The Art of Facial Restoration
Have you ever considered getting a facelift? If you’ve had the thought, but never followed through with a consultation, why?
“In Manhattan, we find patients think a procedure that results in an obvious facelift is worse than no surgery at all,” says John E. Sherman, Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Cornell University Medical College and former Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at St. Barnabas Hospital in New York City.
According to Dr. Sherman, cosmetic surgery techniques have changed considerably over the past 30 years, so those conspicuous-looking facelifts that people fear can easily be avoided.
“The idea is restoration, not transformation,” Dr. Sherman emphasizes. The overt facelift results people have seen may have been performed by physicians who don’t appreciate this. As we age, our skin loses its elasticity--and it shows.
But what also happens is we lose subcutaneous fat in our faces. A talented surgeon accounts for this. “We want to restore facial volume as well,” Dr. Sherman continues. “A seasoned physician with aesthetic judgment can accomplish this.”
John E. Sherman certainly has the bona fides to weigh in. He’s one of the most experienced plastic surgeons in New York City and an inventor of surgical devices now in common use.
“The idea is restoration, not transformation,” Dr. Sherman emphasizes.
For some patients he recommends the short-scar technique in facelift. This technique greatly reduces the size of the post-procedure scar typically located in the hairline and the area behind the ear. The scar is now limited to the inside of the ear and the area behind the ear. As a result, there is less healing time after the facelift and the scar is better concealed. In fact, the scar is not even exposed when the patient’s hair is pulled back.
This and other developments mean that convalescence is roughly two to three weeks, after which a patient can return to his or her social calendar without the need to explain any discoloration or swelling to friends and work colleagues.
And, yes, we do include men now when we talk about facelifts.
Dr. Sherman has many male patients. The most common procedure they ask about is neck restoration. O neck lift. He notes that his male patients have more anxiety about friends knowing they’ve had a procedure done. “I am sensitive to this,” Dr. Sherman adds, “and these patients can be back to their regular life in less than two weeks.”
In the end, if you’re considering a facelift or similar procedure, a consultation may be in order. And picking a physician for that consultation can be daunting. Plastic surgery is as much art as science. Where to start?
With his over 35 years experience he notes experience, that the surgeon must be available to every patient. “Exploring plastic surgery is a deeply personal decision for my patients. I always remember that, and deliver personal care so they are comfortable before, during, and after their procedures.”
So, if you’re thinking about a cosmetic procedure, find an experienced, attentive medical artist like Dr. John Sherman, and have a conversation.
