Quick Recovery Facelift Technique Incorporates Local Anesthesia With Homeopathy, Minimal Incisions and Music to Speed Healing

VAIL, Colo., Jan. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Among the hot topics at this week's American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) Annual Winter Meeting at the Cascades Ski Resort is face lifting under local anesthesia - one of several new techniques which has been shown to speed recovery time.

Among those lecturing at the meeting is New York Facial Plastic Surgeon Andrew Jacono, M.D., F.A.C.S., whose quick recovery face lift procedure combines state-of-the art, minimal-incision face lifting techniques and homeopathic medicine performed under a local anesthetic for an easier recovery and natural-looking result.

Until recently, patients desiring a younger look have had to submit to a face lift procedure that required a two to three week recovery and a risk of visible scarring. "Today, a highly skilled facial plastic surgeon can perform a face lift without "tell tale" scars and by combining several techniques the patient can look exceptionally well in as quickly as two or three days," says Dr. Jacono.

Using Novocain-like drugs, Lidocaine and Marcaine, to numb the face with several painless injections from a tiny needle that spreads the medicine slowly to avoid even the slightest discomfort, Dr. Jacono performs a quick recovery procedure while the patient is awake and alert, yet totally comfortable. "General anesthetic drugs cause major physiologic changes that cause bruising and swelling and without them, the recovery is significantly and even amazingly faster," says Dr. Jacono. Additionally, general anesthesia can induce vomiting which can lead to further trauma and torn sutures for some patients.

To further reduce healing time, Dr. Jacono performs a short scar incision facelift, wherein the incisions are 1/4 the size of traditional face lift incisions and are hidden in the natural curves of the ear. "Through this more limited incision, the skin is lifted and muscles are tightened under the skin using a less traumatic technique, suspending it with sutures, which generates less bruising," says Dr. Jacono. The total procedure takes one to two hours, depending upon the degree of facial drooping and if the neck is sagging as well.

Short scar incision facelifts heal faster and eliminate the visible facelift scars which include a large, white line in front of the ear, scarring on the neck below the ear and loss of sideburn hair - the latter can render the patient a hairdressing cripple.

To further speed recovery time, Dr Jacono incorporates homeopathic remedies into his regimen, starting patients on Arnica Montana (an herb) and Bromelaine (an enzyme from Pineapple root) three days before surgery. Other vitamins and natural supplements which are essential to healing are also recommended for his patients.

To ease the stress and fear some patients may have about being awake during surgery, Dr. Jacono also incorporates Music Therapy. "Studies indicate that the use of music helps lower patient's blood pressure during surgery, which limits bleeding, and therefore minimizes bruising," says Dr. Jacono who references a March 2006 article in the Journal of Advanced Nursing. Lavender aromatherapy is also being introduced prior to surgery to help promote relaxation.

ANDREW JACONO M.D., F.A.C.S. is a Dual Board Certified, Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon and Assistant Clinical Professor, Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. With surgical privileges at six New York area hospitals, an extensive background in Head and Neck Surgery with a subspecialty training in Facial Plastic Surgery, Dr. Jacono is recognized amongst his peers for his innovative surgical techniques and skills. His clinical research has been presented at several national meetings and symposiums and he has authored numerous manuscripts and published articles in leading medical journals on a variety of surgical techniques, including minimally invasive endoscopic facial plastic surgery which has become one of the specialties at his thriving practice.

Dr. Jacono is the author of FACE THE FACTS: The Truth About Plastic Surgery Procedures That Do and Don't Work. Available on Amazon.com and at Barnes & Noble, FACE THE FACTS retails for $15.95 with ten percent of the proceeds going to "FACE TO FACE," a national project offering pro bono consultation and reconstructive surgery to victims of domestic violence. Dr. Jacono has been highly recognized for his work with this and other charitable organizations. To learn more about Dr. Jacono and his practice, visit http://www.newyorkfacialplasticsurgery.com/.