Tips for Winter Skincare After Plastic Surgery
If you’re considering any sort of plastic surgery, winter can be a great time to get it done. Especially if you want to show off the results in the spring and summer months.
Plus, it’s much easier to hide the recovery process when the snow is flying and you’re bundled up in scarves, hats, and sweaters.
Yet, since plastic surgery can exacerbate skin sensitivity in the colder and drier months, you’ll want to pay extra attention to winter skincare after plastic surgery.
Focusing on Winter Skincare After Plastic Surgery
In a recent post, we talked about the importance of caring for your skin during the winter. But what about the best way to care for your skin after a plastic surgery procedure in the winter?
There are certainly some overlaps. For instance, drinking plenty of water and sticking with a healthy diet are crucial parts of holistic skincare.
Post-surgical skin, however, has additional needs in terms of maximizing recovery and minimizing the appearance of scars. The inherent chapping, dehydration, flaking, and tissue irregularity that comes with colder air and indoor heating can make this more challenging.
So what can you do to ensure you’ll get the best results?
1. Emphasize Hydration
When most people hear the word ‘hydration,’ they think only of internal hydration and drinking plenty of water. And yes, internal hydration is crucial. But during the cold and dry winter months, external hydration is also vital. Especially for sensitive post-surgical skin.
Maintaining necessary moisture levels in the skin is going to promote faster healing while reducing the risk of complications. Your surgeon may recommend you use ointment-type medications on suture lines to trap moisture. He/she may also advocate a layered hydration approach with specialized skincare that will provide an additional protective barrier.
2. Steer Clear of Certain Products
If you’re of a certain age, retinols may be a part of your regular skincare regimen. After surgery though, you’ll be advised to avoid retinols as they are very drying. Especially during the winter.
In addition, products that contain alcohol or fragrances can cause further dryness and irritation. Your surgeon will be able to point you to calming and nourishing products formulated for the special needs of post-surgical skin in the winter.
3. Avoid the Sun
This one might seem silly. Especially if you live in a northern climate without much in the way of winter sun. Yet, even if the sun doesn’t feel especially warm, or it’s trapped behind clouds, the harmful UV rays are still getting through to your skin. Particularly on your face.
Post-surgical skin is more prone to hyperpigmentation or other sun-related damage. So you’ll be advised to use a mineral-based broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of least 30 rather than a chemical sunscreen that could further irritate your skin.
4. Stay Vigilant
Finally, one of the most important things you can do is regularly monitor your post-surgical skin for increased redness or swelling. This is another disadvantage of winter because it’s easy to ignore skin when it’s covered with clothing.
Early intervention is key to a smoother recovery though. So you don’t want to wait until you’re feeling pain or discomfort. Keep an eye out for any adverse reactions or changes in your skin and let your surgeon know immediately if you see anything so s/he can promptly address the issue.
Get the Most Out of Your Plastic Surgery This Winter
Sure, winter is as good a time to get plastic surgery as any. Sometimes, it’s the best time! Especially if you’re willing to attend to winter skincare after plastic surgery.
So if you’re ready to get that procedure you’ve been dreaming of, contact us today. During your free consultation, you’ll be counseled on what to expect and the best ways to ensure you’ll be ready to step into the spring/summer season with confidence.
Technological Advances in Plastic Surgery
Although there is some question about whether technology benefits every industry, technological advances in plastic surgery continue to take procedures to new heights.
While tech has gone the distance in advancing every aspect of plastic surgery, it’s been especially beneficial for patients seeking to enhance their appearance in new and exciting ways.
Plus, with these advancements, plastic surgery is safer and more effective now than ever before.
Latest Technological Advances in Plastic Surgery
If you’re frustrated with some aspect of your appearance or part of your body, now is a great time to take advantage of these advancements. The following five advancements are contributing to the field taking big strides.
- Laser Treatments
Laser treatments are straightforward procedures that can be performed in a clinic or office setting. They don’t require general anesthesia and there is little to no downtime.
While laser treatments are nothing new, they do continue to evolve. And for those seeking to reduce the appearance of scars or remove unwanted hair, they’ve been a game changer.
- MRIs and CT Scans
Plastic surgeons use MRIs, CT scans, and other advanced imaging techniques to get a clearer view of a patient’s anatomy. This helps them find potential pre-surgical issues, as well as enabling them to monitor patients post-op to ensure they’re healing.
