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Facelift and Thyroid Cyst

asked 2 years ago by barbara j
Latest answer by Anil R. Shah, MD
Question viewed 713 times
Tags: cyst

I am going for a consult for a lower facelift procedure. However, I recently have developed a thyroid cyst and it was ultrsounded and found to be benign. I am now concerned if I should do the lower facelift before school starts the end of August due to this new developement. Any advice would be most appreciated.

12 answers to Facelift and Thyroid Cyst

Thyroid lesion resolved before facelift surgery

Greetings, I would strongly urge you to visit an ENT/head and neck surgeon for further evaluation of your thyroid lesion. The lesion should likely be biopsied via a fine needle aspiration. Small solid and cystic (fluid filled) lesions have a small but real possibility of being cancerous. Unfortunately an ultrasound alone can not make this differentiation. Even with an FNA, removal of the half of the thyroid with the lesion may be necessary to make a definitive diagnosis. Obviously,... more

D.J. Verret, MD
Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

innovationsfps.com

Thyroid Cyst and Facelift

As with any medical condition, discussion with your surgeon and your primary care physician about the best way for you to be treated are paramount. Based on your individual condition, a sensible treatment plan can be incorporated. Typically, it is best to have a thyroid procedure done first prior to an elective cosmetic procedure. In addition, removal of the thyroid can lead to additional laxity of the neck, which could impact a facelift result.

Anil R. Shah, MD
Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon

Address thyroid cyst prior to facelift

A thyroid cyst cannot be removed through a facelift incision. As long as the thyroid cyst has been aspirated and found to be negative for carcinoma (benign), it is probably best just to leave it alone and proceed with your face/neck lift.

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

Throid cyst will not affect facelift

The presence of a throid cyst will not interfer with facelift surgery. Although most thyroid cysts are benign, an isolated ultrasound does not guarantee the diagnosis. Ask if the cyst should be further investigated.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Facelift incisions are not in the same region as thyroid surgery

In general, I prefer to separate disease entities from cosmetic entities. Thyroid surgery is often performed today with minimal invasive small incision approaches. These incisions are not placed in the same region as those for Facelift surgery. In addition, thyroid surgery has inherent risks and requires a different mind-set than that for facelift surgery.

Sigmund L. Sattenspiel, MD
Freehold Facial Plastic Surgeon

Thyroid Cyst and Facelift

Although your thyroid cyst may be benign it's important that you check with your general surgeons to understand all of the current and future options. If the cyst is causing a noticeable goiter than this will detract from your facelift result as the neck skin is elevated and tightened.

Christopher L. Hess, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

Check with your general surgeon/endocrinologist

Most cysts are benign, however, they may need to be treated. Check with the endocrinoogist. If you need thyroid surgery, it would be best to get that out of the way first. If no thyroid surgery is needed, you should be fine to go ahead with face lift.

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Tend to your thyroid cyst before your facelift surgery.

Management of your thyroid cyst should be straightforward. The physician supervising your thyroid will suggest either: 1) observation with an interval ultrasound, or 2) a fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy. Thyroid cysts may be managed by your PCP, but consultation with an endocrinologist, or ENT may be helpful for you. Once there is no concern of thyroid malignancy, you can move forward with your facelift before school starts. I hope this is helpful for you.

Eric M. Joseph, MD
West Orange Facial Plastic Surgeon

Facelift Timing

You need to make sure that the cyst is exactly that, benign. In general thyroid cysts are benign and thyroid nodules usually are not. So if it is a true cyst and has been diagnosed as such, then routine followup is sufficient. Your planning should not then interfere with your facelift surgery.

Farbod Esmailian, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Confirm diagnosis of thyroid mass first

I presume the ultrasound was used to perform a needle biopsy or aspiration. Prior to undergoing any definitive facial rejuvenative procedure, you should establish a definitive diagnosis.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Thyroid biopsy or surgery scar will not interfere with Facelift

2 comments. 1. "...thyroid cyst and it was ultrsounded and found to be benign" - An ultrasound or a CT CANNOT declare anything to be benign. It can merely suggest that it may be benign because it did not present malignant features. For ANY tissue to be declared benign or malignant, a tissue sample must be obtained (biopsy) and reviewed microscopically by an experienced pathologist. The odds are your cyst is benign but to know for sure, it would have to be biopsied. 2. A thyroid... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Thyroid cysts usually benign

As your biopsy reviewed, the overwhelming majority of thyroid cysts are benign and simply require routine follow up exams. Benign thyroid cysts and nodules have no impact on the facelift counseling, and the timing of the surgery is completely up to you