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THE IMMEDIATE AFTER-EFFECTS
After the operation, a snug dressing is placed around
the face and neck. It is removed the next day, and you
may be advised to wear a "chin strap" (an elastic
bandage placed under the chin and tied on the top of the
head) for a few days, and several weeks at night. Some
swelling and bruising can be expected. The bruising
usually subsides within two or three weeks, while the
swelling takes a bit longer to go away. Mild discomfort,
which may be present for a short time after surgery,
usually is easily controlled with medication.
Significant pain is quite rare.
THE RESULTS TO EXPECT
Depending on the inherent elasticity of the skin and the
amount of postoperative swelling, there may be no
noticeable results until one or two months after
surgery. On the other hand, if the patient’s skin is
relatively healthy with good elasticity (allowing the
skin to contract rapidly), and if there is minimal
swelling, the results may be immediately recognizable,
and often dramatic improvement can be easily seen early
in the postoperative course. Whatever the case, the
final result should be evident six months after the
surgery. At that point, all of the swelling is gone, and
any irregularities or firmness noted immediately after
surgery will have softened and smoothed out. Just how
much improvement will be made depends on the
individual’s physical characteristics, and the extent of
the surgery.
THE RISKS
The
risks are minimal when facial liposuction is performed
on a patient. There are inherent risks in any surgery,
however, and these should be discussed thoroughly with
your facial plastic surgeon. Many thousands of facial
liposuction operations are performed successfully, and
safely each year.
THE COSTS
Fees
for facial plastic surgery and operative facilities vary
widely and depend on the extent and complexity of the
surgery, as well as on the individual surgeon. Your
facial plastic surgeon and his staff will discuss costs
before the operation. Fees for facial plastic surgery
generally are expected in advance because this type of
surgery is not covered by insurance. The best way to
find out if an insurance company will consider a claim
is to consult an insurance company representative in
advance of the surgery. Medical expenses related to
surgery that insurance does not cover may be taken as an
itemized income tax deduction, subject to the
limitations of the tax laws.
DECIDING ON AN OPERATION
Anyone interested in facial liposuction should consult a
facial plastic surgeon. During the initial visit, the
surgeon makes a through evaluation of the face and neck
to determine whether surgery is indicated, and whether
it might be combined with another procedure for best
results. The surgeon then will discuss any questions or
concerns related to the surgery.
Important considerations for surgery, in addition to the
skill of the surgeon, are the patient’s realistic
expectations about the results of the surgery, and his
or her general emotional state. Mental attitude is as
important as the ability to heal in evaluating
candidates for facial plastic surgery.
Once surgery is agreed upon, preoperative
photographs are taken to help the surgeon plan the
operation. These photographs usually are compared with
similar ones taken sometime after surgery, and serve as
a permanent before-and –after record of the results.
WHERE SURGERY IS PERFORMED
Facial
liposuction can be performed in a hospital, an
ambulatory surgical care center, or an office surgery
suite, depending on the patient’s and the physician’s
preference. It usually is performed safely as an out
patient procedure; however, the surgeon may recommend a
short stay in the hospital.
KEEPING THE PATIENT COMFORTABLE
Pre-operative medications to relieve tension and local
anesthetics to numb the areas to be liposuctioned
commonly are used for surgery. These should keep the
patient comfortable and free of pain. If desired,
general anesthesia can be used. The surgeon will discuss
which anesthetic technique is suitable for each
individual case. |
