What Makes Dr. Gale Uniquely Qualified?

Dr. Gale’s qualifications set him apart in meaningful ways. He completed his undergraduate studies in Biology and Zoology at Southern Utah University before earning his medical degree from the University of Utah School of Medicine — one of the nation’s respected academic medical institutions. He then completed his otolaryngology, head, and neck surgery residency at Washington University in St. Louis, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

His training didn’t stop there. Dr. Gale pursued not one but two clinical fellowships:

• Clinical Fellowship in Sleep Surgery — Endormir Sleep and Sinus, Texas Center for Facial Plastics and Laser Surgery
• Clinical Fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery — Texas Center for Facial Plastics and Laser Surgery

He also received specialized training in jaw surgery under the expert direction of Dr. Alan Sclaroff, DDS, and Dr. Jose Barrera, MD, two highly regarded names in facial surgery. This multi-disciplinary foundation means that when Dr. Gale evaluates a patient, he considers the full picture of facial anatomy, function, and aesthetics, not just the surface.

How Does an ENT Background Benefit Facial Plastic Surgery Patients?

This is one of the most important questions a prospective patient can ask. The answer lies in a basic truth about the face: everything is connected. The structure of the nose affects breathing. The jawline influences the airway. The eyelids frame facial expression and even affect vision. An ENT specialist who is also a trained facial plastic surgeon has an unmatched understanding of how form and function intersect.

Dr. Gale’s ENT background makes him especially well-suited for procedures like rhinoplasty, where the goals of improving appearance and breathing often go hand in hand. Patients who have struggled with chronic nasal obstruction, deviated septums, or sleep apnea may find that a functional rhinoplasty with Dr. Gale can address both their aesthetic concerns and their breathing challenges simultaneously.

This joint expertise also means Dr. Gale approaches each case with an extensive understanding of facial anatomy, giving patients confidence that their outcomes aim to be as proportional and balanced as possible.

What Cosmetic Procedures Does Dr. Gale Offer?

Dr. Gale’s signature cosmetic procedures are carefully chosen to address the most meaningful areas of facial appearance. Each is performed with a focus on natural-looking, individualized results. Here’s an overview of what’s available at Gale Facial Plastics:

• Rhinoplasty — Rhinoplasty reshapes and refines the nose to improve symmetry and balance with other facial features. Dr. Gale’s ENT training makes him particularly trained to handle both cosmetic and functional nasal concerns.
• Facelift — A facelift is designed to restore a more youthful and revitalized facial appearance via addressing loose skin and a loss of definition. Dr. Gale uses discreet incisions along the hairline and behind the ear to achieve smooth, natural-looking results.
• Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery) — The eyelids are often among the first features to show signs of aging. Blepharoplasty with Dr. Gale aims to create a more alert, refreshed appearance and may also help patients whose sagging eyelids are affecting their field of vision.
• Chin Augmentation — A well-defined chin is an important part of overall facial balance. Chin augmentation with Dr. Gale aims to bring definition to the jawline and create a more harmonious profile.
• Otoplasty — For patients seeking to address the size or positioning of the ears, otoplasty is a refined procedure that aims for natural proportion and symmetry.

What Reconstructive and Functional Services Are Available?

Beyond cosmetic surgery, Dr. Gale’s practice covers a wide range of reconstructive and functional procedures, an area where his ENT and reconstructive training truly shines.

• Facial Reconstruction Surgery — For patients recovering from facial trauma, injury, or cancer treatment, Dr. Gale and his team extend comprehensive facial reconstruction. His fellowship training in airway reconstruction, combined with his extensive reconstructive experience, allows the team to handle even the most complex cases.
• Mohs Reconstruction — Following Mohs surgery for skin cancer, reconstructive work is often necessary to restore the appearance and integrity of the affected area. Dr. Gale provides precise Mohs reconstruction aimed at both utilitarian and cosmetic restoration.
• Jaw Surgery — Dr. Gale is highly proficient in orthognathic (jaw) surgery, addressing issues with skeletal alignment of the face and jaw. This is a specialized area that requires deep anatomical knowledge and is exactly what years of ENT and reconstructive training provide.
• Sleep Surgery — As a fellowship-trained sleep surgeon, Dr. Gale is among the few facial plastic surgeons in Utah who also offers surgical management of sleep disorders, including sleep apnea. His understanding of airway anatomy brings an added layer of expertise to everything from rhinoplasty to jaw surgery.

