Los Angeles Ophthalmologists

How Can I Expect To Have Funny Speech After Chin Lipo? 10 Days Out Now.

Im 10 days out from smart lipo on my chin and neck. I have a little tightness, but my issue is I have a hard time enunciating my words and when smiling/laughing the nerves around my mouth make it impossible to speak without looking very odd. Spitting is difficult, but I have full sensation and a full smile. My only concern is speaking, it is similar to after I've been to the dentist with novacaine. How long should I expect this to last and is there anything I can do to speed up the process?

JD

It is not normal to have a speech issue 10 days out from a chin liposuction.  I strongly recommend that you see your surgeon to make them aware of your concerns.  It is possible to have a motor nerve injury after a chin liposuction.  These may or may not fully recover.  There are some very specific signs that there is a nerve injury.  At only 10 days out, it will be difficult to know if such an injury is temporary or permanent.   However, without that examination, it is possible that what you are describing is something other than a motor nerve injury.  Good luck and consider posting photographs.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Is the Method of Fixation Different for a Facelift?

where the SMAS is elevated by plication (folding) rather than imbrication (trimming)? I the tissue fixed onto itself or into the bone? There seems to be a difference of opinion regarding technique ad longevity; and, this is very important to a patient! I know everyone's skin differs, but photos are not reliable since every doctor takes them at a different phase of recovery.

Sometimes we end up focusing on technical details because we don't know what to focus on.  A great facelift that looks serene and natural is a work of art that requires sophisticated tailoring of the flaps.  What was done under that flap and precisely how it was done is less important.  Studies have shown that after 6 months it is impossible to guess which method was used anyway.  What does not go away is the tailoring.  Done well, a great facelift is the single most powerful facial cosmetic surgery.  A poorly done facelift will haunt forever.  Avoid cookie cutter facelifts.  There is a national TV ad for a proprietary facelift that shows two women but the camera lens must be smeared with vasoline because it is impossible to see the details of their faces.  Ask yourself if this gives you confidence in the product being offered.  Do your homework.  Your facelift surgeon should be board certified in their surgical speciality, have hospital privileges for facelifting, and appropriate medical malpractice insurance for what they are offering.  Check with the State licensing  board in your state to make sure the surgeon is in good standing.  When you see the surgeon, does he or she make sense, do you feel rushed, how is the office treating you.  Being told you have to book the day of your consultation is inappropriate.  Take your time and carefully consider your options.  This is a very important decision.  However knowing if your surgeon imbricates or plicates   is a level of detail that is really not so important-I myself am a pants over-vest proponent using permanent sutures.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

How To Correct Hemosiderin from Liposcution and Blepharoplasty? (photo)

Had multiple procedures to my lower eyelids to remove a fat transfer. My last procedure was 2 years ago,a lower eyelid bleph, a huge success. But I am left with hemosiderin. Am trying to rid of the brown/yellow stain which is very superficial (not bothered by deeper blue/purple which i've had all my life). Stain may not look bad in certain lighting, but it is very strong in natural afternoon light. Tried IPL, variousl lasers & creams for hemosiderin but only time has worked! Any suggest? thanks!

I practice occulofacial surgery.  Hemosiderin staining can occur following a bruise.  What is interesting to me is how infrequent this phenomena is in the eye area.  I do not see staining here.  It might be helpful to put up photos of what this area looked like before the bruise.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon