Opera Lift Monday - Opera House Friday

(Obi-Palomar External Rejuvenation Aesthetics)

Sydney Opera House

In an effort to view on-going results, Dr. Lewis Obi remains in contact with all of his patients, some patients spanning decades. Just this week alone, Dr. Lewis Obi received an email from a patient of 15 years, who had received his proprietary LJO Brow Lift, Fat Injections and Fillers, and traditional liposuction of the abdomen in 1998. In 2010, shortly after Dr. Obi received one of the first Adivive platforms in the United States, she came back to see him for “touch-up” surgery. At the suggestion of Dr. Obi, she received one of the first OPERA (Obi-Palomar External Rejuvenation Aesthetic) Lift Plus procedures performed at his plastic surgery clinic. The only surgical component was a limited excision of upper eyelid skin. 17 months later, she is still seeing excellent post-op results.

One of the major components of facial aging is loss of facial fat and atrophy of other soft tissue in the face. This results in redundancy and looseness of the facial and neck skin. Gravity does the rest and therefore the face sags. Vertical and horizontal tightening are the standard methods of plastic surgeons but often results in a “face lifted” look. These are techniques of the “Tailor Craft” of plastic surgeons and of course are sometimes necessary. However, the “Sculptor” class of plastic surgeons will address facial and body changes in a more three dimensional manner. Therefore, volume replacement as well tightening loose skin are both important in order to achieve optimal results. The only safe and economical large volume replacement is the use of condensed or stem cell concentrated fat (Adivive™ fat).

Pictured below is the same patient shown in the above photographs, but 14 years ago. Weight loss and the span of time resulted in the volumetric changes noted in the far left photograph. The non surgical restoration of volume with the patient’s own stem cell enhanced fat accounted for the striking rejuvenation. In place of a surgical neck lift, SlimLipo laser skin tightening added only 30 minutes to the procedure.

Some say the fountain of youth is unobtainable, but there are many people, like this patient, discovering ways to slow the aging process with Dr. Lewis Obi’s OPERA Lift.

Opera House “Ready” at Any Age

Most younger patients undergoing non surgical OPERA Lifts (Minor and Major) range in age from 35 to 50.

However, a significant population of patients above 65 and even into their eighties are submitting to this non surgical procedure internationally. Dr. Lewis Obi will be featured in a major upcoming plastic surgery book on the use of stem cell fat for aesthetic procedures. His chapter will feature many of the patients on this blog and his web site.

The Importance of Maintenance and Touch-ups Following Facelift

The longevity of most facelifts is between five to 10 years and depends on the surgical technique utilized. Maintenance of results is important and includes avoidance of sun damage, good skin care and a healthy life style.

Aging is a dynamic process and through the years, it may be necessary to maintain results with various touch-up procedures. Facelifts are one of the most sought-after cosmetic surgery procedures for significant facial rejuvenation.

OPERA Lift Plus Patient

As with any plastic surgery, it may be necessary to revise and touch-up several years following a facelift procedure. In fact, maintenance and touch-up following a facelift may even enhance a patient’s results. Laser resurfacing, fillers and a healthy skin regimen may help delay the aging process but will not prevent the inevitable.

Recent advances in medicine have made revision procedures after facelifts much easier and virtually non invasive. There are many post-facelift options available to enhance and rejuvenate your looks.

• OPERA Lift: The OPERA Lift Minor is an ideal technique for patients with minimal sag, deep folds and soft tissue deficiency.
• Adivive: Is a more natural filler derived from one’s own fat. It’s filtered then used in rejuvenation. When enhanced with PRP, longer lasting results are incurred.
• SlimLipo: Can remove unwanted fat and sag in the neck and is particularly effective after a facelift. Its skin tightening effects result almost instant and the patient enjoys practically no down time.
  
• PRP: Platelet-rich Plasma is derived from one’s own blood which is centrifuged and filtered into a clear solution. PRP is utilized in both surgical and non-surgical procedures to enhance results and prevent bruising.
• TCA Peel (35% TriChlorAcetic Acid): Dr. Lewis Obi is one of the few plastic surgeons still utilizing this technique of skin resurfacing. In select patients, this technique is more effective and longer lasting than laser resurfacing. 
• Icon Laser: Fractional (Fraxel) resurfacing reduces wrinkles, sun damage and loose skin non invasively. Three treatments are usually required but there is minimal down time. 
• Photofacial Rejuvenation: Photofacials assist in maintaining skin clarity and firmness. 
• Botox and Fillers: These injectables either smooth any creases and wrinkles as well as restore facial volume. Both are ideal for patients seeking touch-ups several times a year.

SlimLipo of the neck

It is especially important for more mature patients to maintain their skin after a facelift as it becomes increasingly difficult to correct damage and wrinkles during one’s golden years.

Visit our Growing Old Gracefully blog to follow a patient of over a 35-year period that received facelift touch-ups and has maintained her phenomenal looks.

Age 55-LJO Browlift, mid Facelift, and Chemical Peel

Age 68- Limited lifts and refinements of face neck, and nose

Age 75-Refinements

 

Age 85- OPERA Lift

Adivive Autologous Fat Transfer and Platelet-­Rich Plasma: Changing the Face of Anti-­Aging Treatments

Non Invasive Facelift Patient – OPERA Lift Major

In our March 2012 blog, Dr. Lewis Obi was quoted in Plastic Surgery Practice (PSP) magazine regarding his utilization of the Adivive Fat Processing Unit. The article also featured updates about use of platelets and fibroblasts in cosmetic procedures. To date, Dr. Obi has performed over 100 Adivive autologous fat transfer procedures and since the publication of the PSP article has combined the rejuvenating effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP). 

