| Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 12 Member | OP Member Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 12 | I was wondering if any woman who has had a neck dissection and/or radiation to her neck has had any plastic surgery to her face or has been advised about whether to do so or not by her doctor. I was thinking I might want to get a mini lift and called my surgeon. His nurse spoke with him and said that he thought it would be a bad idea, specifically because of the radiation, that it would be actually "hazardous." So I was curious if anyone had this experience or advice. | | | | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 790 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 790 | I don't think so...I had "scar revision surgery" to get rid of the trach scar and even up my neck which was a modified face lift. They evened up my neck which was very distored after neck full glossectomy dissection and radiation. My Dr. was a professor at UCSF who did everything (facelifts nosejobs etc) but specialized in helping cancer patients. Like people who have lost a lip part of thier face etc to cancer. There are plastic surgeon who have experience working with head and neck cancer patients. I had radiaiton from the top of my ears all the way down to my clavical. I think you
Tongue Cancer T2 N0 M0 / Total Glossectomy Due to Location of Tumor
Finished all treatments May 25 2007 Surviving!!!
| | | | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 790 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 790 | i think you just need to find someone who has experience working w cancer patients
Tongue Cancer T2 N0 M0 / Total Glossectomy Due to Location of Tumor
Finished all treatments May 25 2007 Surviving!!!
| | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | My RO told me that if I planned to have some work done to my neck to get rid of my remaining turkey chin that I need to get someone who is very familiar with radiation damaged skin, otherwise leave it alone. Even with an experienced doc as I mentioned above he's still not keen on it. Radiation damages (weakens) the blood vessels and it makes healing more difficult.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | I'm also contemplating seeing about a minor face lift. The surgeon who did my total laryngectomy and second neck dissection on my radiated skin has given me a name of another plastic surgeon in the HUP system that has experience doing surgery on people who have had radiation. If I ever get around to making the appointment, I'll let you know what he says. I'm curious as to what you find out.
Take care, Eileen
---------------------- Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
| | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 701 Likes: 1 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 701 Likes: 1 | Eileen,
Who is the Plastic Surgeon at HUP?
Anita
Anita (68) CG to husband, Clark, 79, DX SCC 11/07, T4N0Mx, PEG 1/08, RAD, post rad infection 3/08, HBOT 40 dives, ORN, Surg 11/09 mandibulectomy w/fibular graft. Plastic Surg 4/10, 12/10, 3/11, 10/11, 4/12, 10/12. All PETS clear, PEG out 1/11. 6/11 non union jaw fracture Fractured jaw w/surgery 7/14 Aspiration pneumonia 7/21, 10/22 PEG 7/21 Botox injections
| | | | Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | Anita, It is Steve Goldstein at Pennsylvania Hospital at 8th and Spruce. I've not been to see him. Why do you ask?
Take care, Eileen
---------------------- Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
| | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 253 Gold Member (200+ posts) | Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 253 | If anyone gets more info on this topic, please share with the group. I'm also very interested in getting rid of my turkey neck. Sandy
Sandy 56, BOT SCC Biopsy 1/21/09 Stage 3, T3NXM0. Finished 3 cycle induction chemotherapy 4/7/09. (Chisplatin, 5-fu and Texotere). Re-staged 4/20/09,(very successful.) Will start Carboplatin/radiation 2 Gy/5 days/7 weeks (Tomotherapy) starting May 4th. Finished 6/22/09. OCF member/supporter
| | | | Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 507 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 507 | The topic of a face/neck lift came up at our last OC support group meeting. Dr Kevin Brummund a dedicated H&N Oncology Surgeon (and Professor) from the (NIH designated) UCSD Cancer Center was doing a Q&A with the support group.
Dr. Brummund said he didn't recommend any plastic surgery that wasn't absolutely necessary due to healing issues with radiated tissue.
The issue of Dry Mouth also came up and Dr. Brummund said they now recommend acupuncture for acute Dry Mounth and have acupuncturist on staff.
Don TXN2bM0 Stage IVa SCC-Occult Primary FNA 6/6/08-SCC in node<2cm PET/CT 6/19/08-SCC in 2nd node<1cm HiRes CT 6/21/08 Exploratory,Tonsillectomy(benign),Right SND 6/23/08 PEG 7/3/08-11/6/08 35 TomoTherapy 7/16/08-9/04/08 No Chemo Clear PET/CT 11/15/08, 5/15/09, 5/28/10, 7/8/11
| | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 701 Likes: 1 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 701 Likes: 1 | Eileen,
Just like to know who is at the top in their field in our area for this sort of thing.
Anita
Anita (68) CG to husband, Clark, 79, DX SCC 11/07, T4N0Mx, PEG 1/08, RAD, post rad infection 3/08, HBOT 40 dives, ORN, Surg 11/09 mandibulectomy w/fibular graft. Plastic Surg 4/10, 12/10, 3/11, 10/11, 4/12, 10/12. All PETS clear, PEG out 1/11. 6/11 non union jaw fracture Fractured jaw w/surgery 7/14 Aspiration pneumonia 7/21, 10/22 PEG 7/21 Botox injections
| | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | A friend of my wife is a respected Plastic Surgeon and she has been after him to "do me" for over a year. He told me about a month ago that he was just starting to do a new laser procedure that he thinks will be minimally invasive and may just be the best procedure for my radiated neck BUT he wanted to get more experience with it before he would make up his mind. Actually I will see him this pm at a party so I will ask him for an update if my brain will remember.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | It's called laser tight. Check out www.lasertight.com . I am by no way recommending this but as I said before a well respected local PS has said this MIGHT be suitable for me but he wants to get more experience with it before he will endorse it for me.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 12 Member | OP Member Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 12 | Who is your doctor at UCSF? I go up there frequently. | | | | Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 681 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 681 | I have discussed a face lift with the plastic surgeon who did my free flap reconstruction. He said that to even out my neck he could do it. I don't think I will "do it." It is not covered by medical insurance, I am 66 and it would have to be be redone in about 15 years, I am tired of surgeries and doctor appointments and would rather not spend the $3500 or so on my face. Besides, I feel that I have put my family through enough already. The almost 6 year old grandson told his mother that he is afraid that my head will fall off where I had my surgery. He should know that just dealing with grown-up life is enough to make you feel like your head is flying off!
SCC stage II Partial mandibulectomy w. neck dissection- July 2005. Renal cancer w. partial nephrectomy-Jan 2004. Breast cancer discovered in routine mammogram. Successful lumpectomy, sentinal nodes clear, RT only-2008 Reconstruction of mandible w fibula free flap-Jan 09. TORS removal of begnin pappiloma from esophagus-2010. Masectomy,rt breast 2013. Support OCF
| | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 404 Likes: 2 "OCF Down Under" Platinum Member (300+ posts) | "OCF Down Under" Platinum Member (300+ posts) Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 404 Likes: 2 | I have been to see 3 different reconstructive/cosmetic plastic surgeons recently. Since having my jaw bone removed and reconstructed there is no shape in my chin and I have lost some length in my face. I was wanting to get a chin implant/enhancement.
The answer was a definite NO from all 3 surgeons.
In my situation, it would not be possible because there is not enough skin around that area due to the damage from two neck dissections and radiotherapy, the skin has already been pulled and stretched to the max, not to mention all of the metal plates screwed in around the new jaw bone and the flap I have. That could also cause serious problems.
Because my chin no longer protrudes or has the same shape that it did, the areas below the sides of my mouth down to my jaw line (jowls) were all shrivelled up and wrinkled so I got some Juvederm injectable gel fillers, which I am very happy with. It has put some shape back into the lower part of my face and I will be getting some more into my chin area, which will help improve the shape a little.
I certainly understand that I will never have the same shaped face again, but this has helped.
Karen
46 yrs: Apr 07-SCC 80% entire tongue removed,T4N1M0 Neck/D,Jaw Split, Trache 2 ops,PEG 3.5yrs 30 x rad,6 x Cisplatin, 30 x HBO Apr'08- flap Recon + ORN Mandibulectomy (hip bone to reconstruct jaw) Oct'08 1 Plate out-jaw Mar'09 Debulk flap Sep'09/Jan&Nov'10/Feb&Jun'11/Jan&Jul'12/Oct'13/April'14-More surgery
| | | | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 716 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 716 | When I lost a ton of weight and dropped down to about 165 pounds I was horrified about my face at the age of 37 years old. I went from looking like I was 28 to 45 really quick, maybe older. After gaining about 20 pounds it gave me back years and I feel better. Having some healing issues after radiation I am not sure if I would take the risk of PS. We're all different but it has to be risky even being performed by the best hands in the business.
7-16-08 age 37@Dx, T3N0M0 SCC 4.778cm tumor, left side of oral tongue, non smoker, casual drinker, I am the 4th in my family to have H&N cancer 8-13-08 left neck dissection and 40% of tongue removed, submandibular salivary gland & 14 nodes clean, no chemo, IMRTx35 11-4-08 Recovering & feeling better | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 701 Likes: 1 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 701 Likes: 1 | Karen,
Clark received a similar opinion on filling in a large depression on his face just above his new jaw. The PS stated that radiation damage was too extensive, and the skin too tight. Injecting fat into his face was not a good idea either as it would probably break down into an oily mess and find its way out through a new fistula. Yikes!
I am happy that you are getting good results with the Juvederm.
Anita
Anita (68) CG to husband, Clark, 79, DX SCC 11/07, T4N0Mx, PEG 1/08, RAD, post rad infection 3/08, HBOT 40 dives, ORN, Surg 11/09 mandibulectomy w/fibular graft. Plastic Surg 4/10, 12/10, 3/11, 10/11, 4/12, 10/12. All PETS clear, PEG out 1/11. 6/11 non union jaw fracture Fractured jaw w/surgery 7/14 Aspiration pneumonia 7/21, 10/22 PEG 7/21 Botox injections
| | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 63 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | Supporting Member (50+ posts) Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 63 | This is all quite scary! I just had my first consultation with the PS and it never occurred to me to ask about my chin; I just assumed that this is what they do.
Pat - 62 yr. old -DX 8/29/09 SCC stage III floor of mouth Lower teeth& bone removed Port& Peg Cisplatin x3; Rad 35 - ended 12/21/09 Fox Chase 2nd opinion-mandibulectomy; tracheotomy; left neck dissection; jaw reconstruction 5/13/10; flap failed;new flap 7/13/10; lipo January 2011
| | | | Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 12 Member | OP Member Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 12 | I'm sorry. Can you give me the name of that UCSF plastic surgeon again? I cannot find your reply in these posts. And my email program does not save emails from six months ago.
Thanks so much. | | | | Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 12 Member | OP Member Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 12 | Please tell me the name of that Dr. at UCSF again, I can't find your private reply anymore. | | |
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