Project Description
FACE LIFT
WHAT IS A FACE LIFT?
The loss of youthful contours in the face can be due to a variety of factors, including heredity, gravity, environmental conditions, and stress. A facelift, rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that improves visible signs of aging in the face and neck, such as:
- Sagging in the middle of your face
- Deep creases below the lower eyelids (if blepharoplasty is performed at the same time).
- Deep creases along the nose extending to the corner of the mouth
- Fat that has fallen or has disappeared
- Loss of skin tone in the lower face that creates jowls
- Loose skin and excess fatty deposits under the chin and jaw can give even a person of normal weight the appearance of a double chin
In general, good candidates for a facelift include:
- Healthy individuals who do not have medical conditions that impair healing
- Non-smokers
- Individuals with a positive outlook and realistic expectations
- NON Diabetic patients under insulin therapy or not controlled blood sugar levels.
- No facial aesthetic treatment as HYFU / Ulthera in the last 18 months, permanent threads or permanent fillers.
Rejuvenation procedures typically performed in conjunction with a facelift are brow lift, to correct a sagging or deeply furrowed brow, and eyelid surgery to rejuvenate aging eyes.
What it won’t do: As a restorative surgery, a facelift does not change your fundamental appearance and cannot stop the aging process. A facelift can only be performed surgically; non-surgical rejuvenation treatments cannot achieve the same results, but may help delay the time at which a facelift becomes appropriate and complement the results of surgery.
RECOVERY AFTER SURGERY
When your procedure is completed, a bandage might be placed around your face to minimize swelling and bruising.Thin tubes may be present to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect under the skin for 24 hours.
You will be given specific instructions that may include how to care for the surgical site and drains, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health, and when to follow up with your plastic surgeon.
Be sure to ask Dr. Federico specific questions about what you can expect during your individual recovery period,
- Where will I be taken after my surgery is complete?
- What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
- Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery?
- When will they be removed?
- Are stitches removed? When?
- When can I wear make-up?
- When can I resume normal activity and exercise?
• When can I see my stylist for hair color and cut?
THE PROCEDURE
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure.The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia : I usually prefer general anesthesia.Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.
A variety of other procedures can further enhance the outcome of a facelift.They include:
• Facial implants or fat transfer
• Soft tissue augmentation to recontour the facial structure
• Resurfacing techniques to improve the tone and texture of facial skin
• Wrinkle reduction by injection of fat or fillers
Depending on the degree of change you’d like to see, your facelift choices include a traditional facelift, limited incision facelift or a neck lift. A traditional facelift incision often begins in the hairline at the temples, continues around the ear and ends in the lower scalp. Fat may be sculpted or redistributed from the face, jowls and neck, and underlying tissue is repositioned, commonly the deeper layers of the face and the muscles are also lifted. Skin is re-draped over the uplifted contours and excess skin is trimmed away.A second incision under the chin may be necessary to further improve an aging neck. Sutures or skin adhesives close the incisions.
An alternative to a traditional facelift uses shorter scars at the temples, continuing around the ear.Sagging jowls, loose neck skin and fat accumulation under the chin may be corrected with a neck lift. The neck lift incision often begins in front of the ear lobe and wraps around behind the ear ending in the lower scalp
Once healed, the incision lines from a facelift are well concealed within the hairline and in the natural contours of the face and ear.
Sutures will be removed after 7 days and 14 days (behind the ears)
The visible improvements of a facelift appear as swelling and bruising subside. Your final result should not only restore a more youthful and rested appearance, but also help you feel more confident about yourself.
RISKS & SAFETY
The decision to have a facelift is extremely personal.You will have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals, and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable.You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and any risks and potential complications.
The risks may include:
- Anesthesia risks
- Bleeding
- Infection (uncommon, antibiotic therapy pre/post surgery)
- Poor wound healing and skin loss ( mostly diabetic and smokers patients )
- Facial nerve injury with weakness (uncommon)
- Temporary or permanent hair loss at the Incisions
- Fluid accumulation
- Numbness or other changes in skin sensation (temporary)
- Unfavorable scarring
- Prolonged swelling
- Skin irregularities and discoloration
- Sutures may spontaneously surface through the skin, become visible or produce irritation that – require removal
- Unsatisfactory results may include: asymmetry, unsatisfactory surgical scar location and unacceptable visible deformities at the ends of the incisions. (It may be necessary to perform an additional surgery to improve your results)
These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It is important that you address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.
CONSULTATION & PREPARING FOR SURGERY
During your consultation be prepared to discuss:
- Your surgical goals
- Medical conditions, drug allergies, and medical treatments
- Current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco, and drug use
- Previous surgeries or cosmetic medical procedures (fillers, threads, Ultera or HYFU)
Your surgeon will also:
- Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors
- Discuss your facelift options
- Examine and measure your face
- Take photographs
- Recommend a course of treatment
- Discuss likely outcomes of a facelift and any risks or potential complications
- Discuss the type of anesthesia that will be used
Prior to surgery, you may be asked to:
- Get lab testing or a medical evaluation
- Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
- Stop smoking
- Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs (brufen, voltaren, ketorolac, arcoxia), ginger, green tea and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding .
Special instructions you receive will cover:
- What to do on the night before and morning of surgery
- The use of anesthesia during your facelift
- Post-operative care and follow-up
A facelift may be performed in a, licensed surgical center, or hospital.Be sure to arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery and to stay with you for at least the first night following surgery.
Be sure to ask Dr. Di Francesco questions.
It’s very important to understand all aspects of your facelift. It’s natural to feel some anxiety, whether it’s excitement for your anticipated new look or a bit of preoperative stress. Don’t be shy about discussing these feelings with your plastic surgeon.
RESULTS
It may take a few months for swelling to fully dissipate and for incision lines to mature. Life-long sun protection and a healthy lifestyle will help extend the results of your rejuvenated, more youthful appearance.
As swelling and bruising subside, the visible improvements of a facelift appear. Your final result should not only provide a more youthful and rested appearance, but also help you feel more confident about yourself.
Although good results are expected from your procedure, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and another surgery may be necessary.
Following Dr. Di Francesco’s instructions is essential to the success of your surgery. It is important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing. Avoid wearing any clothing that must go over your head.
Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself.
Your satisfaction involves more than a fee:
When choosing dr. Federico Di Francesco – Eklund , your plastic surgeon for breast augmentation surgery, remember that his experience and your comfort with him are just as important as the final cost of the surgery . Plastic surgery involves many choices.The first and most important is selecting a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, an ASPS (American society of Plastic Surgeons) or ISAPS( International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons) member surgeon you can trust. ASPS/ ISAPS member surgeons meet rigorous standards:
- Board certification by the Official medical university in Plastic Surgery.
- Complete six years of medical training following medical school with 5 years of plastic surgery residency training
- Pass comprehensive oral and written exams.
- Graduate from an accredited medical school.
- Complete continuing medical education, including patient safety each year
- Perform surgery in accredited Center.
Before & After
