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More and more people are consulting their facial plastic surgeons and asking whether they are candidates for a rhytidectomy, or a facelift, as it is commonly called. This is not surprising since our aging population is increasingly healthier and younger at heart and spirit. It is impossible to stop the aging process and, as the years go by, the facial skin loosens, begins to sag, wrinkles appear and then deepen making our youthful looks disappear.
What is a facelift?
It is a surgical procedure through which we are able to rejuvenate the facial and neck appearance. The aim is to create smoother and more pleasing contours of the face and neck. It does not stop the aging process.
How is a facelift performed? This operation can be performed under local or general anaesthesia. Incisions are made in the temple area, in front and around the ear and back into the scalp. The skin is then elevated and the underlying muscle and connective tissues are tightened. Fat can be removed simultaneously or liposuctioned before the skin is elevated. The excessive skin is trimmed and the incisions are closed. In males, the incisions are modified to account for the beard and hairlines. A dressing is applied over the entire operated area to protect the incisions and apply gentle pressure. Some adjunct procedures are often performed with facelifts. Forehead lifts and eyelid surgery are commonly done at the same time in many patients.
What is the recovery like?
Most patients experience very little pain after the operation, but adequate analgesics are prescribed. There will be varying degrees of swelling and bruising of the face and neck. Ice compresses during the first day or two help reduce the swelling. The dressing is usually changed after one day and removed completely after two or three days. Sutures are removed at day 5 or 6 after surgery. Most of the visible bruising and swelling disappear at two weeks and what remains can be easily covered with makeup at that time. Patients can normally return to work and normal activities after two to three weeks.
How long does a facelift last? There is no real answer to this question, while most patients are very happy with their results for many years after surgery; there are many factors that contribute to the success and duration of the improvement. Skin type, heredity, ethnic background, skin elasticity and bone structure all play an important role in the long-term results of a facelift.
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