Is Combining Facial Surgical Procedures a Good Idea?

Think of facial rejuvenation as a home remodel. Installing granite countertops or custom wood cabinets can make the appliances look dated. Until they’re replaced, you probably won’t be completely satisfied with the overall results. For example, a patient thinking about eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) at my Scottsdale, AZ, practice can also benefit from a brow lift performed during the same operation. Simply put, when it comes to facial rejuvenation surgery—the big picture matters.

Combining facial plastic surgery procedures is a good idea when it makes sense. That may sound obvious, but the point is that I only recommend additional procedures when I can anticipate that a patient may regret not having a complementary procedure performed. To ensure patients feel confident about the choices they make, I help them distinguish between different types of facial aging.

Different Concerns, Different Solutions

Let’s say a patient who is considering facelift surgery comes into our Scottsdale practice for a consultation. What I’m looking for—and encourage my patients to observe—is whether the skin is sagging (dropping vertically) or if there is lost volume below the skin. That determines the appropriate treatment path. When there’s evidence of both occurring, which is often the case, it can make sense to combine procedures.

A facelift, brow lift, blepharoplasty, and other similar procedures can correct sagging or drooping skin. For patients concerned about lost volume, I recommend fat grafting to replace soft tissue or synthetic implants to create a more youthful appearance.

I also examine the skin’s texture and may suggest treatment to repair damage that is often caused by sun exposure. These procedures include chemical peels, laser skin rejuvenation, or any treatment to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin for smoother skin.

Benefits of Combining Procedures

If it appears that a patient may require more than one procedure to address his or her concerns, I may recommend performing the procedures in a single operation. The benefits of this approach include:

• Having to plan for only one recovery: Our patients lead busy lives and it can be difficult to take time off from work or other responsibilities. Scheduling time off more than once can pose a severe hardship.
• It’s more cost-efficient: Certain fees associated with surgery, such as for the operating room and anesthesia, are charged for each operation. Patients who combine procedures only pay those fees one time.
• Seeing comprehensive results: There is a psychological boost for patients who see the results of complete facial rejuvenation, instead of being distracted by the issues that still need to be addressed.

It’s important to know that I consider patient safety as the top priority and I wouldn’t recommend combining procedures if I believe someone isn’t healthy enough to undergo a lengthier operation.

If you feel like you’re a candidate for facial plastic surgery and want to discuss your options, you can contact us using the online form to request a consultation or call us at (480) 214-9955 to schedule an appointment.