What is done in a facelift?

A facelift rejuvenates the aging face and neck by removal of excess skin and tightening of deeper facial tissues. It is designed to give a refreshed, more youthful appearance. A facelift can help a patient who has lost skin elasticity and muscle tone of the face and neck. It is very effective for sagging neck lines, jowls or deep wrinkles of the face. To improve the entire face, a facelift is often combined with a brow lift and/or eyelid surgery and/or liposuction under the chin. Adjunctive procedures like these may vary from patient to patient.
 

What is facial rejuvenation?

Facial rejuvenation is skin care supplemented, where applicable, with facials, peels, microdermabrasion and laser treatments. This involves monitoring of your skin condition and judicious use of skin care products, such as moisturizers, sun block agents and individualized make-up. This is important in preparing the skin for facelifts and is equally important in post-operative skin care. Proper skin care will greatly help in slowing down the effects of the sun, gravity and aging and maximize the results of your facelift. Lately, mesotherapy has been gaining a following and this might be of help in rejuvenation of the skin.
 

What can I expect before, during and after a facelift?

As with any surgery, a comprehensive pre-operative evaluation done by your doctor is crucial to the success of your operation. Any previous surgeries will be investigated. Any concomitant medical condition, allergies, and bleeding problems will be addressed and all medications being taken will be reviewed and recorded. It is advisable for you to consult with your cardiologist or internist and anesthesiologist.

At your initial consultation, time will be spent individualizing a treatment plan based on your particular pattern of facial aging and what you, yourself, want out of surgery. In addition to assessing your expectations and analyzing your concerns, your surgeon will also discuss the potential complications with a facelift or other cosmetic procedures. These complications include, but are not limited to, bleeding or hematoma, delayed wound healing commonly seen in smokers, scarred tissue, and the rare possibility of nerve injury. Your doctor will also tell you that while this operation will improve your appearance and often instill confidence, this will not change your life nor solve your personal problems.

This procedure is done under general anesthesia and you will need to be admitted to the hospital the night before the surgery. Depending on your level of comfort, your hospital stay may last from 2-3 days. The surgical incisions are hidden in natural creases in front of and behind the ear and in the scalp.

In general, the facelift operation is uncomfortable but not painful. It is associated with bruising and swelling which lasts on the average two to three weeks. While you may not wish to go out in public during those two weeks, you should begin to feel well in the first several days after the surgery. Your doctor will want to see you several times during this two to three week period to assess your healing and to remove sutures and drains. Most people can return to work in two to three weeks.