- Virtual Reality
Wouldn’t it be great if you could “try on” different plastic surgery procedures? With virtual reality technology (VR), you can do just that – without ever going under the knife.
VR technology enables patients to get a glimpse of how they’ll look after a particular procedure. It also assists in educating patients about the process of the procedure as well as its potential outcomes.
- 3D Imaging and Printing
For procedures where precise measurements are particularly crucial, 3D imaging and printing have been revolutionary. For example, a surgeon counseling a patient seeking facial reconstruction can show the patient a digital model of their face so they can visualize the outcome of the surgery.
Meanwhile, 3D printing enables surgeons to create highly customized prosthetics and implants. For patients who require breast reconstruction, these personalized versions look and feel more natural than traditional implants.
- Stem Cell Therapy and Platelet-Rich Plasma
Technological advances in regenerative medicine have also had a positive impact on plastic surgery. Through stem cell therapy, tissues can be regenerated to create more natural-looking results.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is also utilized in combination with other procedures to not only enhance results but to boost recovery times. It’s an amazing outcome from such a simple therapy.
Take Advantage of the New Technology!
The above technological advances in plastic surgery have rendered procedures the safest and most precise they’ve ever been. And with the most natural-looking results.
So if you’re considering plastic surgery for any reason, there’s no time like the present!
Contact us today to set up your free consultation with our board-certified plastic surgeons. You can be assured that you’ll get the best results in the field today.
Do Teens Get Plastic Surgery?
The quick answer is yes. But the number of teens who opt for plastic surgery is not huge.
This leads to the bigger question – should teens get plastic surgery? Many surgeons won’t perform procedures on patients under the age of 21. And there are many reasons for this.
Then there are procedures that some surgeons will perform but only if they’re absolutely certain that it’s the best option for the teen.
Why Do Teens Get Plastic Surgery?
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), most teenagers seek out plastic surgery because they are desperate to fit in but feel their appearance is not acceptable to their friends and peers.
For example, young men who have embarrassing excess breast tissue (gynecomastia) that won’t resolve with proper diet and exercise may seek out a breast reduction. Or teenagers who are ashamed of birthmarks in obvious places may inquire about laser treatments to lessen their appearance.
Some teens struggle with severe acne that results in pocks and scars that leave them self-conscious and prone to isolation. A cosmetic procedure known as dermabrasion can help to smooth out or camouflage those scars. And for teenagers with birth anomalies such as ears that stick out, some surgeons will perform surgery to pin back ears known as otoplasty.
Important Considerations
As with any surgery, the option to perform plastic surgery on teens should be heavily weighed. In many cases, it’s simply not appropriate. There are many things to consider:
- Teenagers Are Still Growing
It’s normal for teenagers to criticize their appearance. But it’s important to remember that they are still changing and growing. So even if a teenager feels his nose is too big or her breasts are too small, there’s a good chance that they will become more proportionate as they grow into their adult bodies.
- Changes in Exercise and Diet Could Help
It’s often not easy to get teenagers on board with regular exercise and dietary restrictions. We get it. For teenagers struggling with weight issues, they may think that liposuction or even a gastric bypass is a better option and a nice, quick fix. They’re sure much easier than sticking with a diet and exercise regimen.
Any parent considering this needs to understand though that ethical doctors know the risks involved with these procedures and reserve them for extreme cases when other options have failed.
- Self-Consciousness Is Part of Teenage Years
Feeling dissatisfied with one’s appearance while having it feel like a monumentally big deal is part and parcel of the teenage years. And teens don’t realize that a lot of this will go away with time. Of course, even as adults most of us have some part that we’d like to change. But by the time we’re adults, we’re doing it for ourselves and not for someone else. This is an important distinction.
- There Could Be Mental Issues
This is a big one.
Teenagers see a distorted version of themselves. If this already inaccurate view is further exacerbated by depression or other emotional issues, teenagers are quick to believe that ‘looking better’ will solve their problems.
There is no plastic surgery procedure that can fix underlying mental issues. Plastic surgeons are well aware of this and many won’t perform plastic surgery on any patient – teenage or otherwise – until such mental issues are addressed first with a therapist or other mental health expert.
It’s Up to the Surgeon
Ultimately, once a parent has conceded, the choice as to whether teens get plastic surgery comes down to the surgeon. Many feel that it’s best to wait until the body is fully formed.
But again, it depends on the person and the procedure.
So if you’re considering plastic surgery – whether for you or someone else – contact us today to speak with our ethical surgeons who will lead you in the right direction.
