Henry A. Mentz, M.D., PA, FACS, FICS
Facial Refinement is most commonly associated with those plastic surgery procedures that target contour changes in specific areas of the face. These facial refinement procedures include the Rhinoplasty or Nose Job, Ear Pin Back or Otoplasty, Chin Implant or Augmentation, Cheek Implant or Augmentation, and Fat Grafting. Generally, harmony in facial proportions is a delicate balance and requires specific expertise in guidance and techniques. Dr. Mentz was the very first US surgeon to become triple boarded in the specialties focusing on facial plastic surgery. Dr. Mentz will utilize your specific goal targets, computer imaging and careful planning to assist you in attaining your best possible results.
Most of these facial refinement procedures are performed in our exclusive AAAA certified Aesthetic Surgicenter and anesthesia is performed by a board certified Anesthesiologist doctor. These are day surgeries and you can return home for your recovery. Dr. Mentz may send a specialized plastic surgery nurses to your home for your first post operative check. You will return to our offices for suture removal on the fifth day after surgery. Patients usually return to work in 5-6 days and to their work outs in 2-3 weeks.
Nasal Surgery in Houston, Texas
Rhinoplasty or nasal reshaping is a common procedure done by Dr. Mentz. Since his triple board certification, facial plastic surgery has been an important part of his practice. The removal of a large nasal hump or the narrowing of the nostrils can improve the look and shape of your nose. This may be done in conjunction with other rhinoplasty procedures to create the desired appearance. Dr. Mentz will evaluate the structure of your nose and face and discuss in detail your appearance expectations. Facial balance is important.
Computer imaging with Dr. Mentz will help you determine the size and shape of your nose. Factors that influence the final results include the structure of your nasal bones and cartilage, the shape of your face the thickness of your skin and your age. Cosmetic nose surgery may be performed on female patients as young as 15 or males as young as 17. However, Dr. Mentz will need to make this determination. Depending upon the procedures performed, a splint may be applied to the nose to help maintain its shape. Soft plastic splints may be placed in your nostrils to stabilize the airway and are removed in 5-7 days.
The nose job surgery can be performed as an outpatient under general anesthesia and takes approximately 1 hour to complete. Following surgery, patients should plan on staying in bed with the head elevated for the first few days.
After your procedure Dr. Mentz may offer a complimentary visit to your home by a plastic surgery nurse, trained to assist in your recovery. Most patients can return to daily activities within 7-10 days following surgery. Exercise and other strenuous activities may be resumed in about two weeks. It is important to avoid hitting or rubbing the nose for approximately eight weeks. Exposure to the sun should be limited for the two months.
Snoring, Difficulty Breathing in Houston, Texas
Breathing or snoring problems might be a sign that you are a candidate for nasal surgery or septoplasty. The septum, which is the dividing wall between the air passages, may be deviated or crooked, causing nasal obstruction. To improve the nasal airway, the shape or position of the septum may be corrected with surgery. A nasal deformity may be a sign of a more serious medical condition and may be covered by your health insurance, although cosmetic improvement will generally be fee for service.
Incisions are made inside the nostrils. Dr. Mentz rarely uses uncomfortable nasal packs or soft plastic splints after surgery. The surgery can be performed as an outpatient under general anesthesia and takes approximately 1 hour to complete. For the first few days following surgery, patients should plan on staying in bed with the head elevated.
Cheek Implants in Houston, Texas
Cheek implants can enhance your appearance and may bolster your self esteem. If you are looking for improvement, not perfection, in your appearance and are realistic in your expectations, you may find that a cheek implant is the right choice for you.
Dr. Mentz will frequently use such implants to bring better balance to the features of a younger patient.
For instance, a young patient may increase the prominence of their cheeks so that these traits are better proportioned. The more mature patient may choose to have an implant placed in conjunction with another cosmetic procedure. For example, during a facelift, a patient may wish to have implants placed over the cheekbones to help restore a more youthful appearance. Implants may also be selected to fill out a face that appears "sunken" or tired.
Chin Augmentation (using an implant or your own fat) in Houston, Texas
Chin implants can enhance your appearance and bolster your self esteem. If you are looking for improvement in your appearance and a more balanced profile, you may find that chin augmentation is the right choice for you.
Dr. Mentz will frequently use such implants to bring better balance to the features of a younger patient. Sometimes using your own fat for the chin augmentation is a great alternative to an implant.
Chin augmentation can be a great addition to other facial procedures. For example, during a facelift, a patient may have implants placed on the chin to help restore a more youthful appearance. Sometimes a chin augmentation can restore balance to facial proportions during rhinoplasty or cheek procedures.
