Facelift surgery
Facial aging is inevitable. As the years go by, the skin begins to sag on the face and neck. Crow’s feet appear at the corners of the eyes. The fine lines of the forehead become creases and then deeper folds. The jaw line softens at angles and below the chin, another chin or vertical folds appear at the front of the neck. Heredity, personal habits, the pull of gravity and sun exposure all contribute to facial aging. As the aging population increases, it is obvious why rhytidectomy has become the third most desired facial plastic surgery procedure.
If you’ve ever wondered how a facelift, or facelift as it’s commonly known, could improve your appearance or confidence, you need to know how a facelift is done and what you can expect from the procedure. This brochure can address many of your concerns and provide you with the information you need to begin considering facelift surgery.
Successful facial plastic surgery is the result of a good relationship between patient and surgeon. Trust, based on realistic expectations and demanding medical expertise, is developed in the preoperative counseling stages. Your surgeon can answer specific questions about your specific needs.
Is a facelift for you?
As with all facial plastic surgery, good health and realistic expectations are prerequisites. Understanding the limitations of rhytidectomy is vital and psychological stability is vital. There is no perfect facelift. Rather, the goal is to improve the overall appearance of the face. Skin type, ethnic background, degree of skin elasticity, individual healing, basic bone structure, as well as realistic posture are factors that should be discussed prior to surgery. This procedure is sometimes performed on patients in their thirties, and successful surgery has been performed on patients in their eighties. A facelift cannot stop aging, nor can it turn back the clock. What it can do is help your face look better and give you a healthier and more youthful appearance. A side benefit is that many patients experience increased self-confidence.
Before deciding on a facelift, you should discuss with your facial plastic surgeon whether the overall result will be more successful if additional changes are made to the chin and neck through other facial procedures. Many patients decide to have facial liposuction to remove excess fat in combination with a facelift. If multiple defects need correction, more than one procedure may be needed for the best overall result.
Making the decision for a facelift
Choosing a qualified facial plastic surgeon is of utmost importance. During the preliminary consultation, the surgeon will examine your facial structure, skin texture, color and elasticity. Pictures will be taken so the surgeon can study your face. Individual risks will also be considered, especially those related to medical conditions such as high blood pressure, a tendency to scar, smoking and any deficiency in blood clotting. The surgeon will take a detailed medical history, as well as assess the patient’s mental and emotional attitude towards the operation. Because a realistic attitude is critical to the success of the operation, the surgical procedure and realistic expectations will be discussed.
After the decision to proceed with a rhytidectomy is made jointly by you and your surgeon, the surgeon will describe the technique indicated, the type of anesthesia, the surgical setup, any additional surgery, the pros and cons to include possible complications and the cost of the procedure.
Understanding surgery
The surgeon begins the incision in the hairline area of the temple, just above and in front of the ear, and then continues around the lobe, circling the ear before returning to the point of origin on the scalp. The skin is lifted outward before the surgeon repositions and tightens the underlying muscle and connective tissue. Some fat can be removed, as well as excess skin. For men, the incision is aligned to accommodate natural beard lines. In all cases the incision is placed where it will fall into a natural skin fold for camouflage.
After cutting away the excess skin, the surgeon closes the incisions with fine sutures and/or metal clips, which allow surgery without shaving hair from the incision site. Depending on the extent of the operation, the procedure can take from two to four hours. When the procedure is performed with a combination of mild sedatives, local anesthesia, and mild intravenous anesthesia, the patient will experience little discomfort. Some surgeons prefer to use general anesthesia for facelifts. After surgery, the surgeon will apply a bandage to protect the entire area where the incisions have been made.
What to expect after surgery
Although most patients feel very little pain after surgery, the surgeon will still prescribe medication. Some degree of swelling and bruising is inevitable, and your surgeon may instruct you to use cold compresses to keep swelling to a minimum. If a bandage has been applied, it will be removed within one to two days. The surgeon will also instruct you to keep your head elevated when lying down, to avoid as much activity as possible, and to report any undue discomfort. Although there are few risks in facelift surgery and thousands are performed each year, there is some risk in any surgery.
In some cases, a drainage tube may have been inserted during the procedure. This will be removed on the first or second day after surgery. All stitches and staples are usually removed within five to 10 days after surgery. Surgeons generally recommend that patients avoid vigorous activity. Patients should arrange for postoperative support from family and friends.
Recovery usually takes two to three weeks, although many patients return to work in two weeks. Scars are usually not noticeable after enough time has passed to mature. In any case, they are easily disguised as natural skin folds, hair or, in persistent cases, makeup until complete healing occurs. Keep in mind that the aging process continues after surgery and that some tissue loosening will occur in the first few weeks.
Facial plastic surgery makes it possible to correct many facial defects and signs of premature aging that can undermine self-confidence. By changing the way you look, cosmetic surgery can help you change how you feel about yourself.
Insurance generally does not cover surgical procedures performed purely for cosmetic reasons. Surgery to correct or improve genetic deformity or traumatic injury may be fully or partially reimbursed. It is the patient’s responsibility to contact the insurance carrier for information regarding the degree of coverage.
© Copyright 2017 American Academy of Facial and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
