Is It Safe to Have a Facelift if You Have a History or RSD?

asked 6 months ago by BrookeinCO in Colorado
Latest answer by Sam Naficy, MD
Question viewed 102 times
Tags: candidate, disease

From what I know, once you have RSD, you are more more at risk to have it reoccur. It seems people are not familiar with this disorder. It must be dormat, and can occur with the slightest injury. Any response appreciated.

9 answers to Is It Safe to Have a Facelift if You Have a History or RSD?

Facelift and RSD

It depends on whether or not you have had other surgical procedures without issues. It would be a good idea to get medical clearance from your physician

Sam Naficy, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Facelift - Is It Safe to Have a Facelift if You Have a History of RSD?

That depends on what you mean by "safe." RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) is a poorly understood cycle of pain, numbness, uncomfortable sensations and, ultimately, diminished function (for many reasons). It has been described most commonly for injuries and procedures affecting the extremities but, in view of the degree to which it is not understood, I would think that you have to at least consider the possibility that whatever signs of this you've had may be... more

Alan Engler, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Candidate for facelift?

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy is poorly understood but it is treatable and usually self-limited, or as you say becomes quiet or dormant. For the cases of RSD that I have seen, it is much more common in the extremities. It is probably okay to undergo a facelift but inform your surgeon and discuss with him/her thoroughly. Be prepared to intervene if the signs or symptoms of RSD begin to emerge after surgery. It's a risk but certainly not a contraindication to facelift surgery... more

J. Jason Wendel, MD
Nashville Plastic Surgeon

www.mc.vanderbilt.edu

RSD and Surgery

Reflex sympathetic distrophy is a condition which we do not fully understand. I have only seen one patient with it. It was exacerbated when she had body liposuction by another plastic surgeon. When she came to me I was reluctant to perform a facelift procedure, for fear of activating the condition. She ultimately had the procedure done by another plastic surgeon and did well. There are no studies documenting RSD and facelifts, so maybe she was lucky, we do not know. I would prepare for the... more

Brian Maloney, MD
Atlanta Facial Plastic Surgeon

Facelift and reflex sympathetic distrophy - RSD history

If a patient has a history of reflex sympathetic distrophy - RSD, they may be at higher risk of post operative pain syndromes after any surgical procedure, including a facelft. If you have a history of RSD be sure to inform your suyrgeon of this before your facelift. He/she may alter their routine post operative plan for pain coverage and may consider enlisting the aid of a pain specialist in post operative pain management.

Vincent D. Lepore, MD
San Jose Plastic Surgeon

RSD and a Facelift

People that have RSD are susceptible to having it occur with a minimal injury, so there is no guarantee that it will not happen during a facelift.

Julio Garcia, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

lvcosmeticsurgery.com

Face for those with RSD

There are unknown causes for reflex sympathetic dystrophy, and the condition can be difficult to treat. Surgery and other traumas can be a trigger so if your condition is severe or poorly controlled you may wish to leave well enough alone. You should ask your physician about your plans and see if he might consider a medical clearance for a go ahead. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Considering surgery is a trigger for RSD, this might not be wise.

It will very much depend on your motivation to have surgery and the willingness of your plastic surgeon to manage your RSD symptoms.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Facelift and RSD

I don't see any contraindication for facelift with RSD background. considering that RSD is a sympathetic nervous issue and in a properly face lift procedure, surgical planes are not involving sympathetic ganglia or system. I expect that facelift doesn't make the situation worse or if you notice any changes, should be temporary.