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Facelift Surgery

Facelift in the Philippines

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What is Facelift surgery?

Facelift surgery, also known as rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic procedure aimed at reducing the visible signs of aging on the face and neck. It involves tightening the skin and underlying tissues to give a more youthful appearance by smoothing wrinkles, eliminating sagging skin, and enhancing facial contours.

During a facelift procedure, incisions are typically made along the hairline and around the ears, allowing the surgeon access to the underlying facial tissues. The surgeon then lifts and repositions the skin and muscles, removes excess fat and skin, and may redistribute facial fat to create a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance. The procedure can address various concerns such as deep wrinkles, jowls, and loose skin on the lower face and neck.

Facelift surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation, depending on the extent of the procedure and the patient’s preferences. Recovery time varies, but most patients can expect some bruising, swelling, and discomfort following surgery, which usually subsides within a few weeks.

While facelift surgery can provide significant improvements in facial appearance, it’s essential to have realistic expectations and understand that results will continue to evolve over time as swelling resolves and tissues heal. A skilled and experienced plastic surgeon can help determine if facelift surgery is the right option for achieving your aesthetic goals and discuss the potential risks and benefits associated with the procedure.

Candidates for facelift surgery

Candidates for facelift surgery typically include individuals who are bothered by visible signs of aging in the face and neck and desire a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance. While specific criteria may vary depending on individual circumstances and surgeon preferences, ideal candidates for facelift surgery generally exhibit the following characteristics:

  1. Signs of Aging: Candidates should have noticeable signs of aging in the face and neck, such as wrinkles, fine lines, sagging skin, jowls, and loss of facial volume.
  2. Good Overall Health: Candidates should be in good general health and have no significant medical conditions that could increase the risk of complications during surgery or hinder the healing process.
  3. Realistic Expectations: Candidates should have realistic expectations about the outcomes of facelift surgery. While the procedure can provide significant improvements in facial appearance, it cannot stop the aging process or completely eliminate all signs of aging.
  4. Non-Smokers: Smoking can impair the body’s ability to heal properly after surgery and increase the risk of complications. Ideal candidates for facelift surgery are non-smokers or willing to quit smoking for a specified period before and after the procedure.
  5. Stable Weight: Candidates should have a stable weight and be committed to maintaining a healthy lifestyle following surgery. Significant fluctuations in weight can affect the long-term results of facelift surgery.
  6. Good Skin Elasticity: Candidates with good skin elasticity typically achieve the best results from facelift surgery. This allows the skin to conform smoothly to the underlying facial structures after lifting and repositioning.
  7. Emotional Readiness: Candidates should be emotionally prepared for the physical and emotional aspects of the surgery and recovery process. Facelift surgery can involve downtime and temporary changes in appearance, so it’s essential to be mentally prepared for these factors.

Ultimately, the decision to undergo facelift surgery should be made in consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can assess your individual needs, goals, and medical history to determine if you’re a suitable candidate for the procedure. They can provide personalized guidance and recommendations based on your unique circumstances to help you achieve the best possible outcomes from facelift surgery.

Consultation

During your facelift surgery consultation be prepared to discuss:

 

  • Your surgical goals
  • Medical conditions, drug allergies, previous medical treatments and specifically any problems you have had with your face
  • Current prescription medications, including vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drug use
  • Previous surgeries

 

Your cosmetic surgeon will also:

 

  • Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors
  • Take photographs
  • Discuss your facelift surgery options
  • Recommend a course of treatment
  • Discuss likely outcomes of facelift surgery and any potential risks
  • Choose the type of anesthesia that will be used

Risks and Safety

Facelift surgery, like any surgical procedure, carries certain risks and potential complications. While serious complications are rare, it’s essential to be aware of them and discuss them with your surgeon before undergoing the procedure. Some of the risks and safety considerations associated with facelift surgery include:

