Facelift
Sagging skin of the jowl and neck that comes with age can be aggravated by sun exposure, heredity, smoking and innate characteristics of the individual's skin. A facelift (rhytidectomy) creates a more youthful and rested appearance by removing loose or sagging skin and lifting and tightening the lax muscles and fatty tissues of the lower face and neck. (The upper face is improved with other procedures, such as browlift and eyelid surgery.) The amount of change that can be expected depends on the degree of tissue sagging that is present preoperatively. Some patients choose to undergo a facelift earlier in the aging process for a look that is refreshed and less worn. A person who has waited can expect more dramatic results.
The incisions for a facelift are made in front of and behind the ear, and they curve naturally into the hair. The resulting fine scars blend into the natural creases of the skin and into the hair of the scalp. No hair is shaved. The facial skin around the ear and neck is lifted, and the underlying muscle and connective tissue are tightened to give a more permanent result than can be achieved by tightening only the skin. The excess skin is removed. The remaining skin is redraped for an improved contour of the lower face. Liposuction of excess fat in the jowls and the area under the chin is usually performed with a facelift. In addition, fat and fibrous tissue from in front of the ear may be positioned to fill in the furrows from the nose to the corners of the mouth.
A facelift, one of the most commonly performed procedures, provides a remarkable improvement in your appearance. Facelifting is the ideal treatment for correcting a sagging jaw line, falling cheeks and a blunted neckline. There are many methods to facelifting, and advancements in this procedure have evolved significantly over the last ten years. It wasn't too long ago that surgeons would approach facelifting by pulling the skin tighter. Unfortunately, this resulted in an unnatural wind blown or stretched look. Today, we have newer and better techniques to relocate the deeper tissues and just drape the skin tension free over the repositioned tissues. This gives a more natural, longer lasting result.
Each face lift patient undergoing a facelift procedure would like to know how long it will last and will anybody know that I had it done? Answers to these questions depend on your underlying anatomy, your individual desires, and how much aging is evident on your face. Irrespective of your age, you can expect a facelift to improve your appearance and personal outlook. You should appear younger, with a well rested, healthy look. The younger you are, the longer you can expect the facelift results to last. If you are older, you will experience a more dramatic improvement. However, there is also a greater possibility of tissue rebounding. Incisions are hidden behind the ears and in natural skin creases; these usually heal as thin thread-like lines which are well camouflaged.
Following face lift surgery, you should not have any pain. We will prescribe medicines to assure your comfort. Ten days to two weeks after surgery, most patients return to normal social activities while enjoying the benefits of a more youthful appearance.
*Please note, the patients profiled below have had multiple procedures. For more information, please call our office at 515-277-5555.
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