As a general surgeon, practicing since the 1980s, I had many opportunities to witness how the disruption of lymphatics resulted in the formation of seroma, but none so memorable and repetitive than the axillary seromas that formed following axillary lymph node dissection when surgical removal of the lymph nodes for breast cancer was common. We left a drain in, sometimes for weeks, or we suffered with the patient in dealing with the lymph fluid collections or seromas.
My name is Dr. Mario Cerame, I have been a board certified general surgeon for 40 years. I saw problems associated with blood and fluid collections after surgery. I have cared for patients with such horrible leg edema that they had their legs amputated because of infections. I have seen these issues and solved these problems without having to go to that extent. That was part of the reason that I know how to solve problems such as this and others.
Also, I have undergone my share of operations personally, so I also know firsthand how some of the problems are experienced, and where postoperative care can be improved. I helped write many of the postoperative ERAS. (enhanced recovery after surgery) protocols, currently being used throughout all hospitals who want to achieve a “Center of Excellence” notoriety. My experience as a patient, undergoing face, neck, and brow lift surgery was not pleasant. I felt that patients undergoing this procedure do not have the proper devices to alleviate their pain nor do they have access to what will likely be an accelerated recovery after the procedure. The swelling was much more difficult than I had ever imagined. My face postoperatively was markedly, swollen for weeks.
In addition, because the operation separates parts of the skin away from the underlying structures, there is a tendency for that flap of skin to accumulate fluid under the skin and for that fluid to be impossible to remove without a needle attached to a syringe to draw that fluid out (as a seroma or hematoma.) The below photos show how that skin is separated and then how the fluid is removed to avoid disfigurement.
I was given what I considered would be primordial instructions on how best to combat the problem because there are no devices or gadgets to help these patients in their recovery from this type of operation. “Elevate the head of the bed; don’t bend over; stay in a lounge chair and do nothing; apply ice to the face.“ If you had this procedure done, you’ve heard this during the preoperative period but there was no device to help prevent it and no device to help alleviate it. “Just wait it out.” Wait it out for the six or more weeks that it takes to feeling normal again or to be able to sleep flat in the bed again. Or this one: “take the pain meds and ice it.“ Put those rock hard ice cubes or crushed ice in a bag and apply it directly to your face. As I was recovering and being unable to sleep soundly (because I just can’t sleep with my head up unless I am exhausted), I thought: “But if I could just get rid of the swelling, I would feel so much better!“ why not a compression mask like the compression stockings we general surgeonsuse to combat gravity’s affect on the legs? That’s when I started working on my invention! I worked at it since it did not require me to bend. So I designed a mask and many of the elements so lacking to the patients recovering from the surgery. While I did not record the first day, I used my first generation prototype, based on the photos I took, it appears to be around 38 days after the procedure. By then, I had already had three fluid aspirations performed, was still not sleeping flat, and still had painful days where the post-auricular suture line had open sores. And that’s not to mention the unsightly gnarly appearance to the skin behind my ear and some hypertrophic scarring that was going on along many suture lines.
About the only tool I was given was a rolling pin to help roll out the swelling fluid. A bit crude but effective for somebody who does not have anything else to work with.
I started using the mask for 30 to 60 minutes several times a day and experienced a marked and measurable decrease in swelling. I eventually settled on a regular routine of 45 minutes four times a day, because I felt so much better after the session.
What I found out is that my swelling was markedly improved from day one. My hypertrophic scar got better. If I woke up in the middle of the night with terrible face congestion, I could slip the mask on and get immediate relief without having to take any pain medication. In fact, I have fallen asleep with it on and was able to tolerate the mask for longer periods. I also designed a neck strap to help with the neck swelling. I made the strap detachable so that the maskwould be easier to fit over the head and be an optional device for someone who needs it alone for a different operation, (like thyroid or vascular operations on the neck.)
So what I’m recommending to you is that if you are planning to have some type of facial rejuvenation procedure, or expected to have facial swelling from an excision of a tumor on the scalp face or neck, that you ask your surgeon if he has any objection to you using this device. Have him look at the website and select the menu option for professionals, and see if he would object to a mask that will provide some compression to the face cheeks, brow, and scalp. The detachable neck strap will also provide compression to the neck with its use. Because of the stretchable nature to all three layers, it will fit most heads circumferences without difficulty. As to applying ice to your wounds, the inner layer incorporates a silicone gel that has temperature retentive properties. Of course, they eventually equilibrate to their environment as well, so you can expect it to maintain ice pack quality for 40 to 60 minutes. However, it won’t have that hard ice-to-the-face feeling. Rather, it’ll have a soft buttery gelatinous substance that actually has been used in wound healing to facilitate healing of all types and wounds, including open wounds. I am very excited about this invention. It is going to revolutionize how postoperative swelling is confronted and ameliorated.
