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Facelift Before and After Photos
The facelift is designed to restore the youthful lines and contours of the face and neck area by surgically removing excess skin and tightening the underlying layers of the face. Typical signs of facial aging include deep facial lines, development of jowls along the jaw line, deep creases between the mouth and chin ("marionette lines"), and sagging neck skin. The surgical correction will attempt to restore the youthful, rested appearance with uplifted contours and improved facial tone.
One of the most common questions about facelifts is "When is the best time?" I explain to patients that it is a personal question and the answer is different for everybody. When the patient feels that their outward appearance is no longer reflecting their more youthful physical and emotional self, then one should consider restorative surgery. The best candidates are patients who are healthy and do not have a life-threatening illness, non-smokers, and patients who have realistic goals in mind for improvement of their appearance.
I will see patients who are interested in having a facelift for an initial one hour consultation. I will usually see them a second time in order to review aspects of the surgery and allow the patient and their caregiver to have all of their questions answered. It is essential to have a thorough understanding of the potential complications of this procedure. A few weeks before the surgery, the patient will meet with my nurse in order to review the process, provide prescriptions, and sign consent forms.
Each facelift is individualized and it is not uncommon for the facelift to be combined with other procedures such as blepharoplasty, brow lift, or dermabrasion. The technique I utilize to correct the common signs of facial aging is a two layer approach. Facelift incisions begin in or at the hairline of the temple area continuing around the ear into the hair behind the ear. The thin specialized muscle layer just beneath the skin is tightened and the skin is pulled gently to reveal the new contours produced by the underlying layers. The skin is tailored and sutured with fine stitches. Staples are used in the hair so as to avoid affecting blood supply to the hair follicles. A drain is frequently used and is held in place with a suture.
I ask that each patient remain overnight in the hospital. The drain is removed the following morning. It is rare that pain is a problem with facelift patients. Although the patient appears to be uncomfortable, they rarely require anything other than Tylenol for pain. The patient has loose dressings which are also removed the first morning after surgery. I have the patient follow-up frequently in my office for the first three weeks following surgery. All stitches and staples are removed by 10-12 days following the surgery.
Most patients are "socially acceptable" by 10-14 days after surgery. Make-up may be applied when all of the stitches have been removed (unless dermabrasion was performed) which will decrease the appearance of residual bruising. Swelling will resolve completely over 3 to 6 months. Revisions may be required but are often done in the office under local anesthesia. I will have the patient wait for at least 6 months before performing any revisions because often times the areas of concern simply resolve with time.
Facelift Before and After Photos
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