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Recovery Tips After Facial Reconstruction

Facial reconstruction equals big changes in your life. Post-surgery can be a big adjustment. Not only does your face look different, but you also feel different. Taking steps and preparing in advance to have a smooth recovery can help ease the adjustment period. Preparation can also help your face heal better so that you achieve the best possible results when you’re done healing. The length of time needed to recover from facial reconstruction differs from person to person depending on the condition of each individual’s overall health, the specific facial reconstruction procedure they elect to undergo, and the specifics of their procedure:

 

Rhinoplasty

Generally by 3 months after a rhinoplasty procedure, most of the swelling has subsided, the new shape and size of the nose is apparent, and patients can go back to their normal routines, including exercise. They should, however, avoid high-impact, high-risk activities for at least 6 months after surgery.

 

Facelift

For most patients undergoing a facelift procedure, most of the swelling and bruising subsides after about three weeks, and it may be hard for anyone else to tell that they have even had a facelift, other than their more youthful appearance. Patients can return to their normal routine after about two weeks.

 

Eyelid Surgery

While no two patients are alike, some patients experience a full recovery from eyelid surgery in as few as four or five days, although in other cases a complete recovery may take as long as three to four weeks.

Whatever kind of facial cosmetic surgery you elect to undergo, here are a few helpful tips to ensure that your recovery is as easy, successful, and painless as possible:

 

Enlist An Assistant

Facial reconstruction affects the whole face, and sometimes the bandages can make it hard to see. During the first couple of days, you may need someone to provide you with transportation, changing bandages, preparing your meals, and other everyday tasks. Enlist a close friend or relative to help with those things for the first few days after surgery.

 

Invest in a Food Processor

One of the biggest concerns following facial reconstruction surgery is diet. It’s still okay to eat all of your favorite foods, but they have to be chopped into small pieces that do not require chewing. This way, you can easily eat all of your favorite foods until your no-chew diet restrictions are lifted.

 

Take Your Pain Medication!

Facial reconstruction surgery can affect the nerves throughout your face. This can cause severe discomfort in addition to the pain already experienced from the incisions and other corrective measures. Staying ahead of the pain curve will keep you calm and comfortable. It will also reduce the amount of stress on your body, ensuring that you heal quickly and properly.

 

Dust Off the Recliner

Sleeping with your head elevated is important after facial reconstruction. It will reduce the amount of swelling and stabilize circulation. It is also recommended to sleep in a reclined or a seated position. You can also prop two or three pillows under your head and shoulders while lying in bed to keep your body elevated.

 

Buy Some Frozen Veggies

Ice is another important factor in reducing swelling after surgery. Medical ice packs can be helpful, but frozen veggies, especially corn or peas, make for pliable ice packs.

 

Use Squirt-Top Water Bottles

Staying hydrated is required after any type of surgical treatment. Facial reconstruction patients must also be sure to keep their mouth clean after surgery. A water bottle with a squirt top is helpful because it makes it easy to stay hydrated while also aiding in rinsing out your mouth with very little head movement.

Bonus Tip: Use a child’s toothbrush to help brush in between meals, as it is smaller and easier to fit into the mouth without opening too widely.

 

Stock Up On Food & Supplies

Having a fully stocked house can make recovery time less stressful. Be sure that you have all of the bandages, antibiotic ointments, and over-the-counter pain medications as recommended by your doctor. Also make sure that you have foods that can be cut into bite-sized pieces or are soft enough to eat after treatment. Don’t forget to also make sure you have the essentials, such as laundry detergent and toilet paper.

 

Talk To Your Doctor

The most important recovery tip is this: attend all of your follow-up appointments and don’t hesitate to call your doctor with questions or concerns. Dr. Binder would rather you bring up a concern than have it go unaddressed and that lead to bigger problems later. Rest easy and know that your facial reconstruction by Dr. Binder will help you achieve the best possible aesthetic results.

