Facial Cosmetic Surgery
Facelift
As people age, the effects of gravity, exposure to the sun, and the stresses of daily life can be seen in their faces. Deep creases form between the nose and mouth, the jawline grows slack and jowly, and folds and fat deposits appear around the neck.
A facelift, or what is technically referred to as a rhytidectomy, "sets back the clock." It improves the most visible signs of aging by removing excess fat, tightening underlying muscles, and redraping the skin of your face and neck.
The best candidate for a facelift is a man or woman whose face and neck have begun to sag, but 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 and eighties as well. A facelift can make you look younger and fresher, and it may enhance your self-confidence in the process. But it can't give you a totally different look, nor can it restore the health and vitality of your youth. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon.
Facelifts are very individualized procedures. In your initial consultation, Dr. Weiss will evaluate your face, including the skin and the underlying bone, and discuss your goals for the surgery. He 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. Be sure to tell him if you smoke or are taking any drugs or medications, especially aspirin or other drugs that affect clotting. He will explain the techniques and anesthesia he will use, where the surgery will be performed, and the risks and costs involved.
Dr. Weiss will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. Carefully following these instructions will help your surgery go more smoothly. If you smoke, it's especially important to stop at least a week or two before and after surgery; smoking inhibits blood flow to the skin and can interfere with the healing of your incision areas..
Most facelifts are performed under local anesthesia, combined with a sedative to make you drowsy. You'll be awake but relaxed , and your face will be insensitive to pain. However, you may feel some tugging or occasional discomfort. Some surgeons prefer general anesthesia. In that case, you'll sleep through the operation.
Incisions usually begin above the hairline at the temples, extend in a natural line in front of the ear (or just below the cartilege at the front of your ear), and continue behind the earlobe to the lower scalp. If the neck needs work, a small incision may also be under the chin.
In general, 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, and removes the excess. Stitches secure the layers of tissue and close the incisions; metal clips may be used on the scalp.
As people age, the effects of gravity, exposure to the sun, and the stresses of daily life can be seen in their faces. Deep creases form between the nose and mouth, the jawline grows slack and jowly, and folds and fat deposits appear around the neck.
A facelift, or what is technically referred to as a rhytidectomy, "sets back the clock." It improves the most visible signs of aging by removing excess fat, tightening underlying muscles, and redraping the skin of your face and neck.
The best candidate for a facelift is a man or woman whose face and neck have begun to sag, but 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 and eighties as well. A facelift can make you look younger and fresher, and it may enhance your self-confidence in the process. But it can't give you a totally different look, nor can it restore the health and vitality of your youth. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon.
Facelifts are very individualized procedures. In your initial consultation, Dr. Weiss will evaluate your face, including the skin and the underlying bone, and discuss your goals for the surgery. He 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. Be sure to tell him if you smoke or are taking any drugs or medications, especially aspirin or other drugs that affect clotting. He will explain the techniques and anesthesia he will use, where the surgery will be performed, and the risks and costs involved.
Dr. Weiss will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. Carefully following these instructions will help your surgery go more smoothly. If you smoke, it's especially important to stop at least a week or two before and after surgery; smoking inhibits blood flow to the skin and can interfere with the healing of your incision areas..
Most facelifts are performed under local anesthesia, combined with a sedative to make you drowsy. You'll be awake but relaxed , and your face will be insensitive to pain. However, you may feel some tugging or occasional discomfort. Some surgeons prefer general anesthesia. In that case, you'll sleep through the operation.
Incisions usually begin above the hairline at the temples, extend in a natural line in front of the ear (or just below the cartilege at the front of your ear), and continue behind the earlobe to the lower scalp. If the neck needs work, a small incision may also be under the chin.
In general, 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, and removes the excess. Stitches secure the layers of tissue and close the incisions; metal clips may be used on the scalp.
Following surgery, a small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin behind your ear to drain any blood that might collect there. The surgeon may also wrap your head loosely in bandages to minimize bruising and swelling.
If you've had a drainage tube inserted, it will be removed one or two days after surgery. Bandages, when used, are usually removed after one to five days. Don't be surprised at the pale, bruised, and puffy face you see. Just keep in mind that in a few weeks you'll be looking normal. Most of your stitches will be removed after about five days. Your scalp may take longer to heal, and the stitches or metal clips in your hairline could be left in a few days longer.
You should be up and about in a day or two, but plan on taking it easy for the first week after surgery. Be especially gentle with your face and hair, since your skin will be both tender and numb, and may not respond normally at first.
Dr. Weiss will give you more specific guidelines for gradually resuming your normal activities. They're likely to include these suggestions: Avoid strenuous activity, including sex and heavy housework, for at least two weeks (walking and mild stretching are fine); avoid alcohol, steam baths, and saunas for several weeks; limit your exposure to the sun for several months. Above all, get plenty of rest and allow your body to spend its energy on healing.
The chances are excellent that you'll be happy with your facelift - especially if you realize that the results may not be immediately apparent. Even after swelling and bruises are gone, the hair around your temples may be thin and your skin may feel dry and rough for several months.
You'll have some scars from your facelift, but they're usually hidden by your hair or in the natural creases of your face and ears. In any case, they'll fade with time and should be scarcely visible.
Having a facelift doesn't stop the clock. Your face will continue to age with time, and you may want to repeat the procedure one or more times - perhaps five or ten years down the line. But in another sense, the effects of even one facelift are lasting; years later, you'll continue to look better than if you'd never had a facelift at all.
If you've had a drainage tube inserted, it will be removed one or two days after surgery. Bandages, when used, are usually removed after one to five days. Don't be surprised at the pale, bruised, and puffy face you see. Just keep in mind that in a few weeks you'll be looking normal. Most of your stitches will be removed after about five days. Your scalp may take longer to heal, and the stitches or metal clips in your hairline could be left in a few days longer.
You should be up and about in a day or two, but plan on taking it easy for the first week after surgery. Be especially gentle with your face and hair, since your skin will be both tender and numb, and may not respond normally at first.
Dr. Weiss will give you more specific guidelines for gradually resuming your normal activities. They're likely to include these suggestions: Avoid strenuous activity, including sex and heavy housework, for at least two weeks (walking and mild stretching are fine); avoid alcohol, steam baths, and saunas for several weeks; limit your exposure to the sun for several months. Above all, get plenty of rest and allow your body to spend its energy on healing.
The chances are excellent that you'll be happy with your facelift - especially if you realize that the results may not be immediately apparent. Even after swelling and bruises are gone, the hair around your temples may be thin and your skin may feel dry and rough for several months.
You'll have some scars from your facelift, but they're usually hidden by your hair or in the natural creases of your face and ears. In any case, they'll fade with time and should be scarcely visible.
Having a facelift doesn't stop the clock. Your face will continue to age with time, and you may want to repeat the procedure one or more times - perhaps five or ten years down the line. But in another sense, the effects of even one facelift are lasting; years later, you'll continue to look better than if you'd never had a facelift at all.