How Plastic Surgery Improves Quality of Life
When patients consider plastic surgery, it can be for any number of reasons – from physical to mental and emotional. They often overlap.
After all, some patients who want to improve physical features that cause embarrassment find increased self-confidence and enhanced body image post-op. So yes, plastic surgery improves quality of life.
And with surgeons worldwide using the latest technology, many of these transformations can happen in a matter of hours.
Physical Improvements
It’s fair to say that the majority of people seeking plastic surgery are looking for physical improvements. Perhaps they want to emphasize a certain part of their body – as they may with a Brazilian butt lift. For others, they want to draw the focus away from a body part such as a large nose or drooping eyebrows.
Yet, there’s another group of patients that may be looking to address an acute or chronic medical condition. Rhinoplasty or fixing a deviated septum, for instance, can greatly improve breathing for many patients. And patients who have survived breast cancer and had to have a mastectomy can benefit from reconstructive surgery.
In addition, other procedures can even address alignment issues in the body. In the cases of a tummy tuck or breast reduction, for example, patients report decreased back pain as a result of the front of the body no longer being pulled forward or the core muscles being out of balance.
Emotional/Psychological Benefits
In the vast majority of the above “physical” cases, the natural by-product of looking or feeling better is going to be higher self-esteem and a general sense of well-being that may have been missing previously.
The emotional outcomes will certainly vary from person to person. And much of this is based on their expectations. So a handful of patients may come in to have scarring or blemishes they want addressed. These procedures are usually straightforward and patients report a high rate of satisfaction.
For more complicated procedures, however, it’s crucial that patients understand what they can realistically expect. This is why each patient must spend time consulting with his or her board-certified surgeon.
Communication Is Key
Obviously, patients are made aware of the potential risks of their procedure. But if a patient is banking on plastic surgery to completely change his or her life for the better, their end result may end up being one of frustration, embarrassment, shame, or even anger.
That’s why there must be clear and concise preoperative communication between the patient and surgeon so that realistic outcome goals are established.
Plastic Surgery Improves Quality of Life
It’s pretty clear that, if done correctly and working from realistic expectations, plastic surgery improves quality of life. It can allow patients to feel empowered and confident.
What’s more, it may even allow patients to reclaim their body that was taken from them due to injury, illness, or pregnancy.
So if you’re considering plastic surgery, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll take the necessary time to discuss your personal goals and expectations to ensure the best experience possible.
What to Expect – Recovering From a Tummy Tuck
Abdominoplasty, better known as a tummy tuck, is one of the most popular plastic surgeries performed in the world. It’s no wonder – given what an effective procedure it is for body contouring.
Even so, recovering from a tummy tuck requires patience, diligence, and the ability to deal with some discomfort. There are many factors that affect each person’s tummy tuck recovery. A mini tummy tuck, for example, will require less recovery than an extended tummy tuck.
Whatever the case, the best way to minimize postoperative complications is to follow the recovery instructions exactly as prescribed by your surgeon.
Recovering From a Tummy Tuck Overview
Generally speaking, most patients take 1-3 weeks off from work after a tummy tuck – though some will do less. Depending on the scope of the surgery, you’ll be able to return to regular activities such as cooking and driving within a week or two.
If your job is physically demanding, you’ll need to plan plenty of time off for your recovery. In addition, if you’re a fitness fanatic, you’ll be advised to ease back into your workout routine slowly and mindfully.
There are other factors that will significantly slow your recovery, such as smoking and drinking alcohol. So those will need to be avoided for optimal recovery. If you are prescribed narcotics, you will be able to drive once you stop taking them.
We’ll break it down into a more detailed timeline:
- First Week
The first week of recovery is usually the most uncomfortable. While rest is important for healing, you’ll also need to walk around for about five minutes every two hours to help prevent blood clots and promote the return of bowel function.
Along with having to wear compression garments, you’ll experience swelling, bruising, and soreness in the abdomen. You can also expect to experience exhaustion during the first one to three days post-op.
Pain medication will be prescribed and you can use ice packs outside of compression garments to further reduce swelling. Following the medication schedule as prescribed at the beginning will result in having to take significantly less medication for pain in the long run. During surgery, Exparel – a long-acting local anesthetic block – will be injected before you wake up to provide additional pain control.
- Second Week
The pain begins to subside and bruising continues to fade by the second week of recovery. While swelling decreases at this time, it is still present. Thus, you’ll need to continue wearing your compression garment.