Why Do Patients Choose Gale Facial Plastics Over Other Practices?

The answer comes down to an amalgamation of expertise, bespoke care, and a rare breadth of services all under one roof.

At Gale Facial Plastics, every consultation is individualized. Dr. Gale takes the time to listen carefully to each patient’s goals and concerns, then formulates a treatment plan tailored specifically to that individual. No two patients are the same, and no two treatment plans are identical.

The practice also preserves what Dr. Gale describes as a “down-to-earth and comfortable atmosphere,” understanding that facial surgery can feel overwhelming for many patients. His team works to put patients at ease from the very first appointment through post-procedure follow-up.

Additionally, the team at the Ear, Nose, and Throat Center of Utah includes head and neck, microvascular, oculoplastic, and facial plastic surgeons, meaning complex and multi-specialty cases can be handled collaboratively with the right expertise in the room. This is a level of integrated, multi-disciplinary care that is difficult to find at a private practice anywhere in Utah.

Where Is Gale Facial Plastics Located?

Gale Facial Plastics is conveniently located inside the Ear, Nose, and Throat Center of Utah in Riverton, Utah, approximately 30 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City. Dr. Gale also performs surgeries at multiple hospitals and surgical centers throughout the region, including:

• Riverton Hospital
• Salt Lake Regional Medical Center
• Intermountain Medical Center in Murray
• A dedicated surgical center in downtown Salt Lake City

The practice welcomes patients with a wide range of cosmetic and functional concerns and accepts most insurance plans.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Whether you’re exploring a cosmetic procedure like a rhinoplasty or facelift, or seeking reconstructive or functional care, Dr. Derrick Gale and the team at Gale Facial Plastics are ready to help you explore your options in a comfortable, judgment-free environment.

To schedule your customized consultation, call the Ear, Nose, and Throat Center of Utah at 801-506-6344 or contact the practice online. Dr. Gale looks forward to listening to your goals and building a care plan designed just for you.

The post Why Dr. Gale Is the Top Choice for ENT Specialists in Salt Lake City? appeared first on Gale Facial Plastics.

With over 7 million Botox injections performed yearly, Botox is by far the number one minimally-invasive cosmetic procedure in the U.S.

Capable of eliminating even the most noticeable wrinkles, Botox is an effective anti-aging treatment that helps patients restore a smooth, youthful appearance to their face.

Here, Dr. Derrick Gale of Gale Facial Plastics takes an in-depth look at the Botox treatment and suggests just how frequently patients should look to get their touch-ups done.

What is Botox?

Botox is a medical-grade product derived from the botulinum toxin, which causes localized paralysis at and around the injection site. The neurotoxin interferes with the communication pathways between nerves and muscles, helping muscles responsible for wrinkling to stop contracting.

Botox is beneficial in areas where dynamic wrinkles form – primarily the forehead and between the eyes.

How Long Does Botox Last?

The duration of Botox’s effects depends mainly on the patient but generally ranges between 3-5 months. The patient’s lifestyle and metabolism are the most influential factors on how long Botox will last. More active people with higher metabolisms see shorter results as their bodies break down the Botox compound faster.

When Should I Start Getting Botox?

Traditionally, patients have turned to Botox once their wrinkles start to become more troublesome.

More recently, however, patients have been getting smaller amounts of Botox earlier to eliminate the initial fine lines and prevent wrinkles from becoming more noticeable.

Generally, wrinkles and fine lines on the forehead and between the brows become more noticeable around the mid-late 30s’, with patients starting to get Botox at this age to counteract the onset of aging.

How Often Should I Get Botox Touch-Ups?

The frequency of Botox touch-ups depends on the patient. Lifestyle, metabolism, and age all play significant factors in determining the frequency of your Botox touch-ups.