The Rise of Skin Cancer Reconstruction Surgery

 Skin Cancer Reconstruction Surgery

Skin cancer is more common than you might think. In fact,  around 50% of people will have experienced some form of skin cancer when they reach age 65. The most common type of skin cancer, and also the most common type of cancer in general, is Basal Cell Carcinoma. This disease can cause disfiguration of the tissue in question if left untreated for long periods of time.

Because of the prevalence of skin cancer and its tendency to lead to disfigurement if left untreated, we are seeing a rise in  skin cancer reconstruction.

The Importance of this Procedure

These cancers should be removed immediately. However, even when the cancer is spotted and removed in time, the removal of these cancers can cause disfigurement without reconstruction surgery.

There are two techniques of skin cancer reconstruction:

  • Skin Flaps:   Often a skin flap procedure will be chosen as the best way to limit scarring and restore full function to the affected area. This procedure involves the removal of a flap of skin from the area adjacent to the cancer removal site.
  • Skin Grafts:   This technique involves taking skin from a predetermined donor site on the patient’s body and transferring it to the affected area. This technique leaves some scarring.

Discuss your Options

The rise in skin cancer has led to a rise in skin cancer reconstruction. If you’ve been diagnosed with skin cancer, it is important to not only have the cancer removed, but restore the affected area with skin cancer reconstruction.

As a leading surgeon in facial plastic surgery, Dr. Binder is an expert in both removal and reconstruction techniques. Schedule your consultation, and Dr. Binder will discuss what options are available to you.

Why Get a Nose Job?

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Why Get a Nose Job?

It’s in the center of our face, and some might feel that it draws the most attention during conversations: the nose. Because of the nose’s prominent appearance, any slight asymmetry can throw off the balance of your face. Perhaps that is why rhinoplasty, or a nose job, is one of the top 5 plastic surgeries performed in the United States, according to The American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

With the popularity of this procedure comes several reasons to have it performed. Here are a few reasons to get a nose job:

1. Cosmetic Nose Job

Many people are dissatisfied with the size, shape, or slant of their nose, which can lead to a lack of self-confidence.The nose is one of the most frequently complained about body parts, making it a common reason for elective cosmetic surgery. Whether you see your nose as too thin, too fat, or in some other way misshaped, a nose job can help. And with current prices in the U.S., the procedure is now easier and more affordable than ever.

2. Medical Nose Jobs

Various medical issues, such as a deviated septum, can cause one side of the nose to become blocked, which can restrict airflow and cause difficulty breathing. On a cosmetic level, the damage may not even be visible, but it’s certainly something those suffering with these conditions notice. The technique of correcting a deviated septum, called septoplasty, may work to reduce these symptoms:

Nasal abnormalities can cause:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Frequent nosebleeds
  • Snoring

3. Reconstructive Nose Job

A deviated septum or a crooked nose might not necessarily be something you’re born with. These and other issues can happen as a result of trauma to the nose, trauma that damages the tissue, bone, and cartilage of the nose and leaves the nose damaged or misshapen.

This is not an uncommon occurrence, as injuries to the nose tend to happen often and by various means. Whether your nose was broken in a car accident or when mountain biking, rhinoplasty can help.

For a Naturally Balanced Appearance

Dr. Binder strives for naturally balanced and subtle results with all of his procedures, and he is highly regarded in the artform of rhinoplasty. No matter the reason, from cosmetic to reconstructive, Dr. Binder continues to produce successful and subtle results. Schedule your consultation today.

Top 7 Tips for a Smooth Rhinoplasty Recovery

Rhinoplasty is a great way to change the profile of your nose or even improve your breathing, but it is a procedure that will require a prolonged healing period. You will spend several weeks in recovery, with the first 10 to 14 days being the most important. There are many things you can do to improve your recovery process so that you are more comfortable from day one.

Frozen Peas Instead of Ice Cubes

Since your face is not a flat surface, you want to use an icing method that will mold itself around your nose and face. A bag of frozen peas will mold to your face and they are lighter than a plastic bag full of ice cubes. This ensures more even icing and it is more comfortable.

