To avoid the incisions (and the downtime) involved in full face lift surgery or even cosmetic surgery of the eyelids, patients may opt for ultrasound treatments to help lax skin repair itself from the inside out.

At our Carmel aesthetic surgery center, we’re used to seeing Ultherapy results “unfold” over the months following the ultrasound procedure. The word “unfolding” aptly describes the benefits Ultherapy can provide, since jowl folds, neck folds, folds between nose and mouth, and wrinkles around the eyes are gradually, yet often dramatically, reduced over the months following treatment.

As a board-certified otolaryngologist practicing plastic surgery of the head and neck, Tim Gillum talks with patients about how ultrasound energy reaches deep below the surface of the skin to initiate the body’s own natural repair process. As we mature, he explains, the fibers that provide the internal support for our skin becomes worn, and Ultherapy stimulates our body to create new, strong collagen fibers.  Of course, responsiveness varies from patient to patient, and some may benefit from having more than one treatment.

Q: Is ultrasound skin therapy safe? 

A: Ultrasound energy has been used in medicine for more than 50 years, and clinical trials have demonstrated the safety of this application.

Q: How does the therapy actually work?

A: At our aesthetic surgery center in Indianapolis, a smooth applicator placed against the skin of your face and neck will project an image onto a screen, to guide where the energy should be directed.  Through that same applicator, focused heat is delivered to precisely the correct depth at each area, leaving the surface of your skin undisturbed.

At Gillum Facial Plastic Surgery, Ultherapy is just one of several non-surgical options we offer to counteract the effects of time and gravity. With any ultrasound-based procedure, though, it’s important for patients to have patience, allowing their skin the time it needs after Ultherapy to lift, tone, and shape.

“Entire face is lifted and softer-looking,” reported one grandfather on Day #21 after Ultherapy. “My 10x mirror is no longer my enemy!”

- by Ren of the Gillum blog team

Later this month, though, as the well-known Indianapolis plastic surgeon and otolaryngologist boards a plane for Haiti, his mission will be healing.  The surgeries he’ll be performing day and night will address facial disfigurements caused by the dreadful hurricane that hit that island two years ago, and the devastating living conditions that ensued.

Dr. Gillum is part of a group of local physicians, professional administrators, and Indiana Wesleyan University students who formed the nonprofit organization DecAid. The vision is to adopt and sustain one village in Haiti each year for ten years, offering health, education, economic support, along with religious inspiration. Timothy Gillum’s own strong Christian faith inspires his own dedication to the DecAid cause.

Conditions in the surgery tents of Haiti are sure to be in stark contrast to the luxurious and technologically state-of-the-art Gillum Facial Plastic Surgery Center in Carmel. Whereas the surgery for eyelids that’s performed on Indianapolis patients is designed to lend a more youthful, alert look to the face, in Haiti, a child will need to have his entire diseased eyeball removed. Here in Marion, Indiana, cosmetic surgery of the face and neck is typically performed by Timothy Gillum to improve symmetry and youthfulness of appearance, in Haiti, the facial contouring is more likely to be focused on correcting skin and organ damage from burns, contamination, and malnutrition.

Two years ago, following the earthquake, Kevin Jones of Indiana Wesleyan and Marion OBGYN Shawn Swan co-founded the DecAid project.  “We knew coming back from Haiti was not the end,” said Jones.  “This wasn’t a one-time trip to help people because of a natural disaster.  God had more planned.”

At Gillum Facial Plastic Surgery, we can’t help but agree. Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll be closely following the DecAid team’s progress in Haiti, praying for the well-being of the patients and families. We’re proud that our own Dr. Gillum has made this selfless commitment of time and resources towards bringing beauty and healing to our neighbors in Haiti.

- by Ren of the Gillum blog team

These findings come as no surprise to us at our Indianapolis plastic surgery center.  Droopy eyelids, observes Dr. Timothy Gillum, are among the first signs of aging.  Removing excess skin and fat from eyelids, he adds, goes a long way towards creating a more youthful appearance.

For patients with baggy lower lids, another form of cosmetic surgery for the eyelids consists of removing excess fat from under the eyes, using tiny incisions inside the lower lids.  Sometimes Botox injections are added to treat “crows’ feet” on the sides of the eyes.

At our Carmel aesthetic surgery center, we recognize the importance of eyebrows as well.  For many patients, face lift surgery can improve the appearance of their eyebrows.  In fact, when performing plastic surgery, Dr. Gillum takes great care to create a natural look that does not constrain or distort facial expression (a large part of which depends on the eyebrows).

One tidbit we were amused to learn, while reading up on the history of cosmetic surgery, is that 18th century upper class European women used to affix mouse hair to their foreheads to enhance their eyebrows!

Psychologists are learning more about the key role eyes and eyebrows play in expressing three emotions: happiness, surprise, and anger. For that very reason, in fact, eyelid surgery or face lift surgery is sometimes combined with a forehead lift or endobrow lift, to smooth wrinkles and raise sagging brows.

No doubt about it: eyes and eyebrows make up a very important part of our faces, identifying us to family and friends, and conveying our thoughts and feeling s.  Ask yourself this question:

Are my eyes and eyebrows telling my story the way I want it told?

For us at Gillum Facial Plastic Surgery, it’s all about helping your upper face tell the story of a more energized, more youthful looking YOU!

- by Ren of the Gillum blog team

Here at the Gillum aesthetic surgery center, our team of professionals has helped thousands of patients enhance their looks through cosmetic surgery procedures.  If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the years, it’s that there’s a two-way street leading between our looks and our outlooks!

When psychologist Vivian Diller asked the question “What makes a woman feel beautiful?”, survey respondents put confidence and lack of self criticism at the top of their list.  Dr. Diller concludes beauty may be in the “I” as much as in the “eye” of the beholder.

