Indications for Facelift
As we get older gravitational aging changes occur in the mid- face, jowls, and neck. Botox, fillers and Ultherapy may help to add some lift, but they can not eliminate excess skin like a facelift. In 2016 facelifts re-made the top 5 cosmetic surgery procedures in the United States (ASPS 2016) after having dropped in previous years. People are realizing that as great as the non-invasive procedures are, the gold standard in facial rejuvenation is still the facelift.
Facelift Surgery
A facelift procedure re-positions the soft tissues and muscles of the face, and redrapes the skin to restore a more youthful appearance. Excess skin is often removed leaving a sleeker profile. The operation is frequently combined with blepharoplasty (eye surgery), C02 laser resurfacing, and/or fillers and botox. Time 3-5 hrs.
Location
Depending on the extent of surgery it may be performed with a local anesthetic and sedation in our office or a general anesthetic at the hospital. Patients may elect to spend a night at the hospital.
Trade Offs
There is mild, temporary surgical discomfort, bruising, and swelling. Scars are carefully placed and are rarely a concern, in many patients a short scar technique can be utilized. Temporary numbness and tightness of the cheek and neck skin is expected. In men re-positioning of the beard may alter the area that requires shaving.
Risks
Although uncommon, problems with facelift may include infection, bleeding, minor asymmetries, or injury to the facial nerve resulting in muscle weakness. Additional surgery although rare is sometimes required when there is an area of hair loss, poor healing or excessive scarring.
Recovery
After their facelift surgery, our patients are instructed in the use of cool compresses for the first 48 hours to minimize swelling and bruising. Most patients return to work 10-14 days following surgery and return to their normal exercise routine at 2-4 weeks. Although the downtime is longer than some other procedures, patients report that it is worth the wait since the results are more significant.
