Facial reconstructive surgery repairs or rebuilds parts of the face. Injuries, cancer surgery, or birth conditions can change the face and skin. They may not move naturally or may be uncomfortable. The goal of reconstructive surgery is to help your face look, feel, and move more naturally.

Procedures may include:

• Nerve and muscle reconstruction: Brings nerves and muscles back together to help the face move better.
• Scar revision: Loosens tight skin and helps scars from an injury or prior surgery look better.
• Post-cancer reconstruction: Rebuilds facial features following head or neck cancer treatment.
• Skin grafts: Moves healthy skin from another part of your body to repair wounds or cover scars.
• Tissue transfer: Moves muscle, skin, or bone from one part of the body to another. This tissue can help rebuild missing or damaged parts of the face.

Many facial surgeries use the latest tools to improve healing and comfort.

• Microsurgery means your surgeon uses a microscope and very fine instruments. These help them reconnect tiny blood vessels and nerves. This can help restore movement and feeling.
• Minimally invasive methods use small openings instead of large cuts. This helps reduce scarring, pain, and recovery time.
• Endoscopic tools are thin cameras and instruments. They let your surgeon see inside the body and operate through tiny openings.

These techniques help protect healthy tissue and improve both the look and function. These can shorten recovery time, reduce pain, and improve results.

You may be a good candidate for facial reconstructive surgery if you’re recovering from:

• Facial trauma: Injuries from accidents or broken bones that affect your face shape or movement
• Cancer surgery or radiation: Changes caused by head or neck tumor treatments
• Congenital conditions: Birth differences such as cleft lip, palate, or facial deformities

Your surgeon will explain your options based on your needs, goals, and overall health.

Your surgeon will tailor a surgery plan to your specific issues. They’ll aim to restore facial balance, function, and give you a more natural look.

Before surgery

First, you’ll meet with your ENT and reconstructive surgeon. Together, they’ll review your health history, goals, and hopes for the surgery. They may have you do more imaging tests to help them plan your procedure. 

Your care team will give you clear instructions about taking your medicines and how to prepare.

During surgery

Your care team will help you feel calm and comfortable before surgery begins. You’ll receive anesthesia so you sleep through the procedure and feel no pain. The length of surgery depends on your needs and the type of procedures they’ll be doing.

While you’re asleep, your surgeon carefully repairs or rebuilds the damaged parts of your face. You’ll be closely monitored to keep you safe. After surgery, you’ll wake up in a recovery room. The care team will check your comfort levels and monitor your healing.

After surgery

You may stay in the hospital overnight, depending on how complex or long your procedure is. Swelling and bruising are normal and improve over time. 

Before you go home, your team will tell you how to care for your wounds and guide you through a healing plan. They’ll schedule follow-up visits and rehabilitation, if needed. Most people who get reconstructive surgery see the look and movement of their face improve steadily as swelling goes down.