Facial Reconstruction Surgery in NYC
Facial Reconstruction Surgery | Brad Gandolfi, MD
Serious accidents can result in extensive injury, including injury to the face. If you ever sustain facial trauma due to a car collision, sports accident, or another type of accident, you may require facial reconstruction surgery to regain full form and function.
Dr. Brad Gandolfi, a double board-certified plastic surgeon, is highly trained in reconstructive procedures, uniting an aesthetic eye with advanced surgical methodologies to provide natural-looking results. Dr. Gandolfi is affiliated with trauma centers throughout NYC, where he frequently performs facial reconstruction procedures.
Facial reconstruction is performed to repair bone and soft tissue injuries to the face, typically following accidents or other forms of trauma. Facial trauma not only changes your physical appearance, but it can often lead to discomfort with blinking, smiling, talking, or eating. The ultimate goal of facial reconstruction is to provide both aesthetic and functional restoration.
While facial trauma can result in many types of bone or soft tissue injury, the most common issues that Dr. Gandolfi treats include:
Dr. Gandolfi performs facial reconstruction for a wide range of conditions, including:
Each condition requires a unique strategy that blends surgical precision with aesthetic foresight. Dr. Gandolfi’s training in both reconstructive and cosmetic surgery ensures seamless results that restore balance.
While the specifics of facial reconstruction can vary by patient, here is an overview of what you can expect from the process.
Typically, Dr. Gandolfi’s patients begin their journey with a phone call from a friendly staff member. During this call, you will share details about your medical history and aesthetic goals, and then schedule a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Gandolfi. This process can be condensed for facial trauma patients who need treatment on an emergency basis. Regardless, you will always have an opportunity to meet Dr. Gandolfi, discuss your expectations, and learn more about the process as well as anesthesia options.
Dr. Gandolfi and his team will provide you with instructions for any steps you need to take to prepare for your facial reconstruction. This might mean pausing certain medications or simply fasting for a few hours in advance of your surgery.
Surgery for facial reconstruction may be emergent on planned. In both instances, most times these surgeries are performed at a hospital such as Hackensack Hospital in New Jersey or Lenox Hill Hospital in NY. The specifics of your surgery will vary quite a bit depending on the nature of your facial trauma.
Depending on the patient’s needs, Dr. Gandolfi may use:
One thing that is consistent is that Dr. Gandolfi will be exceedingly cautious with incision placement, minimizing the risk of long-term scarring. Recovery times and techniques vary widely depending on the extent of the repair, but the guiding goal is always the same: a natural, functional, and confident outcome.
Facial reconstruction restores more than structure. It rebuilds confidence and function.
The benefits often include:
Dr. Gandolfi approaches each case with compassion and precision, understanding that reconstruction is not about returning to the past. It’s about creating a balanced, authentic future.
You may be a candidate for reconstructive surgery if you have experienced facial trauma, scarring, congenital differences, or tissue loss due to cancer or previous surgery. Ideal candidates are in good overall health and have realistic expectations about the surgical process and results.
During your consultation, Dr. Gandolfi will explain available options, including non-surgical adjuncts like laser therapy or injectables that can refine outcomes after reconstruction.
Following any kind of facial surgery, you should expect some bruising and swelling. These symptoms are normal and will subside within a few weeks. However, they will make it difficult to get an immediate sense of your surgical outcome. The longer the surgery, the more swelling is expected.
During your recovery, cold compresses and pain medications can help promote comfort. Additionally, you will receive all the necessary guidelines regarding diet, wound care, and other aspects of your recovery. By adhering to these guidelines and attending all follow-up appointments, you can minimize the visibility of your scarring and promote optimal results.
Once healing is complete, patients experience restored facial balance and improved function, often with results that look remarkably natural. Scars fade gradually and can be treated with additional therapies to further minimize visibility.
Beyond physical restoration, the results often bring renewed confidence, comfort, and connection, helping patients feel at ease in their own skin once again.
Dr. Brad Gandolfi is a double board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with offices in New York City and Englewood, NJ. He specializes in cosmetic surgery and is a member of The Aesthetic Society, a by-invitation-only society for doctors with experience and excellence in cosmetic surgery. He obtained his plastic surgery degree at Duke University Medical Center and spent additional training in facial surgery at UCLA Medical Center. Dr. Gandolfi is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery.
Dr. Brad Gandolfi’s expertise in craniofacial, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgery makes him uniquely qualified to perform facial reconstruction at the highest level. His training at Duke University Medical Center and UCLA, combined with years of hands-on surgical experience, has shaped his ability to deliver outcomes that are both technically exacting and artistically harmonious.
Dr. Gandolfi views every reconstructive case as a collaboration built on trust, compassion, and a shared vision for recovery. Patients choose Dr. Gandolfi for his meticulous precision, balanced aesthetic, and unwavering dedication to natural, life-restoring results. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Gandolfi, contact our practice at (212) 287-7211.
Whenever you undergo surgery, there is some level of risk. The best way to mitigate risk is to choose a highly trained and credentialed surgeon. Double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gandolfi has a considerable level of experience performing facial reconstruction and is affiliated with top trauma centers throughout NYC.
While coverage can vary by insurance policy, most medical insurance will cover reconstructive surgery following an accident or traumatic injury. If you have any questions about navigating the insurance claims process, you are always welcome to contact our friendly, knowledgeable front office staff.
Recovery varies depending on the complexity of the surgery. Most patients recover within 2–4 weeks; however, residual swelling and scar refinement can last for several months.
Most facial reconstruction is done through hidden incisions or incision within the mouth or eyelid. Dr. Gandolfi places incisions carefully within natural creases or along existing lines to minimize visibility. Over time, scars fade and can be treated with lasers or topical therapies if desired.
Discomfort is typically mild-to moderate and well-managed with medication. The focus of recovery is comfort, function, and aesthetic restoration.
Yes. Reconstruction can restore or improve symmetry by repositioning bone, soft tissue, and skin with precision.
Dr. Gandolfi is highly skilled in performing secondary facial reconstruction surgery, also known as revision procedures, helping patients who have undergone prior surgeries and are seeking improved results. His extensive experience allows him to tailor each reconstruction to the patient’s unique anatomy, ensuring results that are natural, balanced, and deeply transformative.
Most reconstructive improvements are lasting. While the natural aging process continues, the foundational repair remains stable and strong.
