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The goal of a facelift, or rhytidectomy, is to reduce sagging and loose skin in the face and neck by lifting or repositioning the skin and underlying tissues. As a result of recent improvements in procedures, the facelift has become one of the most desired cosmetic surgeries.
As individuals age, there is a change in the skin as well as the fat and bone structure of the face. These changes combine with life long facial muscle activity and gravity to create more prominent skin folds, particularly under the chin, in the upper neck and at the skin folds near the corner of the mouth. Facelift is designed to improve these facial changes. Modern techniques tighten the deeper layers of facial tissue as well as the skin, yielding a natural look that may "subtract" eight to 12 years from an individual's appearance. Another benefit of a facelift is that many patients experience an increased self-confidence.
As in all cosmetic surgery, good health and realistic expectations are essential. There is no "ideal" facelift. Skin type, medical history, skin elasticity, and bone structure are factors that are considered by Dr. English in personalizing each procedure. Communication between the patient and the surgeon are essential in obtaining a realistic and positive outcome.
In order to achieve the most desirable effect, many patients decide to combine several cosmetic procedures. For example, eyelid surgery, facial liposuction, a forehead or brow lift, and skin resurfacing are often performed along with a facelift. Combining these procedures may be necessary to achieve the best overall result.
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Understanding the procedure
Understanding the recovery
Visit our
plastic /
cosmetic surgery
office located in
Little Rock, Arkansas (AR).
Dr. English prefers to perform a facelift in the
office or as an outpatient at
the CRLC. The procedure is performed by using local anesthesia with I.V.
sedation and normally takes two to four hours. Medications are given before
surgery to reduce anxiety and stress. Most patients have little or no memory
after the preoperative medication is given and regain full awareness in the
recovery room or after they have returned home. A turban-type dressing is placed
around the head 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
the scars should become practically imperceptible over time. Stitches and
staples are removed about 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 the patient's comfort. As a general rule, the majority of the swelling resolves in two to three 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 exercise is limited for a minimum of three to six weeks. Driving, which often involves twisting the head and neck, can be resumed after two weeks. Contact sports are not recommended for at least three to four months. The patient must wait at least 6 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 instructions.
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