If you are bothered by the signs of aging in your face, a facelift may be right for you. Techincally known as rhytidectomy, a facelift is a surgical procedure to improve visible signs of aging in the face and neck.
- Sagging in the midface
- Deep creases below the lower eyelids
- Deep creases between the nose and mouth
- Loss of muscle tone in the lower face that may create jowls
- Loose skin and excess fatty deposits under the chin and jaw
A facelift is designed to correct all of these aging features, restoring a more youthful, rested appearance with uplifted contours and improved tone in facial skin and underlying muscle.
OUR FACE IS OUR MOST VISIBLE FEATURE
One that through expression and appearance conveys what and how we feel. Facial aging includes a loss of skin elasticity and firmness, sagging tissue and wrinkles. These visible signs of aging can greatly impact how we feel about ourselves and how others see us. Even a person who is energetic and excited about life can appear tired or sad due to aging in the midface, jaw line and neck. The loss of youthful contours in these areas is due to a variety of factors including heredity, gravity, environmental conditions and stress.
If you are bothered by the signs of aging in your face, a facelift may be right for you. In general, a facelift corrects sagging facial skin and muscles, removes excess fat and restores firmness to create a more youthful, rested and vibrant appearance.
This brochure presents an overview of facelift through plastic surgery. The best way to learn how a facelift can help fulfill your personal goals is a consultation with a plastic surgeon certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery’” or The Royal College of Physician and Surgeons of Canada.
What is a facelift?
A facelift, technically known as rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure to improve visible signs of aging in the face and neck.
Sagging in the midface can create a deep crease below the lower eyelid (called a tear trough) and between the nose and mouth (nasolabial fold) that may make you appear tired and sad. Fat that has fallen or is displaced and loss of muscle tone in the lower face may create jowls (a jaw line that sags into the neck). Loose skin and excess fatty deposits under the chin and jaw can make even a person of normal weight appear to have a “double chin.”
A facelift is designed to correct all of these aging features, restoring a more youthful, rested appearance with uplifted contours and improved tone in facial skin and underlying muscle. Where desired improvement can be isolated to the midfacial region and where excess skin is less a factor, a limited incision lift may be an alternative to a traditional facelift.
As a restorative surgery, a facelift does not change your fundamental appearance and cannot stop the aging process. Although you will continue to age naturally, aging will progress from the more youthful version of yourself that has been restored by a facelift. Rejuvenation procedures typically performed in conjunction with a facelift arc brow lift, to correct a sagging or deeply furrowed brow, and eyelid surgery to rejuvenate aging eyes.
A facelift is best performed on adult men and women who feel that their outward facial aging no longer reflects the youth and vigor they feel physically and emotionally. Good candidates are:
- Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing
- Non-smokers
- Individuals with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for improving their body image
A consultation with your plastic surgeon is the first step to learn how breast augmentation can enhance your breasts’ appearance and improve your body image. A consultation is designed to fully educate you about breast augmentation in a non-pressured environment and will include:
- A discussion of your goals and an evaluation of your current signs of aging
- The options available to you for facelift and facial rejuvenation
- The likely outcomes of a facelift and the potential risks and complications associated with the procedure
- The course of treatment recommended by your plastic surgeon
Your plastic surgeon will also answer your questions.
Evaluation
Overall health and personal outlook can greatly impact the outcome of breast augmentation surgery. These will be carefully evaluated in consultation with your plastic surgeon. The success of your procedure, safety and overall satisfaction require that you:
- Honestly share your expectations
- Fully disclose health history, current medications, the use of vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drugs
- Commit to precisely following all of your plastic surgeon’s instructions
My facelift
A facelift is a highly individualized procedure. Your plastic surgeon will evaluate your skin, muscle and bone structure and the specific conditions that contribute to your aging appearance. These factors are the most significant considerations in determining the appropriate technique or combination of procedures to best achieve your realistic goals. A facelift can only be performed surgically; non-surgical rejuvenation treatments cannot achieve the same results, but may help delay the time at which a facelift becomes appropriate. Most patients are reassured to know that a facelift will not change their basic appearance, but will restore it to a younger version of itself that will then continue to age naturally over time.
A traditional facelift restores the midface, jowls and neck, allowing excess skin to be removed. Where improvement is desired in the midface region alone and where excess skin is less a factor, limited incision techniques may be an alternative to a traditional facelift. Your goals, anatomy and your plastic surgeon’s surgical judgement are all factors in determining the best approach to your individual case.
Procedures that may further enhance the outcome of a facelift may include: facial implants or soft tissue augmentation to recontour the facial structure, and resurfacing techniques to improve the tone and texture of facial skin. Wrinkle reduction by injection (Botox) may be recommended prior to your procedure (to help underlying muscles fully relax before repositioning and tightening) or after (to help maintain results).
Preparing for surgery
Your plastic surgeon will carefully explain your breast augmentation procedure. Prior to surgery, you will be given specific instructions that may include:
- Pre-surgical considerations, diagnostic testing and medications
- Day of surgery instructions and medications
- Specific information related to the use of anesthesia
In addition, you will be asked to sign consent forms to assure your plastic surgeon that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo and any potential risks or complications.
Risks associated with a surgical facelift include infection, bleeding beneath the skin (hematoma), correctable hair loss at the incisions, facial nerve injury with weakness, facial asymmetry, skin loss with scarring, numbness, and risks associated with anesthesia. These and other potential risks and complications will be fully discussed prior to your consent.
It is important to have all your questions answered and it is natural to feel some anxiety about surgery. Discuss these feelings with your plastic surgeon.
What to expect
A facelift may be performed in your plastic surgeon’s accredited office-based surgical facility, an ambulatory surgical facility or hospital. The decision for anesthesia will be based on the requirements of you- specific procedure and considerations of patient and surgeon preference. Your plastic surgeon and the assisting staff will fully attend to your comfort and safety.
Following surgery
Once your procedure is completed, a bandage will gently be placed around your face to minimize swelling and bruising. A thin tube may be present to drain any excess blood that may collect under the skin. Before being released, you and an accompanying family member, friend or caregiver will be given specific instructions that may include:
- How to care for the breasts following surgery
- Medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection
- Specific changes at the surgical site or in overall health
- When to follow-up with your plastic surgeon
Progress and healing
Initial healing will include swelling and may include numbness and discomfort that can be controlled with medication. Your skin will likely look bruised or discolored. In addition, facial movements may be temporarily restricted. These are common conditions.
Your plastic surgeon will instruct you to keep your head elevated at all times until initial swelling has subsided. You will be provided specific postoperative instructions including cleansing of your face and hair. Follow all instructions carefully; this is essential to the success of your outcome. A return to light, normal activity is usually possible within a few days of surgery.
For the most part, facelift incisions are well healed within a week. You will be ready to return to work and light, normal activity sometime between 2 to 4 weeks. Cosmetics can usually camouflage any bruising that remains.
Healing will continue for at least several more weeks as swelling resolves and incision lines continue to improve. You must practice diligent sun protection until the healing process is fully complete. Continue to follow your plastic surgeon’s instructions and attend follow-up visits as scheduled.
It may take several months for swelling to fully dissipate and up to 6 months for incision lines to mature. Life-long sun protection will help to maintain your rejuvenated appearance by minimizing photo-aging or sun damage. In addition, a healthy lifestyle will also help extend the results of your rejuvenated, more youthful appearance. Most patients find that the benefits of their initial facelift results are long-lasting, even as they continue to age.