Facelift

Facelift Chicago Il

 

A facelift is a cosmetic surgery used to improve the look of your brow, face, and neck. Also called a rhytidectomy, a facelift involves lifting the facial soft tissues, removing excess skin, tightening underlying tissues, and positioning skin over new contours. A neck lift (platysmaplasty), eyelid surgery, and/or brow lift are often done along with the facelift.

Candidates for a Facelift

You may choose to have a facelift when:

  • Your facial skin is dropping and sagging.
  • Your age is affecting your social and employment options.
  • You wish to boost your self-confidence.
  • There is deepening of the creases below your eyelids, around your lower lip, and near the chin.
  • You have excessive fat tissue in the jaw region.
  • Vertical bands of neck skin (platysmal bands) are visible.

Plastic Surgeon’s Consultation

You will first meet with the plastic surgeon for an initial consultation. The doctor will:

  • Review your medical history – This involves asking you questions about your current and past medical conditions, talking about any medications or supplements you are taking, and discussing past surgeries.
  • Conduct a physical examination – To evaluate your treatment options, the surgeon will examine your facial bone structure, skin, and neck. People with angular, thin faces have the best results with a facelift. During this exam, the doctor also notes skin irregularities, scarring, and asymmetry of your face.
  • Take pictures of your face – These are to be included in your medical record. It is very helpful to bring photos of when you were younger in order to properly evaluate how your face has changed and the best way to restore a youthful look.
  • Discuss your expectations – You will need to tell the doctor why you wish to have a facelift and what you are hoping to achieve. Also, tell him what you want in terms of physical appearance. The surgeon makes sure you understand the procedure risks and benefits, as well as realistic expectations.

Before the Facelift

To prepare for your facelift surgery you will need to:

  • Follow doctor’s orders – You are not permitted to take anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin, over the counter herbal supplements/vitamins, or blood-thinners for 2 weeks before the procedure.
  • Wash your face and hair – Before the procedure, you need to bathe in an antibacterial soap and have clean, fresh hair.
  • Fast for 8 hours – Because general anesthesia is used, you cannot eat or drink after midnight before your procedure.
  • Arrange for help during recovery – You will need someone to drive you home after your surgery, and should arrange for help during the recovery time.

During the Procedure

Because a facelift is a unique and individual surgery, techniques used to reposition facial and neck tissues vary. Depending on your face shape, problem areas, and desired results, the plastic surgeon determines the best location for the incisions so scarring is minimal. With the traditional facelift, you are given a local anesthetic to help with postoperative pain and incisions are made at the hairline, starting at the temples and continuing around the front of the ears ad in the lower scalp. With a limited-incision facelift, the doctor only makes small incisions in the hairline and around the ear.

After making incisions, the doctor redistributes and sculpts facial, neck, and jowl fat to the underlying tissues. To remove excess fat, liposuction may be used. The doctor inserts a small hollow cannula and uses suction power to remove fat cells. The fat can be used to plump hollow areas of the face. After all changes are made, small drains may be inserted, and the incisions are closed using sutures. The doctor will apply bandages and a compression wrap to the face.

After the Facelift

You are monitored in the recovery room for around 45 minutes. Expect to have some soreness, bruising, and swelling. You will rest with your head elevated at home to decrease fluid accumulation, and use cold packs to help with discomfort (20 minutes on/off, DO NOT leave them on while you sleep). You are not permitted to soak in a tub or sauna until wounds have healed, and expect to return to the surgeon’s office for bandage, drain, and suture removal in 1-7 days. It is important to move about your home, but avoid strenuous activities for 4-6 weeks.

Results

In a recent study of patients who had facelifts, researchers found that all patients were satisfied with their physical appearance and would have the procedure again. The clients reported improved facial appearance, enhanced quality of life, and better psychological well-being. Overall on average, patients felt they appeared 7 years younger than their real age.

Resources

Sinno S, Schwitzer J, Anazai L, & Thorne CH (2015). Face-Lift Satisfaction Using the FACE-Q. Plast Reconstr Surg, 136(2), 239-242.