sometimes combined with the placement of a chin implant to further define the jaw line.  Incisions for these procedures are well hidden below the chin.

Average recovery time is one to two weeks, although with liposuction, bruising and swelling sometimes persists for a bit longer.