Frequently Asked Questions About Face Lift
- What is a face lift?
- Am I candidate for a face lift?
- At what age is a face lift usually performed?
- What does a typical face lift consultation entail?
- How is a face lift performed?
- What are the different techniques in performing a face lift?
- What should I expect postoperatively?
- When will the sutures be taken out and does this hurt?
- Will there be scarring? If so, where will the scars be located?
- How long is the down time for this procedure? How long should I expect to be out of work?
- When will I be able to see the results of my face lift?
- What are the risks of face lift?
- How long do the effects of a face lift last?
A face lift, or rhytidoplasty or rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic surgery procedure designed to improve the signs of the aging on the face by tightening the muscles beneath the skin of the face, tightening the sagging skin itself, and/or removing excess skin and fat and therefore improving the overall appearance. A face lift can rejuvenate your face and bring it back to its former youthful appearance. A good face lift can take 10 years off of your appearance. There are several varieties of face lift, including a mid-face lift, a mini-face lift, and a temporal lift, and these can be combined with other facial procedures such as a brow lift or a neck lift.
2. Am I a candidate for a face lift?
If you feel as if your skin is starting to sag around your jowls and face, if you look tired when you are not, or if you think you don't look as young as you feel, a face lift might be right for you. Perhaps you are searching for a way to restore your face to its younger looking state. If so, a face lift may help you is one of the options that you can take. If you have sagging skin on the forehead or eyebrows, a brow lift might be best for you, while a neck lift can correct sagging skin on the neck and throat. There are several types of face lift, that provide correction ranging from a minimal lift that can make you look refreshed to extensive correction that can make you look years younger.
3. At what age is a face lift usually performed?
There really isn't a typical age for a face lift anymore. People from their 30s to their 80s have face lifts. Many people in their 30s have a mini face lift for minor correction Although, a brow lift can work wonders for younger patients whose only problem is horizontal lines on the forehead. However, a full face lift can produce better results in people who are older or who need extensive lifting and tightening to produce a more youthful and alert appearance. You can discuss your available options with your surgeon to determine what is best for you.
4. What does a typical face lift consultation entail?
At your consultation, both you and your doctor get to ask each other questions. You will discuss what you feel your problem is with the doctor and he or she will explain what can be achieved realistically. Some patients may require a deep plane face lift that involves tightening the inner muscular structure of the face. Others may need only a brow lift or just some minimal tightening of the mid-face area. You should bring photos of yourself at an earlier age to show how you used to look so that your surgeon can give you the most natural look possible. Most patients don't want to wake up and not look like yourself once you heal. Your surgeon will also discuss fees, anesthesia, and the risk of a face lift procedure.
5. How is a face lift performed?
A face lift operation is usually performed using general or light sleep anesthesia and you usually go home the same day as your surgery. This procedure takes between 2 and 6 hours to perform. It may take longer if you choose to have a neck lift as well. Depending upon your facial structure, the incisions will be placed as inconspicuously as possible above your hairline. For some lifts, the incisions usually begin above the hairline, at the temples and continue in a natural line in front of the ear, where he scar will be hidden in the natural folds there. The skin of your face is then loosened from the fat and muscle below it. The underlying muscle and fascia are tightened and the skin itself is pulled back, trimmed, and then sutured into place. Sometimes surgical staples are used on incisions within the scalp.
6. What are the different techniques in performing a face lift?
There are several types of face lifts some of which are more effective on some parts of the face than on others. Deep face lifts that involve adjusting the facial muscles called the SMAS (sub-muscular aponeurotic system) can tighten the jowls, the cheeks and the face in general. Other lifts, such as a temporal lift, can help with wrinkles in the mid-face area, while a brow lift can correct furrows on the brow. Loose skin under the chin is dealt with by a neck lift.
7. What should I expect postoperatively?
Although, there is normally no extensive pain related to the face lift operation, your face will be swollen, sore, tender, and probably bruised for several days. Swelling will be at its worst about 3 days after surgery. This is normal and you must realize that your skin and underlying tissues have been stretched, pulled and cut. The swelling will begin to disappear within the first couple of weeks. Many patients return to work with the help of some camouflaging cosmetics to cover bruises at about 10 days after surgery. You may feel a degree of numbness that will usually disappear within a 1 to 3 months.
8. When will the sutures be taken out and does this hurt?
Your stitches and bandages may be removed about 5 days after surgery. If surgical staples were used within the scalp area, they may be removed 7 to 10 days after surgery. Usually, removing stitches and staples does not hurt much.
9. Will there be scarring? If so where will the scars be located?
Some scarring will occur, usually hidden in the hairline, behind the ears, or under the jaw line. Your surgeon will discuss incision placement with you at your consultation. If he or she uses endoscopic techniques, there will be very small inconspicuous scars, but the amount of correction that can be done may be reduced.
10. How long is the "down time" for this procedure. How long should I expect to be out of work?
Depending on how extensive a lift you had, you can usually return to work about a week after your surgery. You may need to conceal some residual bruises with cosmetics. You can expect to resume most of your regular activities about 3 weeks after surgery,although I would avoid contact sports until your surgeon says so. You may still have some swelling even then, but most of it will have resolved. However, your recovery may vary. I wouldn't make any plans to attend any weddings or other high-profile functions for at least 6 weeks.
11. When will I be able to see the results of my face lift?
As your swelling subsides, you will start to notice a firmer look in your facial skin and muscle structure. Your face lift should give your the alert and vital look you had when you were young. But you are having a face lift, not a miracle. You will not look 20 or even 30 if you have a face lift at age 50. You will look younger and more refreshed, however. You do not want a "pulled back" look that is often seen in "bad" facelifts. This result is not normal and looks very "done."
12. What are the risks of a face lift?
There is a chance of infection, hematoma (blood clots), numbness from nerve damage, and permanent discolorations caused by the bruising. You may also have asymmetry and/or be unhappy with the results of your face lift. If performed by an unskilled surgeon, it is very possible to have your skin pulled too tight and result in a very "pulled back" look.
13. How long do the effects of a face lift last?
It is hard to say, but normally the benefits of a face lift can last about 10 years. Of course, every case is individual. You may choose to undergo a facelift again within 10 to 12 years. Having a face lift does not halt the effects of aging, but it can lessen the appearance of your general sagginess or wrinkles..