As a longtime cosmetic facial surgeon, Dr. Timothy Gillum strongly agrees. He considers the initial consultation, when patients visit our Carmel cosmetic surgery center to discuss rhinoplasty nose jobs or other surgical procedures of the face or neck, one of the most important parts of the whole process.

What happens at a consultation?  Well, as you might expect,  you’ll talk about:

• your medical history
•  medications you’re taking
•  allergies you might have
•  what aspects you would most like to improve about the appearance of your face, ears, or neck

What the consultation is really about, though, is that “two-way street”, because the consultation is meant to nurture two relationships:

1. The relationship of trust between you and your facial surgeon
2.  The relationship you have with yourself and your own appearance

Thousands of years ago, Socrates taught “It’s best to cure the soul before curing the body.” Facial plastic surgeons can relate to that.  Helping people feel more confident and more optimistic can help improve their health, to be sure.  But no surgery of the face and neck can remedy any patient’s emotional issues or deliver an instant ability to look at life on the bright side.

You can expect compassion, caring, and even some fun in your consultation with cosmetic surgeon Timothy Gillum.  On your part, it’s very important that you take that opportuhnity to be as detailed and as honest as you can with your doctor as well as with yourself.

Think of it this way – at Gillum Facial Plastic Surgery, our goal is helping you put your best face both forward and inward!

- By Ren of the Gillum blog team

Many clients who visit us at Gillum Facial Plastic Surgery want to enhance their appearance through plastic surgery of the nose. Those patients may have very different reasons for wanting to improve their personal appearance, and it’s important for us to take the time to understand. Often surgery on the nose will be combined with eyelid surgery or perhaps a lower face and neck lift. Whatever the situation, at our aesthetic surgery center, the conversation always starts with each client’s idea of where improvement is most needed. 

Over time, general opinions about nose size and shape have continued to change. In the 1800’s, for example, some Irish immigrants would have  rhinoplasty nose jobs so their “pug” noses would look more in keeping with the general “fashion”!

So is there a “perfect” nose? Physiognomists (who, like that French philosopher, try to judge character from facial features) would say there is.  “The perfect nose is one third the length of the face, with an equal distance above and below. The width of the nostrils should be no more than the space between the eyes.”

As a double board certified Indianapolis cosmetic surgeon and otolaryngoloist, Dr. Timothy Gillum has a much simpler way of explaining what makes for beauty in noses:

The best nose is one that draws no attention to itself, due to its natural symmetry.

Perhaps you’re unhappy with the nose you were born with, or simply unhappy with the way aging has changed your nose. You may even need help with breathing obstructions caused by a sinus condition or injury. Whatever your reason, at Gillum Facial Plastic Surgery, we understand.

It was true in Pascal’s time 400 years ago, and things haven’t changed. Nothing has a greater impact on how we look than the size and shape of our nose!

- by Ren of the Gillum blog team

The expression “staying indoors” actually holds special meaning to us here at our Carmel aesthetic surgery center. In contrast to many other doctors who specialize in surgery of the face and neck, Dr. Timothy Gillum performs the majority of procedures in-office, using local anesthesia. In-house surgery is possible because Tim Gillum is not only a top-ranked surgeon, but a board certified otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) as well.

But is “staying inside” a positive for patients? Yes, for two reasons:

1. Lower cost: Most of our facial plastic surgery patients can avoid the costs of hospital stays and anesthesiologists’ fees.

2. Qucker and more comfortable recovery: Since anesthesia has the effect of dilating blood vessels (often causing swelling), the use of local anesthesia tends to make for a much quicker and more comfortable recovery for most patients.

In-office procedures include:

• Face lifts
•  Neck lifts
•  Chin implants
•  Surgery for eyelids
•  Balloon sinuplasty
•  Neck lifts
•  Scar revision
•  Lip implants
•  Facial contouring

When in-hospital surgery is advisable (such as for more complex rhinoplasty “nose job” surgery), Dr. Gillum will perform the procedure in the surgery suite of a nearby hospital.

Whether you’re ready to enhance your own facial features, take steps to rejuvenate some sun-damaged skin, or just turn back the clock by creating a more youthful appearance, we’re here to help you achieve your goals. Remember, when it comes to cosmetic surgery in Indianapolis, at Gillum, beauty is more than just skin deep!

by Ren of the Gillum blog team

Men and women considering cosmetic surgery often worry about “downtime”, about ” looking natural”, and about finding the right specialist. We want readers of our new blog to be reassured when they learn of the tremendous advances made in cosmetic therapies. This blog will just be one more way to offer information to clients and friends, information that they, in turn, can share with their friends and family members.

For example, to a much greater degree than most people realize, when it comes to facial appearance, beauty depends upon health inside the head. That’s why cosmetic surgeon Tim Gillum prepared for his life’s work by becoming board certified in both plastic surgery and otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat). It’s this specialized training in the face and neck that allows him to achieve the most beautiful results for even the most challenging cosmetic and reconstructive patients.

One male patient at our Indiana aesthetic surgery office, for example, came to us seeking what he called a “nose job” (technical term “rhinoplasty”). While this patient was motivated by a desire to have a smaller, narrower nose, something else was going on, we discovered. His chronic sinusitis condition was making it difficult for him to breathe, causing pain and pressure behind his cheekbones.

A balloon sinuplasty along with the rhinoplasty procedure provided relief for our happy patient along with a much- improved outward appearance. (Balloon sinuplasty, an in-office, minimally invasive procedure, was first introduced in the Midwest at Gillum Facial).

At our Indianapolis aesthetic surgery center, we achieve outward facial beauty by caring for the tissue and bone structure beneath as well. Our focus is on beautiful, healthy faces!

- By Ren of the Gillum blog team