Some patients feel well enough to return to work in seven to ten days, provided they don’t have a strenuous job. Any activity during this time should be slow and gentle though. Taking light walks is recommended during this time to increase blood circulation and prevent blood clots. If pain medication is still required, you’ll want to continue to follow the instructions as written.
Even if you’re feeling a lot better, you should continue to avoid lifting anything over 15-20 pounds or partaking in vigorous cardio.
Toward the end of that second week, you’ll be able to resume your normal diet and, should you wish, return to drinking alcohol in moderation. Because smoking is counter-indicated to proper healing, many patients choose their recovery time as an opportunity to quit smoking altogether.
- First Month
Around the third or fourth week, the pain, swelling, and bruising are greatly reduced. For some patients, they’re nearly or completely gone. Once you’re at that point, you’ll no longer need your compression garment.
- Second Month
For the vast majority of patients, life returns to normal and you’ll be able to resume more rigorous physical activity during the second month. Some patients are cleared around six weeks to do this, while others may have to wait until the end of the second month.
The Long View
Although the two-month point is when most patients are ready to get back out into the world, it’s not uncommon to experience some numbness for months afterward. There may also be occasional swelling as well as twinges of abdominal pain. All of this is normal and no need for concern. Different sorts of shapewear (such as Spanx) can assist with these.
Change Your Life With Body Contouring
While recovering from a tummy tuck can be a little challenging, the payoff is so worth it.
So if you’re ready to explore how a tummy tuck could improve your confidence and boost your self-esteem, contact us today.
We’ll guide you through the procedure, as well as the recovery, so you know exactly what to expect.
Was There Cleft Palate Surgery in the 19th Century?
Surprisingly, there is evidence of cleft lip and palate surgery as far back as 390 BC in China. The Egyptians and Greeks also developed cleft palate ‘surgical’ techniques, though no descriptions of these remain.
There are descriptions of operations on cleft lip in the Middle Ages, and further evidence of cleft lip repairs pop up in European literature from the 13th to the 17th centuries. Even so, none of them involved advanced procedures.
Cleft palate surgery in the 19th century though was a different story.
Physicians Performing Cleft Palate Surgery in the 19th
Century
Early procedures before the 19th century mostly involved freshening cleft edges and suturing them together. It wasn’t until 1816, however, that the first successful cleft palate surgery was recorded.
One of the major reasons for this was the development of effective anesthetics. Without them, the procedure was difficult and very painful. Karl Ferdinand Gräfe and Philibert Joseph Roux were the first to publish a satisfactory result. From there, others followed.
Philibert Joseph Roux
Trained as a military surgeon, Philibert Joseph Roux moved to Paris and befriended Xavier Bichat. Bichat was a well-known anatomist and pathologist and had a major influence on Roux.
As he moved up the ranks, Roux would eventually become chief surgeon at Hôtel-Dieu de Paris. He is most remembered for being among the first to perform a staphylorrhaphy, or surgical repair of a cleft palate.
Improving upon the earlier works performed by von Gräfe, Roux would go on to write a memoir that provided details of the procedure that involved working on an infant’s mouth.
Victor von Bruns
Meanwhile, in early 19th century Germany, surgeon Victor von Bruns was making advances in plastic surgery and laryngology. As a founding member of the German Society of Surgery, he was most well-known for his impressive reconstruction of the cheek and lip in patients who had experienced trauma. He also gained fame for his surgical resections for cancer and other diseases.
Furthermore, he popularized the use of absorbent cotton dressings, which has since become a standard practice in treating wounds.
John Collins Warren
Founder of the New England Journal of Medicine, John Collins Warren was an American surgeon who was revolutionary in the field of anesthesia during the first half of the 19th century. He was also the first dean of Harvard Medical School and the third president of the American Medical Association.
In 1846, he removed a tumor from his patient’s neck. It was the first time ether was used to ease the pain from a surgical procedure. Along with another surgeon William Morton, Warren would continue to champion the use of sulphuric ether for surgical operations.
One of Warren’s works describes the first American procedure for soft palate repair. He had been completely unaware of Roux’s description which had been published three years previous to that.
Cleft Palate Surgery Gives Many a Reason to Smile
Technology and innovation have come a long way since cleft palate surgery in the 19th century. And it’s because of all this past work that today’s cleft lip and palate surgeries are far more predictable and incredibly safe.
