- Sinusitis
- Medical Weight LossGood candidates for liposuction are people who are at or near their ideal weight, but have areas of stubborn fat that do not respond to diet and exercise. Liposuction is not a weight loss solution and is not appropriate for people who are significantly overweight.
- Primary CareSumma cum laude and received the Hattie Waldheim Scholarship for academic excellence. She is pursuing her studies to become an Adult Primary Care Nurse Practitioner while also working as an aesthetic nurse. Danielle has years of experience at a dermatology office and a medical spa, specializing in administering neurotoxins, fillers, and treatments like intense pulse light therapy, laser hair removal, tattoo removal, erbium, and laser vein removal. Danielle is excited to join Dr. Hilinski’s team and looks forward to providing the utmost aesthetic care!
- Family PracticeDr. Hilinski is a board certified facial plastic surgeon, which means that he has undergone extensive education and training specifically focused on cosmetic face and neck concerns. This includes maintenance and enhancement of skin and hair. If you look around San Diego, you will find that many so-called hair transplant surgeons aren’t even trained as surgeons. In fact, many of these folks performing hair transplant were actually trained as family practice doctors and internal medicine specialists. Even those hair transplant practices who have surgeons on staff often times have doctors who were trained in other specialties – like heart surgery or general surgery – and not in facial plastic surgery. With Dr. Hilinski, you are getting a Harvard Medical School graduate who has trained specifically for this surgical specialty, which includes the treatment of unwanted hair loss using advanced hair transplant techniques.
- Internal Medicine
- Anxiety
- UltrasoundYes, there are non-surgical alternatives to liposuction, such as cryolipolysis (CoolSculpting), ultrasound, and radiofrequency treatments. These treatments are less invasive and have less downtime, but may not provide the same level of fat reduction as liposuction.
- X-Rays
- Computed TomographyPreparing for facial reconstruction surgery involves several steps to ensure a successful outcome. You may need to undergo certain medical tests such as CT scans or x-rays, or other types of evaluations to determine your overall health status and identify any potential risks. In the weeks leading up to the surgery, you may need to avoid certain medications and supplements that can increase the risk of bleeding or interfere with anesthesia. You may also need to make arrangements for transportation and post-operative care, including arranging for someone to drive you home after the procedure and providing support during the initial recovery period. Dr. Hilinski will provide detailed instructions on how to prepare for the surgery, including guidelines for eating, drinking, and taking medications in the days leading up to the procedure. By following these guidelines and working closely with Dr. Hilinski, you can help ensure a safe and successful outcome from your facial reconstruction surgery.
- General SurgeryA San Diego native, Dr. John Hilinski was pleased to return here and establish his facial plastic surgery practice. Dr. Hilinski attended Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. After graduation, he completed a General Surgery internship followed by a Head and Neck Surgery residency at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Medical Center. Throughout his residency, Dr. Hilinski focused his efforts exclusively on surgery of the face and neck.
- Wound CareWithin twenty-four to forty-eight hours after surgery, the bandages will be changed and patients will be checked to make sure that there is no unwanted bleeding along the surgical site. Patients are then seen again on day five or six after surgery during which time the sutures are removed and a lighter, removable bandage is placed. Patients will be instructed on wound care and will then be seen every several weeks for the first few months.
- Ear SurgeryAfter doing extensive online research, he discovered that Dr. Hilinski is considered one of the nation’s foremost experts in cosmetic ear surgery. So he sought us out and decided to go forth with another attempt at reversing the prior ear pinning.
- OtolaryngologyMany of these scar revision techniques were summarized in the last edition of “Scar Revision – A Self-Instructional Packet”, which was co-authored by Dr. Hilinski. This booklet is the latest official publication sponsored by the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery and intended to serve as a teaching manual for other facial plastic surgeons.
- Mohs SurgeryAs you can see from her photos shown here, there was a fairly good sized defect (hole) in the middle portion of her nasal bridge following MOHS surgery. When looking at the nose from the frontal view, you can see there is a rounded defect where the skin cancer had been removed during the MOHS surgery. As the patient begins to turn to the side, you can can a better appreciation of just how extensive the problem is when looking from the oblique (45 degree angle) and lateral view. On the lateral, or side, view you now get an idea of just how deep the cancer went into the nose, leaving a large divot that involved not only the skin of the nose but also the underlying cartilage and bone.
