LAM FACIAL PLASTICS

Dear Dr Lam,

I've gone through this forum and read all the Accutane-related posts but would still be grateful for your opinion given my individual scenario.

I first went on Accutane in 2001 at 40mg/day for 6 months, during which time I actually had liposuction and the little incisions (where the cannula was inserted) left tiny slightly-raised scars, which are arguably negligible unless pointed out.

I went back on Accutane again in 2004 after a major breakout and have been on and off it since then, but never more than 20mg/day n never longer than 3 months at any one length. The last time I was on Accutane was 5 mths from April till August this year at 10mg every alternate day.

Thing is, I am planning to have open upper blepharaoplasty, ptosis repair, open rhinoplasty and a chin implant done. My PS says it's ok to have all the procedures done this December (which would have been 3 mths since stopping Accutane) since I was on an extremely low Accutane dosage. What do you think? Or should I wait till at least 6 months have passed?

When your skin starts getting oily again post Accutane, is that a sign that your system is already rid of Accutane and your sebaceous glands are back to full order?

I've also read that taking milk thistle, dandelion root and acidophilus supplements help the sebaceous gland/ liver recovery n detoxification process - is there any truth to that?

Sorry for all the questions! I'd be really really grateful for your advice! Thanks a million Dr Lam.

Best regards,
Maggie

Maggie,
a few things:
1. I want to be appropriate since you have a PS taking care of you. I don't think it is right for me to tell him he is right or wrong.
2. I am not good with knowing all the dosages with Accutane. I am sure you will be okay. I tend to be REALLY conservative so I may not be the best person to ask.
3. As far as all the meds you mentioned, I really have no clue.
Sorry for the gaps in my knowledge.
Best,
SML

Thanks for your response Dr Lam.

I know you mentioned you tend to be more conservative, just out of curiosity, how long would you wait in my case?

Sorry if I'm repeating myself but I wasn't sure exactly what your answer was on this - whether or not the skin getting oily again is a sign of the Accutane leaving the body system?

I really appreciate your advice. Thanks again!

Maggie

With accutane in general, I usually wait a year before incisional surgery and a year and a half before resurfacing. but that is generally what i do.

Great, thanks alot!
I think I will feel more comfortable waiting a year as well, given scarring on my face would be really unforgivable.

not to confuse you more, you know that i almost never do an isolated upper bleph and never do browlifts (never say never) anymore. i truly think cutting the upper eyelid alone without supporting the area with fat (and heaven forbid removing fat from the upper eyelid) causes serious changes in identity and potentially ages someone further. okay, that is my opinion, but you probably know all that by reading my site.
best,
sml