In an effort rejuvenate the appearance of their face, more and more people are turning to facelifts. In fact, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, over the past four years, the number of facelift procedures performed in the United States has increased to 128,667. The increasing frequency of facelift procedures places it among the top five most popular plastic surgery procedures including nose-reshaping (rhinoplasty), Liposuction (Lipoplasty), Breast Augmentation (Augmentation Mammaplasty), and eyelid surgery (Blepharoplasty).
When considering a facelift it is important to recognize that, despite conventional opinion, the texture of the skin on the face will not be modified by the facelift procedure. Facial skin conditions such as fine lines, acne scars, age spots and smoker's creases will quickly return to their original texture and presentation regardless of how tightly the skin is pulled during a facelift. Furthermore, a facelift will not result in bestowing beautiful skin on the recipient unless the patient possessed it prior to a facelift procedure. This being the case, there are solutions. For example, skin treatments such as laser resurfacing and chemical peels may be used in conjunction with a facelift in an effort to improve the texture of the skin and minimize the appearance of wrinkles, age spots, etc.
While the information contained in this website will provide you with a good introduction to the procedure, when considering a facelift, or any plastic surgery procedure for that matter, we recommend that you consult a qualified provider with experience in facelift surgery. This being said, some important elements you should understand include the following:
Benefits of Facelift Surgery:
While facelift surgery cannot stop the aging process, it may deter and offset some of its effects. Furthermore, facelift surgery offers many patients a way to address the effects of heredity, sun exposure, environmental issues (i.e., pollution), smoking, etc. In some facelift surgery cases it is believed that the person receiving the facelift may appear to be a decade younger than their actual age. Because of these various issues, facelift surgery continues to enjoy widespread and growing popularity.
Ten Questions Every Facelift Surgery Patient Should Ask Their Surgeon:
Prior to all facelift procedures a consultation will occur between the prospective patient and the providing surgeon. During this consultation the surgeon and patient will discuss issues such as the desired outcome, various options that are available to address said outcome, the procedure itself as well various risks and limitations. The surgeon will also provide information regarding anesthesia options, the location, and description of where the facelift procedure will be performed (i.e., hospital vs. an accredited office based surgical suite) and associated costs. A discussion regarding the patient's medical history, as well as a physical examination of the area to be treated will also take place during the consultation.
In an effort to educate individuals regarding facelift procedures, as well to assist in formulating realistic facelift expectations, it is recommended that the patient view numerous before and after photographs, speak with previous facelift patients, as well as obtain responses to the following questions:
- Are the desired results I described realistic and will other treatments be necessary to achieve this outcome (i.e., Botox, collagen fillers, laser/chemical peels, etc.)?
- Where is the facelift surgery performed and how long will it take?
- In my case, would a "mini-facelift" or "neck-lift" work as well or better than a full facelift?
- What kind of anesthesia will the surgeon use during the facelift surgery?
- How much does facelift surgery cost and what elements factor into that cost (i.e., hospital fee, anesthesia, etc)?
- What is the surgeon's level of experience in performing facelift surgery?
- What percentage of facelift patients experience complications with facelift surgery?
- What is the surgeon's policy in regards to correcting or repeating the facelift if the facelift surgery does not meet agreed upon goals?
- What should I expect, post-operatively, in terms of soreness, scaring, activity level, etc?
- Have you ever had your malpractice insurance coverage denied, revoked or suspended?
It is also recommended that interested persons request and view several before and after photographs of recent patients who have received facelift surgery from the surgeon. These photos may be supplemented with additional valuable information by requesting the names and contact information for several of the surgeon's facelift surgery patients, giving you access to his or her references.
In addition to the previously mentioned questions, it is imperative that facelift surgery patients relay to their surgeon information regarding any allergies and serious medical conditions they may have. Furthermore, facelift patients should inform the surgeon of any medications they are taking.
FAQ on Facelift
How is Facelift Surgery Performed?
The traditional technique for performing facelift surgery utilizes an incision that begins in the hairline near the temple and continues in front of the ear, around the ear lobe, behind the ear and back into the hairline. Following the precise creation of this surgical incision, the facial/neck muscles and sagging tissues are tightened, excess skin is removed and the remaining skin is repositioned in way that creates a rejuvenated and youthful appearance. In facelift cases where the neck needs specific lifting, a small incision is made under the chin from which the neck muscles and tissues are tightened. Following the lift process, the surgeon will use synthetic stitches to close the surgical incision. In some cases, the surgeon may elect to use metal clips to suture the incision depending on its length and depth.
Keep in mind that a facelift may improve the appearance of wrinkles but it will not remove them entirely from the facial region. Additional facial treatments such as chemical and laser resurfacing, along with Botox and collagen injections may used to help treat laugh lines, wrinkles, furrows and other skin blemishes such as age spots and acne scars.
