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Many patients visit a plastic surgeon to request improvement of the jawline.
While a number of factors may contribute to problems in this area, fat
accumulation that occurs beneath the chin (the "double chin") is often
a major culprit. Significant improvement in a patient's profile can be
achieved by removing this fat.
Liposhaving is a relatively new approach to removing the fat beneath the
chin. Using the liposhaver - a new instrument designed specifically by plastic
surgeons for use in the face - fat is precisely removed under direct vision
through a small incision. Dr. Becker is a co-inventor of the liposhaver. The
liposhaver is most useful for removing the fat that causes the double chin.
The liposhaving technique has been used by facial plastic surgeons across the
United States for over four years. This makes it a relatively new technique.
Dr. Ted Cook, a professor at the Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland,
says the liposhaver has "worked out beautifully for more than 300
liposhaving patients." (Cosmetic Surgery Times, April 1998) Liposuction is
still the more commonly used approach for removing fat from the face. However,
as more physicians see the benefits it can offer over liposuction, it is
believed that the use of this technique will continue to grow.
Liposhaving is performed under local anesthesia or
under local anesthesia plus sedation. The exceptions are the patients who undergo this
procedure in conjunction with some other, larger procedure, such as a facelift
or rhinoplasty. After the operation a dressing and elastic bandage are typically
applied, to remain in place for a few days.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If you have a question that is
not answered
here, you can contact Dr. Becker at beckermailbox@aol.com
PATIENT
INSTRUCTIONS AFTER LIPOSHAVING
The following instructions apply to patients who have
undergone liposhaving. Since no
two patients are ever exactly alike in their surgical needs, type of surgery performed or
rate of healing, we may elect to individualize the following guidelines for each patient. In
such instances we will so instruct you. Otherwise, we urge you to follow the advice below
very carefully, in order to accelerate your healing and maximize your surgical outcome.
- Use common sense in the first 14 days after surgery in restricting your normal activities,
exercise regimens and any activity requiring lifting/straining.
- You may be up and around the day after surgery, but some natural fatigue may persist
for 2-3 days due to the normal effects of the anesthesia and surgical procedure.
- You may eat a normal diet the day after surgery. In moderation, talking and smiling are
perfectly okay.
- We will place a wraparound bandage applying firm support to the area beneath your
chin after surgery. We will see you the day after surgery at which time we will remove the
bandage and replace it with a smaller removable one. You will need to wear this bandage
for another full day, and then only at night for 3 days thereafter.
- Your head should be elevated on at least two pillows during sleep for the first 14 days,
in order to keep your head higher than your heart to help facilitate the resolution of
swelling. Do not sleep face down, rather on your back or side.
- DO NOT TAKE ANY ASPIRIN OR ANY ASPIRIN CONTAINING MEDICINES
for 14 days, and then only on the advice of your personal physician. Other routine
medications may be taken as needed.
- Any unexplained development of pain, facial swelling or fever should be reported to us
immediately.
- Some swelling and bruising are normally present after liposhaving, but the degree of
each varies widely from patient to patient. Do not be concerned if you have more or less
than others who have undergone the "same" operation. Generally, most patients appear
quite sociably acceptable within 7 days after surgery.
- You may gently cleanse the incision lines twice daily with 50% hydrogen peroxide and
cotton (or Q-tips). Apply the ointment provided sparingly twice daily to the incision lines
to avoid excessive crusting of the incisions and to accelerate reduction of incision redness.
Do not apply any other ointment or medication unless we prescribe it.
- You may gently shampoo your hair 24 hours after surgery.
- It is acceptable to do some light walking 72 hours after surgery. Jogging and light
non-contact exercises should not be resumed until 3 weeks, and strenuous sports require 6
weeks of healing before being safely resumed.
- Excessive exposure to sun (including sun-tanning parlors) in the first 3 weeks after
surgery may result in prolonged facial swelling and injury to the forehead skin. In general,
you should always protect your skin with a strong sun-screen containing PABA (para-
aminobenzoic acid) in order to decrease the inevitable aging effects of the sun on your
skin.
- Finally, it is very important to your well-being that you follow completely all
instructions given to you by this office, and that we check your progress regularly
following surgery.
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