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For the ability to smile and convey emotion
Overview
The Smile Surgery program at the NorthShore Plastic Surgery Center is led by Drs. Mark Sisco and Jeremy Warner. The program delivers state-of-the-art surgical care for smile restoration and facial reanimation to patients with facial paralysis. Dr. Warner, fellowship trained in facial plastic surgery, has extensive experience in dynamic facial reanimation surgery, facial reconstruction and treatment of patients with congenital and acquired facial nerve disorders. Dr. Sisco, fellowship trained in microsurgery, has extensive expertise in complex reconstruction and complex tissue transfer surgery. Combining these two areas of highly specialized training has allowed the creation of this unique and comprehensive facial reanimation program.
Using this team approach, Drs. Sisco and Warner have successfully restored the ability to smile and convey emotion to patients, changing their lives forever.
Smile Restoration/Facial Reanimation Surgery
As part of the comprehensive care plan at the NorthShore Program for Advanced Facial Plastic Surgery, each potential patient must be screened and examined carefully to make sure that he or she is a good candidate for surgery. Careful analysis of more than just the loss of the ability to smile will be addressed, as many patients will also have other issues, such as eyebrow droop and lip incompetence. The goal of smile surgery is to recreate the dynamic ability to raise the corner of the mouth and smile in a natural way. New techniques in facial reanimation surgery allow the smile to be restored in a single operation, instead of the traditional two-stage surgery. A single-stage surgery can take 8-10 hours and will require a 2-3 day hospital stay. Upon discharge from the hospital, patients will be closely followed by our doctors for the first week, to remove any drains or sutures placed at the time of surgery. Following that, patients may return home to await functioning of the nerves and muscle. It can take a few months for the nerves to heal and begin working, but once it shows signs of “taking,” the process of training the muscle will begin, using a home therapy program.
Patients who are not candidates for a single-stage procedure may be candidates for the two-stage procedure. The best way to explore your options is to set up a consultation for an evaluation and a detailed treatment plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is a candidate for dynamic facial reanimation?
Good candidates generally have permanent total or nearly total facial paralysis on the affected side. Patients with partial paralysis may be suitable for other types of procedures.
How long does the procedure take? How long will I be in the hospital?
The procedure takes 6-10 hours to perform. Patients typically stay in the hospital 3 nights.
How long is recovery from the surgery?
After being discharged from the hospital, you can expect 3-4 weeks of facial swelling. Soreness in the leg generally resolves within 1-2 weeks.
How long does the surgery take to work?
You will usually begin to see movement 4-6 months after the surgery. With practice, you should continue to improve for 1-2 years.
I do not live in Chicago. Do you take care of patients from out of state?
We routinely take care of patients from all corners of the United States. If you contact us, we will set up an initial screening via email or phone to determine whether you are a candidate for surgery.