- Reconstructive SurgeryNicole came to Dr. Hilinski’s office with prior experience in plastic and reconstructive surgery, in addition to over 10 years in the aesthetic industry. She is the often times the pleasant voice you will hear when calling to schedule a new appointment with Dr. Hilinski. She is also a great resource for all of your questions and concerns. Nicole is knowledgeable on all the procedures we offer and can answer any questions you might have before and after surgery. She is also a great contact for any patients traveling from out of town.
- BotoxPosted on May 20, 2015 Dr. John Hilinski discusses the unique properties of Sculptra Aesthetic and how this unique injectable can deliver natural-looking rejuvenation by restoring lost collagen. San Diego, CA – Injectables like BOTOX® Cosmetic or dermal fillers have become popular nonsurgical methods of combating lines and wrinkles. While these cosmetic injectable options can provide beautiful results, Dr. John Hilinski, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon in San Diego, is excited to offer a third type of injectable that... Continue Reading
- Brow LiftTraditionally, the brow lift procedure required a wide incision across the scalp. Now, with the advancements in surgical technology, a brow lift can be done endoscopically (endobrow), which only requires small incisions. In this less invasive surgical technique, small telescopes are used to reposition the brow. As a result, there is minimal downtime with less swelling, bruising, and numbness.
- Eyelid SurgeryI couldn't have asked for a better experience with my eyelid surgery. I am very squeamish about having surgery under a local anesthetic, but this was clearly the better option. I had lots of support, and all went well. Before the surgery, I was well- prepared by the staff. Perhaps that would be my only complaint about the staff though. They called, texted, emailed, to remind me of my appointments (As if I was going to back out?? I found this to be a bit disruptive). During the surgery, I was well cared for. My only concern was that no one called after the surgery to see how I was doing. Luckily, I had a friend who had been through this procedure who stayed with me, so I wasn't that concerned. 6 weeks post surgery, I can see that the Dr. did an excellent job. I can hardly see the scars myself, and my eyes look much more open.
- LiposuctionIn many cases, Dr. Hilinski will combine the MyEllevate procedure with neck liposuction and Renuvion J Plasma skin tightening. Neck liposuction helps to create more definition under the jawline while Renuvion helps to tighten the neck skin utilizing plasma energy.
- RhinoplastyPiezo rhinoplasty refers to a specific technique that incorporates use of an ultrasonic device to help reshape bone. This is also commonly referred to as piezoelectric rhinoplasty in reference to the actual electrical device. In essence, the ultrasonic piezo device generates high-speed sound waves that vibrate at an extremely high frequency. As this energy is applied directly to the bone, it can be used by the rhinoplasty surgeon to take away bone.
- Plastic SurgeryWelcome to the News Room of Dr. John Hilinski. Below is a list of the latest press releases written about Dr. Hilinski and our San Diego facial plastic surgery practice. Click on any of the links below to read recent news regarding our latest procedures, technologies, and other important cosmetic facial surgery information.
- Face LiftThe midface lift is a procedure that helps restore a more youthful look to the cheek area. This is an area of the face that is not always effectively treated by the traditional facelift procedure. As we age, the cheek area begins to droop. In many cases this results in unwanted flattening of the cheek, which contributes to a tired, aged look. In addition, this can reveal unwanted puffiness below the eyes and deepening of the smile lines (as the cheek begins to hang down).
- Neck LiftFor patients who desire neck rejuvenation without undergoing traditional neck lift surgery, Dr. Hilinski offers the MyEllevate procedure.
- BlepharoplastyFunctional upper blepharoplasty surgery refers to an eyelid reshaping procedure to help improve poor vision due primarily to excess upper eyelid skin.
- Nose SurgeryIf you are suffering from rhinophyma and considering surgery to treatment the problem, contact our office today. Dr. Hilinski is one of the region’s most respected names when it comes to cosmetic and functional nose surgery.
- OtoplastyOver the past several years Dr. Hilinski has been performing what he terms is preservation otoplasty on a more consistent basis. For many years now, the classical method of performing ear pinning, or otoplasty surgery, has included some degree of cartilage removal or resection as part of the operation. This means that in areas where the ear is considered too big or too large, such as the conchal bowl, cartilage is taken away in an attempt to make it smaller.
- Scar RevisionScar revision is intended to improve the cosmetic appearance of skin irregularities and blemishes resulting from prior injury or unsatisfactory surgical repair. These include scars that are raised, discolored, depressed, poorly aligned and/or have mismatched texture. Oftentimes scars that are quite obvious and unsightly can be revised to blend naturally into the surrounding skin, making them barely noticeable.
- Lip AugmentationA lower lip mucosal advancement is a surgical procedure that involves use of the tissue already present in the lip to create more volume. Lower lip augmentation is typically accomplished in most offices by using a variety of injectable fillers to create a more volumized, or plumper, appearance. In my office, I offer this additional option of using a lower lip mucosal advancement to achieve a more permanent solution.
