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A facelift is a procedure to remove excess skin from the face and neck while repositioning drooping fat fads. This will help improve the contour of the neckline, jawline, cheeks and jowl area. The goal of the surgery is to improve signs of aging. A facelift does not improve skin quality itself, so ask your Facial Plastic Surgeon about additional treatments to improve skin texture.
A neck lift can be done with a facelift or alone to tighten the neck, improve banding and reduce fat deposits under the chin. A facelift and/or a neck lift may be done in combination with fat reduction under the chin or a chin implant to improve results. Facial fat grafting may also be recommended depending on your needs.
Special Circumstances: If you are on blood thinning medication that cannot be stopped, poorly controlled diabetes, high blood pressure or use nicotine you may NOT be an ideal candidate for the facelift procedure due to risk of complications. Also, if you have a history of weight fluctuation more than 10% of your total body weight, ongoing fluctuations in weight after surgery may negatively affect your long term results.
Your surgeon will ask questions about your expectations for the outcomes of a facelift. He or she will help you understand how a facelift will likely change your appearance and what a facelift doesn't address, such as fine wrinkles or naturally occurring asymmetry in your face.
A facelift can be done under local or general anesthesia depending on your needs and the technique applied.
Follow the instructions of your surgeon for medication management.
The surgery involves elevating the skin and muscle flap to reposition the fat in the face. Excess skin is removed. The incisions are sewn closed with sutures that need to be removed. Incisions for a facelift or neck lift can vary depending on the needs of the patient. A facelift generally takes three to four hours but may take longer if other aesthetic procedures are done at the same time.
After a facelift, you may experience temporary mild to moderate discomfort, swelling, light drainage from the incisions and temporary numbness. Your incisions will likely be covered with bandages that provide gentle pressure to minimize swelling and bruising. You will have a head wrap and possibly a wound drain to wick away blood from under the skin. You will be asked to keep your head elevated, apply cooling packs and wear a wrap. You will be seen very closely in follow-up thereafter. In the weeks after a face-lift, you might style your hair to hide any remaining signs of the incision. You may also choose to delay attending major social events for 6-8 weeks, when you are likely to feel back to normal.
A facelift or neck lift can restore and improve a more youthful facial shape and contour. Due to the ongoing aging process, the results from a facelift or neck lift can be expected to last 10-15 years. A second lifting or “tuck up” procedure can be offered, if appropriate. Ask your Facial Plastic Surgeon on steps you can take to minimize the signs of aging.
It is important to remember that perfection in surgery does not exist. Our philosophy is that results in Facial Plastic Surgery should be as beautiful as they are natural
