Are the signs of aging in your face bothering you? Facelift surgery could be the answer that you are looking for! Also known as Rhytidectomy, facelift is a surgical procedure done to remove visible signs of aging in the face and neck such as the following:
• Midface sagging
• Deep creases in the lower portion of the eyelids and along the nose
• A displaced or fallen Fat
• Loss muscle tone in the lower face
• Loose skin
• Excess fat deposit below the chin and jaw
Good Candidates for Facelift
Since the face usually portrays the first visible signs of aging, most people who feel that their facial features do not reflect their youthful spirit and energy level are good candidates for this. They are looking for ways to refresh and renew their youthful appearance and many variations of this procedure resulted in smoothening of skin in the face and neck, tightening of underlying tissues and removal of excess skin. Ultimately, this procedure will allow you to turn back the hands of time and bring back your youthful look.
Before the Procedure
Your surgeon will first conduct a pre-operative consultation. He will assess the condition of your facial bone structure, skin thickness, underlying skin structure, texture, and the extent of folds and facial wrinkles. He will use this information to create a surgical plan and after that, he will discuss to you the goals of the procedure. Your surgeon will select the surgical technique that he or she knows will obtain the best outcome for you based the outcome you wish to achieve.
The Procedure
The procedural technology continues to improve. Through the years, it has changed from simple skin lifting to a more improve deeper plane lifting techniques. Today, many techniques are performed, with results that are reliable and durable. The procedure usually involves incisions in front and back of the ear. Once these incisions are done, various degrees of skin undermining are performed, and the deeper layers of face are ‘lifted’. In some case, muscle tightening and liposuction in the neck and jowls may be performed and the excess skin is either removed or repositioned. The results are the reverse of the effects of gravity and the tightening of soft tissues in the face which restore a more youthful contour to the face.
During the Procedure
The goal of the surgeon is to make your surgical experience as easy and as comfortable as possible. It can be performed in accredited hospitals, free-standing ambulatory facilities, or in office-based surgical suites.
Medications are given for your comfort during the procedure. You and your Filipino plastic surgeon will have to decide in advance what type of anesthesia is to be used – either intravenous sedation (twilight) or general anesthesia. For your safety’ various monitors are used to check your heart, pulse, blood pressure and the amount of oxygen in your blood during and after the operation.
When the surgery is completed, you will be brought to a recovery area. Your face may be wrapped by a bandage. Surprisingly, there is very little discomfort experienced after the surgery and this discomfort that you will experience will be controlled by pain medication as needed. Your surgeon may permit you to go home after a few hours although you can also stay overnight.
Possible Risks
Fortunately, complications from facelifts procedure are very minimal. Thousands of people every year who have undergone a successful facelift surgery are pleased with the results. However just like the other surgeries, patients should be aware of both the benefits and risks.
Some of possible complications that may occur are hematoma (accumulation of blood under the skin), reactions to anesthesia and infection. You can also minimize the risks by following the instructions and advice of your surgeon both before and after surgery.
Recovery Period
You must realize that the amount of time to recover from the facelift surgery greatly varies between individuals. Elevating of head is extremely helpful in reducing the post-operative swelling. Your surgeon may also instruct you to use ice packs intermittently. Avoid smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke to prevent delays in the healing process. Once the dressings and drains are removed, do not be alarmed by any unevenness or temporary asymmetry in your face – this is only normal. Most swelling takes place during the first 24 to 48 hours and the bruising are resolves within 2 weeks.
After a week, concealing makeup is usually permitted. Stitches are removed within a week after the surgery. You may also experience numbness to the face which usually resolves within several months. You should avoid straining, lifting and bending during the early post-operative period as these activities may lead to bleeding. It is vital to avoid the factors that can reduce the benefits of the surgery such as excessive sun exposure and cigarette smoking. Your surgeon will give you specific instructions in caring for the dressings and incisions and when to follow up in his office to monitor your healing process. The swelling can be resolved for about several months and the incision scars can take up to 6 months to fully fade.
Result of the Surgery
The results of your facelift may be surprising and dramatic, depending on your appearance prior to the procedure as well as your expectations and specific goals that you and your surgeon have established. Since the healing is gradual, you should wait several weeks to see an accurate picture of your “new look”.