Have Ginger on Hand

Nausea and vomiting may be common after this surgery. Since vomiting can create additional discomfort during the recovery process, you want to prevent it. Ginger tea or ginger ale can help to keep your nausea under control.

Sleep Elevated

When you are sleeping, put about two to three pillows below your head and neck. This puts your upper body at a 30-degree angle. This helps to reduce swelling and keep throbbing to a minimum.

Avoid Aspirin

Aspirin can thin your blood and encourage bleeding. Avoid any drugs that contain it. If you are taking blood thinners, talk to Dr. Binder to see if you would benefit from a temporary dosage adjustment.

Take Vitamin C

Vitamin C promotes healing, so it can encourage the healing process. Your surgeon can recommend the right dose so that you are getting enough to reap the benefits. This typically involves taking a vitamin C supplement, but eating foods that contain this vitamin is also helpful.

Stay Hydrated

You want to make sure that your nasal passages do not get dry and irritated. This can make your nose more tender and increase the risk of nosebleeds. Avoid overly dry environments and drink water throughout the day.

Nasal Taping

Taping your nose properly can help to alleviate the swelling faster. You must properly apply the tape and be very gentle since you have bones that are still healing. Dr. Binder can teach you the proper taping technique to ensure you do it correctly.

Be Sure to Keep Your Follow-Up Appointment

In addition to all of the tips above, you also want to make sure that you are following all of recovery advice laid out by Dr. Binder. Maintaining your follow-up appointments is also crucial to ensure your recovery is going smoothly. You should also take all necessary medications and protect your face from any trauma to ensure proper healing. If you’re considering rhinoplasty, Dr. Binder continues to produce expert, subtle and natural-looking results.  Contact us today to get started.

Revision Rhinoplasty: The Second Time’s the Charm

Revision rhinoplasty is the technical term for any nasal reshaping that is performed after an initial nose job has already been done. In many people’s minds, the idea of multiple nose surgeries conjures images of obsessed pop stars and other individuals who seem to never be satisfied with their appearance. Contrary to popular belief, however, recent studies have shown that most people seek revision rhinoplasty for concrete reasons and are satisfied with the results. Rather than seeking a third, fourth, or even fifth nose job, about 97% of patients who have revision rhinoplasty report satisfaction with their results and presumably do not seek further revision.

There are many reasons why a patient might seek a second nasal reshaping. Rhinoplasty is a delicate procedure that requires great skill and planning on the part of the surgeon. The underlying structure of the nose can be extremely complex and delicate to deal with. Further complicating these issues is the healing process itself. Even if a plastic surgeon takes all the necessary steps to create the nose the patient wants, in some cases the tissue heals in an unforeseen way, causing changes to the nose’s final appearance. When this happens, many patients seek a revision procedure to account for those changes that were not adequately foreseen by the original surgeon.

In other cases, revision rhinoplasty is sought by a patient because they are simply not satisfied with the results of the first procedure.  Although many doctors have an ability to provide patients a fairly accurate idea about the kinds of results they can expect, many people find that the nose they originally agreed to still has flaws. But some people, upon seeing the final result of their rhinoplasty procedure, decide that there are certain aspects that should have been addressed the first time around. The vast majority of these patients find that although the initial procedure was too conservative, the revision surgery now has a high degree of success to create a nose that is just right.

The most common reason for seeking a revision rhinoplasty procedure comes down to the experience of the surgeon, according to board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. William Binder. Rhinoplasty is the most popular facial cosmetic surgery performed in the United States each year, and it consistently ranks among the most popular cosmetic procedures overall. With so many individuals seeking rhinoplasty, it’s no wonder that many of the doctors performing this procedure are undertrained. There are a number of techniques employed during a nose job. However, novice surgeons may not be well-versed in many of the more complicated methods. The result is a nose job that utilizes inadequate techniques to achieve the end result. For example, many patients want to increase the projection of the tip of the nose. Most surgeons use a tip graft to achieve this. By itself, this procedure produces results that are neither natural nor satisfactory. In these cases, revision rhinoplasty performed by an experienced surgeon can be a great help in its ability to produce the desired result.