  1. Anesthesia Risks: Facelift surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. While complications related to anesthesia are uncommon, they can include allergic reactions, respiratory problems, and adverse reactions to medications. Your anesthesia provider will carefully monitor you during surgery to minimize these risks.
  2. Bleeding and Hematoma: Excessive bleeding during or after surgery can lead to complications such as hematoma, a collection of blood under the skin. While measures are taken during surgery to minimize bleeding, hematoma may require additional treatment, such as drainage.
  3. Infection: Infection is a potential risk after any surgical procedure. Your surgeon will take steps to reduce the risk of infection, such as administering antibiotics and ensuring proper sterile technique during surgery. It’s essential to follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions for wound care to minimize this risk.
  4. Nerve Damage: Facelift surgery involves manipulation of facial tissues, which can potentially lead to temporary or permanent nerve damage. This can result in numbness, tingling, or changes in sensation in the face or neck. While most nerve damage resolves on its own over time, permanent changes are rare.
  5. Scarring: Facelift surgery requires incisions, which will result in scars. While efforts are made to minimize scarring and place incisions in discreet locations, some degree of scarring is inevitable. Most scars will fade and become less noticeable over time with proper care.
  6. Asymmetry: Achieving perfect symmetry in facial appearance is challenging, and some degree of asymmetry may persist after facelift surgery. Skilled surgeons strive to achieve the most balanced and natural-looking results possible, but minor asymmetries may still occur.
  7. Poor Cosmetic Outcome: While facelift surgery can provide significant improvements in facial appearance, there is always the possibility of dissatisfaction with the results. It’s essential to have realistic expectations and communicate openly with your surgeon about your goals and concerns before undergoing surgery.
  8. Delayed Healing: Some patients may experience delayed healing or wound healing complications after facelift surgery. Factors such as smoking, poor nutrition, and certain medical conditions can increase the risk of delayed healing. It’s essential to follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions for wound care and lifestyle modifications to promote proper healing.

It’s crucial to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in facelift surgery to minimize these risks and ensure a safe and successful outcome. By carefully evaluating your individual needs and medical history, your surgeon can develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to achieve your aesthetic goals while prioritizing your safety and well-being.

Preparation

In preparing for facelift, 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 and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding and bruising

 

For instance, facelift surgery is performed in an accredited office-based surgical facility, a licensed ambulatory surgical center, or a hospital. Be sure to arrange for a friend or family member to drive you to and from surgery, and to stay with you the first night following surgery.

Procedure

The procedure for facelift surgery typically involves several key steps:

  1. Anesthesia: Facelift surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation, depending on the extent of the procedure and the patient’s preferences. Your anesthesia provider will administer the chosen anesthesia to ensure your comfort and safety throughout the surgery.
  2. Incisions: Once you are under anesthesia, your surgeon will make incisions based on the predetermined surgical plan. The location and length of the incisions will depend on factors such as the extent of correction needed, your facial anatomy, and your surgeon’s preferences. Common incision patterns include:
    • Traditional facelift: Incisions are typically made along the hairline, starting near the temples and extending around the ears to the lower scalp.
    • Limited incision (mini facelift): Smaller incisions may be used for less extensive corrections, often around the ears or along the natural creases of the face.
    • Neck lift: Additional incisions may be made under the chin to address sagging skin and excess fat in the neck area.
  3. Tissue Repositioning and Reshaping: After making the incisions, your surgeon will lift and reposition the underlying facial tissues, including muscles and fat, to create a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance. Excess skin may also be removed to eliminate wrinkles and sagging.
  4. **Nipple and Areola Repositioning (if combined with a neck lift) **: The nipples and areolas may be repositioned to a higher, more youthful location on the breasts. This can help achieve a more proportionate and aesthetically pleasing breast shape.
  5. Incision Closure: Once the desired facial contour and lift have been achieved, your surgeon will close the incisions with sutures or surgical staples. In some cases, dissolvable sutures may be used. Your surgeon will take care to place the incisions in discreet locations to minimize visible scarring.
  6. Post-operative Care: After the surgery, you’ll spend some time in the recovery room under observation until the effects of anesthesia wear off. You’ll receive instructions on how to care for your incisions, manage discomfort, and minimize swelling during the initial recovery period.
  7. Follow-up Appointments: You’ll have several follow-up appointments with your surgeon to monitor your healing progress, remove any sutures or staples, and ensure that you’re satisfied with the results of your facelift surgery.

Facelift surgery can provide significant improvements in facial appearance, including a smoother, more youthful-looking complexion and enhanced facial contours. By choosing a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon and following their pre-operative and post-operative instructions diligently, you can achieve safe and satisfactory outcomes from your facelift procedure.

