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 Dr. Bustillo on WPLG Channel10 discussing Medical Roll-CIT |
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 Dr. Bustillo on Univision Primer Impacto for Medical Roll-CIT |
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 Baptist Hospital patients given chance to smile |
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IS THE MINIMAL INCISION NECKLIFT FOR YOU?
The majority of patients that undergo the minimal incision necklift operation do so in their early forties and on. Occasionally, patients with premature facial aging or weight loss will undergo the surgery at an earlier age. Patients are many times confused about what exactly a necklift corrects. The goal of the necklift procedure is to rejuvenate the neck. A necklift repositions sagging neck tissues hereby achieving a more youthful neck contour and appearance. A necklift does “not stop the clock, but it turns it back”; the natural aging process continues after the procedure
UNDERSTANDING THE SURGERY
Dr. Bustillo performs the necklift surgery on an outpatient basis at the South Miami Medical Arts Surgery Center, located in South Miami. The center is part of the Baptist Health System and is outfitted with the newest surgical technology. All surgeries are staffed by board certified anesthesiologists, which are part of the South Miami Hospital Anesthesiology Department.
Dr. Bustillo requires that all patients undergoing the necklift operation have a medical examination and medical clearance before the surgery by their primary care physician. All aspirin, anti-inflammatory products (naproxen, ibuprofen), and vitamins such as A, ginko biloba, and St. John’s wart should be discontinued ten days before surgery because they may interfere with blood clotting and cause bruising. Alcohol should also be avoided for five days before surgery to avoid swelling. Dr. Bustillo starts patients on high dose vitamin C two weeks before and two weeks after to help with the healing and to reduce bruising.
Dr. Bustillo performs the necklift operation with either IV sedation or with general anesthesia depending on the patient and whether or not other procedures are combined with the necklift. Dr. Bustillo will help you decide which option is best for you.
Dr. Bustillo performs a very specialized necklift, named the minimal incision necklift. It is named so because it rejuvenates the neck while using very small incisions. Dr. Bustillo places a small incision just behind the chin, which is hidden in a crease. This is used to remove the fatty tissue and then to tighten the neck muscles. Then a small incision is placed behind the ears and inside the hair. Dr. Bustillo uses this incision to lift and remove the excess neck skin. Because a necklift procedure is chosen in order to enhance one’s appearance, unsightly scars are not acceptable. All of the incisions are completely hidden and out of sight.
The necklift operation, like all surgery, does have risks aside from those of anesthesia. The highest risk patients are smokers. Patients who smoke should refrain from smoking for approximately two weeks before the surgery. The nicotine patch is not a substitute for smoking cessation as far aesthetic surgery is concerned. Nicotine causes the small blood vessels to become narrower, which decreases blood flow to the skin. The potential complication of a smoker is the death of the facial skin, resulting in a poor outcome with facial scarring and possible infection. Dr. Bustillo will not perform the necklift operation on active smokers.
The surgery can take from one and a half hours if only the necklift is being performed to three hours if a blepharoplasty (eyelift) is being performed in conjunction. The patient should have a caretaker with them for about two days after surgery. This person does not need to be a medical professional and can be a family member or friend. This person will help with feeding, ambulating, and other chores. If the patient wishes, Dr. Bustillo’s office can help coordinate a home service to help you with these activities.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER THE SURGERY
The night of the surgery should be spent relaxed. Activity should be kept to a minimum. A liquid diet is best for the first eighteen hours after anesthesia. The head should be kept elevated using two pillows to help reduce swelling. Dr. Bustillo recommends placing small zip lock bags with frozen peas on the eyes 10 minutes, for every hour spent awake for the first 48 hours.
The face will be wrapped with a bandage used to keep the skin flat. Pain should be minimal. Tylenol is usually enough to control any minor discomfort. Dr. Bustillo will provide you with additional pain medication, in the event that you need it. Any significant pain should be reported to Dr. Bustillo immediately, as this may signal bleeding under the skin. This is extremely rare, but possible. If a blepharoplasty was performed, some mild bruising may be visible around the eyes.
Dr. Bustillo will remove the bandage on the first day after the surgery. It is normal for some bruising to appear in the neck. An ace-type bandage with Velcro is then worn for approximately four to five days while healing occurs. On the fifth post-operative day, the small sutures in front of the ear and under the chin are removed. Patients can usually shower and wash their hair after this second visit.
About seventy percent of the swelling resolves in the first three weeks. Only the patient is aware that the neck is somewhat swollen. It is not noticeable to the average person. Hence, the patient can resume most of the daily activities. It is recommended that physical activity, such as running or lifting be resumed only after the fourth week. The remainder of the swelling can take up to two months to completely resolve.
The final results of the surgery may not be completely evident until several months after the surgery. The results of a necklift operation usually turn back the clock approximately ten years and the results last about ten years. Most patients who undergo facial rejuvenation surgery are extremely happy with the results.
Rhinoplasty
