New Treatments to Ease Recovery Time After Plastic Surgery Available
Dr. Eugenie Brunner offers patients what amounts to a non-surgical facelift.

A new, natural medication and a new surgical technique are helping Eugenie Brunner, M.D., offer her patients a more “comfortable” recovery period after plastic and reconstructive surgery. “We’re able to finesse things after face lifts, significantly decreasing recovery time,” said Dr. Brunner. “It’s particularly effective with lower face lifts that take care of ‘jowling’ or excess skin under the chin.”

Called Arnica Montana, this perennial herb administered in the form of a pill, helps decrease bruising. “It has anti-inflammatory properties, which result in less bruising and a speedier recovery time,” according to Dr. Brunner.

Another new technique is being used right in the operating room, and also helps decrease bruising and swelling. “I’m using a new surgical tissue glue that often replaces sutures,” explained Dr. Brunner. “Because I don’t have to use drains with surgical tissue glue, there are minimal incisions made. Some people look just phenomenal in only 7 to 10 days – that’s about half the time.”

Dr. Brunner also noted that this technique works well with facial liposuction patients who see considerably less swelling, and less bruising time. “Patients reach the ‘yellow’ phase of bruising – pretty much the end – in a day or two. Of course, all of these things vary by individual, but overall recovery time is reduced.”

For those interested in non-surgical improvements to the face, Dr. Brunner also offers Thermage. Thermage works by contracting the collagen, as well as creating new collagen to smooth wrinkles and tighten skin. Using radiofrequency, collagen gets a needed boost, offering the patient what amounts to a non-surgical facelift. This is a popular treatment among men, as it is generally one treatment, requires no incisions and no recovery time.

“I also use Restylane, which is an injectable that does wonders in filling out ‘marionette lines’ and other stubborn areas,” she said. Dr. Brunner encourages women and men who are looking to “rejuvenate” their faces to explore the many options she offers. “Advances in non-surgical techniques, in minimizing bruising and in speeding recovery are making facial rejuvenation attractive to both men and women,” she noted.

Article from Princeton's Business and Entertainment Journal, February 9, 2005.