When Can I Resume Taking Accutane After V Line Surgery?

Q: Dr. Eppley, Recently, I did a V line jaw reduction – an osteotomy and shaving of the mandible and a genioplasty. I had a fat graft to my temples too! However, I’ve been breaking out quite a bit. I was hoping to take Accutane to alleviate this. It has been almost a month since my surgery. I was wondering when it is safe for me to take it? I’m also really really afraid my bones are going to grow back after the jaw reduction as I’m very young.

Also, I’m interested in an Asian blepharoplasty + ptosis correction and an undereye fat graft with you. How long should I wait after I finish Accutane? 

A: It is perfectly fine to take Accutane one month after such facial hone surgery. I would wait until you are off Accutane for three months until proceeding with the blepharoplasty and fat grafting procedures. While Accutane primary affects the healing of epidermal wounds (and the evidence for this effect is questionable) in theory it does not affect they healing of tissues such as muscle, fat and bone. But it is always better to be conservative particularly in regards to elective facial surgery.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana