Face Lift Surgery
Face-lift surgery
As far as cosmetic procedures go, face-lifts are one of the most common. As we age, our skin loses elasticity, and fat levels around the face begin to decline, which changes the shape of our face. A face-lift is performed to reverse some of this effect.
The surgery (rhytidectomy) is performed by a surgeon, who stretches the flaps of the skin back before altering the contour of the tissues to give the patient’s face a more youthful appearance. This procedure is often performed alongside other surgeries, like a neck lift.
Before the surgery
The doctor will ask you questions about your past surgeries, medical history, smoking and alcohol habits (if you have any). Accordingly, it is advised to prepare as much as possible before the consultation. A specialist will then give you a physical examination to determine if you are a suitable candidate for the surgery.
The plastic surgeon will examine your face to determine the options best suited to you if you are suitable. He or she will also take photographs to understand what course of action is conducive to your desired results.
Most importantly, the surgeon will discuss your expectations with you and help you grasp how a face-lift surgery can alter your appearance.
The surgery
There are three main techniques to face-life surgery:
Neck-lift incision: The incision starts from your earlobe and ends in the lower hairline behind the ears.
Traditional incision: Begins at the temples, journeys down in front of your eyes and ends at your lower scalp.
Limited incision: An incision is made from the hairline above the ear and lap around the ear, but it does not reach the lower scalp.
Most of the time, the surgeon will sedate the patient and use local anaesthesia. Sometimes, general anaesthesia may also be used.
The surgeon will move excess fat, recontour the skin or tighten facial muscle based on the technique, your preferences and your goals. He or she will also advise you on how to prepare for the surgery. The procedure takes three hours on average.
Recovery
Some patients report moderate pain, swelling, bruising and numbness
During the surgery, the incision will be wrapped with bandages, and you may experience some minor discharge.
Your surgeon will discuss the possible after-effects during the consultation and present you with a comprehensive recovery plan. Usually, the surgeon will advise you on how to bathe, which activities to avoid, how to move around to avoid straining and how to wear your clothes.
A follow-up appointment may be scheduled for up to two months after the surgery, and your surgeon will remove your stitches and replace bandages with a facial sling around a week after your surgery. In addition, the following appointments are made to track your progress.
