FACE LIFT
Contents
WHAT IS A FACELIFT PROCEDURE AND WHY IS IT PERFORMED?
A facelift procedure can help men and women (dependent on skin
condition) to overcome the visual effects of gravity, sun exposure
and the signs of ageing on the face and jowl area.
A facelift is one of the most commonly performed facial cosmetic
procedures and is often performed as a result of a patient feeling
self conscious about his or her ageing facial appearance. This
procedure can be performed singularly or in combination with other
procedures such as laser resurfacing, browlift surgery or
blepharoplasty (eye bag removal).
The ultimate objective is for the surgeon to create a natural,
youthful, fresh facial and jowl appearance by removing slack skin,
tightening up loose facial muscle and removing unwanted fatty
deposits.
HOW IS A FACELIFT PROCEDURE PERFORMED?
A facelift procedure involves the surgical refining of ageing
facial features by placing an incision above the hair line at the
temple region, which extends down in front or just inside the
cartilage at the front of the ear, and then runs behind the earlobe
and up into the hair line on the lower scalp area.
These incisions allow the surgeon access to the deeper layers in
the face and their fibrous attachments, which are sutured
(stitched) tightly in front and behind the ear, to create a firm
sling under the chin and around the jowl area. Slack skin is then
precisely and meticulously removed, and if necessary, unwanted fat
is also removed from under the chin area with a minor liposuction
technique. The remaining skin is then re-draped over the newly
defined features and carefully sutured back into place with either
absorbable or fine unabsorbable stitches.
This procedure is usually performed under general anaesthetic
and will commonly involve one or occasionally two nights stay in
hospital. Under normal conditions a typical facelift procedure will
take between two and two and a half hours to perform.
WHAT KIND OF MEN AND WOMEN REQUEST THIS
PROCEDURE?
- Men and women who are unhappy with their general ageing
appearance.
- Men and women who suffer from premature lines and wrinkles
caused by excessive sun exposure, smoking, loose skin and
hereditary factors.
WHAT ARE THE RESULTS LIKE?
This procedure can provide significant results, freeing men and
women from the concern that can be caused by a wrinkled ageing
face.
Excess loose and wrinkled skin will be removed and the profile
and general appearance of the remaining underlying tissue and
facial skin will look more smoother and firmer.
This advanced corrective procedure is a very precise and
reasonably lengthy one and should only be performed by a Consultant
Plastic Surgeon who is fully qualified and well experienced to
skillfully perform this type of surgery.
Improved results will take place almost immediately following
surgery, but will be obscured by the inevitable neck and facial
bruising and swelling which typically follows any facial surgery.
It can take up to 14 days for this initial swelling and bruising to
settle to an acceptable appearance. After initial swelling has
settled down, subtle improvements to the contour of the newly
shaped face and neck area will take place for up to six months
following surgery.
HOW WILL YOU FEEL AFTER A FACELIFT PROCEDURE?
Following a facelift procedure incision areas are often quite
tender for several weeks following surgery. Analgesic tablets (pain
killers) are always provided for any discomfort and customers are
encouraged to stay as upright as possible during their early
recovery stage and to use cold compresses to help diminish residual
swelling. Customers usually describe the way they feel as "tight
and uncomfortable" rather then experiencing specific pain.
Every surgeons facelift technique can differ slightly and
facelift wounds can be sutured with either clips, absorbable or
fine unabsorbable sutures, or even a combination of all three.
Sutures and clips are normally removed 7-14 days following
surgery.
Any post-operative discomfort tends to diminish rapidly after
clips and sutures are removed. Most surgeons firmly bandage the
face and jaw area for the first 24 hours following surgery to
minimise the development of swelling and to help reduce facial
discomfort. Following the removal of bandaging, customers are
advised to gently shower and wash their hair on a daily basis and
to keep their surgical wounds as clean as possible.
In the early days following discharge, customers are strongly
advised to avoid any level of activity that will put undue strain
on the newly operated areas, to keep their hands away from their
surgical wounds and to pay meticulous attention to their personal
hygiene.
Customers will also be advised to take a specific amount of
recovery time away from work, dependent on the type of work they
perform, but it is usual to take at least a fortnight off to rest
and recover at home.
Customers are also asked to totally avoid direct sunbathing on
the facial area for 12 months following surgery.
ARE THERE ANY RISKS INVOLVED IN FACE LIFT SURGERY?
All surgery involves an element of risk from developing
complications. However, cosmetic surgery is usually undertaken
voluntarily and only when a patient is in good health. Therefore,
the probability of experiencing complications with this kind of
surgery are substantially lower than with those who undergo surgery
for ill health reasons.
Risks such as bleeding, infection, delayed healing, alteration
in sensitivity and scarring will all be discussed quite openly at
consultation, as well as our scrupulous efforts to manage and
minimise these risks to their lowest possible potential.
In most cases, the fine incisions and subsequent scars made
during surgery are well hidden in the hair-line and behind the ear.
However, the recovery and appearance of scars, which generally fade
progressively after surgery, are a highly individual matter.
Usually these fine scars mature, soften and fade to a negligible
level although occasionally, patients can develop firm, raised,
discoloured scarring, known as hypertrophic or keloid scarring,
which may require further corrective treatment although the results
cannot be guaranteed.
It is often reported that altered sensitivity and numbness to
skin around the wound areas are a common side effect for up to 12
months following facelift surgery.
Due to the additional healing and infection risks experienced
with customers who smoke, smokers may be precluded from having a
facelift until they cease or substantially reduce their daily
cigarette intake.
WHAT NEXT?
The importance of a thorough pre-operative consultation with the
actual Consultant Plastic Surgeon who will perform your operation
cannot be over stressed. You need time to consider all the benefits
and risks of facelift surgery and the opportunity to reflect on all
the information you are given before making a decision regarding a
potential procedure.
At Vive Life Care each consultation is tailored to an
individual’s needs, but the consultation will always involve a
thorough evaluation of your present and past medical history and a
physical examination of the problem area. The surgeon will take
time to listen to your concerns and take care to ensure that you
have a thorough understanding of what can be done to help, the
procedure itself, the recovery stages and a clear explanation of
the risks involved.