What are the objectives of facelift?

A well done facelift should provide a natural, refreshed and younger YOU. You should look about 10 years younger, but not different. One of the biggest side benefits is improved self-esteem and being happy with what you see in the mirror.

What is the basic procedure of Facelift?

The basic fundamentals of a facelift involve placing incisions around the natural contours of the ear, and sometimes a small incision under the chin. Liposuction may help contour the neckline in some patients, and sometimes a platysmaplasty, or tightening of the neck muscles, is performed with the chin incision. Using the incisions around the ears, a deep plane of tissue is lifted. The fat pads of the face are lifted and repositioned to a more youthful locations with this deep plane. Sutures are placed under the skin to anchor the deep plane, and by this time there is typically a lot of extra skin around the ears. The excess is removed and the incisions are closed carefully. Drains or a light dressing are placed, and the patient usually goes home that night. Most surgeons do the first post-op visit the very next day and perform the first dressing change.

What is a facelift?

A facelift is a way to turn the clock back on the face by tightening the neck, jowls and midface. The incisions are placed inconspicuously around the ears.Typically, the pull is on a deeper plane of fibrous tissue, not the skin, to allow for the most natural appearance. Current techniques allow for a refreshed, natural look that avoids the "windswept " look of the past. Modifications exist to minimize scars and downtime, but results may not be as dramatic or last as long. A facelift should "last " for 10 years before aging is noticeable, or you return to a similar appearance to that before surgery. Downtime for a facelift is about 1-2 weeks, and the surgery can be done under twilight sedation or general anesthetic- local anesthesia is not advised. You can expect improvements to the face and neck below the cheekbones. Typically eyelids and brows are addressed separately.

What are the benefits of a facelift procedure?

A facelift will turn back the clock on the lower face, soften facial folds and wrinkles, and tighten sagging jowls and neck skin. A facelift can improve self-esteem, and in some cases make people more youthful appearing to be competitive in a tough job market.

Are there significant risks associated with facelift surgery?

There are risks associated with any surgery. Although not likely, possible risks include hematoma (bleeding under the skin), prolonged swelling or numbness, facial weakness, poor scars, need for further surgery, asymmetry and displeasure with the results. Hematoma is the most common bad complication seen with facelifting, with a rate of 3-8%.