My plastic surgeon wants to use nitroglycerin topical for my facelift. I have low blood pressure and no heart problems. Will it cause my veins to dilate and show up on my skin? I’ve had to have laser treatment on my face for blue veins. Is this a normal procedure? He also said he would use it during office visits.
Answer: Nitro Post Facelift I feel it is fair to say that it is not customary to use nitro-paste as a routine treatment after a facelift. It is true that it causes vasodilation, which in theory, delivers more blood and oxygen to healing skin. Some surgeons do use nitro when there is potential compromise (ie necrosis) of the skin (due to excessive trauma, persistent hematoma etc.), and this is reasonable. But as a "routine", I think it is safe to say it is not the standard. That said, from a healing standpoint it probably will do no harm, but the side effects of lowering blood pressure and severe headaches should be a concern and consideration. Hope this helps. -Doc L.
Helpful 3 people found this helpful
Answer: Nitro Post Facelift I feel it is fair to say that it is not customary to use nitro-paste as a routine treatment after a facelift. It is true that it causes vasodilation, which in theory, delivers more blood and oxygen to healing skin. Some surgeons do use nitro when there is potential compromise (ie necrosis) of the skin (due to excessive trauma, persistent hematoma etc.), and this is reasonable. But as a "routine", I think it is safe to say it is not the standard. That said, from a healing standpoint it probably will do no harm, but the side effects of lowering blood pressure and severe headaches should be a concern and consideration. Hope this helps. -Doc L.
Helpful 3 people found this helpful
May 20, 2019
Answer: Nitroglycerin and a facelift procedure It is not typical to use nitroglycerin either before or after a facelift. I would ask your surgeon why he feels the need to use this medication. Unless you have some underlying vascular issues or developed some wound healing issues, I am not sure what advantage there would be to using this product.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
May 20, 2019
Answer: Nitroglycerin and a facelift procedure It is not typical to use nitroglycerin either before or after a facelift. I would ask your surgeon why he feels the need to use this medication. Unless you have some underlying vascular issues or developed some wound healing issues, I am not sure what advantage there would be to using this product.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
May 20, 2019
Answer: Topical nitroglycerin for facelifts Without having all the information, it is difficult to comment on the use of topical nitroglycerin in your case. It is not routine procedure in most surgeons practice to use this on all facelift patients . It is occasionally used on skin postoperatively when the circulation is compromised to increase blood flow and prevent necrosis. It works by dilating blood vessels to increase the flow. One must be cautious when using it in patients with certain medical conditions such as low blood pressure, cerebrovascular disease, and some cardiac problems as it can drop blood pressure too low, leading to serious complications.
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
May 20, 2019
Answer: Topical nitroglycerin for facelifts Without having all the information, it is difficult to comment on the use of topical nitroglycerin in your case. It is not routine procedure in most surgeons practice to use this on all facelift patients . It is occasionally used on skin postoperatively when the circulation is compromised to increase blood flow and prevent necrosis. It works by dilating blood vessels to increase the flow. One must be cautious when using it in patients with certain medical conditions such as low blood pressure, cerebrovascular disease, and some cardiac problems as it can drop blood pressure too low, leading to serious complications.
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
May 20, 2019
Answer: Blood supply to the skin after facelift It is not common practice to use nitroglycerin on the face following facelift surgery. However, your surgeon knows a great deal more about you than I do, and they may be concerned with areas of compromised blood flow after elevating the skin flaps for your facelift. The area behind your ears would be one such area for some concern. If you are a non smoker and are relatively healthy than nitroglycerin has not shown any clinical improvement in outcomes.
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
May 20, 2019
Answer: Blood supply to the skin after facelift It is not common practice to use nitroglycerin on the face following facelift surgery. However, your surgeon knows a great deal more about you than I do, and they may be concerned with areas of compromised blood flow after elevating the skin flaps for your facelift. The area behind your ears would be one such area for some concern. If you are a non smoker and are relatively healthy than nitroglycerin has not shown any clinical improvement in outcomes.
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
May 19, 2019
Answer: Nitroglycerin after a facelift No - not common to use this medication after a facelift. It is, however, common to use it on areas of concern when blood supply is poor. The problem is that there is not much science to support this use. Most of us have done it in the reconstructive parts of our practice, not usually with facelifts unless there is a problem. It is not likely to effect the appearance of veins long-term, although they could look more prominent when the medicine is working because it dilates blood vessels (that's the idea behind using it - to improve the blood supply to an area). I would have a frank discussion with your surgeon prior to proceeding so that you are comfortable with the plan before you move forward.
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
May 19, 2019
Answer: Nitroglycerin after a facelift No - not common to use this medication after a facelift. It is, however, common to use it on areas of concern when blood supply is poor. The problem is that there is not much science to support this use. Most of us have done it in the reconstructive parts of our practice, not usually with facelifts unless there is a problem. It is not likely to effect the appearance of veins long-term, although they could look more prominent when the medicine is working because it dilates blood vessels (that's the idea behind using it - to improve the blood supply to an area). I would have a frank discussion with your surgeon prior to proceeding so that you are comfortable with the plan before you move forward.
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
