Facelift, Browlift and Endoscopic Browlift

Common Risks

COMPLICATIONS
Complications are unusual and rarely permanent. Most situations self-correct in time or are correctable with revision surgery. The following is a list of the more commonly noted risks for your information:

1. Hematoma (blood collection under the skin)—
   As long as aspirin and aspirin-containing products are avoided for two weeks before surgery, and your coagulation is normal, this complication is very unusual. Occasionally a small amount of blood or fluid may collect under the skin and can be removed, under local anesthesia, with a small needle. In some cases a small bruise bump may be noted a few days or weeks after surgery, requiring time for resolution or injection of dilute cortisone. In the case of a large accumulation of blood, immediate secondary surgery may be necessary in order to remove it.
2. Poor incision healing, margin skin loss, or thick scars—
   Poor healing can be due to smoking, skin that is pulled too tight, suture reaction, or local infections. Great care is taken to prevent these healing problems. If one of these were to occur, treatment would be instituted until healing occurs. Often, healing occurs without residual scarring. In cases where touch-up or revision scar surgery is necessary, this is usually quite successful.
3. Hair thinning or loss—
   This can occur when too much tension is placed on the scalp skin. The use of new techniques a have greatly eliminated this once common problem.
4. Infection—
   Although quite rare, small areas of localized suture reaction or infection can occur. These are treated with soaks, antibiotics, and local incision line ointments.
5. Nerve injury—
   Very rarely, superficial sensory nerves of the forehead and mouth can be divided, coagulated, or stretched, resulting in some temporary numbness, particularly of the cheeks and scalp. This usually resolves over a few days or weeks. Permanent numbness is very rare; time usually brings about a full return of sensation. Because muscle and motor nerves are located deep under the skin, they are rarely injured. If it were to occur, there may be some inability to move a portion of the face, which would usually be temporary.

Again, complications are unusual and rarely permanent. Most of our patients are extremely pleased with the results of their surgery.

WHEN SURGERY IS NOT RECOMMENDED
A surgical facelift is a very safe operation when performed by a competent surgeon. Certain uncontrolled health problems, however, contraindicate elective aesthetic surgery. High blood pressure, uncontrolled diabetes, or severe heart, lung, kidney, and liver disorders are contraindications. Also, patients on anticoagulation medication or those with serious psychiatric disorders are not good candidates. Your initial medical screening in our office and, often, a recommended physical examination will ensure that you have no health problems that contraindicate surgery.

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