I had a facelift 7 months ago, I was aware of my gland problem then but it really does detract from m my result, would I need a GA to remove them? Is it even sensible to remove them? Can they be shaved? When I push them up, my neck moves so much more freely.
August 29, 2015
Answer: Another Option I agree with my colleague's comment wholeheartedly. Removal of submandibular glands at the time of facelift surgery is not done commonly as part of the procedure and sometimes facelifting can actually unmask glands that may be less visible with skin laxity and submandibular fat.An effective and safe option can be injection with Botox. This will shrink the gland and does not usually cause xerostomia, medical term for dry mouth, which is a real risk with removal of the glands. The Botox injections must be localized and done by a board certified Plastic Surgeon or Dermatologist with significant injection experience since this is an atypical indication.As a reminder, Botox injections are temporary so if happy you would have to repeat in the futureBest of luckDrG
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
August 29, 2015
Answer: Another Option I agree with my colleague's comment wholeheartedly. Removal of submandibular glands at the time of facelift surgery is not done commonly as part of the procedure and sometimes facelifting can actually unmask glands that may be less visible with skin laxity and submandibular fat.An effective and safe option can be injection with Botox. This will shrink the gland and does not usually cause xerostomia, medical term for dry mouth, which is a real risk with removal of the glands. The Botox injections must be localized and done by a board certified Plastic Surgeon or Dermatologist with significant injection experience since this is an atypical indication.As a reminder, Botox injections are temporary so if happy you would have to repeat in the futureBest of luckDrG
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
November 7, 2019
Answer: Prominent Submandibular Glands I have had several of my patients with this problem and also I have had numerous other patients from other physicians coming to my office for second opinion about this problem. These are the recommendations that I give to all patients.1. Glands can be removed partially, but it comes with a risk of fluid collections, hematoma (blood collections) and/or damage to the marginal branch of the facial nerve (problems moving the mouth). I have done several partial resections with success, but I discourage this approach as I consider that the risks are too high for very little to gain.2. Botox injections can be used into the gland. The gland will shrink in size, but it will need serial injections every 6 months in order to maintain the smaller size. You will still be able to see the gland, but the size will be less. How much smaller varies from person to person.3. Do nothing. Accept the gland as what it is. This is the most common recommendation that I give to my patients even before the facelift surgery when I see that they might have this problem at the end. The majority of the patients that I see opt for this alternative. The ones that use Botox are happy with the results that Botox give, but after 1-2 years around 75% of patients stop using Botox and accept the prominent gland.Hope this helps,Dr. Gus Diaz
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
November 7, 2019
Answer: Prominent Submandibular Glands I have had several of my patients with this problem and also I have had numerous other patients from other physicians coming to my office for second opinion about this problem. These are the recommendations that I give to all patients.1. Glands can be removed partially, but it comes with a risk of fluid collections, hematoma (blood collections) and/or damage to the marginal branch of the facial nerve (problems moving the mouth). I have done several partial resections with success, but I discourage this approach as I consider that the risks are too high for very little to gain.2. Botox injections can be used into the gland. The gland will shrink in size, but it will need serial injections every 6 months in order to maintain the smaller size. You will still be able to see the gland, but the size will be less. How much smaller varies from person to person.3. Do nothing. Accept the gland as what it is. This is the most common recommendation that I give to my patients even before the facelift surgery when I see that they might have this problem at the end. The majority of the patients that I see opt for this alternative. The ones that use Botox are happy with the results that Botox give, but after 1-2 years around 75% of patients stop using Botox and accept the prominent gland.Hope this helps,Dr. Gus Diaz
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
