Facelift
A facelift can improve the deep cheek folds, jowls and loose, sagging skin around the neck that come with age.
Incisions usually begin above the hairline at the temples, follow the natural line in front of the ear, curve behind the earlobe into the crease behind the ear, and into or along the lower scalp.
Facial, neck tissue and muscle may be separated; fat may be trimmed or suctioned and underlying muscle may be tightened.
After deep tissues are tightened, the excess skin is pulled up and back, trimmed and sutured into place.
Most of the scars will be hidden within you hair and in the normal creases of your skin.
How Can I Benefit from a Facelift?
As people grow older the effects of gravity, overexposure to the sun, and stress can cause the face to wrinkle and droop. These effects present themselves on the face as:
- Creases between the mouth and nose
- Drooping and slackage along the jawline
- Folds and fat deposits around the neck
Although a face lift - technically know as a rhytidectomy - can't stop the effects of the aging process, it can to a degree allow you to step back in time. This is accomplished by removing the most obvious signs of aging through the removal of excess fat, tightening the muscles of the face, and reshaping the skin of the face and neck. Although a facelift can be done as a solitary procedure, patients often choose to combine procedures such as a forehead lift, eyelid surgery or surgical implants in order to gain the most youthful look possible.
Am I a Good Candidate?
The best candidate for a facelift is someone who has begun to notice the effects of aging in the form of sagging skin while still maintaining some skin elasticity. Candidates with a strong and well defined bone structure are also likely to have favorable results. Although most patients are between the ages of 40 and 60 years old, successful procedures have been performed on people well into their 80s. A facelift can't stop the aging process, it can make you look younger and help to enhance your self-image.
The most conclusive method to judge if you are a good candidate for a facelift is to schedule an appointment with one of our surgeons. They will be able to help you determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure and what your expected results might be.
Before the Procedure
Before your facelift surgery, you will meet with one of our surgeons who will evaluate your face and help you to determine the path of your surgery and how this will achieve your goals. They will discuss any pre-surgery preparation, and advise you of any medicine or foods you should avoid before the surgery.
During the Procedure
A facelift can be a fairly complex procedure that can take many hours to perform; in some cases your surgeon may even split it into two procedures. Although each procedure is completely unique, depending on your individual facial structure, a facelift is usually accomplished in the following manner:
An incision is made above the hairline starting near the temples, runs in front of the ears, behind the ear and ends at the lower scalp.
If the neck is also included in the procedure, an incision will also be made under the chin.
The skin will be separated from the fat and muscle, and the fat will be trimmed or suctioned to improve the post-surgery appearance of the face.
The muscle will then be tightened and the excess skin will be removed.
The surgeon will secure the incisions using stitches and metal clips and a tube may be inserted to allow fluid to drain. A bandage may be wrapped around your head to reduce swelling and bruising.
After the Procedure
After your facelift, you should expect some discomfort and mild pain, but this can usually be successfully managed using pain medication. If a drainage tube has been inserted, it will generally be removed a few days after the surgery, and bandages will be removed a few days later at roughly the same time as your stitches.
You will want to avoid overexerting yourself for at least a few weeks after the surgery, especially when an activity involves your face. You may notice that your hairlinewill remain tender for a short time. Directly after the surgery, your face may feel and look different than expected, with swelling and bruising distorting your features. This will start to fade by the third week, and your new look will start to emerge over the next weeks and months.
A facelift will not stop the effects of aging, but your new younger look will continue to delight you for years to come. If you have any questions regarding a facelift surgery contact Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery Center of Texas today.