How Much Pain is Associated With Facelift Surgery?
While time duration of a facelift procedure varies from surgeon to surgeon, a facelift usually requires two to three hours and may be performed using either local or general anesthesia (i.e., "deep sedation"). The longer the procedure is expected to take, the more likely it is that general anesthesia will be recommended for the facelift procedure. Anesthesia preferences will be discussed with the surgeon during the doctor-patient consultation. Furthermore, issues such as the complexity of the facial condition and the patient's desired results factor into determining how long the facelift procedure will take. Again, during the doctor-patient consultation, the surgeon will be able to provide a more specific time frame to the patient.
While many facelift procedures may be performed in a hospital setting, many are done in an office surgical suite. The location of where the facelift procedure is to be performed will depend on the patient's preferences as well as the surgeon's. Furthermore, while some patients are allowed to return home the same day as their facelift surgery, for some it may be necessary to spend the night in a hospital facility so that their recovery process may be monitored by trained medical staff.
What is The Long-Term Effect of Facelift Surgery?
Following the initial recovery period, patients may expect a rejuvenated and more youthful appearance. While most patients feel and look surprisingly okay following facelift surgery, the fact remains that facelift surgery is an invasive surgical technique and as such, pain accompanies the procedure. While the degree of pain varies significantly from patient to patient, factors such as one's level of pain tolerance, the magnitude of the facelift procedure, etc., contribute significantly to the level of pain experienced following facelift surgery. Usually, there is very little pain associated with a facelift and residual swelling typically disappears within a few days. Additionally, most bruises are gone within a few weeks. Patients generally feel a sense of tightness and numbness that should gradually dissipate within several weeks. Following facelift surgery, it is important to follow the surgeon's plan when returning to strenuous activity. This will help avoid placing unnecessary tension on the wound that could lead to additional scarring.
In regards to scarring, facelift surgery scars typically remain pink in color for the first few months before maturing into less visible white scars as time passes. Furthermore, facelift scars are primarily confined to the hairline region and within the natural creases of the skin.
While the immediate effects of a facelift may last for many years, the aging process continues. As a result, it is impossible to predict how long it might be before an individual would consider having a second facelift. As with all forms of plastic surgery, the results of facelift surgery are different for each and every patient. Typically, those patients who look best after a facelift are those who looked best before the procedure. While some patients may have one facelift during the course of their life, other patients may have a second facelift performed seven to fifteen years later.
Who Would Best Represent an Ideal Candidate For Facelift Surgery?
The best candidates for facelift surgery are typically those who:
- Possess good facial skin elasticity
- Are in good physical condition
- Are psychologically stable
- Don't smoke
- Maintain realistic expectations
- Are well informed as to the facelift procedure's outcome
In questioning the appropriate age and time for one to have a facelift, it is frequently suggested that a person have a facelift when they are prepared for it and that they may enjoy the benefits of facelift surgery. In other words, age range varies significantly. For example, a person with fat deposits on the sides of their face or neck may be in their early twenties, while another person may be in their seventies when face surgery is most appropriate.
What Are The Risks and Limitations of Facelift Surgery?
When evaluating facelift surgery it is important to remember that a facelift is a surgical procedure and is subject to the usual problems and complications that accompany surgery. As in most surgical procedures, bleeding from cut tissues may lead to bruising and possible accumulations of blood under the skin resulting in topical discoloration of the skin and soreness. Also related to most surgical procedures, any time the skin is cut infection is a possibility. As a result of new surgical techniques and drug therapies, infection is uncommon and treatable when and if it occurs. For those patients with low or compromised immune systems, this matter should be conveyed to the surgeon during the initial consultation visit.
In an effort to minimize any risks associated with facelift surgery, it is important that the patient follow all of the surgeon's instructions - both before and after surgery.
What Are The Typical Costs Associated With Facelift Surgery?
According to cost data supplied by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the national average for surgeon fees, relative to facelift surgery, is $5,966. Surgeon fees within various regions may vary depending on whether the practice is in an urban, suburban, or rural area. The national average fee covers the surgeon's fee only and does not include fees for the surgical facility, anesthesia, medical tests, prescriptions, or other miscellaneous costs related to facelift surgery. A comprehensive cost figure may be obtained while consulting with the surgeon. Make sure the total figure includes any and all costs associated with the facelift surgery.
Due to the various costs associated with facelift surgery, most surgeons offer multiple financing options. CosmeticSurgery.com has created an easy and effective way for patients to finance their facelift surgery online. For more information please click here (link to MediCredit)
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Our face is the first and most important part of our body which shows our age. There are many changes that occur in the various features of our face that make us look old and sometimes much older than what we feel.
