Face Lift

ABOUT THE PROCEDURES

A facelift or rhytidectomy can remove excess fat, tighten underlying muscles, and redrape the skin of your face and neck.
A facelift can make you look more younger and fresher.

WHO NEEDS FACELIFT SURGERY

Facelift is suitable for those whose face and neck have begun to sag, but whose skin still has some elasticity and whose bone structure is strong and well-defined. Most patients are in their forties to sixties, but facelifts can be done successfully on people in their seventies or eighties as well.

THE PROCEDURE RISK

The complications include hematoma , injury to the nerves that control facial muscles (usually temporary) and infection.

PREPARATION BEFORE SURGERY

The surgeon will check for medical conditions that could cause problems during, or after surgery, such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, blood clotting problems, or the tendency to form excessive scars. You should inform the surgeon if you smoke, or if you are taking any drugs or medications, especially aspirin and other drugs that affect clotting.

THE SURGERY

Incisions begin above the hairline at the temples, extend in a natural line in front of the ear (or just inside the cartilage at the front of the ear), and continue behind the earlobe to the lower scalp. If the neck needs work, a small incision may also be made under the chin.
The surgeon separates the skin from the fat and muscle below. Fat may be trimmed or suctioned from around the neck and chin to improve the contour. The surgeon then tightens the underlying muscle and membrane, pulls the skin back, removes the excess and close the incisions.

ANESTHESIA TECHNIQUE

Can be performed by local or general anesthesia, depending on extent of procedue.

LENGTH OF SURGERY TIME

A facelift usually takes several hours if you’re having more than one procedure. For extensive procedures, some surgeons may schedule two separate sessions.

LENGTH OF STAY IN HOSPITAL AFTER SURGERY

The patients may need to stay in hospital for a day when using general anesthesia. Certain conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure should be monitored after surgery, and may also require a short inpatient stay.

TAKING CARE AFTER SURGERY

After surgery ,a small tube may be temporarily placed under the skin behind your ear to drain out fluid and blood. The surgeon may wrap your head loosely in bandages to minimize brusing and swelling. Some numbness of the skin is quite normal; it will disappear in a few weeks or months.
Your should keep your head elevated and as still as possible for a couple of days after surgery to keep the swelling down.
The stitches will be removed after 5 days. Your scalp may take longer time to heal, and the stitches in your hairline could be left in a few days longer.
You should avoid strenuous activity for at least two weeks (walking and mild stretching are fine); avoid alcohol, steam baths, and saunas for several months.

RECOVERY

At the beginning, your features may be distorted from the swelling and your facial movements may be slightly stiff. Some bruising may persist for two or three weeks. You’ll look and feel much better after three weeks. Most patients are back to work about ten days to two weeks after surgery.