Fat Grafts/ Cheek, Chin, and Jaw in Houston, Texas
"Fat Grafting" is a procedure that is being used more frequently as a rejuvenating option in the patient's fight against aging. Quite simply, it involves using some of the patient's own fat tissue to fill-in creases, lines, depressions or other underdeveloped areas in the body. Dr. Mentz has lectured on fat grafting in facial rejuvenation and in special circumstances and has utilized fat grafting since 1987. This is a process in which small portions of fat are carefully taken from a donor area, like the abdomen or inner thigh, and then prepared using a special technique. Small amounts are then injected into tiny tunnels, cross-layered and structured to form a stable platform to augment an area. The fat is carefully grafted, and not just injected, so that the desired appearance is achieved.
Fat grafts are being used to plump the lips, reduce the appearance of "laugh lines," and lift cheeks and strengthen a weak chin for a more desirable profile. They can also be used to fill-in dimples or depressions in the skin, and even to improve the appearance of underdeveloped calves and flattened buttocks. Depending upon the patient and the area grafted, fat grafts can last anywhere from several months to several years. However, fat grafts are being used more frequently since technology has improved the staying power of fat. Most of these procedures are performed under general anesthesia, and require minimum recovery time.
Botox® in Houston, Texas
Dr. Henry Mentz has experience with Botox® since 1988, using Botox® for early research at Tulane for facial wrinkles, vocal cord spasticity and facial twitches. He has Botox® available at every clinic. Typically, after reviewing educational material, we utilize a numbing cream in the areas for treatment. The Botox® is then injected into forehead wrinkles, crowsfeet or lines around the mouth. Over a period of two week these lines will soften and the treatment usually lasts for about 5 months.
Botox® (Allergan Irvine, CA) is purified Botulinum Toxin Type A produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. Botox® works by binding with motor nerve terminals in the body to inhibit the release of a chemical called Acetylcholine. When injected locally into a muscle Botox® produces a reversible paralysis of that muscle. The FDA has approved Botox® for use in treating conditions known as strabismus and blepharospasm or disorders of the facial nerve in patients aged 12 and above. Botox® is probably best known for its "off label" use in treating dynamic expression lines of the face and neck. Botox® is one of the most effective ways to treat the wrinkles on the forhead and between the brows and we are pleased to offer Botox® to our patients. Botox® is also used to treat the lines of crows feet and around the mouth.. Recently, in another off-label use Botox® has been used to treat excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) in the palms and armpits. When used for wrinkle reduction the effects of Botox® are temporary, with muscle function (and the associated wrinkling) usually returning within four to six months. Around the mouth only about 2-3 months. Botox® is injected directly into the muscle through a small needle in the physician's office. Patients usually return to work that day and in most cases could participate in a social engagement that evening.
There are risks associated with Botox® use, however complications are usually temporary because of the non-permanent nature of Botox®. A thorough discussion of the risks and potential complications is an essential part of the consultative process prior to undergoing any aesthetic surgical procedure including Botox® treatment.
Microdermabrasion in Houston, Texas
This revolutionary new method of skin rejuvenation is a non-surgical, non-invasive process that offers safe and controlled skin abrasion. Medical grade microcrystals are propelled at a high rate of speed across the skin's surface and are then suctioned away and discarded. A cooling facial mask is applied after the treatment to sooth and refresh the skin. A microdermabrasion session can be performed in less than an hour and results are seen immediately. There is no "down time" like that associated with other types of peels, and make-up can usually be applied right away. The stimulated blood flow to the surface of the skin increases the oxygenation, causing an enhancement of cell renewal and collagen re-growth.
The massaging action of the microdermabrasion treatment creates a flushing and cleansing effect below the skin surface, resulting in a vibrant healthy appearance and complexion. The new microdermabrasion method addresses fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation, as well as improving the appearance of aging and sundamaged skin. It works well on all skin types; removing dead skin cells from dry skin and unclogging pores on oily skin types.
Out of Town Patients
Out of town patients can schedule their visit to Houston, a same day
office visit for registration, physical exam and informed consent and
plan their surgery for the next morning. Patients stay the night of
their surgery with a caregiver friend, can arrange for an overnight
nurse or you may elect to stay at our overnight facility located in the
surgicenter. Usually patients plan their return home several days after
their surgery, depending of the extent of the event. Endoscopic lifting
and fat grafting requires two overnights in Houston and additional
procedures may lengthen recovery. Let us help you with your
arrangements by calling Dr. Mentz's patient coordinator, Lupe Elizondo
at any of the listed numbers or email addresses.
To learn more about Rhinoplasty, Botox, and Facial Surgery contact Dr. Mentz at
713-799-9999.
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