Face Lift
A facelift can improve the visible signs of aging such as mid-facial and neck sagging, deep creases below the eyelids and in the nasolabial folds, loss of muscle tone in the face creating “jowls,” and fatty deposits under the chin and jaw giving the appearance of a double chin.
Often, other procedures such as a brow lift or an eyelid lift are performed in conjunction with a facelift to further rejuvenate a person’s appearance and expression.
Furthermore, facial implants and fillers may be used during this procedure to provide even better contour.
Initial Consultation
During your initial consultation, you will meet with one of our surgeons and your patient-care coordinator. They will carefully and completely review your health history and perform a thorough exam.
We may also take photographs for your medical records, and the surgeon will discuss with you the risks, benefits, and potential complications as well as explain in detail what the procedure entails.
Procedure
This procedure will vary in duration, ranging from approximately three to four-and-a-half hours, and will require general anesthetic. To begin with, the surgeon will make an incision that begins in the hairline at the temples and continues down around the ears, ending in the lower-scalp region. Through this incision, fat will be sculpted and/or redistributed from the face, jowls, and/or neck, and the underlying tissue will be tightened and repositioned. Excess skin will then be trimmed away and sutures used to close the points of entry. Our surgeons are extremely skilled at positioning the incision sites to be well hidden, behind the hairline and in the natural curves of the face and ears.
Recovery
Most patients are able to return home the day of their surgery; however, you will need someone to drive you as well as to stay with you for the first 24 hours. Following the procedure, your face will be bandaged with gauze, and your face and neck will swell significantly, with swelling being the worst the morning after the procedure. Bruising, on the other hand, will be more noticeable several days after the surgery; however, swelling should subside after the first week, and bruising will follow shortly thereafter. Keep in mind that it is normal to experience some post-surgical numbness for the first couple of weeks as well as slight oozing from the incisions during the first couple of days. You may also have drains in place, which will be removed at your post-operative visit.