Also, I have undergone my share of operations personally, so I also know firsthand how some of the problems are experienced, and where postoperative care can be improved. I helped write many of the postoperative ERAS. (enhanced recovery after surgery) protocols, currently being used throughout all hospitals who want to achieve a “Center of Excellence” notoriety. My experience as a patient, undergoing face, neck, and brow lift surgery was not pleasant. I felt that patients undergoing this procedure do not have the proper devices to alleviate their pain nor do they have access to what will likely be an accelerated recovery after the procedure. The swelling was much more difficult than I had ever imagined. My face postoperatively was markedly, swollen for weeks.
In addition, because the operation separates parts of the skin away from the underlying structures, there is a tendency for that flap of skin to accumulate fluid under the skin and for that fluid to be impossible to remove without a needle attached to a syringe to draw that fluid out (as a seroma or hematoma.) The below photos show how that skin is separated and then how the fluid is removed to avoid disfigurement.
I was given what I considered would be primordial instructions on how best to combat the problem because there are no devices or gadgets to help these patients in their recovery from this type of operation. “Elevate the head of the bed; don’t bend over; stay in a lounge chair and do nothing; apply ice to the face.“ If you had this procedure done, you’ve heard this during the preoperative period but there was no device to help prevent it and no device to help alleviate it. “Just wait it out.” Wait it out for the six or more weeks that it takes to feeling normal again or to be able to sleep flat in the bed again. Or this one: “take the pain meds and ice it.“ Put those rock hard ice cubes or crushed ice in a bag and apply it directly to your face. As I was recovering and being unable to sleep soundly (because I just can’t sleep with my head up unless I am exhausted), I thought: “But if I could just get rid of the swelling, I would feel so much better!“ why not a compression mask like the compression stockings we general surgeonsuse to combat gravity’s affect on the legs? That’s when I started working on my invention! I worked at it since it did not require me to bend. So I designed a mask and many of the elements so lacking to the patients recovering from the surgery. While I did not record the first day, I used my first generation prototype, based on the photos I took, it appears to be around 38 days after the procedure. By then, I had already had three fluid aspirations performed, was still not sleeping flat, and still had painful days where the post-auricular suture line had open sores. And that’s not to mention the unsightly gnarly appearance to the skin behind my ear and some hypertrophic scarring that was going on along many suture lines.
About the only tool I was given was a rolling pin to help roll out the swelling fluid. A bit crude but effective for somebody who does not have anything else to work with.
I started using the mask for 30 to 60 minutes several times a day and experienced a marked and measurable decrease in swelling. I eventually settled on a regular routine of 45 minutes four times a day, because I felt so much better after the session.
What I found out is that my swelling was markedly improved from day one. My hypertrophic scar got better. If I woke up in the middle of the night with terrible face congestion, I could slip the mask on and get immediate relief without having to take any pain medication. In fact, I have fallen asleep with it on and was able to tolerate the mask for longer periods. I also designed a neck strap to help with the neck swelling. I made the strap detachable so that the maskwould be easier to fit over the head and be an optional device for someone who needs it alone for a different operation, (like thyroid or vascular operations on the neck.)
So what I’m recommending to you is that if you are planning to have some type of facial rejuvenation procedure, or expected to have facial swelling from an excision of a tumor on the scalp face or neck, that you ask your surgeon if he has any objection to you using this device. Have him look at the website and select the menu option for professionals, and see if he would object to a mask that will provide some compression to the face cheeks, brow, and scalp. The detachable neck strap will also provide compression to the neck with its use. Because of the stretchable nature to all three layers, it will fit most heads circumferences without difficulty. As to applying ice to your wounds, the inner layer incorporates a silicone gel that has temperature retentive properties. Of course, they eventually equilibrate to their environment as well, so you can expect it to maintain ice pack quality for 40 to 60 minutes. However, it won’t have that hard ice-to-the-face feeling. Rather, it’ll have a soft buttery gelatinous substance that actually has been used in wound healing to facilitate healing of all types and wounds, including open wounds. I am very excited about this invention. It is going to revolutionize how postoperative swelling is confronted and ameliorated.