Facial reconstruction surgery covers a much wider range of situations than most people realize. It’s not one single procedure, but a category of surgery aimed at restoring both function and appearance after something has changed the structure of the face, whether that’s an injury, a skin cancer diagnosis, or a condition present since birth. Because the causes vary so widely, so does the answer to who actually needs it, and many patients aren’t sure whether their situation qualifies until they’ve had an in-person evaluation.
If you’re wondering whether your situation calls for reconstructive care, here’s how Dr. Derrick Gale at Gale Facial Plastics evaluates candidates in Riverton and the surrounding Utah communities.
What Is Facial Reconstruction Surgery?
Facial reconstruction is surgery designed to restore normal appearance and function after trauma, a congenital condition, or a medical condition, such as skin cancer. Unlike purely cosmetic procedures, reconstructive surgery is generally considered medically necessary, which is why it’s typically covered by most insurance plans, though coverage specifics depend on your individual diagnosis and insurance provider.
The goal is twofold: repairing what was damaged or never fully formed, and doing so in a way that looks as natural as possible. That combination of restoring function while preserving a natural appearance is what separates reconstructive surgery from procedures performed for cosmetic enhancement alone.
Are You a Candidate If You've Experienced a Facial Injury?
Traumatic injury is one of the most common reasons patients need facial reconstruction. Traffic collisions, falls, athletic injuries, workplace accidents, and animal attacks account for the majority of cases, and Dr. Gale’s practice notes that over 210,000 people experience a traumatic event each year that results in the need for facial reconstructive surgery. These injuries generally fall into two categories: traumatic lacerations, which are treated with microsurgery and fine stitching to minimize scarring and nerve damage, and traumatic fractures affecting the brow, eye socket, cheekbones, or jawbone, which are often repaired using plate-and-screw fixation. If you’ve sustained an injury to your face or upper neck, whether recently or in the past, you’re a reasonable candidate for a reconstructive evaluation.
Are You a Candidate After Skin Cancer Removal?
Patients who’ve had a basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma removed from their face, especially through Mohs surgery, are also strong candidates for reconstruction. Mohs reconstruction is designed specifically for the wound left behind after a dermatologist removes a cancer with hard-to-define borders or a high risk of recurrence.
Depending on the size and location of the area, Dr. Gale may close the site with sutures, a skin graft, or a local tissue flap. Whether he performed your original Mohs surgery referral or you’re seeking a second opinion after treatment elsewhere, the goal is the same: a result that heals well and looks as natural as possible.
Are You a Candidate If You Have a Congenital Condition?
Not every reconstructive need starts with an injury or diagnosis in adulthood. Some patients are born with structural differences in the face, ears, nose, or jaw that affect both function and appearance over time. Facial reconstruction can address these congenital conditions at an appropriate age, restoring more typical form and function. Because congenital cases vary widely, they require an especially individualized evaluation to determine the right timing and surgical approach.
Are You a Candidate If a Previous Surgery Didn't Give You the Result You Wanted?
Revision cases are another common reason patients seek out facial reconstruction. If a prior surgery, whether reconstructive or cosmetic, left you with results that don’t look or function the way you’d hoped, a second opinion with an experienced facial plastic surgeon can clarify what’s realistically achievable. Correcting previous surgical outcomes often requires more nuanced planning than a first-time procedure, which is part of why choosing a surgeon with substantial reconstructive experience matters so much.
Why Does Surgeon Experience Matter for Facial Reconstruction?
Reconstructive surgery is technically demanding in a way that goes beyond most cosmetic procedures, since the surgeon is often working with tissue that’s scarred, displaced, or missing altogether, while still needing to preserve underlying nerves, blood vessels, and function. Successfully performing this kind of surgery takes years of specialized training and hands-on experience, which is exactly why choosing the right surgeon carries so much weight.
A surgeon who regularly performs both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures brings a valuable perspective to reconstructive cases with an eye for aesthetic detail combined with the technical skill needed to rebuild complex facial structures. This is one of the main reasons patients are encouraged to seek out a specialist rather than the first available provider, especially for cases involving your eyes, nose, or jaw.
What Happens During a Facial Reconstruction Consultation?
Because facial reconstruction spans so many different causes and severities, there’s no single treatment plan that fits every patient. During your consultation, Dr. Gale will evaluate the affected area, discuss how the condition or injury is affecting your daily function and appearance, and walk you through the surgical techniques that may apply to your case, from rearranging soft tissue to repairing bone with fixation hardware to grafting tissue from another area of your body.
Most procedures are performed under general anesthesia, and depending on the complexity involved, Dr. Gale may work alongside other specialists to coordinate your care. Some patients need a single procedure, while others require staged surgeries performed over time, with each stage building on the healing that occurred before it.
Improving Form & Function
Trust Dr. Derrick Gale to help you achieve your goals, whether they are aesthetic, reconstructive or both. View our before and after gallery to see the surgical skill and technical mastery of one of Utah’s leading facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons.
What Does Recovery From Facial Reconstruction Look Like?
Recovery timelines vary enormously depending on the extent of your injury or condition being treated, which is why Dr. Gale avoids giving patients a one-size-fits-all recovery estimate. Instead, healing is monitored through a structured follow-up schedule, typically at one day, one week, one month, three months, six months, and one year after surgery.
Depending on your procedure, you may have bandages, gauze, or a drainage tube in the early days of recovery, which your care team will help you manage as you heal. These scheduled check-ins allow Dr. Gale to track how your tissue is healing, address any concerns early, and confirm that both function and appearance are progressing the way they should over the following year.
When Should You Schedule a Consultation for Facial Reconstruction?
Because reconstructive surgery demands years of specialized training, choosing the right surgeon is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in this process. If you’ve experienced facial trauma, been treated for skin cancer, are living with a congenital condition, or are unhappy with the results of a previous surgery, it’s worth having an in-person evaluation to understand your options.
To learn more or schedule a consultation, contact Gale Facial Plastics, or call the Riverton office at (801) 506-6344.