What have you done to your face? 8 things you need to tell your plastic surgeon about. (and maybe don’t do)

When you do things to your face, they can change your tissue.  When looking at plastic surgery, it is important for your surgeon to know what you have done before. Things like prior lasers and peels can thin your skin. Things like Ulthera and Thermi can thin the subcutaneous fat.  Things like Sculptra can lower fat grafting survival. So here is a checklist:

1. PRODUCTS.
   1. These would be doctor / prescription level products:  Retin A, Hydroquinone, etc.
2. Do you have issues with bad scarring or pigmentation?
3. BOTOX. Again, where? how often?
4. FILLERS.
   1. What volume in your face is you? Have you had HA fillers like Juvederm, Voluma, Restylane, Restylane Lyft, Defyne? How often? Where in the face? How many syringes? When was your last treatment?
   2. Have you had a different kind of filler like Sculptra? Radiesse? Other?
5. PEELS.
   1. There are different levels of peels. Was it done by a MD? How many days did it take to peel? Did you have more than one done? Glycolic, Salicylic, TCA, Blue Peel, Croton Oil, Phenol.
6. LASERS:
   1. Again, there are all kinds of lasers. Some remove pigment, others redness, others resurface the skin. Fraxel, Thermage, IPL, Ruby laser, CO2, Herbium.  As above for peels, if you needed time to heal, how long? How many treatments did you have?
7. ULTHERA & THERMI:
   1. These can affect the volume and thickness of the subcutaneous fat. When was it done?
8. Have you had minimally invasive procedures like Kybella? Coolsculpt? Liposuction? Buccal Fat removal?

I would also add a general question of : Are you a smoker? (and yes, this includes pot or vaping). This can affect your healing of any of the above.

Before doing any kind of bigger procedure, it is important for your surgeon to know what you have done before. Do you have scarring, tissue changes, or volume which isn’t truly you. You don’t want your surgeon to recommend a procedure which may not work or get a complication because you did not share information with them. All of the above treatments are treatments. Include those in your discussion.

The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider for any questions regarding your health or medical condition.