- Body Contouring
- Laser ResurfacingUsing incisions hidden along the hairline and border of the ear, facelift surgery can effectively rejuvenate your face and restore that once youthful look. Although the term “facelift” implies lifting the entire face, the surgery actually targets the lower one-third of the face (below the eyes) and the upper neck. During the surgery, which can be done under a general or “twilight” anesthetic, excess skin along the cheek and neck is meticulously removed. The face and neck are then recontoured to provide a more youthful appearance. The surgery typically takes four to six hours to complete. If you have signs of extensive sun damage (finer wrinkles), additional procedures such as laser resurfacing may be recommended. Facelift is also commonly performed in conjunction with browlift and blepharoplasty for complete facial rejuvenation.
- MolesDr. Hilinski is well-known in San Diego for his ability to get rid of face and neck moles with minimal signs of having had a procedure done. The information provided here helps prospective mole removal patients to better understand the various options available to them – and was intended to streamline the entire consultation process for mole removal.
- Cosmetic SurgeryThe end result is a nose that can look quite unusual – almost embarrassingly so. In many cases, rhinophyma patients seek out surgical treatment because of the cosmetic deformity that draws unwanted attention to their face. Just like any other cosmetic issue involving the nose (a large bump or droopy tip), it is just not feasible to hide or conceal the deformity on a day-to-day basis. The only way to really deal with the problem is to have cosmetic surgery to make a permanent change.
- DermabrasionDermabrasion can also be used for rhinophyma where a scalpel or dermabrader device is employed to gradually ‘sand down’ the diseased rhinophymatous skin. Unfortunately, dermabrasion is associated with more bleeding during the surgery – not that it is the type of bleeding that is considered unsafe or dangerous for the patient. It is the type of bleeding that is more inconvenient for the surgeon and the support staff. In addition, dermabrasion for rhinophyma also produces what is called aerosolized particles – meaning, some of the diseased tissue can become airborne as it is shaved off. This, again, is not a real concern for the patient. It is a safety concern in some cases for the surgeon and support staff who might be exposed unnecessarily to bloods-borne pathogens.
- Facial ImplantsFacial implants include a variety of procedures designed to augment (enhance) or reshape your facial appearance. The most common procedures involve recontouring the chin and cheek regions to provide better balance and definition to the overall facial appearance.
- Chin AugmentationChin augmentation using an implant is a cosmetic enhancement procedure intended to provide more definition along the jaw and upper neck region. Since the chin is sometimes referred to as the mentum, this facial implant procedure has also been called a mentoplasty by some plastic surgeons.
- Forehead LiftBrow lift surgery, also known as a forehead lift or eyebrow lift, is a procedure that elevates and reshapes the eyebrow region in order to achieve a more youthful appearance. As we age, gravity and a loss of skin elasticity can cause the eyebrows and forehead to descend or droop. This can result in a heavy, tired look with deeply creased wrinkles on the forehead. A descended brow can also cause the eyelids to sag or look crowded, adding to a prematurely aged look.
- Cosmetic Dermatology
- Skin CancerShe came to Dr. Hilinski with obvious concerns about how she was ultimately going to look. As with most skin cancer patients, this is one of their main worries beyond whether or not the skin cancer was removed completely. As you can see in this particular case study, she had a significant esthetic deformity following removal of the skin cancer that was rightfully a source of concern. Fortunately, in the right hands of an experienced facial plastic surgeon, these type of issues can be managed successfully to achieve very acceptable cosmetic outcomes when it comes to nose reconstruction.
- DermatologyOn any given day, the average individual will lose between 50 and 100 hairs from their heads according to the American Academy of Dermatology. This normal loss of hair is termed ‘shedding’ and should be differentiated from the abnormal process termed ‘hair loss’ that implies a something is preventing hair from growing in naturally.
- Chemical PeelsFor a transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty, a hidden incision is made along the inside surface of the eyelid. Excess fat is then removed with careful surgical technique and the incision is closed with an absorbable stitch. Any slight skin excess and/or fine wrinkling present after fat removal through the transconjunctival approach can be addressed with a resurfacing technique such as laser skin resurfacing or a chemical peel. These will help to tighten the excess skin, remove wrinkles, and provide a smoother and more youthful appearance to the lower eyelid skin.
- Skin CareOutside of the operating room, Kathy enjoys spending time with her dog, Radish, and also creates her own jewelry and skin care products!