Have you been considering lower facial rejuvenation? As mentioned above, this is the area of the face and neck located below a line drawn from the top of the ear to the corner of the mouth and below to the level of the voice box or larynx. An individual's age may often be determined by the appearance of this part of the face. Men and women alike know that a youthful appearance of the lower face and neck region can enhance one's natural beauty and personal appeal. With that in mind, a lower facelift may be indicated as it can set back the aesthetic hands of time. This procedure improves the more visible signs of aging by removing excess fat from the neck and jowl region while tightening the underlying musclofacial system and re-draping the skin of the face and neck.
During a facelift, also known as rhytidectomy, excess skin and fatty tissue around the jaw and neck is removed and the skin is lifted (not stretched) to reveal a more youthful appearance. Although a facelift will improve and enhance the contour of your face and jaw line, it will not correct sun damage or fine wrinkles that have developed on the skin's surface. To treat these conditions, additional skin resurfacing and a post operative skin care regimen may be needed, which is also available at the English Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery Center and Surgi Spa. This will be discussed during your initial consultation.
Typically, most facelift candidates are between their 40's-70's. In certain cases, the procedure can be performed on older individuals. However, the best results are achieved with patients who still have relatively good skin elasticity and strong facial bone structure or those who have maintained their youthful appearance with appropriately timed procedures. In preparation for facelift surgery, you will need to abstain from smoking prior to the procedure and during the recovery period in order to minimize complications. Also, consumption of aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs prior to facelift surgery is not allowed since these drugs may lead to increased bleeding during the course of the facelift. (A full list of these types of medications and foods that promote bleeding will be given to you pre-operatively.) A facelift can be done alone, or in conjunction with other facial procedures such as a brow lift, eyelid lift, nose reshaping, skin resurfacing, fat injections, etc.
Dr. English performs his facelifts in his office surgical suite. The procedure is performed with general sedation and normally takes two hours. Medications are given right before surgery to reduce anxiety. Most patients have little or no memory after the preoperative medications are given and regain full awareness in the recovery room or after they have returned home. A turban-type dressing is placed around the head and neck after surgery and is removed in the office the following morning. The discomfort following a facelift is usually minimal. Medications are prescribed to help the patient rest comfortably for the first few days after surgery.
The placement of incisions for a facelift varies depending on the problems to be corrected. Consideration is also given to whether the patient is male or female and their respective hair patterns. In all cases, most of the incisions are placed in areas where they will be hidden by hair or natural skin folds. In exposed areas, very fine absorbable sutures are used to close the incisions so scars should become nearly imperceptible over time. Stitches and staples are removed before one week following surgery and involve little discomfort.
Swelling of the face and neck peak at 72 hours. Resting and sleeping in an elevated position helps to reduce swelling and increase your comfort. As a general rule, the majority of swelling resolves in two to four weeks. The remainder usually subsides over the next two to four months. Bruising may occur in the face and neck and if it develops, is usually gone in three to six weeks. Areas of numbness, firmness and tenderness around the incisions are common. Normal feeling should return several weeks to months after surgery.
Certain activities are restricted after a facelift to protect healing tissues. Movements such as coughing, sneezing, bending, turning or twisting the head on the neck or any physical exercise are limited for a minimum of three to six weeks. Driving, which often involves twisting the head and neck, can be resumed after two weeks with certain precautions. Contact sports are not recommended for at least three to four months. The patient must wait at least six weeks to have hair permed or colored.
Since nothing heals symmetrically or suddenly, the best results are achieved three to six months after surgery. The best outcome is achieved by communicating with Dr. English and meticulously following his instructions. If you or a loved one needs more information concerning a lower facelift procedure, please contact us for a consultation at your convenience.
