We are recognized as individuals by the appearance of our face. Not only does the face provide recognition, it is also the place that we convey many of out thoughts and feelings. Think of a mother's smile.
As we age the effects of time are displayed on our faces. Aging of the face varies by each individual. This aging is a result of loss of elasticity in the skin usually associated with a variety of factors such as heredity, gravity, and environment, e.g. sun exposure and stress.
Some habits for example cigarette use are particularly destructive to the face and accelerate the appearance of aging. The results of these factors on the face is loss of elasticity of the skin. With time, there is evidence of excess skin around the eyes and the cheeks usually called jowls and the hanging or excess skin of the neck.
In addition, lines begin to develop in and around areas of the face, called wrinkles or rhytids.
The facelift is a procedure that treats the visible signs of aging in the face and neck. It treats the sagging skin to the mid-face and the nasolabial fold. Fat that has fallen in the lower face may create jowls and loose skin around the neck may produce a double chin.
The deformities all create an appearance that manifest aging. A facelift is designed to correct these facial deformities and will produce a more youthful and rested appearance. It is not a procedure to change the fundamental appearance of the face.
Over the last few decades, various techniques have been developed to provide an alternative for the full or traditional facelift. These procedures have various names such as mini-facelift or mini-lift.
These techniques cover the same basic anatomy, but may vary in the extent of dissection or lifting of skin and in addition, may vary in the areas that are treated by the particular techniques.
At your consultation with your surgeon, you will discuss the individualized plan for your care. Including whether the limited procedures, mini-facelift or mini-lift is a good procedure for your care.
Additional techniques that may enhance your surgical results are procedures such as liposuction of the neck, fat injection to the nasolabial fold of the use of resurfacing techniques such as lasers or chemical peels.
The incision usually begins in the hairline at the temple. The incision continues behind the ear. The skin is raised to expose the underlying tissue. This underlying tissue made up of fat and a thick structure called the SMAS is repositioned and sculptured to improve facial appearance.
The overlying skin is then re-draped and sutured close. Sometimes a second incision is placed under the chin to improve the contour of the neck or a liposuction cannula can be used to reduce the fat from the neck. As discussed before, other adjunctive procedures include, the injection of fat or the use of resurfacing techniques can be used to improve fine lines and wrinkles.
Initially, there will be swelling and numbness. The pain is usually not severe and is easily treated with pain medication. It is not unusual for skin to be bruised or discolored.
Your surgeon and his plastic surgery staff will instruct you to elevate your head to reduce the swelling. No vigorous activity should be planned in the initial weeks following surgery.
Showers and washing the face can be resumed the day after surgery and you can return to normal, light activity within a few days following surgery.
It is important to understand the recovery after surgery and it is very individualized. The recommendations here are meant to be guidelines not strict dogma.
One should not plan any large, social engagements within 2-4 weeks after surgery. However, return to work is generally within that time period. The office visit regimen is very individualized according to the needs of our patients. However, if you need specific information, please ask.
It may take several months for swelling and healing to take place. The scars will improve as time goes along, but may take over 6 months to fade to an acceptable level.
All patients vary with in the ability to heal, effects of scarring, and of course, expectations of surgery. Fortunately, the complications of a facelift are quite limited, infrequent, and usually minor.
Your consultation and pre-operative evaluation will pay much attention to your general health and cardiac history. This is done to reduce the risks of anesthesia.
Other potential complications include infection, hematoma (blood under the skin), and injury to nerves or muscles. It is importance to stop the use of cigarettes and aspirin or other blood thinners before surgery.
Author Resource:-
Dave Stringham, the President of LookingYourBest.com writes about plastic surgery in Okemos, Michigan and cosmetic surgery procedures such as okemos facelift, breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, liposuction, and arm lift.
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