Revision rhinoplasty procedures are usually successful for a number of reasons.  Patients who had prior nasal procedures have the knowledge and benefit of their own experience to better understand the outcome of the surgery.  They know what they want and have a much better idea about the kind of results that a nose job can produce. They can discuss their goals and the problems of their last procedure with the new surgeon, allowing her or him to make the necessary adjustments to achieve the patient’s ideal results. Finally, patients tend to be more selective the second time around and avoid the discount surgeons who led them to seek revision in the first place. Rather than obsessive plastic surgery addicts, these patients are shrewd consumers with the benefit of hindsight. It’s no wonder that so many of them find that, when it comes to rhinoplasty, the second time’s the charm.

Why is Rhinoplasty So Popular?

According to the latest study from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, nearly a quarter of a million rhinoplastyprocedures were performed in the United States last year, about the same number as the year before. That made it the most popular facial cosmetic surgery, which begs the question: why is rhinoplasty such a popular procedure? Although every individual has his or her own reason for seeking this procedure, the enduring popularity of rhinoplasty can be traced to a number of reasons.

Reconstructive nose surgery dates back thousands of years to ancient India, where physicians would repair damaged noses using a variety of techniques. Today, people still seek rhinoplasty to surgically repair damage to the nose. Usually, this is because of an accident that has caused a nasal fracture. In cases like these, nose surgery can be used to correct functional issues and restore the appearance of the nose. However, at least as many people (if not more) seek rhinoplasty for purely aesthetic reasons.

Concern about the appearance of one’s nose is nothing new. The nose is the central focus of the face, the most prominent feature in many people’s minds. If you feel your nose is too large, too flat, hooked, etc., rhinoplasty can be used to give you a nose that more closely resembles your ideal. In many instances, correcting this one facial feature can have the most dramatic impact of any facial cosmetic procedure.

But the importance placed on the appearance of the nose isn’t the only reason for the popularity of rhinoplasty. Among cosmetic procedures, rhinoplasty is quite affordable. For many patients, the idea of plastic surgery is appealing, but cost can be a barrier. Having one affordable procedure to greatly enhance your appearance is an appealing prospect for many of these individuals. In addition, financing options are usually available for most patients.

Another reason for the popularity of cosmetic nose surgery is the relative ease of the procedure, at least for the patient. Although a good nose job  is a sophisticated procedure for the surgeon to perform well, it is less invasive than other cosmetic surgeries.  The incisions used are typically small and the recovery period is relatively short, especially compared to a procedure like a facelift. A facelift can be a larger surgery and more invasive than rhinoplasty, with a longer postoperative recovery.

Older techniques focused on reducing the size of the nose by removing tissue, usually from the bridge of the nose or the tip. But new methods have opened the door for people from all ethnic backgrounds, further increasing the popularity of this procedure. Doctors can now augment noses to give them a greater projection, reduce nostril width, and generally reshape noses that were once difficult to operate on.   Recently, ethnic rhinoplasty has become an important subject that is currently being taught in academic institutions and is becoming increasingly more popular throughout the world.  Instead, the emphasis has shifted to fashioning noses that work harmoniously with the patient’s existing facial features to create an overall improvement in appearance.

Perhaps the most important factor in the enduring popularity of structure rhinoplasty is the great and enduring results that are typically achieved. Surgeons like to talk about the “predictable” results that the vast majority of patients experience. Advances in rhinoplasty techniques have allowed plastic surgeons to give their patients the noses they want, resulting in an extremely high level of overall patient satisfaction. When it comes to improving your appearance, who wouldn’t want to use a procedure that is likely to produce the best, most noticeable results?

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