It is important not to overdo Botox and consult a trained and experienced surgeon familiar with long-term planning of the treatment. It is best to use Botox sparingly to provide the most natural results for the most prolonged period of time possible.

Botox in Riverton and Salt Lake City, Utah

Restoring and maintaining your youthful appearance is a dream of most patients. Botox is a tried-and-tested treatment that can be used in small doses for years to provide exceptional anti-aging results when administered by a trained, certified, experienced professional. To consult with a leading authority in the business, we encourage you to arrange a commitment-free consultation with Dr. Gale by calling 801 506-6344 or filling out his online form today.

The post How Often Should I Get a Botox® Touch-Up? appeared first on Gale Facial Plastics.

Incurring any form of facial trauma is a distressing life event. Not only does the victim of facial trauma experience psychological damage, but their physical appearance and physical functioning can be severely altered in a traumatic episode.

In the terrible event of you or a loved one experiencing facial trauma, highly specialized and experienced facial reconstructive surgeons offer many procedures that can help restore your appearance.

Depending on the nature of your injuries, your doctor will need to fix traumatic facial lacerations, traumatic facial fractures, or a combination of the two.

Here, Dr. Derrick Gale, a highly respected facial reconstructive specialist and founder of Gale Facial Plastics, explains when and why patients may start considering facial reconstruction.

How Patients Incur Traumatic Facial Injuries

In the United States, there are over 3 million non-fatal traumatic injuries each year, which leave patients with psychological and physical scars and trauma. 

The most common causes of these injuries are from falls, violence, and transport accidents, respectively. Other accidents that often lead to traumatic facial injuries include animal attacks and athletic pursuits.

Depending on the scenario where facial trauma occurred, physical injuries fall into either facial fractures, facial lacerations, or a combination of both. While a patient’s appearance can be significantly changed in such an event, the physiological functions of sight, hearing, chewing, and breathing that can also be impaired in such tragic circumstances.

This is why facial reconstructive surgeons are amongst the most highly specialized surgeons in the field—they are tasked with helping patients get their appearance back and must have the intricate physiological understanding to restore function to traumatically injured facial organs.

Traumatic Facial Lacerations

Facial lacerations occur when the face’s skin or organs are cut or sliced, leaving significant scarring or even removing part or all of the organ completely.

Patients with traumatic facial lacerations will consider facial reconstructive surgery as a way of reducing or eliminating scarring and restoring organ function.

Traumatic Facial Fractures

The brow, eye sockets, cheekbones, and jawbone are the facial features most susceptible to traumatic fractures. In such events, these bones may be broken or shattered in such a way that requires the use of plate-and-screw fixation devices to restore appearance and function.

When Might you Consider Facial Reconstructive Surgery?

For most patients, health insurance will cover facial reconstructive surgery as it is likely to be deemed a necessary surgery—one that is required to maintain quality of life.

As such, you should consider facial reconstructive surgery if you have experienced any form of traumatic accident that has altered your appearance or physiological function. Doctors are here to help, and they can help.

Facial Reconstruction in Riverton and Salt Lake City, Utah

Facial reconstruction is a wonderful solution to a tragic accident. In many cases, facial reconstruction is your best chance at reclaiming some degree of normalcy after a traumatic accident or episode.

But to do so successfully, facial reconstructive surgery demands intense specialization, which is why we strongly encourage all those considering facial reconstructions to consider the doctor carefully.

To consult with a leading specialist in the facial reconstructive fields, we encourage you to arrange a commitment-free consultation with Dr. Gale by calling 801 506-6344 or by filling out his online form.

The post Reasons to Consider Facial Reconstruction appeared first on Gale Facial Plastics.

Do you want to feel more comfortable in your skin but don’t feel comfortable reaching out for help? For some, the words “plastic surgery” conjure up negative stigma, mostly stemming from false or exaggerated depictions seen in media or film. The reality is that the industry of cosmetic plastic surgery is booming, primarily because it has helped so many people improve their appearance and confidence.

Cosmetic surgery helps many patients feel “more comfortable in their skin,” natural, well-proportioned, and beautiful. Cosmetic surgery allows you to move on with your life without focusing on distracting features when getting dressed, putting on a swimsuit, working out at the gym, hosting an online meeting, or going on a date.

