Even the “simplest” surgical intervention requires a thorough preoperative evaluation. This is an indispensable requirement for any operation and a crucial step before embarking on a very rewarding but critical journey toward surgery.
This is especially true in facial aesthetic surgery, where results are scrutinized by everyone who sees us. There is simply no room for poor judgement. In order to achieve consistent, natural, and phenomenal results, patient expectations must be met and their motivations understood. This is where the “pre-op consultation” comes in. During this consultation, your surgeon examines the areas that you wish to improve, explores your motivations for surgery, and explains the alternatives that will match your expectations.
Another important part of this consultation is to discuss the type of anesthesia that best suits the procedure and whether it is best to perform it as an outpatient surgery or to do it in-hospital. Most facial and oculoplastic surgical procedures are done under local anesthesia with mild sedation, as outpatient procedures. However, some patients may prefer deeper sedation and in-hospital care for the first 24 hours after the surgery.
Preoperative evaluations are essential to choose the right procedure for the right patient. Not all patients benefit from the same operation and some patients may benefit from an operation that they are not fit for. This last point requires explaining. You may want to have a facelift to restore a youthful jawline and correct saggy cheeks, but this procedure may not be for you. Perhaps what you need are facial fillers and a cheek lift! This is what your surgeon has trained for: showing you the best alternative to address your concerns, based on expertise and experience. On the other hand, you may not be a good candidate for the surgery that you need. It would be a bad idea to perform a facelift on a patient who has chronic heart disease, a long history of heavy smoking and poor eating habits. This is why we ask for a preoperative evaluation by an internal medicine specialist for all patients with certain risk factors. The right procedure on a healthy patient always achieves the best results!
More than “just a touch up”
Surgery is more than just a “touch up”, it is serious business. Facial plastic surgeons train for over a decade to master the art of aesthetic surgery. Aesthetic surgery is also a challenge for the patient. It tests the healing capacities of the organism and the psychological balance of the person undergoing the procedure. A long aesthetic or reconstructive surgical procedure can decompensate a chronic disease like diabetes or heart failure. During the preoperative assessment, your doctor can foresee any possible adverse effects of the surgery or non-invasive aesthetic procedure and take the necessary precautions to prevent them. A complete medical history and physical examination are fundamental components of your first encounter with your surgeon.
Photographic documentation
An important part of the preoperative consultation is to take photographs of the area to be treated. These photographs are helpful when it comes to analyzing subtle facial features and asymmetry. They are also essential to objectively document the final result. Photographs can also serve as a reference point for the surgeon to prepare for the operation.
State-of-the art surgery: What you will learn during your assessment
Aesthetic surgical procedures have come a long way in the last two decades. The surgical arts have adapted to an ever-growing technological revolution in medicine. At ArteFacial we use state-of-the-art technology to achieve consistent and long-lasting results. One of these technologies is endoscopic surgery. Endoscopic equipment may be used to achieve excellent results through very small skin incisions. This eliminates the probability of visible scars and allows us to perform safe and effective surgery.
Another leap in facial plastic surgery in the 21st century is monitored anesthesia care o MAC. This is a type of anesthesia that obviates the need for general anesthesia with intubation. MAC is used for operations such as brow lifts, cheek implants, and facelifts. It provides a number of benefits, such as increased safety, less pain and a faster recovery. In some cases, such as upper eyelid lift, we can do the procedures without sedation, using only local anesthesia.
Most of our surgeries are outpatient procedures. This means that you can go home the same day of surgery, without requiring hospitalization.
We invite you to contact us through our website or by telephone +506 2522-1000 and +506 2248-2305. It will be our pleasure to assist you.
If you have any questions or concerns, we will be here to help you.
|