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As years go by, the skin
begins to lose
n on the face and neck. Crow's feet appear at the
corners of the eyes. The jaw line softens into jowls, and beneath the
chin, a double chin with vertical bands appears. Heredity, smoking,
and sun exposure contribute to the aging face. With people
living longer more productive lives, face-lifting has become the second most
desired facial plastic procedure, next to eyelid rejuvenation.
Understanding the
limitations of face-lifting the need to utilize other procedures is
crucial for success. A facelift means lifting of the cheek, jowls and
neck. Incisions are placed in the hairline and around the ear, and in
all cases, these incisions are placed in a natural skin crease for
camouflage and without the need for shaving of hair. The surgery can
take 2- 4 - 6 hours, is usually performed under intravenous sedation, and
without any patient discomfort. Following surgery, a dressing is
applied to protect the face and is removed the day after. Some
surgeons use magnetic resonance imaging (Soft Pulse), massage and
ultrasound to hasten healing. Patients are usually cosmetically
sociable in 10-14 days.
Facial laser surgery, both
the CO2 and Erbium, have been popularized recently with claims that a
facelift appearance will result. These new techniques, usually fall
short of long-term results. Wrinkling and blotchy pigment
irregularities can certainly be improved, but skin tightening is minimal and
usually transient in nature. In patients with both sagging of tissues,
aged complexion with sun damage and wrinkling, it's best to combine
procedures to produce optimal results. This concept of realistic
expectations and patient awareness of the limitations as well as risks of
any one technique should be at the core of a concerned, and caring surgeon.
A facelift does not involve
lifting the forehead, correcting sagging eyelids, straightening or refining
the nose, nor does it correct flat cheeks or weak chins. It also does
not alter wrinkling of the lips, crow's feet, or improve sun damaged skin.
Other procedures, such as forehead lifting, blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty,
cheek and chin augmentation can be considered to augment the final surgical
improvements, and many patients elect to add these other features for
further enhancement to the lift. However, the facelift is the cornerstone
and the single most effective technique used in facial plastic rejuvenation.
A facelift cannot stop
aging nor can it turn back the clock. What it can do is help your face
look its best and give you a healthy and a more youthful appearance. A
uniform side benefit is the increased self-confidence and improvement in
self-image. Most changes last 5-10 years, but this can vary from
patient to patient. Due to improved techniques, the neck (once
considered the most difficult area to maintain) holds its shape perhaps
longer than other facial areas. The mid-face and cheek, due to active
muscles of facial expression, may need to be revised earlier than other
areas.
After surgery, you will be
asked to restrict your activities and simply relax for a few days. Elevating
your head when you sleep will help to minimize swelling and bruising. If you
are a smoker, you must give it up for a couple of days, and you should not
take any blood thinning medications such as aspirin. Plan on treating
yourself like you have the flu. Drink plenty of fluids, and get lots
of rest.
Any bandages and drain
tubes will usually be removed in one or two days. At that time, you will
notice puffiness, swelling, and discoloration which may be more pronounced
in some portions of your face than others. Do not be alarmed by any
unevenness or temporary asymmetry caused by this variance in swelling and
bruising, which is perfectly normal. Generally, the greatest amount of
swelling occurs 24 to 48 hours after surgery, but it may take several weeks
before all puffiness is resolved. Most bruising will disappear within two
weeks. After a few days, you will be permitted to wear makeup which will
help conceal some light bruising. You will also experience some numbness in
the facial area, which may be present for several weeks or longer. Your
stitches will be removed from four to seven days after surgery.
Costs:
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