had a facelift with erbium laser 4 days ago and am concerned about the black/discoloured areas near both ears.
Answer: Facelift with laser -- possible full thickness injury Thank you for the question and the photos. I routinely perform laser resurfacing with facelift and neck lift surgery. However, when doing so, the surgeon must be aware of the depth of the laser penetration and the thickness of the flap/skin where the laser is being fired. It looks like you have at least one or two areas of full skin thickness burns. These will most likely heal over time, but will require careful attention and special dressings/ointments. While I can't make an exact diagnosis in one photo, this does look concerning and you need to see your surgeon as soon as possible.
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Answer: Facelift with laser -- possible full thickness injury Thank you for the question and the photos. I routinely perform laser resurfacing with facelift and neck lift surgery. However, when doing so, the surgeon must be aware of the depth of the laser penetration and the thickness of the flap/skin where the laser is being fired. It looks like you have at least one or two areas of full skin thickness burns. These will most likely heal over time, but will require careful attention and special dressings/ointments. While I can't make an exact diagnosis in one photo, this does look concerning and you need to see your surgeon as soon as possible.
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February 28, 2018
Answer: Necrisus after facelift with laser It is certainly possible to conservatively laser resurface in conjunction with a facelifting, but care and close follow-up are essential. Along those lines, I would bring this to the attention of your surgeon. It may be perfectly fine (hard to make that judgement from pictures), but your surgeon is the most qualified to judge and would certainly want to know about it.
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February 28, 2018
Answer: Necrisus after facelift with laser It is certainly possible to conservatively laser resurface in conjunction with a facelifting, but care and close follow-up are essential. Along those lines, I would bring this to the attention of your surgeon. It may be perfectly fine (hard to make that judgement from pictures), but your surgeon is the most qualified to judge and would certainly want to know about it.
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February 28, 2018
Answer: Absolutely. This skin is struggling. These are facelift flaps with compromised circulation. If you are smoking at all, you should immediately stop right now. Smoking, diabetes and certain other systemic diseases affect the function of the capillaries that are needed to carry oxygen to the far reaches of these skin flaps. My advise to you and your surgeon is to be very conservative is any debriding of this tissue. Surprisingly many areas that look funky actually to perk up and heal remarkably well. Call your surgeon immediately and talk to them about conservative wound care to maximize recovery of these tissues. Like I said, if you smoke, stop right now. Some surgeons advocate hyperbaric oxygen for this. I do not think that the evidence that it helps is so good but you can discuss this with your surgeon. Please post in 3 weeks and let us know how you did.
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February 28, 2018
Answer: Absolutely. This skin is struggling. These are facelift flaps with compromised circulation. If you are smoking at all, you should immediately stop right now. Smoking, diabetes and certain other systemic diseases affect the function of the capillaries that are needed to carry oxygen to the far reaches of these skin flaps. My advise to you and your surgeon is to be very conservative is any debriding of this tissue. Surprisingly many areas that look funky actually to perk up and heal remarkably well. Call your surgeon immediately and talk to them about conservative wound care to maximize recovery of these tissues. Like I said, if you smoke, stop right now. Some surgeons advocate hyperbaric oxygen for this. I do not think that the evidence that it helps is so good but you can discuss this with your surgeon. Please post in 3 weeks and let us know how you did.
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February 28, 2018
Answer: Does this look like skin necrosis? = follow up with your surgeon #facelift Patients with questions and concerns about their facelift healing process should address those concerns with the surgeon that performed the operation, ideally during a follow up consultation.
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February 28, 2018
Answer: Does this look like skin necrosis? = follow up with your surgeon #facelift Patients with questions and concerns about their facelift healing process should address those concerns with the surgeon that performed the operation, ideally during a follow up consultation.
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Answer: Concerning Discoloration Thank you for sharing photos. These photos are concerning for blood supply compromise. Good wound care and frequent follow up is important. This can be resolved, but you want to keep up with it.
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Answer: Concerning Discoloration Thank you for sharing photos. These photos are concerning for blood supply compromise. Good wound care and frequent follow up is important. This can be resolved, but you want to keep up with it.
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