You'll learn all about face lift surgery in this guide. You'll find out how the procedure is performed, what risks are involved, and how long the results will last you.
Do the signs of aging on your face embarrass you? As people get older,
their skin goes through many changes. The lower layer of the skin gets thinner. The loss of elasticity makes the skin more susceptible to the effects of gravity. The tissue and muscle composition underneath the skin changes, leading to fine lines and wrinkles. Face lift surgery, which is technically known as rhytidectomy, turns back the clock. Many people are willing to pay a considerable amount of money for a more youthful appearance. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, in 2004, over 150,000 people in the U.S. had face lift surgery.
Traditional Face Lifts: With a traditional face lift, the surgeon makes an incision that usually begins around the hairline from the temples and beneath the ears, ending at the bottom of the hairline. The surgeon raises the skin and separates it from the muscle. He then trims the excess fat and skin. Next, the surgeon tightens the layer of tissue underneath the skin. This lifts the cheeks, firms the neck area, and gives the jaw line more definition. The surgeon then pulls the skin back over the area and closes the incisions with stitches. This procedure usually takes about two to four hours.
Mini Face Lifts: The mini face lift is a less invasive procedure that involves a smaller incision. This procedure improves the appearance of wrinkles, jowls, and sagging skin. It is designed to improve the appearance of the neck and lower two-thirds of the face. Many people have this surgical procedure done on a Friday and return to their normal activities on a Monday. This procedure offers less dramatic results than a traditional face lift. Keep in mind that there are a number of other techniques plastic surgeons use to give people a more youthful appearance.
After the Operation: After undergoing traditional face lifts, patients may experience numbness, swelling, bruising, or discomfort in the incision area. This is completely normal and it'll pass with time. The discomfort is usually minimal and it can be controlled with pain medication. Your facial skin will be tender for a few days. Keep your head elevated while sleeping for a few days after the procedure. The following day after your operation, your drainage tubes and bandages will be removed. Your stitches will be removed after about 5 to 7 days. Make sure you avoid vigorous activities for several weeks. By the third week, you will feel and look much better!
Potential Complications and Risks: All surgeries come with risks and this procedure is no exception. Serious complications of this procedure are rare. Other complications can be prevented by following your plastic surgeon's advice. The potential complications and risks for this procedure may include bleeding, excessive scarring, infection, hematoma, poor wound healing, anesthesia risks, numbness, burning, facial pain, lung and heart complications, deep vein thrombosis, and others.
Results of This Procedure: Face lifts firm up muscle tone, restore an attractive facial contour, eliminate wrinkles, fine lines, and jowls, and tighten loose and sagging skin. This procedure is designed to make people feel and look years younger. The effects of traditional face lifts are usually quite dramatic. The results tend to last for 10 to 15 years; however, they are never permanent. With time, those saggy spots and fine lines can return. Some people opt to undergo this procedure multiple times to correct these problems. You can learn more about this procedure by consulting with a plastic surgeon in your area.
