Frequently Asked Questions About Facial Plastic Surgery
Do I Need General Anesthesia?
Almost all forms of facial plastic surgery, including facelifts, rhinoplasties, and eyelid lifts, can now be performed without general anesthesia. Surgeons substitute general anesthesia with either local or twilight anesthesia. These choices make post-operative recovery much faster.
Local anesthesia is a series of injectables that numb the face. This means that patients are wide awake for treatment. Usually, Dr. Jacono uses Lidocaine and Marcaine, both of which are longer-lasting and more effective than Novocain. Local anesthesia decreases bleeding during surgery, especially when compared with general anesthesia. Patients also tend to bruise less after their operation.
Twilight anesthesia, also known as propofol, is used to sedate patients. It is given through intravenous injection. Propofol is the same medicine used during medical procedures like colonoscopies. When the anesthesiologist stops administering propofol, patients wake up within a few minutes. This medication has fewer side-effects than general anesthesia, and patients usually feel well-rested once they wake up. Dr. Jacono has used propofol for many years and finds it to be an incredibly effective option.
Will I Be In Pain?
Anesthesia ensures that you are comfortable during your surgery. For most procedures, patients are sedated. This means that they are unconscious and unable to feel any pain.
After surgery, patients usually experience swelling, bruising, and other mild pain symptoms. This is because the body needs time to heal after a surgical operation. Luckily, Dr. Jacono prescribes patients medication to treat any residual discomfort. Pain subsides within a few days. In the following weeks, patients will begin to see their results, and any excess swelling will go down.
Will Everyone Recognize I Had Surgery?
In most cases, others will not be able to tell that you underwent a surgical procedure. The best plastic surgical results look natural, not overly tight and sculpted. This is especially true of Dr. Jacono’s outcomes, as he strives to provide the most comprehensive possible treatment. His techniques, including the Extended Deep-Plane Facelift, are innovations in facial surgery.
Friends of Dr. Jacono’s patients ask if they have been on vacation, lost weight, or started a new exercise routine. Typically, loved ones will not know if you had surgery unless you explicitly share the news with them. In other words, most patients can rest assured that their experience will remain a secret unless they wish to make it public. This is a testament to recent advancements in facial plastic surgery, and to Dr. Jacono’s ability.
Will There Be Scars?
As is the case after any surgical procedure, patients will have scars. However, thanks to innovative techniques, they are not usually noticeable. Dr. Jacono makes every effort to keep scarring to a minimum, hiding incisions in natural facial lines. During his signature M.A.D.E. (Minimal Access Deep-Plane Extended) Lift, for example, he makes incisions in the creases around the ears. When the patient heals, the scars become smaller and thinner.
With time, scars fade and become barely noticeable. Female patients can confidently wear their hair in ponytails; male patients can keep their hair short.
How Soon Can I Return to Work?
The amount of time you should spend before going back to work depends on the procedure. A facelift, for example, demands a longer recovery time than a lip lift or blepharoplasty. This is because the facelift is more invasive, reworking deeper structural supports within the face.
>That said, most of the surgical procedures Dr. Jacono performs allow you to return to work within 7 to 10 days. During this time, swelling and residual pain subside. Patients will see full results within a few weeks to months.
How Long Does It Take?
The length of surgery depends on the type of procedure and the extent of work. Facelifts take 3 to 5 hours on average, as they require extensive changes on both sides of the face. Blepharoplasties take about 1 to 2 hours to perform, and rhinoplasties between 2 and 4 hours.
Most of the procedures that Dr. Jacono performs are done on an outpatient basis. This means that they require no overnight stay. Usually, patients stay in recovery for a few hours, and a friend or relative escorts them home to convalesce in their own bed. Surgical aftercare is not difficult and can be completed with help.
Will Insurance Cover It?
Because cosmetic surgery is an elective procedure, most insurance plans do not cover it.
There are exceptions in certain cases. If your procedure is medically necessary, our office will be happy to contact your insurance company. This is acceptable in cases of facial deformity, like cleft lip or palate.
Do you Offer Financing?
Dr. Jacono’s practice offers financing through CareCredit and Chase Health Advantage. There are several other payment options, as well. Please click here for more information about our financing programs.