Though plastic surgery is a newer field, it has a colorful history. Be sure to keep checking back with our blog for more great stories on how plastic surgery has evolved.
And if you’re interested in exploring all of the plastic surgery procedures we offer, please contact us today!
The Lowdown on Scar Revision
If you’re an adult and you’ve lived life at all, chances are you have a scar. It’s the body’s way of healing after an injury, infection, inflammation, or surgery.
A scar consists of fibrous tissue that can be anywhere on the body. It might be flat, sunken, colored, or lumpy.
Someone with a flat and colorless scar in an obscure place may not think much about it. But for others with more obvious scars that cause them embarrassment, there is scar revision.
What Is Scar Revision?
Just as the name implies, scar revision is a procedure performed to alter the appearance of an unsightly scar, return function to a restrictive scar, or improve an itch or painful scar.
Depending on the type of scar, there are numerous approaches to scar revision:
Topical
Topical treatments are the least invasive approach. They’re usually the first go-to because of their simplicity.
Physicians may recommend OTC topical anesthetic ointments, antihistamine creams, or corticosteroids to encourage healing reduce any itchiness and discomfort. Sometimes the doctor may prescribe a stronger corticosteroid cream for newer scars that are still pink and in the process of healing. This can combat excessive scar formation.
Another option that’s been used for decades is silicone. Used in sheet form, silicone is effective for treating scars from burns, surgery, or other more severe injuries that require hospital treatment. There are now silicone gels that can be applied to create a thin sheet within 4-5 minutes.
Injections
When a scar is raised, thick, and red, stronger interventions are usually required. Multiple small corticosteroid injections are made into the scar to reduce pain, itching, and redness from inflammation. Injections are typically given over several months at 4-6 week intervals.
Meanwhile, depressed scars are usually treated with filler injections. These may contain collagen and synthetic agents that are injected into or under the scar tissue. Filler injections are not permanent, however, So they need to be repeated every few years.
Surface Treatments
There are a wide variety of skin resurfacing treatments. They involve removing the top layer of damaged skin so new skin layers can form.
With dermabrasion, the skin layer is manually removed using a rapidly rotating device. This technique is ideal for minimizing skin lines, age spots, acne scars, and sun damage.
Acne scars and sun damage can also be treated with chemical peels. They’re also effective in treating wrinkles and melasma.
To flatten and soften scars, laser therapy involves pulsating concentrated beams of light at irregular skin in a targeted area. It also helps improve discoloration and tightens the skin to give it a younger-looking appearance.
Other surface treatments include skin bleaching (topical creams that lighten skin) and vascular laser treatment reduces the redness of scars with blood vessels.
Surgery
When it comes to changing the position and shape of scars, surgery can do the trick. It can also release a tight scar to improve movement. In the cases of scar excision and revision, scar tissue is removed, and a flap of adjacent skin reforms the area.
If there is no flap available, or if the scar being removed is very large, a skin graft is taken from a cosmetically less important area of the body to reform the area.
The Z-plasty method moves a scar into a natural crease or fold to minimize its visibility. In addition, tissue expanders can create healthy stretched skin by placing expandable silicone implants under the skin. The skin is then used to replace the excised scar tissue.
You Don’t Have to Live With Scars
There is a wealth of scar revision options.
So if you’re interested in lessening the appearance of (or getting rid of altogether) your scar, contact us today to set up a free consultation.
You’ll have the chance to talk with a board-certified plastic surgeon who will guide you through the best treatment options for your situation.
Which Plastic Surgery Procedures Require More PTO?
Any time you have surgery, some (if not a lot) of your body’s tissue is manipulated. This means there is always going to be at least a small amount of time for your natural tissue vitality to be restored.
Patients considering a procedure who have a full-time job often inquire as to which plastic surgery procedures require more PTO.
It’s an important question because planning ahead is going to give you the best odds for faster healing. Especially for procedures that have a longer recovery time.
Some Plastic Surgery Procedures Require More PTO Than Others
In a previous post, we looked at procedures with the shortest average recovery times. We say ‘average’ because no two patients will ever have the same experience. Depending on a number of factors, some of the so-called ‘shorter’ recovery time procedures end up being longer than anticipated.
Nevertheless, we’ll look at some of the more complicated procedures here and what you can expect in terms of arranging for that paid time off.
- SMAS Facelift
A SMAS facelift is not to be confused with the simpler in-office or ‘lunchtime’ lift (also known as MACS). The SMAS facelift is considered by many surgeons to be the only true facelift, as it is more than just a skin-supported facelift.