Read the article in its entirety here: http://www.plasticsurgerypractice.com/issues/articles/2012-­‐03_05.asp 

Through the unique combination of Adivive fat transfer and PRP, facial rejuvenation patients benefit by receiving long-lasting results, improved facial tones and textures, and the reduced chances of bruising or infections. 

Not only has Dr. Lewis Obi incorporated the use of PRP into his non invasive facelifts (OPERA Lifts), surgical facelifts, and his LJO Brow Lift but he also has integrated it into other surgical procedures including breast reconstructions and augmentations as well as tummy tucks. 

Dr. Obi was the first plastic surgeon in Jacksonville to utilize the MAGELLAN Autologous Platelet Separator for assimilation of PRP into plastic surgery. 

Non Invasive Facelift Patient – OPERA Lift Major

In the past week, the Obi Plastic Surgery Clinic prepared a short video demonstrating how Dr. Lewis Obi harvests and prepares fat for transfer for his non invasive facelift, the OPERA Lift and for breast reconstruction patients. You may watch the video below or visit YouTube to see the Adivive fat transfer video or other plastic surgery videos.

INTRODUCING THE "OPERA LIFT"

Plastic Surgeons and patients alike are attracted to acronyms that have
been utilized over the decades in an effort to promote new techniques.
Early in Dr Lewis Obi’s career the term “Mini Lift” was used as a marketing
tool to provide patients with alternatives to the more major and costly face
lifting procedures. The issue of down time from work and social activities
was also a consideration. About every five years or so since the term Mini
Lift was introduced, other trademark procedures have included the “Feather
Lift”, “MACS Lift” and “Life Style Lift”. Except for the “Feather Lift” which
was soon abandoned because of significant complications, none of the
other trademark procedures were unique. However with the recent advent
of advanced technology by Palomar, there is finally justification for a new
acronym The OPERA Lift”. Palomar Medical introduced the LifeSculpt
(SlimLipo) laser platform three years ago and Dr. Lewis Obi was one of the
earliest providers. This year Palomar introduced the Adivive Fat Processing
Unit and Dr. Obi acquired the first FDA approved system.

Dr. Lewis Obi has combined these two technologies and is now offering
patients with a significant alternative to traditional facelifting procedures.
The OPERA Lift is translated into the Obi Palomar External Rejuvenation
Aesthetics and is an entirely non-surgical procedure. Loose facial skin,
deep facial creases, indelible lines and eye hollows are minimized with
Adivive stem cell enhanced fat grafting (an average take of 52%). Neck
tightening is achieved with the Palomar SlimLipo laser platform. Down time
varies from 3 days to 10 days depending on the volume of fat grafting
utilized in the face. The pictures below reflect the patient immediately after
fat grafting and then 3 days later (OPERA minor). The introductory pictures
above reflect a longer recovery because of larger fat volume and the added
surgical procedures of an LJO browlift (OPERA major). The OPERA minor
procedure may be performed with oral sedation whereas the Opera major
is performed with conscious nurse sedation.

Another example of a large volume fat grafting procedure to the face
(Opera major) resulted in a down time of approximately 7 days. Stem cell
concentrated fat may be use in volumes of up to 90 cc thereby resulting in
a “3D Spacelift” that was first described by Dr. Mark Berman of Beverly
Hills. Patients are told that they may benefit with a second but lesser
(OPERA minor) grafting session six months to a year later. Long term
results are expected in the majority of patients.

DR LEWIS OBI LECTURES IN SANTA MONICA

Dr. Lewis Obi shared the podium at an Advanced Symposium with Dr. Mark Berman on October 15th. During the previous day Dr. Obi was privileged to witness new clinical applications of stem cells derived from adult fat. Dr. Berman has worked with Dr. Lee of South Korea and Dr. Yoshimura of Tokyo for the past three years in developing this new technology. Palomar provided Dr. Lewis Obi with the first FDA approved system in January of this year. The Adivive system combined with the SlimLipo laser platform has allowed Dr. Obi to perform total non surgical face and neck rejuvenation at a reduced cost and with less down time. Our next blog will feature the new OPERA LIFT PROCEDURE developed by Dr, Lewis Obi.

THE NEW FACELIFT IN THE NEW ECONOMY

This weekend Dr. Lewis Obi delivers his presentation on The New Facelift in the New Economy at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons meeting in Denver. To commemorate this event, the Obi Plastic Surgery Clinic are providing a choice of non-surgical options at more affordable fees. Most of these procedures may be performed with preoperative sedation and minimum down time.

Non-surgical Necklift with LifeSculpt (SlimLipo)
1 to 2 days down time - $2000

Learn more about LifeSculpt

Non-surgical Facelift (3D Spacelift) with Adivive Fat Grafting (stem-cell rich)
$3500 for limited face - 3 days average down time

Learn more about Adivive Fat Grafting


Non-Surgical Facelift (Adivive) and Non-Surgical Necklift (LifeSculpt)-Combined
$4900 (with limited Adivive) - complimentary Botox with this package


Learn more about LifeSculpt
Learn more about Adivive Fat Grafting

Dr. Lewis Obi has performed LifeSculpt (SlimLipo) on 340 patients including 150 neck procedures during the past 35 months. As Palomarʼs first provider of Adivive™ stemcell concentrated fat grafting system, Dr. Obi has treated more than 50 patients. Patients may have these procedures performed on Wednesday, Thursday or Fridays and return to work in 2 to 3 days. For sake of economy, some patients elect to have limited eyelid and/or browlift procedures performed at the same time. The full face Adivive procedures along with eyelid surgery does require a longer recovery time.