Facelift
As one ages, the skin of the face and neck loses its elasticity and the underlying muscles lose their tone. Sun exposure, weight gain or loss, gravity, and stresses may accentuate the appearance of wrinkles, creating a tired look. By removing excess fatty deposits, tightening underlying muscles, and redraping sagging skin, a facelift helps improve the most visible signs of aging. Although it won’t restore your youthful energy, it may help restore your self confidence as you look in the mirror and see a younger you!
Often other facial procedures are performed at the same time including: forehead lift, eyelid lift (blepharoplasty), chin and cheek implants, nose reshaping (rhinoplasty), liposculpture, chemical peel, carbon dioxide laser resurfacing and lipotransfer. Dr. Burke offers computer imaging to help in presurgical planning and visualizing the possible effects of these procedures on your facial appearance.
Depending on your needs, health status, and time constraints, options include: extended facelift, standard facelift, mini-facelift, weekend lift, and necklift alone. Each offers a different degree of correction and recovery, with the weekend lift usually offering the shortest recovery.
Although the majority of these procedures are performed on an outpatient basis under conscious sedation, the option of general anesthesia and an overnight hospital stay is available.
Who is a Candidate
- If you have experienced a loss of skin elasticity and muscle tone of the face and neck.
- If you have developed deep facial and neck wrinkles.
- If you believe you lack youthful chin and neck contours.
- If you have a tired facial appearance.
Intended Result
- A more rested and youthful contour to the face and neck.
- This procedure does not correct deep creases around the mouth.
Procedure Description
- Facelifts range from the weekend lift to the extended lift depending on the location and extent of skin laxity, the goals of the patient, and patient constraints limiting potential recovery time.
- The operation is usually done on an outpatient basis under conscious sedation and may also be done under general anesthesia with an overnight hospital admission.
- Incisions are made within the hairline (or along the hair margin) above the ear, extending down around the lobe and ending in or below the hairline behind the ear. The subcutaneous layers and neck muscles are tightened, the facial skin is redraped and lifted, and the excess skin is removed.
Recuperation and Healing
- The patient goes home with head and neck wrapped in dressings, which are usually removed the next day.
- Initial discomfort is usually controlled with oral medication or nasal spray.
- Sutures are removed within 14 days. Bruising and swelling usually decrease to modest levels within 10-20 days.
- The final result is usually evident in 4-6 weeks or sooner with continued improvement over several months.
Other options
- Additional procedures that could enhance the results are: eyelid lift, eyebrow lift, chin or cheek enlargement, nose reshaping (rhinoplasty), liposculpture, carbon dioxide laser resurfacing, chemical peel, and lipotransfer.
Note
- The specific risks and suitability of this procedure for a given individual can be determined only at the time of consultation. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are unusual.
