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What is a facelift?
A facelift, or rhytidectomy,
is a surgical procedure that
improves visible signs of
aging in the face and neck,
such as:
•Sagging in the middle of
your face
•Deep creases below the
lower eyelids
•Deep creases along the nose
extending to the corner of
the mouth
•Fat that has fallen or has
disappeared
•Loss of skin tone in the
lower face that creates
jowls
•Loose skin and excess fatty
deposits under the chin and
jaw can give even a person
of normal weight the
appearance of a double chin
The loss of youthful
contours in the face can be
due to a variety of factors,
including heredity, gravity,
environmental conditions,
and stress.
Rejuvenation procedures
typically performed in
conjunction with a facelift
are brow lift, to correct a
sagging or deeply furrowed
brow, and eyelid surgery to
rejuvenate aging eyes
What a facelift won't do.
As a restorative surgery, a
facelift does not change
your fundamental appearance
and cannot stop the aging
process. A facelift
can only be performed
surgically; non-surgical
rejuvenation treatments
cannot achieve the same
results, but may help delay
the time at which a facelift
becomes appropriate and
complement the results of
surgery
Facelift candidates.
In general, good candidates
for a facelift include:
•Healthy individuals who do
not have medical conditions
that impair healing
•Non-smokers
•Individuals with a positive
outlook and realistic
expectations
Facelift recovery.
During your facelift
recovery, a bandage might be
placed around your face to
minimize swelling and
bruising once your procedure
is completed. Thin tubes may
be present to drain any
excess blood or fluid that
may collect under the skin.
You will be given specific
instructions that may
include how to care for the
surgical site and drains,
medications to apply or take
orally to aid healing and
reduce the potential for
infection, specific concerns
to look for at the surgical
site or in your general
health, and when to follow
up with your plastic
surgeon. Be sure to
ask your plastic surgeon
specific questions about
what you can expect during
your individual recovery
period.
•Where will I be taken after
my surgery is complete?
•What medication will I be
given or prescribed after
surgery?
•Will I have
dressings/bandages after
surgery?
•When will they be removed?
•Are stitches removed? When?
•When can I wear make-up?
•When can I resume normal
activity and exercise?
•When can I see my stylist
for hair color and cut?
Facelift before and after
results.
It may take a few months for
swelling to fully dissipate
and for incision lines to
mature.
Life-long sun protection and
a healthy lifestyle will
help extend the results of
your rejuvenated, more
youthful appearance.
As swelling and bruising
subside, the visible
improvements of a facelift
appear. Your final result
should not only provide a
more youthful and rested
appearance, but also help
you feel more confident
about yourself. Although
good results are expected
from your procedure, there
is no guarantee. In some
situations, it may not be
possible to achieve optimal
results with a single
surgical procedure and
another surgery may be
necessary. Following your
physician’s instructions is
essential to the success of
your surgery. It is
important that the surgical
incisions are not subjected
to excessive force,
abrasion, or motion during
the time of healing. Avoid
wearing any clothing that
must go over your head.
Your doctor will give you
specific instructions on how
to care for yourself
Facelift risks and safety
information.
The decision to have a
facelift is extremely
personal. You will have to
decide if the benefits will
achieve your goals, and if
the risks and potential
complications of a facelift
are acceptable.
You will be asked to sign
consent forms to ensure that
you fully understand the
procedure and any risks and
potential complications.
Facelift risks include:
•Anesthesia risks
•Bleeding
•Infection
•Poor wound healing and skin
loss
•Facial nerve injury with
weakness
•Temporary or permanent hair
loss at the incisions
•Fluid accumulation
•Numbness or other changes
in skin sensation
•Persistent pain
•Unfavorable scarring
•Prolonged swelling
•Skin irregularities and
discoloration
•Sutures may spontaneously
surface through the skin,
become visible or produce
irritation that require
removal
•Unsatisfactory results may
include: asymmetry,
unsatisfactory surgical scar
location and unacceptable
visible deformities at the
ends of the incisions. (It
may be necessary to perform
an additional surgery to
improve your results)
•Deep vein thrombosis,
cardiac and pulmonary
complications
These risks and others will
be fully discussed prior to
your consent. It is
important that you address
all your questions directly
with your plastic surgeon. |
