Facelift
What is a facelift?
What is a modified facelift?
Who is a good candidate?
Risks
Preparing for facelift
Recovery
What is a facelift?
A facelift is a surgical procedure that lifts
the middle and lower portions of the face, which
often sags as part of the natural aging process.
The surgeon starts by making an incision above
the hairline at the temples and extending it
to the natural folds in front of your ears,
then continuing into your hairline behind the
ears. He or she then separates the skin from
the deeper tissues of the face. The doctor may
move fat pockets for contouring or may remove
them altogether with suctioning. He or she lifts
and tightens underlying muscles, fat and other
tissue, then removes the excess skin. Finally,
the surgeon will stitch the tissues and muscles
in place and close the incisions. The incision
scars are easily hidden or disguised once you've
healed.
Facelifts have changed dramatically in the
last 20 or 30 years. Plastic surgeons have learned
much about the architecture of the face and
what happens as the body ages. Today, experienced
plastic surgeons work not only with facial skin,
but also with the underlying muscle, fat and
tissue. The result is a softer, more natural
appearance than was possible in years past.
Experienced plastic surgeons use a variety
of methods. In the hands of a well-qualified
surgeon, there's no absolutely right or absolutely
wrong surgical approach. Which method an individual
plastic surgeon uses depend on his or her training,
experience, skill, and -- most important --
his or her assessment of your face, including
variables such as your skin type, sun damage
and facial structure.
Many people combine a facelift with an eyelid
lift, a browlift, laser skin resurfacing or
other aesthetic facial surgery. Back to top
What is a modified
facelift?
For those who may not want or need a full facelift,
some plastic surgeons now do what is called
a modified facelift or "mini" facelift.
The surgery is less invasive and involves fewer
of the deep tissue layers. A modified lift focuses
on a more limited area of the face, such as
the corners of the mouth or the nasolabial folds
-- the folds between the nose and the outer
ends of the mouth. Back to top
Who is a good candidate?
Most facelift patients are in their 50s
and 60s, but ages actually range from people
in their late 30s to those in their 70s and
80s. While women make up the majority of facelift
patients, a growing number of men are joining
them.
You may start thinking about a facelift when
you notice your face changing. You may notice
your nasiolabial folds (the folds between the
nose and the outer ends of the mouth) deepening.
You may also spot small fat pockets along the
jawline, vertical cords (called platysmal bands)
on the neck, or the beginnings of a double chin.
If you're healthy and realistic about what a
facelift can (and can't) do for you, you should
consult with a well-qualified plastic surgeon. Back to top
Risks
Every type of surgery has risks,
but you can usually help prevent them by carefully
following your physician's instructions. It's
important to talk with your plastic surgeon
before surgery to be sure you understand the
potential risks and complications. If you don't
understand something, ask!
Although the facelift recovery period is longer
than for most other cosmetic procedures, the
procedure actually poses few risks. However,
because the surgeon is working with the facial
muscles and tissue, some muscle and tissue damage
always occurs. Sometimes, blood collects under
the skin and causes a hematoma (a swelling that
contains blood), which may need to be removed.
Nerve injuries, which cause numbness and tingling,
especially near the incisions, usually get better
over time. While your surgery will leave faint
scars, they'll be hidden above the hairline
and in other inconspicuous spots. Back to top
Preparing for a facelift
Your surgeon will give you instructions on how
to prepare for surgery. You should be feeling
good, both physically and psychologically. At
your physician's instruction, you should stop
taking aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs
that interfere with the blood's clotting ability.
Be sure to let your surgeon know about other
drugs you take regularly, so he or she can advise
you on which ones to discontinue before surgery.
Because smoking interferes with blood flow to
the skin, you should stop smoking one or two
weeks before surgery; you shouldn't resume immediately
after surgery, either.
Because you'll be receiving anesthesia, you'll
need to ask someone to accompany when you leave
the hospital. You may even want to consider
private nursing care. Back to top
Recovery
Your facelift may be done either on an outpatient
or an inpatient basis; the type of anesthesia
you'll receive will be based on the setting
and your surgeon's preference. Regardless of
how your surgery is performed, you'll need someone
to accompany you when you leave the hospital.
You may even consider private nursing care.
When you leave the office or hospital, you'll
be wearing bandages. Even though you may not
need it, you'll also have a pain medication
prescription. For the first few days, keep your
head elevated to help reduce the swelling and
bruising in your face. Within five to seven
days, you'll return to your doctor's office
so he or she can remove your sutures (stitches).
Your surgeon will tell you when you can return
to your normal activities, such as exercise,
heavy lifting and other strenuous activities.
Most patients can resume easy walking and light
household activities within a week or so. After
two weeks, even though you won't be completely
healed, you can return to work and other normal
routines.
The complete healing process takes a long time
and requires patience. Camouflage
make-up covers the fading bruises and redness,
and the right hairstyle hides incision lines.
While you heal, your mental attitude is most
important. Be prepared to see many changes in
your face as the swelling and bruising recede.
The appearance change you've anticipated for
so long won't be completely evident for a while,
but eventually you will see the fresher, more
"alive" person you've been mentally
picturing. Back to top
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