Face & Neck Lift
Face Lift
Facial aging results in a loss of skin elasticity and firmness, sagging tissue and wrinkles. These signs of aging can impact how we feel about ourselves. If you wish to look as good as you feel a facelift may be the answer for you. A facelift (or rhytidecotmy) is a surgical procedure to improve the visible signs of aging in the face and neck. A facelift smoothes the loose skin on your face and neck, tightens underlying tissues, and removes excess fat. The end result is a smoother, firmer and fresher look. Mid-face sagging can create a deep crease below the lower eyelid (called a tear trough) and between the nose and mouth (nasolabial fold) that can make you appear tired and sad. You may consider a facelift if you have some of the following concerns:
- Wrinkles, excess fatty tissues or loose skin in the neck
- A deep line runs between the corners of your nose and mouth
- Loss of well defined jaw line
- Wrinkles in the cheeks and sagging skin near the cheekbones
Neck Lift
The approach in the female for neck lift is tailored to highlight and enhance the feminine structures of the jaw, neck, and chin. The appearance of fresh and uplifted contours leads to a well-rested and relaxed appearance, and translates to the perception of a more youthful appearance.
You may consider a neck lift if you find these to be trouble areas:
- Turkey gobbler neck
- Excess fat (double chin)
- Loose skin
- Presence of vertical muscle bands
During your neck lift consult your doctor will carefully discuss your concerns and your goals with you. A neck lift can be performed in conjunction with a face lift if there are mid face and lower face aging concerns.
After your facelift surgery a bandage is wrapped around your face to help control swelling. Sometimes, small drainage tubes are placed beneath the skin to drain away fluids that might otherwise accumulate. While discomfort may be minimal, any pain you feel can be controlled with medication prescribed by your surgeon.
During the first week following your facelift surgery you should rest with your head elevated to help minimize bruising and swelling. Swelling will reach its peak during this time and begin to subside. After the bandages have been removed (24 - 48 hours after your surgery) you may shower.
Stitches will dissolve or be removed. For the most part, face lift incisions are well healed within a week. You may return to light activity at 5 days.
You should be ready to return to work and normal activity between 2 and 4 weeks. Make up can concealed any bruising that remains. After six weeks following your facelift surgery you may resume exercise. Swelling and puffiness will have continued to subside. Numbness in the facial area will have diminished; however, some numbness may persist for several months.
Throughout the healing period, you should avoid exposure to direct sunlight and, for the long term, be conscientious about using sun block to protect your skin.
A number of factors including your heredity and your lifestyle play a role in how long the results of your facelift will last. Even though the aging process continues, patients are usually happy with their appearance for many years following their surgery. You will return to our office for follow-up care at designated intervals to evaluate your progress.
A number of factors including your heredity and your lifestyle play a role in how long the results of your facelift will last. Even though the aging process continues, patients are usually happy with their appearance for many years following their surgery.
Neck lift surgery is done under general anesthesia as an outpatient. A neck lift can be performed in conjunction with a face lift if there are mid face and lower face aging concerns. During a neck lift procedure, an incision will be made under the chin to remove fatty tissue in that area and smooth the underlying muscle in the neck.
Secondary incisions may be made around the ear lobe to elevate and redrape loose skin. Submental liposuction alone or in conjunction with a neck lift may be used to remove small fat deposits under the chin or anterior neck. Good candidates for submental liposuction are patients with small localized fat deposits but without muscle banding in the neck (turkey gobbler neck).
Drains are often placed to prevent collection of fluids following the surgery and to reduce bruising. Drains are usually removed in the first 48 hours. You may shower as soon as all drains are removed. Sutures are removed at approximately 5 days. While discomfort may be minimal, any pain you feel can be controlled with medication prescribed by your surgeon. You may return to light activity at 5 days.
Some patients experience a tight sensation around the neck for up to several months following surgery. You should not have any difficulty swallowing or breathing. You will have swelling post operatively for up to 12 weeks that may mask your final result. You may resume exercise at 2 weeks. You will return to our office for follow-up care at designated intervals to evaluate your progress.
