Please tell me how I can tell in advance if my submandibular glands will show up after a facelift and alter the smooth jawline look that I seek. Is there any way I can predict before the facelift? Do all people have the same size glands and what makes some visible after a facelift? I do not want to have them surgically altered if they are prominant
August 17, 2017
Answer: Visible glands after facelift This question is tough to answer without examining you in person, but I love that you are doing your research! When examining you in person, a surgeon can manually lift or retract the tissues in a way to simulate the results one can expect with surgery. If they look unusually prominent, the exam may reveal this. I personally do not reduce the size of the glands during facelifts. Depending on how the facelift is designed (and again one would need to examine you to determine the best option for you), in most patients this is not an issue. There is a huge variety in how facelifts are performed, and the technique is critical to the results. Some techniques offer a more powerful lift and a more long-lasting lift. I would recommend seeing a board certified plastic surgeon for an evaluation and discussion of what would be best for you. For this type of surgery, it is also a good idea to potentially see more than one surgeon to get a sense of the different techniques and choose the one you feel comfortable with. The way I see it, trusting someone to do your facelift means you are forming a relationship with your surgeon, and you want to be confident the surgeon understands your goals, feels she/he can meet or exceed your expectations, and will be there for you throughout the process.
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August 17, 2017
Answer: Visible glands after facelift This question is tough to answer without examining you in person, but I love that you are doing your research! When examining you in person, a surgeon can manually lift or retract the tissues in a way to simulate the results one can expect with surgery. If they look unusually prominent, the exam may reveal this. I personally do not reduce the size of the glands during facelifts. Depending on how the facelift is designed (and again one would need to examine you to determine the best option for you), in most patients this is not an issue. There is a huge variety in how facelifts are performed, and the technique is critical to the results. Some techniques offer a more powerful lift and a more long-lasting lift. I would recommend seeing a board certified plastic surgeon for an evaluation and discussion of what would be best for you. For this type of surgery, it is also a good idea to potentially see more than one surgeon to get a sense of the different techniques and choose the one you feel comfortable with. The way I see it, trusting someone to do your facelift means you are forming a relationship with your surgeon, and you want to be confident the surgeon understands your goals, feels she/he can meet or exceed your expectations, and will be there for you throughout the process.
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August 17, 2017
Answer: A photograph would be a good place to start. They are suspended below the jaw line and hidden by soft tissue including fat and loose skin. Tightening the neck can make them more visible. Resecting or shaving the submandibular gland is a high risk procedure that in my opinion is only warranted in rare situations. Surgery on the submandibular gland can put the marginal mandibular nerve at risk and can result in very difficult to control blood loss. Often it is better to simply accept minor visibility of the gland's contour. Talk with your potential facelift surgeons regarding this concern.
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August 17, 2017
Answer: A photograph would be a good place to start. They are suspended below the jaw line and hidden by soft tissue including fat and loose skin. Tightening the neck can make them more visible. Resecting or shaving the submandibular gland is a high risk procedure that in my opinion is only warranted in rare situations. Surgery on the submandibular gland can put the marginal mandibular nerve at risk and can result in very difficult to control blood loss. Often it is better to simply accept minor visibility of the gland's contour. Talk with your potential facelift surgeons regarding this concern.
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