With a SMAS facelift, muscle and connective tissue are manipulated. As such, the recovery time is much longer. Nurse care may even be required for the first night or two.
Generally speaking, it takes about two weeks before the bruising dissipates enough that makeup becomes effective. So if you’re choosing this procedure, start saving up those days now.
- Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
The tummy tuck is the next biggest contender for most PTO required after a procedure. Similar to the SMAS facelift, nurse care may be required for the first night or two.
Because of the complexity of this procedure, it is crucial to do sit-ups for at least six weeks. That doesn’t mean you’ll need to take six weeks off though! Most people do well by planning to take a week and a half to two weeks off.
You may find you’re ready to go back after five days or so. But whatever the case, you’ll still need to wear a compression garment and avoid heavy lifting for four to six weeks.
- Nose Job (Rhinoplasty)
The good news is, rhinoplasty doesn’t require aftercare nursing. And the pain will likely be mild for only a couple of days.
Unfortunately, the under-eye bruising is significant for a solid week – regardless of any efforts to conceal it. So if you’re in the public eye, the recommended time off for rhinoplasty is one week.
- Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)
The general recommendation for time off after a BBL is three to seven days. It all depends on your ability to tolerate pain.
There is going to be swelling after a BBL procedure so you’ll be required to wear a compression garment for eight weeks. This also means that you shouldn’t sit or sleep directly on your buttocks for one to two weeks. You can sit on a donut cushion though and sleep on your side.
- Breast Reduction/Lift/Implants
Much like the BBL, the recommendation for time off after a breast reduction/lift/implant is in the three to seven-day range.
A breast reduction removes excess tissue and fat and raises the breasts without manipulation of the pectoralis major muscle. This fact means there will only be some discomfort – though you can expect swelling and bruising.
Additionally, in the case of a breast lift that does NOT require manipulating the pectoralis major muscle, the discomfort may also not last too long. The bruising and swelling could stick around for seven to ten days though.
Meanwhile, in an augmentation procedure where the implant is placed under the pectoralis major, there is going to be more discomfort for an average of four to seven days.
At the end of the day, the amount of time you opt to take off for any of these breast procedures will depend largely on your ability to deal with pain.
Be Realistic When Considering the Time Off You’ll Need
While the above plastic surgery procedures require more PTO than many others, it’s important to remain realistic about what you need during recovery.
There will be times post-op when you feel more discomfort than other times. You’ll want to prepare for those.
So if you’re considering a procedure, be sure to contact us to get the low-down on what you might expect from your own recovery based on how you specifically heal. Then you can more comfortably go from there.
What To Expect – Bruising After Rhinoplasty
Having any kind of surgery is a serious commitment. An honest and ethical surgeon will always provide full disclosure about what to expect after a procedure.
While bruising is common after many procedures, the bruising after rhinoplasty can be particularly remarkable. Especially in cases where the procedure is more extensive.
Understanding that bruising is the body’s natural response to the healing process and that it will go away after two or three weeks can bring comfort. Even so, a face that appears battered around the nose and eyes can be shocking to a patient who hasn’t been prepped for it.
Rhinoplasty Is SO Worth It Though
Many patients consider rhinoplasty because they’re currently not happy with the appearance of their face. With the nose being a major focal point on the face, some alterations through rhinoplasty can do wonders to improve one’s facial appearance.
As such, patients are often excited to see the results after the procedure and can feel let down by the appearance of bruising. For those who only needed a simple change to the nasal tip, the bruising may not be too extreme.
For those who need changes that involve breaking and resetting the bone, manipulating nasal cartilage, and/or altering the framework of the nose, however, the bruising can be more extensive.
Whatever the case, with proper care and attention the bruising does eventually subside and the patient is left with the increased confidence that comes with a brand new appearance.
The 411 on Bruising After Rhinoplasty
As always, the best way to help prevent major bruising is take preemptive measures to stay healthy (quit smoking, drink plenty of water, eat a nutritious diet, etc.) before the surgery. In addition, always follow the surgeon’s instructions to a tee. A patient must also disclose any blood thinners, other medications, or even supplements he or she is taking as they may need to avoid them to promote healing.
Again, the extensiveness of the procedure as well as the individual’s own ability to heal will all be factors in how long to expect bruising. We’ll look at a general timeline here though.
