face procedures::facelift
Facelift
Looking to take years off? A facelift may be the solution to your problem
by reducing sagging skin on the face and neck, helping you to appear firmer
and fresher. Your bone structure, heredity, and skin texture all play
a role in how many “years” a facelift can “remove”
and, to an extent, influence how long it will last.
A typical candidate for a facelift exhibits one of the following characteristics:
- a deep line, or fold, running from the corner of your nose to
the corner of your mouth.
- jowls, or loss of a well-defined jawline associated with youthfulness.
- deep wrinkles in the cheeks and sagging of the "highlight"
areas of the cheekbones.
- loose skin, wrinkles, vertical "cords" or excess fatty
tissue in the neck.
before the facelift surgery
It is important for the doctor to have a clear understanding of your expectations
for the facelift procedure. Make sure to point out what portions of your
appearance you would like to change and what you hope to achieve from
the facelift procedure. To meet your expectations, your surgeon may also
recommend procedures such as a brow lift, eyelid surgery, or a related
procedure to go along with a facelift surgery.
Because each person’s facial features and expectations are different,
not all patients will attain the same results or have the same surgical
technique. Your plastic surgeon will select the surgical technique that
he or she feels will best meet your expectations.
Prior to the face lift surgery, the physician should provide a list of
guidelines for preparation for your surgery.
the facelift surgery
The surgeon performs the facelift operation one side at a time, working
through incisions that are placed in the hairline, in front of or partially
within the ears as well as behind the ears. Although there are many techniques
that you surgeon may choose, typically the incision is hidden in the natural
contour of your ear, then extends around the earlobe and back into the
hairline. By limiting the incisions to these areas, your surgeon can limit
the exposure of any resulting scars from the procedure.
Through these facelift incisions, your skin will be separated from the
underlying tissues to the extent necessary and than the excess skin will
be removed. After the skin has been pulled up and back, the excess is
removed. When necessary, removal of fatty deposits beneath the skin and
tightening of sagging muscles is also performed.
after the facelift surgery
The healing process for a facelift is a gradual one and varies depending
upon each individual. Temporary skin discoloration is common and some
tightness or numbness in the face and neck are usual post operative signs.
Your skin will remain somewhat sensitive for a period of time after the
facelift surgery. Make sure to ask your doctor about precautions such
as exposure to sun and the use of make-up.
As with any surgery, you can help to help shorten the recovery period
by following the advice and instructions of your plastic surgeon, both
before and after the facelift surgery.
The information presented on this site is intended to be used for informational use only, it is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. If you are planning on having a procedure performed or if there is anything you don't understand about your procedure, please consult one of our physicians.
If you would like to schedule a consultation with one of our board
certified plastic surgeons click here
or call (206) 438-4730.
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