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Can Face Lift Fail Because Sutures Are Absorbed to Quickly?

N
NHavenJan 8, 2011

Is it better to use absorbable or non-absorbable sutures? My SMAS failed. Nothing ever tore. Nothing sagged non-symmetrically, just none of the suture anchoring worked. pre and three month post op pictures of neck and jowl are the same. For the first 4 weeks post op when there was swelling, it appeared as if the neck and jaw line were great.

Answers (24)

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Dr. Frank P. Fechner, MD
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Dr. Frank P. Fechner, MD
Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.4 | 103 Reviews
Answered on Nov 1, 2016
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3 people found this helpful
Dr. Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS
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Dr. Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
4.9 | 230 Reviews
Answered on Nov 1, 2016
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2 people found this helpful
Dr. Sam Naficy, MD, FACS
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Dr. Sam Naficy, MD, FACS
Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.7 | 280 Reviews
Answered on Mar 14, 2012
Answer
1 person found this helpful
Dr. Thomas Fiala, MD, FACS, FRCSC
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Dr. Thomas Fiala, MD, FACS, FRCSC
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
4.9 | 145 Reviews
Answered on Mar 6, 2011
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2 people found this helpful
Dr. Andrew Campbell, MD
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Dr. Andrew Campbell, MD
Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.8 | 105 Reviews
Answered on Nov 1, 2016
Answer
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2 people found this helpful
Dr. Otto Joseph Placik, MD
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Dr. Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
4.8 | 123 Reviews
Answered on Nov 1, 2016
Answer
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1 person found this helpful
Dr. Rod J. Rohrich, MD
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Dr. Rod J. Rohrich, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
4.8 | 288 Reviews
Answered on Nov 1, 2016
Answer
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3 people found this helpful
Dr. Roy Kim, MD
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Dr. Roy Kim, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
4.7 | 23 Reviews
Answered on Jan 13, 2011
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Dr. Stephen Prendiville, MD
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Dr. Stephen Prendiville, MD
Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.8 | 161 Reviews
Answered on Nov 1, 2016
Answer
Dr. Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA
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Dr. Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
4.7 | 53 Reviews
Answered on Jan 11, 2011
Answer

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Greg Chernoff, MD

Thank you for your question. Every patient is so different. What you describe is not uncommon. Total healing can take a year or more. Follow-up regularly with your surgeon. They want a great result as well.

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In 35 years of facial plastic surgery, I have never seen this. Without a photo I would be guessing as to the problem and solution. See an experienced facial surgeon for the answer.

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Lewis Albert Andres, MD

Hello! Thank you for your question! Numbness after any surgical procedure is expected for several weeks to months following. As the nerves to the area are traumatized and will then experience a temporary neuropraxia, a transient loss of nerve conduction. This usually resolves over the...

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David Shafer, MD, FACS

During a facelift, the skin and soft tissues are elevated and the underlying tissue is repositioned to achieve a more youthful position.  With many facelifts, liposuction of the neck and jowls is performed and often the muscles are tightened.  In some patients, extra fat can be...

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Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS

At 5 weeks, you are back to normal activities, bruising is gone, and scars are beginning to fade, so facial spasms occurring now (similar to the one you noted at 5 days post-op) can make you feel like "something" might be wrong. You still have additional scar maturation that will take...

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Toby Mayer, MD

Rhinoplasty can shorten a long nose and make it more in balance with your face. It can make the eyes appear wider if you have a bump on your nose which can be removed. This may help give you confidence, but you might discuss this with a psychologist as well, before proceeding. You can always do...

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