The First Few Days
Bruising can appear immediately following rhinoplasty surgery. These early bruises tend to be more red in color because of oxygen in the blood. Thus, they may not look as severe.
It’s in the days that follow this that the bruising becomes more apparent. At this point, they become darker purple, blue, or even black. This is normal for a few days.
Five to Ten Days Later
As the body continues to heal over those first five days, the bruising starts to change colors. It will fade from intense purple to a lighter purple with shades of green. By the time the patient hits day ten, the blue and purple may be completely gone and the colors shift from green to yellowish-brown.
Two to Three Weeks After
Most patients with who have had extensive work will find their bruising completely gone after three weeks. For those who had a simpler procedure, it could be as little as two weeks.
When you look at the big picture and in the scope of one’s life, it’s not really that long. Right?
Reap the Benefits of Rhinoplasty
Despite the strong possibility of facial bruising after rhinoplasty, the benefits of having one far outweigh this temporary inconvenience.
So if you’re ready to discuss the possibility of rhinoplasty with an experienced and board-certified plastic surgeon, contact us today.
And prepare to love your new face.
Pioneers In Plastic Surgery – Thomas Pomfret Kilner
In the overarching field of medicine, plastic surgery is certainly among the youngest. At least in its current incarnation.
Yes, there were rudimentary plastic surgery procedures performed as far back as ancient Egypt times. But you can bet they didn’t look anything like today’s modern procedures.
It took a group of trail-blazing physicians practicing in the early 1900s to create the foundation for plastic surgery as we know it today. Thomas Pomfret Kilner was among this esteemed group.
Who Was Thomas Pomfret Kilner?
Kilner was born on September 17th in 1890 and was the son of a grammar school master. Always a good student, Kilner would go on to study at Manchester University where he was awarded medals in anatomy and physiology.
By 1912, at the ripe age of 22, he had won distinctions in pathology and surgery. He served as a demonstrator of anatomy from 1912 to 1914 and was a senior house surgeon at Manchester Royal Infirmary.
As he continued his studies and teaching, he had his sights set on joining a doctor in general practice. But World War I changed his trajectory.
Practicing Medicine During WWI
Kilner’s plans shifted when he was enlisted in the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) where he eventually became a captain. He served four years helping injured men and women and by the end of the war in 1918, he was in charge of an orthopedic unit that specialized in fractured femurs.
Wondering what his next step would be, he was serendipitously advised to meet with Major Harold Gillies about a new hospital unit in Sidcup, England. Gillies was already gaining steam as one of the premier practitioners in a burgeoning specialty known as plastic surgery.
Kilner hadn’t heard of this new modality, but he was interested. And it wasn’t long before he was appointed plastic surgeon to Queen Mary’s Hospital for Face and Jaw Injuries. And while he would later become a consulting plastic surgeon for many hospitals, it took determination and commitment to get there.
Turning Plastic Surgery Into a Thriving Specialty
In 1921, Kilner and Gillies were the only plastic surgeons in the United Kingdom. They were taken by all the promise this new field offered to so many people.
They would visit provincial surgeons who shared this same interest in order to educate them. Over time, their technical know-how and teamwork inspired many other surgeons to shift to this new specialty. And within a decade, he and Gillies had established plastic surgery in the U.K.
In 1931, Kilner was part of the staff of St Andrews’ Hospital where there were two wards and an operating theater devoted wholly to plastic surgery. He worked there up through WWII collaborating with another doctor to perfect the operation for palate repair that was originally designed by Victor Veau. His interest in congenital deformities led him to study speech therapy and he would eventually be elected a Governor of the Central School of Speech Therapy and of Moor House Residential School.
Throughout the second world war, Kilner remained active in fostering plastic surgery. During this time, he developed the Bunyan-Stannard envelope for the treatment of burns. And in 1935, he was a college professor lecturing on the transplantation of skin.
It’s safe to say he made a real difference.
In 1939, only three London teaching hospitals had plastic surgeons on staff. But by the time of Kilner’s death in 1964, there was hardly a teaching hospital in all of the British Isles that didn’t have consultant surgeons in plastic surgery.
See What Plastic Surgery Can Do for You
Today’s plastic surgeons are indebted to pioneers like Thomas Pomfret Kilner who helped to make the field what it is today.
If he could see what a difference a century has made, he’d be thrilled.
So if you’re interested in the myriad ways modern plastic surgery can improve your life, contact us today! You may be pleasantly surprised.
