Face Lift

What is Face Lift?

A Face lift is a surgery of the face that aims at removing the sagging skin on the face and brings a look that will be more appealing, attractive and inviting look.  We find this common among those aged people who seek to reclaim that younger look they lost with the aging process.  As a person ages, lines and winkles begin to develop on the face, the pigment of the skin begins to change and age spots are observed. There is also a loss of volume and this result to hallow cheeks.  Also we will find that the stretching and elasticity of the skin begins to fade away.  All these are correctable with a Face Lift procedure.

Getting ready for a Face Lift

The first step in preparing for the surgery is to evaluate and determine if you are a candidate for a Face Lift.  During a consultation the surgeon will assess the structure of your facial bones, wrinkles, hairline, and elasticity of the skin.  The doctor will also discuss with you what your expectations are and should be.  It is paramount that you tell your doctor everything possible about what kind of medications you are taking, or haven taken recently.  Some weeks before the surgery itself, the doctor will request that you stop some medications such as aspirin, blood thinners and NSAIDs.  The essence of this is to ensure that you do not take medications that will complicate the surgery.  A complication that can arise from these drugs is the inability of blood to clot or the increase in the rate of blood flow.

Procedure

It does not matter which of the Face Lifts you are going to undergo, generally the steps and procedure are the same.

1.  Anesthesia: this can either be a local anesthesia or a general one.  If the Face Lift to be done is not extreme, the use of the local anesthesia is considered. 

2.  Incision: Face Lifts always involve incisions.  This could be made in the most hidden location where it will not be observed. 

3.  After the incision comes the Face Lift; depending on the degree of the Face Lift, excess skin is removed. The use of liposuction is applied to remove the fats in most cases.

4.  The skin is tighten, reshaped, re-draped etc. and sutured back.

Risk

In all surgeries there is an element of risk.  The risks include:

1.  Scarring

2.  Bleeding

3.  Infection

4.  Anaesthesia risk

5.  Slow healing of wound.

6.  Pain

7.  Hair loss

8.  Possibility of repeating the surgery

9.  Swelling

10. Colouration of skin and others.

Recovery

In 3 weeks your face will look young again and in some cases it exceeds that period.  It is usually advised that you avoid social gatherings for at least 3 months.  With time you get that perfect look you were looking for.

Question to ask your surgeon.

1.  What are the risks that are involved with a Face Lift?

2.  What is the procedure like?

3.  Can I see before and after pictures of previous surgeries?

4.  How soon will you be able to resume your normal activities?

5.  Would my health care plan pay or reimburse the expenses?

6.  Where and how will you perform my surgery?

7.  What are the risks associated with this procedure?

8.  Where will I be transferred to after surgery?

9.  Will I be given medication after surgery? What kind? 

10. What is the removal process for dressings, bandages and/or stitches? 

11. When do I return for my follow-up visit?