Face Procedures >
Facelift
A face-lift is surgery to remove excess skin from the neck and lower jaw line jowl to give the lower two-thirds of the face a more youthful and rested appearance. A face-lift treats loose, sagging skin. Face-lift scars are hidden behind the ears in the hair and under the chin.
Face-lifts are most commonly performed on people age 40 to 70. The results of a face-lift can range from subtle to dramatic, depending upon aging changes that were present prior to surgery.
A person may be a candidate for a face-lift if any of the following conditions are present:
A deep crease or fold running from the corner of the nose to the corner of the mouth.
An undefined jawline with excess skin jowls.
Loose skin and excess fatty tissue at the neck.
A face-lift can help you feel better about how you look. How long the effects of the procedure last is influenced by such factors as exposure to sun and tobacco products, as well as your genetic makeup.
Key Facts
Anesthesia: General anesthesia or local anesthesia with IV intravenous sedation
Length of procedure: 3 to 4 hours
Length of stay: Usually one overnight stay
Anticipate: Temporary bruising 2 weeks and swelling at least 4 to 6 weeks but can last longer numbness and tenderness of skin dry or tight-feeling skin
Discomfort: Mild to Moderate, controlled with prescription pain medications
Duration of results: Typically 5 to 10 years, with normal aging
Recovery: Back to work in 1 to 3 weeks exercise in 3 to 4 weeks
Limitations
A face-lift alone will not reverse changes in the eye or forehead region. This may require eyelid surgery or a forehead lift. A face-lift will not remove fine wrinkles that are part of natural aging, such as those around the lips and eyes. Skin resurfacing procedures such as chemical peel or laser treatment may be needed to address these wrinkles.
What to Expect
A face-lift is usually done under general anesthesia, but can be done under local anesthesia with intravenous sedation delivered into a vein through an IV. The surgery is performed through incisions made in existing skin creases and hair-bearing areas surrounding the ear. The goal is to hide scars as much as possible. The incisions are made in the scalp above the ears. They extend to the front of the ears, continue under the earlobes and curve behind the ears into the hair-bearing scalp. Minimal or no hair is trimmed from the scalp along the incisions. The surgeon may adjust underlying tissue to create a smoother and more defined contour to the neck and jawline. Excess skin is then removed.
If necessary, the surgeon will trim or remove with liposuction localized deposits of fat along the jawline or under the chin. Sometimes an incision under the chin is necessary. The surgeon tightens the tissue by moving the skin and often the deeper subcutaneous tissues and muscles to achieve the best possible symmetry. Excess skin is removed and the incisions are closed with sutures and staples. |
