Preparing for Facial Cosmetic Surgery

Choose A Surgeon You Can Trust

Facial plastic surgery involves many choices. The first and most important is selecting a surgeon you can trust.  Dr. Gael L. DeRouin is a well-accomplished physician with over 20 years of training and experience.  Dr. DeRouin is board certified in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and adheres to a strict code of ethics. This board certifications require that a physician complete an additional 5 years of specialized surgical training after medical school learning the complexities of head and neck anatomy and the art of facial plastic surgery.  Dr. DeRouin has performed hundreds of facial plastic surgeries and is one of the most experienced facelift surgeons in the state.

Surgical Options:

During your private, personalized consultation with us, we will help you decide if the cosmetic procedure you have been considering is right for you.   Options for facial plastic surgery include:

• Facelift /Necklift

• Brow Lift

• Eyelid Surgery

• Rhinoplasty 

• Hetter Peel

With the exception of Rhinoplasty,  our procedures are done in-office and do not require general anesthesia.  If a patient desires, accommodations can be arranged in an out-patient surgical center or hospital.

Your Consultation

During your consultation visit, “Before” pictures will be taken in our photo studio. You will meet with one of our cosmetic surgery experts in a relaxed, private setting to view the photos and discuss your concerns and expectations. Should you decide to pursue a surgical procedure, you will meet with our Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon. This will allow you the opportunity to ask any additional questions or address any new concerns. Dr. DeRouin will discuss with you the goals and expectations you have for your surgery.  He will evaluate your skin's elasticity, bone structure, wrinkles and folds, as well as your hairline, to better guide incision placement.

Pre-Operative Meeting

 Usually 1-2 weeks before your planned surgery date, you will meet with us again to review all the necessary information and documentation to ensure that you are well informed and prepared for your surgery.  This includes a review of the pre and post-operative instructions, surgical consents and medications.  We will require that you stop taking any medications which could increase the risk of bleeding such as aspirin, Motrin and blood thinners. Certain herbal remedies may also increase bleeding risk.  There are many over the counter, “all-natural” products such as vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) and gingko biloba which could increase bleeding risk and should be withheld before facial surgery.

We may also suggest adding supplements to your daily regimen in the days leading up to your surgery. Some vitamins and herbs (such as vitamin C, arnica and rutin)  may help minimize bruising and may speed recovery after a facelift.

Quitting smoking before your facelift is a must. We require patients to stop all nicotine products for 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after facial surgery. Smoking reduces blood flow to areas of the face. As a result, one in ten smokers will experience skin death (necrosis) at the incision sites if they continue to smoke before and after surgery. Wounds may turn black, and the edges may start coming apart. Such wounds may require a skin graft, another surgery in which a patch of skin is surgically removed from one area of the body and transplanted to another area. Nicotine replacement products, such as patches,  gum or lozenges, are useful aids. But keep in mind that nicotine replacements cause some of the same problems with wound healing as cigarette smoking and should not be used immediately before or after facial surgery.

Day of Surgery

You will need to arrange for someone to drive you to and from the clinic on the day of your surgery. Generally you will be advised to have a light breakfast.  Once you arrive at the clinic, our staff will prepare you for your surgery and make you as comfortable and relaxed as possible.  Anti-anxiety medication is typically provided to improve your comfort level. 

Post-operative Course

Surgical patients are provided with an after-hours phone number to contact the surgeon directly should they have any questions or concerns. Most patients will have their first post-op visit with the surgeon the day after surgery. The surgeon will inspect the surgical wounds and complete your dressing change.  The schedule for additional follow-up visits is determined at that time.