Plastic Surgery After Facial Trauma: What to Expect

Many people see plastic surgery as an avenue for aesthetic beauty and self-confidence. However, plenty of people seek out plastic surgery to heal from trauma or defects. If your facial structure and appearance have been damaged during an accident or attack, it can be equally damaging to your self-esteem and mental health. Here’s how plastic surgery can help, and what to expect from the procedure and recovery. 

SLENT, or South Louisiana Ear, Nose, Throat & Facial Plastics, has locations in Mandeville, Hammond, and Slidell, Louisiana. Our experienced cosmetics team can perform a number of different plastic surgery procedures to restore your look.

Facial trauma and reconstructive surgery

There are many reasons that someone may experience facial trauma. Cancer and other illnesses, traumatic attacks or assaults, car accidents and other unfortunate events, and even genetic malformations can all lead to facial disfigurements. 

In these cases, plastic surgery is more than just a confidence-boost. Facial reconstructive surgery can help people regain control over their lives, heal from what happened, and improve facial functions like talking, smiling, chewing, and even blinking. 

There are also reconstructive surgeries that can help people with minor disfigurements such as deviated septums and cleft lips/palates. These are common birth defects that can be fixed using plastic surgery. 

Types of procedures

No two facial reconstructions are the same. Most post-traumatic facial reconstructions involve repairing the soft tissue of the face using delicate stitches and plastic surgery techniques. Our team may use a combination of different surgical procedures to treat facial trauma, including: 

• A nose job (rhinoplasty)
• Pinning the ears (otoplasty)
• Eye lifts (blepharoplasty)
• Hair restoration 
• Brow lifts 
• Facelifts 
• Chin and cheek implants 

Consulting with our surgeons is an important first step of your facial reconstruction. They can help explain the processes involved, make recommendations, and set realistic expectations. 

What to expect

Like any facial surgery, you can expect certain things during your procedure and recovery. The surgery will be done under anesthesia, and many people are able to go home the same day their procedure is performed. 

During your recovery, you can expect: 

• Mild to moderate pain
• Swelling and bruising 
• Drainage
• Numbness

You can alleviate these side effects by taking the medicine your doctor prescribes and sleeping with your head elevated. You can also use cool packs to reduce the swelling and pain. In the following visits to your surgeon, they will monitor your healing, check the incisions, and remove drainage tubes and stitches. 

If you’ve suffered from an illness, accident, or attack, plastic surgery can help you restore function, improve your appearance, and return to your life with confidence. To consult with the team at SLENT, call the location closest to you, or visit the contact page for more information.