Frequently Asked Questions.

Here’s a brief list of frequently asked questions.

What kind of financing, transportation and accommodations do you offer?

You can find the necessary information by clicking here.

What does it mean to be fellowship trained?

Each year a large number of resident physicians apply and compete for less than 40 coveted fellowship training programs in the United States. Essentially there are a number of highly trained and competent applicants who are unsuccessful in obtaining this specialized training. To be selected into a facial plastic and reconstructive fellowship speaks volumes about the applicants ability and is a true honor when one considers the exceptional applicant pool. The fellowship provides intensive training dedicated entirely to cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the face. Those facial plastic surgeons sponsoring training programs are considered to be worldwide leaders in the field, master surgeons and educators. Patients should be confident in the experience, training and competence of our MFAS surgeons. We invite you to scrutinize our credentials and training. Interested parties may lean more by visiting www.aafprs.org

What does it mean to be board certified?

Drs Carron, Mathog and Zuliani are all board certified head and neck surgeons fellowship trained facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons. Each of our surgeons passed rigorous written examinations and painstaking oral examinations administered by the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery in addition to the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Both societies are recognized members of the American Board of Medical Specialties and hold seats in the American Medical Association. For more information on the unique training our surgeons received we encourage you to examine the society webpages at these sites:

• www.abfprs.org
• www.aaohns.org
• www.aafprs.org

What is a facial injury and what can you do for my facial injury?

Whether a consequence of accident or assault, injuries to the face and facial skeleton are still common in today’s society. Usually patients are initially evaluated in the emergency room setting and our services are requested at that time. Depending on the nature and seriousness of the injury, surgical correction is performed while the patient remains in the hospital or as an outpatient once facial swelling has subsided. Our surgeons pride themselves as being considered leaders in the treatment of craniomaxillofacial injuries. MFAS surgeons have attended to hundreds of severe facial injuries over the years. The knowledge, experience and surgical acumen of our surgeons is reinforced by our invitation to speak at local, regional and national meetings in addition to providing hands-on instructional courses in the treatment of these injuries. Many times, patients are referred to us throughout the state and great lakes region for care of these types of injuries. Our surgeons have tremendous experience in dealing with soft tissue injury of the face including lacerations, abrasions, loss of tissue, damage to salivary glands, facial musculature and nerve injury. In addition, correction of post-traumatic deformity such as unsightly scars, sunken cheeks, malpositioned eyes and eyelids and missing external ear are commonly treated.

What is MOHS defects?

Despite greater patient education about the damaging effects of the sun, skin cancer is unfortunately still a great issue. As the population ages so does our cumulative time in the sun predisposing to basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer and melanoma. When present on the face, usually in a cosmetically sensitive area, our dermatology colleagues perform a highly effective excision of the tumor using the MOHS technique. Although MOHS is the best technique to conserve tissue and excise just the tumor with a safe margin, it often times results in a loss of tissue that needs to be replaced.

Using neighboring tissue from the nose, cheeks and forehead the defect can then be patched. We take great care and great pride in meticulous wound closure. We do everything to preserve the normal anatomic function and the aesthetics of the area that was previously excised. Once the healing process is complete, most observers would have to closely scrutinize the area to realize that you have had any type of reconstructive surgery.

We provide the utmost guidance and support in the post-operative period to maximize wound healing and the overall outcome. It is not uncommon to perform an initial operation to restore the bulk of the wound and ensure proper coverage of the defect followed one or two smaller operations for the final touchup.

MFAS surgeons draw upon considerable experience and training in head and neck surgery, oncologic reconstruction and aesthetic ideals to provide the best result.

What is the FACE TO FACE program?

The National Domestic Violence Project helps individuals in our own backyard. Do you ever wonder what happens to the survivors of domestic violence after the abuser has traumatized their faces? Many of them receive severe facial injuries. Cigarette burns, broken noses, sunken cheekbones or gashes are painful daily reminders of the unwanted abuse. Due to financial reasons and/or feelings of low self-esteem they are not able to receive adequate medical care. Even though emotional scars will heal over time with the support of others, the physical ones do not fade on their own. Some live with their scars for the rest of their lives. These individuals, primarily women, are a forgotten segment of society.

AAFPRS Foundation was the first surgical group to take a firm stand and become involved in assisting survivors of domestic violence. MFAS surgeons offer consultation and surgery pro bono to survivors of this violence thereby enhancing their self-esteem and aiding them in rebuilding their lives.

What is the FACES OF HONOR program?

In 2009 Faces of Honor was created as an extension of the highly successful FACE TO FACE Program. Coordinated by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the Faces of Honor program’s purpose is to offer pro bono medical and surgical expertise to veterans who were deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan and received face or neck injuries. The surgeons who participate in the program wish to provide a “thank you” to the brave men and women who have served our country so well by offering what we have worked hard to achieve, our surgical expertise and skills as caring physicians.