An high, arched brow, which has a nice gentle con-tour is a sign of beauty and youthfulness. One of the important change that is associated with aging is drooping of the eyebrows. Along with heredity, sun damage another important factor that contributes to aging is Gravity. There is descent of tissues associated with loss of volume due to age. Recent advances in cosmetic surgery now allow us to reduce and remove these changes, a process called Brow lift.
The procedure
There are many techniques by which brow lift can be done. Brow lift is quite an old technical procedure which has evolved over the last 70 years, from a traditional coronal skin incision technique ( where the skin is lifted and pulled) to Endoscopic brow lift techniques. There are numerous other techniques, one more radical than the other. what is important is to give a balanced rejuvenated look, by the most simple and effective technique which leaves the least complications. Essentially, all techniques endeavour to release all attachments between the brow and the bone and then pull the skin up. The excess skin can be either removed or freed to allow it to contract.
Risks and complications
Although there are very few risks associated with this procedure, a possible general risk includes bleeding and collection of blood under the skin (hematoma). Bleeding is rare but may have to be stopped. Any surgery carries risks associated with anaesthesia. These risks will be fully discussed with you prior to your consent for surgery. The nerves of the face can sometimes be bruised during the operation and takes 3 - 6 weeks to recover. This may lead to slight weakness in the muscles supplied by that nerve. General risks like delayed wound healing and infections are common to many other operations and can be treated satisfactorily.
Progress and healing
Incisions usually heal in 7 days to 2 weeks. Stitches are removed around this time. You will then be asked to use a moisturiser and massage the face and scars. You will be able to return to light work and normal activity at this time, and to resume wearing contact lenses. Cosmetics can camouflage any bruising or redness. Healing will continue for several weeks. Diligent sun protection is a must for best results.
Results and outlook
Your final result will appear over time, generally within several weeks. It may take up to a year for incision lines to fully refine. Most of the swelling resolves by three months. While eyelid surgery can be expected to correct certain conditions around the eye permanently, you will continue to age naturally.
The benefits of your surgery should reveal a smooth and a firm contour of the forehead, better arching of the brows, improved distance between eyebrows and eyelid margin. This will complement any rejuvenation procedure around the eyes. What matters more is that the appearance of your eyes matches the way you feel inside - youthful, vital and alert.
FAQ on Brow lift
Who should have it done?
A sagging heavy brow is usually associated with a lot of aging changes around the eyes. Facial aging includes loss of skin elasticity and firmness, sagging tissues and wrinkles on the forehead. Even an energetic and excited person can appear tired or sad due to aging around the eye. Sagging, bulges and folds around the eyes can make the eyes look old and tired. Descent of the fat pad under the brow reduce the normal distance between the eyebrows and the eye and contributes to the formation of folds on the upper eyelid. If you are bothered by these signs of aging in your face, a brow lift may be right for you. In general, adults with the above problems, of any age who are in good health, moderately fit and overall have good muscle tone are good candidates for facial rejuvenation. They should not have any life threatening illness or medical conditions. Patients who smoke can have an increased risk of complications.
Could you benefit from a brow lift?
The forehead and the eyes should be visualised as one region and should not be separated from one another. Hence a brow lift is usually advised to patients requesting rejuvenation of the eyes. A brow lift will enhance the arching of the eyebrows, re-store the youthful distance between the eyelid mar-gins and the eyebrow. Along with reversing the aging changes, it can enhance the look of beauty
Its not likely to change your life or the way people treat you. It might possibly improve your confidence and self esteem when you start seeing a more youthful and fresh you in the mirror.
Where do I begin?
A consultation with your Aesthetic Plastic surgeon at Aesthetics is the first step to learn how brow lift surgery can improve the appearance of your face. This consultation will fully educate you in a non-pressured environment and will include a discussion of your goals, options available for facelift surgery, likely outcomes, potential risks and complications.
What kind of anaesthesia is required?
Usually the procedure would be done under a general anaesthetic for improved comfort.
What to expect after surgery?
There might be bruising and swelling after surgery that should subside in 3 - 6 weeks. You will have a soft and comfortable dressing around your head, cheeks and chin for firm support. The dressing will be removed in seven days. Immediately after surgery, due to the swelling, you might experience some difficulty in opening your eyes. There is a possibility of bruising around the eyes (black eye). There could be slight irritation and a feeling of dry eye. This rapidly improves after the next day.. Your plastic surgeon at Aesthetics and the assisting staff will fully attend to your comfort and safety.
You will be advised to apply an antibacterial ointment to the eye and protect the eyes from sun, wind and dust by wearing sunglasses.
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