Recovery

The recovery process following facelift surgery varies from person to person, but here’s a general overview of what to expect:

  1. Immediate Post-Operative Period: After the surgery, you’ll spend some time in the recovery room under observation until the effects of anesthesia wear off. You may experience grogginess, nausea, or discomfort during this time. Your surgeon may prescribe pain medication to manage any discomfort you experience.
  2. First Few Days: You’ll need someone to drive you home and assist you during the first day or two after surgery. Swelling, bruising, and discomfort are common during this time, but these symptoms can be managed with pain medication, cold compresses, and keeping your head elevated. Your surgeon may also recommend wearing a compression garment or bandage to minimize swelling and provide support to the surgical areas.
  3. First Week: Most patients can resume light activities and return to work within a week after surgery, but strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for at least several weeks. You’ll have a follow-up appointment with your surgeon during this time to monitor your healing progress and remove any stitches or drains if necessary.
  4. First Few Weeks: Swelling and bruising will gradually subside over the first few weeks, and you’ll begin to see the initial results of your facelift surgery. It’s important to continue following your surgeon’s post-operative instructions for wound care, skincare, and activity restrictions during this time to promote optimal healing.
  5. First Few Months: While you’ll notice immediate improvements in facial appearance after surgery, final results may take several months to fully manifest as swelling resolves and tissues settle. It’s normal to experience some degree of numbness, tingling, or tightness in the surgical areas during this time, but these sensations typically improve over time.
  6. Long-Term Recovery: Full recovery from facelift surgery can take several months, and your final results may continue to improve over the course of a year as tissues heal and settle into their new position. It’s essential to attend all follow-up appointments with your surgeon and communicate any concerns or questions you may have during the recovery process.

Throughout the recovery period, it’s crucial to follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions carefully, including guidelines for skincare, activity restrictions, and medication management, to ensure a smooth and successful recovery from facelift surgery. If you experience any unusual or concerning symptoms during the recovery process, don’t hesitate to contact your surgeon for guidance and support.

Results

In facelift surgery, also known as rhytidectomy, you can expect several key aspects:

  1. Consultation: You’ll begin with a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. During this appointment, you’ll discuss your goals, medical history, and any concerns you may have about your appearance. Your surgeon will evaluate your facial anatomy and skin quality to determine the most appropriate surgical approach for you.
  2. Pre-operative Preparation: Before surgery, your surgeon may instruct you to stop smoking, avoid certain medications and supplements that can increase bleeding risk, and follow specific pre-operative guidelines for skincare and lifestyle modifications.
  3. Anesthesia: Facelift surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. Your anesthesia provider will ensure your comfort and safety throughout the procedure.
  4. Incisions: Your surgeon will make incisions based on the predetermined surgical plan. The location and length of the incisions will depend on factors such as the extent of correction needed and your surgeon’s preferences. Incisions are typically hidden within the hairline and natural contours of the face to minimize visible scarring.
  5. Tissue Repositioning and Reshaping: Once the incisions are made, your surgeon will lift and reposition the underlying facial tissues, including muscles and fat, to create a smoother, more youthful appearance. Excess skin may also be removed to eliminate wrinkles and sagging.
  6. Nipple and Areola Repositioning: In some cases, facelift surgery may be combined with other procedures, such as a neck lift or eyelid surgery. Your surgeon will discuss any additional procedures with you before surgery and incorporate them into the surgical plan as needed.
  7. Incision Closure: Once the desired facial contour and lift have been achieved, your surgeon will close the incisions with sutures or surgical staples. Dissolvable sutures may be used in some cases. Your surgeon will take care to place the incisions in discreet locations to minimize visible scarring.
  8. Post-operative Care: After surgery, you’ll spend some time in the recovery room under observation until the effects of anesthesia wear off. You’ll receive instructions on how to care for your incisions, manage discomfort, and minimize swelling during the initial recovery period.
  9. Recovery and Follow-up: You’ll have several follow-up appointments with your surgeon to monitor your healing progress, remove any sutures or staples, and ensure that you’re satisfied with the results of your facelift surgery. Full recovery from facelift surgery can take several weeks to months, and your final results may continue to improve over time as swelling resolves and tissues settle.

By following your surgeon’s pre-operative and post-operative instructions carefully and communicating openly about your goals and concerns, you can achieve safe and satisfactory outcomes from facelift surgery.

Before and After Pictures