Lower face/neck lift and SVT?

Question

Hello, I am 67, female, 5', 100lbs, very fit, healthy, eat healthily, exercise, dancer, do not drink or smoke, look younger than my age. I want to have a face lift of lower face/neck and wondering if having SVT is an issue. I typically have about 4 episodes per year. Thank you.

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Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Lucian Ion, FRCS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding facelift or facelift with neck lift surgery.

The abbreviation SVT can refer to either supraventricular tachycardia (a heart rhythm abnormality) or superficial venous thrombosis (a clot in a superficial vein). Based on your description of having four episodes per year, it is more likely that you are referring to supraventricular tachycardia.

In general, having a cardiology assessment is valuable in such cases. While patients who experience infrequent episodes of SVT are not always on regular medication, it may be advisable to have medication in place around the time of surgery to help prevent any cardiac events. Additionally, undergoing the procedure under local anaesthesia with intravenous sedation can be a safer approach in such cases, as it minimises cardiovascular stress compared to general anaesthesia.

Most importantly, the treatment protocol should be carefully coordinated between your cardiologist and your surgeon to ensure a robust plan is in place. This collaborative approach helps optimise safety and provides the best conditions for a smooth surgical experience.

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

As safety is the greatest priority with any surgery. It would be wise for you to contact your primary care physician and have them give you a cardiology referral so that your heart can be evaluated, an EKG and other testing done so that the anesthesiologist who would be attending your surgery would feel confident that you’re safe to have surgery. This would be shared with your plastic surgeon. Best wishes.

Michael P. Morrissette, DDS, FACS · Answer

Yes, having SVT can be an issue when having a procedure such as a face/necklift You will need clearance from your cardiologist. The procedure is sometimes performed with local anesthesia, however, both local anesthesia and tumescent anesthesia contain epinephrine which increases your heart rate. With intravenous anesthesia, you will want to have an anesthesiologist monitoring your anesthesia. This is an elective procedure, so the utmost caution is advised.

Chad K. Wheeler, MD · Answer

We would want cardiac clearance from your cardiologist but otherwise you should be fine to have a facelift in our fully Medicare certified surgery center.  We would keep you overnight in our center to monitor you which is a huge advantage of using such a high level accredited center

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

Although based on your history, you are most likely a good surgical candidate, it would be prudent to see a Cardiologist prior to surgery. Asymptomatic SVT is easily treatable, but a more complete workup is required. If you are symptomatic (chest pain, shortness of breath) related to your condition, perhaps surgery isn't the best option.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

You should have your cardiologist give you a letter of clearance to your facelift surgeon, and you may need a further work up to ensure that you can go through the surgery safely