Dr. Derrick Gale offers several cosmetic procedures that make it safer and more comfortable than ever to enhance your natural beauty.

Here’s a quick look at four of these:

RHINOPLASTY: Also known as a nose job, rhinoplasty is a facial cosmetic procedure usually performed to enhance the nose’s appearance by correcting its proportions and improving the overall appearance by  restoring youthful contours.

FACELIFT: Also called rhytidectomy, a facelift is a cosmetic procedure that counteracts the aging effects of time on the face and neck.

BLEPHAROPLASTY: A cosmetic surgery that tightens droopy upper eyelids and reduces bagginess under the eyes resulting in a more youthful, energized look.

CHIN AUGMENTATION: Also known as chin enhancement or genioplasty, this redefines the contours of the chin, neck, and jawline, giving you a balanced, attractive facial structure.

Remember, your goal is to have natural results, where you are the only one who knows (along with your partner or close friends in which you’ve confided). It is possible and realistic to have natural results where you still look like yourself, only rested, rejuvenated, and more youthful. The happiest cosmetic surgery patients use it to fix a specific issue to normalize their bodies, not necessarily to enhance it.

Enlist the Help of an Expert

Having the expert guidance of a board-certified plastic surgeon for your life-changing cosmetic surgery is essential. Dr. Derrick Gale is board certified and highly qualified in a number of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. You can learn more about Dr. Gale’s training, certifications, and specialties by visiting his website here.

If you would like to get started, please call (801) 506-6344 or schedule a consultation with Dr. Gale and his team today!

The post Cosmetic Surgery and Self-Care: How to Get Comfortable Spending on Your Appearance appeared first on Gale Facial Plastics.

The facelift is a staple aesthetic procedure. Wrinkles and fine lines around the face is one of, if not the most, common concern people have as they start to age. Because of this natural consequence of again, over 120,000 Americans opt for a facelift every year.

But while the facelift effectively targets the cheeks, lower parts of the face and jawline, the upper neck and jowls aren’t included in a traditional facelift.

For this reason, an increasing number of patients are choosing to get a necklift performed in conjunction with their facelift procedures. Here, Dr. Gale discusses things you should know when deciding whether this combined surgery is right for you.

How does a necklift and facelift differ?

A facelift focuses on stretching and smoothing out the skin of the lower two-thirds of the face. As we age, the skin in this part of the face loses structural proteins such as elastin and collagen, which results in loose, wrinkled skin.

This same process occurs in the neck and upper chest region, and while the facelift is focused on the face, it omits the neck region.

This is why people who are concerned about jowls, a double chin, or extensively wrinkled neck skin need to consider a necklift instead of or in addition to a facelift – because it targets a different area. Roughly 50,000 necklifts are performed each year, and as this number increases, more and more people are beginning to appreciate the positive aesthetic results of a necklift.

But can a necklift and facelift be done at the same time?

Can I get a necklift done at the same time as a facelift?

Patients need to bear in mind that both the facelift and necklift are significant surgeries. While not as major as some other plastic surgery operations or reconstructive surgeries, patients still need considerable downtime to recover after these procedures.

Most patients take a week off work and stay at home, relatively inactive, to give their bodies a chance to heal. Over this time, the swelling dissipates and the results of a facelift or necklift become evident.

Because of this, combining a facelift and necklift into the same surgical session is a fantastic way for patients to solve all their facial-aging concerns in a single visit. They can then minimize their downtime and be back to their regular routines, looking better than ever, in the shortest amount of time possible.

Plastic surgery is all about making yourself feel the best you can. It is essential to discuss your desired outcomes with an experienced and certified plastic surgeon, such as Dr Gale in Riverton, UT. If you are concerned about more than one aspect of your appearance, such as wrinkles on the face and neck, then explaining this to a professional is the best way to begin solving the issue.

Combing a facelift and necklift is a fantastic way to turn back the clock and look and feel young and vibrant. Reach out to Dr Gale at the Ear Nose and Throat Center of Utah on 801 758 0428 to arrange your appointment now.

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