Dr. Benjamin Stong, a world-class facial plastic surgeon with highly esteemed training, experience and recognition in his field, founded and leads Kalos Facial Plastic Surgery in Atlanta. We interviewed him about his background as well as his new lip lift technique.
Q: Hi Dr.
Stong. Thanks for taking the time to speak with Mother Today. Would you please tell us about your professional background?
A: Sure thing. I am dual board certified in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery and Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery by the American Board of Otolaryngology and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. So when it comes to the full range of facial plastic surgeries and skin rejuvenation procedures, I believe my education and years as a surgeon mean I really understand and can execute the careful blend of art and science that it takes to create exceptional, natural-looking results
Q: Thank you. And can you tell us about your new “Perialar Lip Lift”? It sounds interesting.
A. Absolutely. I have spent my entire adult and professional life studying faces – mostly women’s faces. And so I know that a woman’s lips are central to the image she presents to the world. Many also perceive them as the essence of her sensuality. So therefore I am excited to be offering a better way to enhance a woman’s lips and put her best face forward, so to speak. I call a “Perialar Lip Lift” and I strongly believe that it offers a more complete facial rejuvenation and improved lip aesthetic than existing procedures.
Q: Interesting. What shortcomings did you perceive with existing lip lifts?
A: As some might know, the subnasal lip lift has been the standard for lip lifts for a number of years, but I have never really been satisfied with it. I always felt there was a better way to minimizes the appearance of incisions and scarring, and create a better, more balanced lift. In addition, I wanted to be able to offer a better approach for my patients who were concerned about the common use of fillers to augment a standard lip lift or whose lips were out of balance following facial cosmetic surgery.
Q: So how did you come to develop this new approach to the lip lift? What is the biggest difference?
A: My determination that the nostrils held the key to a better lip lift results was central to developing the Perialar Lip Lift. You see, it works by creating an inconspicuous incision around the nostrils. It also removes skin that allows for lifting the entire upper lip broadly from one corner of the mouth to the other.
And unlike the subnasal lip lift, the Perialar Lip Lift actually shortens the width of the upper lip, delivering a more complete lip rejuvenation. In this manner, better facial balance is achieved, and tooth show is enhanced, resulting in more attractive smiles. So there are a number of dynamics at work.
Q: Thanks for that detailed explanation. Are there other benefits from this new approach?
A: Actually, there are a number of additional benefits from the Perialar Lip Lift. They include lifting the outer portions of the red lip more broadly to the corners of the mouth, improving balance by decreasing the width of the upper lip proportionately and softening and decreasing the appearance of the nasolabial folds. All of these have helped ensure that patients have been really happy with the results.
Q: So patients are happy, which is great. What are are other plastic surgeons saying, your colleagues?
A: I’m actually really excited about the peer endorsements of the Perialar Lip Lift, which already includes a number of top experts in the field. For example, my long-standing colleague Joe Rousso MD FACS, a top Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon, tells me that this innovation on the lip lift “has the potential to become the new gold standard in the field.” That was very exciting to hear!
Q: I bet. So can you tell us some more on whom this procedure is for?
A: Well, ideal candidates are of course not pleased with their current lips for any number of reasons. Some have either a thin upper lip, excessive skin between the nose and the red of the lip, a lack of natural tooth show, or a combination of these characteristics. So there is a range of ideal candidates.
Q: What other details do you think our readers should know about your Perialar Lip Lift?
A: Well, anyone considering it should know that it is an outpatient procedure that can be performed using local anesthesia, which is convenient, obviously. Also I’m glad to say that recovery time is usually only about two weeks, with full results typically seen within two to three months. So I’ve found that works for a lot of people, many of whom are working from home these days. The procedure outcomes are permanent of course and are designed for adults of all ages.
Q: And how do people reach you to learn more?
A: For more information on the Perialar lip lift or to schedule a consultation they can just office at (404) 963-6665 or, of course, visit our website at www.kalos-plasticsurgery.com
Q: OK great. Thanks a lot for taking the time to share this info with us. I believe our readers will find it really interesting!
A: Absolutely, it has been my pleasure. Thank you!
