The Patient's Question: My frown lines and sagging jowls are getting me down.
The patient before (left) and after (right) the suggested cosmetic surgery procedures. Courtesy Photos
The first change I made was to remove the angry, frown lines between your eyes. Some people call these wrinkles your "elevens" because they are vertical, like the number. These lines are created by the corrugator supercillii muscle -- a muscle that has no real function other than to make you frown! The easiest way to correct these furrows is with a paralyzing agent like like Dysport or Botox. Both are equally effective and will last for up to 6 months. The cost is $400-$600 with no downtime. Some plastic surgeons will go as far as to surgically remove this muscle, but I am not a fan of unnecessary surgery. I'd stick with the paralyzing agents.
I also gave you a mid-face lift. This is a partial facelift that lifts the cheeks and jowls and can lessen the nasolabial folds and marionette lines. In the "after" photos, you can see that eliminating your jowls also reveals the beautiful jawline that you were born with. This has the side benefit of changing the shape of your face from a rectangle to a more youthful oval. This procedure costs about $7,500 and the downtime is 7 to 10 days.
My most recent book, "A More Beautiful You - Reverse Aging Through Skin Care, Plastic Surgery and Lifestyle Solutions," will tell you much more about these procedures and other options you have.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert M. Freund, MD, FACS
The health or medical information in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions.