The apple muscle augmentation surgery with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene is a plastic surgery method that improves the depression in the middle part of the face and enhances the fullness of the facial contour by implanting expanded polytetrafluoroethylene materials. The apple muscle plays an important role in facial aesthetics, and its fullness directly affects the youthfulness and affinity of the face. Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene has good biocompatibility and stability and is one of the common facial filling implant materials. This article will introduce in detail the surgical procedure, indications, postoperative care and possible complications of the apple muscle augmentation with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.
1. Overview of Expanded Materials
Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) is a porous, inert material with good tissue compatibility. Its porous structure facilitates tissue ingrowth, making the implanted material more stable and less prone to displacement or rejection. Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene has been widely used in plastic surgery, cardiovascular surgery and other fields in medicine.
Unlike soft fillers such as hyaluronic acid and fat transplantation, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene can provide a more solid and lasting support effect, and is suitable for areas that require stable shaping, such as the nose, chin and apple cheeks.
2. Surgical Indications and Contraindications
Suitable groups include:
① Those with a flat middle face and lack of three-dimensional sense;
② Those with sunken apple cheeks caused by fat loss;
③ Those who wish to improve their smile curves and facial contours;
④. Those who refuse to frequently inject fillers and prefer one-time and lasting improvement.
Taboo groups include:
① Those with a history of severe allergies or allergies to expanded materials;
② Those with active facial infection or inflammation;
③ Those with coagulation disorders and uncontrolled diabetes;
④. Pregnant or lactating women;
⑤. Those who have unrealistic expectations and unstable mental state.
3. Preoperative Preparation
1. Preoperative evaluation and design:
Before the operation, an experienced plastic surgeon needs to conduct a facial assessment, including soft tissue thickness, bone structure, left-right symmetry, etc. The doctor will develop a personalized apple muscle implant plan based on the patient's facial features and overall facial contour, and determine the shape and size of the implanted expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.
2. Preoperative examination:
Including basic examinations such as blood routine, coagulation function, electrocardiogram, etc. to ensure the safety of the operation.
3. Informed consent and preoperative photography:
The doctor should explain the surgical process, risks and postoperative recovery in detail, and sign an informed consent form, and take standardized preoperative facial photos for record.
4. Surgical Procedure
1. Anesthesia method:
Generally, local anesthesia combined with intravenous sedation is used. Some patients can choose general anesthesia. The choice of anesthesia should be determined based on the patient's condition and the difficulty of the operation.
2. Incision design:
The incisions are mostly located on the inner side of the oral mucosa, which is highly concealed and will not leave scars on the face.
3. Tunnel stripping:
Through an oral incision, the doctor uses special instruments to create a suitable space for implantation in the zygomatic arch and apple muscle area. The peeling layer must be precisely controlled to avoid damaging the nerve and vascular structures.
4. Expanded body carving and implantation:
According to the preoperative design, the doctor will carve the expanded material into a shape that suits the facial structure and then implant it. During the implantation process, it is necessary to ensure that the material fits well, is symmetrical, and prevents it from tilting or shifting.
5. Fixing materials:
Sometimes the expanded material needs to be fixed to the soft tissue or periosteum by suturing to prevent postoperative displacement.
6. Incision suture and pressure bandage:
After the operation, the oral incision was sutured and appropriate pressure bandage was applied to reduce bleeding and swelling.
5. Postoperative care points
1. Diet and oral hygiene:
You should eat liquid or soft food within one week after the operation, keep your mouth clean, and rinse your mouth with a non-irritating mouthwash after each meal to prevent infection.
2. Avoid excessive expressions:
Exaggerated expressions and vigorous chewing movements should be avoided within 1-2 weeks after surgery to reduce the risk of implant material displacement.
3. Use of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs:
Take antibiotics as directed by your doctor to prevent infection and use anti-edema medication to reduce postoperative swelling.
4. Recovery period management:
The swelling period is usually 3-5 days after surgery. Most patients return to their natural state within 1-2 weeks after surgery , but full recovery takes 4-6 weeks. During this period, strenuous exercise and facial compression should be avoided.
6. Possible complications
Although the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene implant surgery is relatively mature, there are still risks, and you need to fully communicate and understand with your doctor before the operation.
1. Infection:
Since the surgical incision is made in the oral cavity, which has a complex oral flora, you must pay close attention to cleanliness after surgery to prevent infection.
2. Displacement or asymmetry:
Inaccurate implantation level or loose fixation may cause left-right asymmetry or material displacement.
3. Material exposure or foreign body sensation:
If the soft tissue coverage is inadequate, it may lead to external swelling exposure or long-term foreign body sensation.
4. Nerve damage:
Excessively deep peeling may affect the facial sensory nerves, causing temporary or persistent numbness.
VII. Evaluation of surgical results
Generally, the surgical results are preliminarily evaluated one month after the operation. Ideally, the apple muscles should be full and natural, coordinated with the facial contour. After surgery, the contour should be symmetrical on both sides, and facial expressions and movements should be natural and unrestrained. If the results are not ideal, repair surgery can be considered within 6 months to 1 year after the operation.
Beauty Encyclopedia Tips:
Although the apple cheek augmentation surgery with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene has significant effects in shaping the appearance, it needs to be performed by a professional plastic surgeon in a regular medical institution. A full facial consultation and evaluation should be conducted before the operation, and excessive filling should not be pursued blindly to avoid affecting the natural face. After the operation, follow the doctor's instructions for care and maintain good living habits to help recovery and maintain the effectiveness of the surgery. If there are abnormal conditions such as persistent swelling, infection, fever, etc., you should return for a follow-up visit in time and look at plastic surgery scientifically and rationally to obtain ideal and safe facial improvement results.