In order to make it more accessible and clear to our patients, I “create” this list of surgical procedures. It’s just a brief description of the procedures, what it is intended and the expected downtime. During the consultation will go in-depth, explaining the procedures, indications, detailed planning, pre-op preparation, a post-op period including what to expect in terms of pain and how to manage it. To cover all these aspects, I take considerable time during the first consultation, usually 1 hour.
This post covers the most asked for, regarding head and neck. Others will follow …
Head and Neck
- Bat Ears/ Otoplasty : Used to correct prominent ears and other less frequent birth or acquired deformities. For bat ears it usually can be done under local anaesthesia and in a outpatient basis, except in the case of children, with need to be under general anaesthesia ( actually causing less trauma). The ideal age to treat this problem is 5 to 7 years old.
- Ear Lobe repair: for those ear lobes that have been torn by a ear ring. After the repair you will be able to wear them again. It is a outpatient procedure and there is no downtime
- Upper Blepharoplasty (upper eyelid surgery): for correction of skin and fat excess in the upper eyelid. It’s performed under local anaesthesia, in a outpatient basis. Can be expected swelling and a little bruising, but you will be able to carry on your daily activities.
- Lower Blepharoplasty (lower eyelid surgery): for correction of sagging skin and lower eyelid “bags”. Can be performed in conjunction with upper blepharoplasty, under local anaesthesia or combined with a light sedation. It’s an outpatient procedure. You can also expect swelling and moderate bruising and there will be a slightly longer recovery period.
- Rhinoplasty: it is intended to correct nose deformities. These can range from minor ones to major procedures. The main areas to be addressed are the nose dorsum (a hump for ex.), the tip and the septum (deviated). Accordingly it can be performed under local or general anaesthesia, in a outpatient regime or with a short stay at the Hospital (overnight). The patient will be swollen for the first 5 to 7 days; it will subside gradually, allowing to carry normal daily activities after 7 to 10 days. A nasal splint is usually necessary during this period.
- Face Lift: this is a surgical procedure intent to correct the effects of ageing, mainly the sagging skin and the loss of volume. It works mainly by correction of the abnormal soft tissue positioning due to the ageing process, and not simple by excising the excess of skin. This will avoid an artificial and “plastic” look that is so often associated with the face lift. It is usually extend to the neck and we can combined it with other surgical procedures like blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty and fat graft. It can be performed under general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia combined with a sedation. Usually I advise an over night stay at hospital. Consider two weeks for recover, as there will be some swelling and bruising. Pain is not an issue regarding face lift procedures. The use of a compression garment is necessary during this period.
- Neck Lift: It is a similar procedure to the Face lift and they can be combined. The neck lift is directed to the sagging and lose skin of the neck, and in cases of a double chin we have to associate a neck liposuction to obtain a good result. Again this can be done under general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia combined with a sedation. I advise an over night stay at hospital. Swelling and bruising are to be considered and it’s a relatively pain free treatment. The use of compression garment is necessary during the first two weeks.
- Neck liposuction: It’s indicated mainly for the treatment of the double chin. We can use the vacuum assisted liposuction or one of the new power assisted liposuction methods like LASER. I usually perform the Neck liposuction under local anaesthesia and in a outpatient regime. Also swelling and bruising are to be considered and it’s a relatively pain free treatment. The use of compression garment is necessary during the first two weeks.
Hope you like it and find it is useful. Please drop any questions you might have on the subject.
And be stay tuned for Part II: Breast….
