Face Lift
A softer, more youthful appearance, without changing your features.
Face Lift
A Tried and Trusted Procedure.
Our faces age for many reasons. Heredity plays a role, as does gravity, which tends to pull soft facial tissues downward. In time our cheeks begin to sag, the crease running from the nostrils to the sides of the mouth is accentuated, and our jaw line and chin lose their smooth, refined appearance. As we age we also tend to lose some of out facial fat and our skin loses some of its elasticity, leading to more sagging of our features.
Exposure to ultraviolet light plays a role as well. Indeed, people who live in tropical climates, where the sun is strongest, often have prematurely aged skin, irrespective of their ethnic characteristics. In these areas, people may seek face lifts in their forties or even younger.
First described over 60 years ago, face lifts smooth and redefine the contour of the neck and jaw line to create a younger, more vital appearance.
- Years of research and experience have led to an increasingly sophisticated understanding of the ageing process, the more subtle elements in facial anatomy and the technical ways to restore a balanced and more youthful appearance.
- In addition, thanks to advances in both surgical technique and anaesthesia, face lift procedures have become safer and more comfortable and their results even more satisfying.
It is important, however, to remember that while a face lift can help refresh your appearance it will not erase permanent creases, particularly around your lips. Additional procedures like dermabrasion fillers, laser resurfacing and chemical peels can improve those lines and can be performed in conjunction with your face lift.
Your Consultation: Talking It Through.
When you meet with your surgeon, you'll have an opportunity to share your feelings about the results you want to achieve, learn about what will happen during your surgery and help design a procedure that meets your individual needs. It is often helpful to bring a photograph of yourself from the time when you thought you looked your best.
- Your surgeon will take a medical history and ask about any previous facial surgery.
- You'll learn about normal differences in facial symmetry you've probably never noticed before.
- Your surgeon will gently lift your facial skin to assess what you might be able to expect after your surgery.
- You'll discuss the extent and position of scars you can expect.
Your surgeon will also explain some of the modifications that have improved the overall results of face lift surgery. Most patients are suitable for a short scar technique which can incorporate individual modifications.
In addition, you'll learn about procedures that can be done at the same time as your face lift, including correction of eye bags (Blepharoplasty), forehead lift and the use of fat from other parts of your body to restore lost volume to the central part of your face. You'll also learn about situations where facelifts can be combined with chin augmentation if the jaw contour is somewhat weak, or midface endoscopic lifts for more pronounced definition of the cheekbone area.
Your Operation: What To Expect.
Before your surgery you will receive advice about what to do and what to avoid. For example, if you routinely color or perm your hair it's wise to have it done immediately before your procedure so it will be some weeks before you need to have it done again.
In most cases your face lift will be done under general anaesthetic and you will spend the night after in hospital. More limited procedures can be carried out under a local anaesthetic and sedation.
Once you are comfortably asleep, the surgeon will make an incision that starts at the top of the ear and courses down following the curves in front of the top and bottom of the ear and behind the middle part (tragus). The incision then continues to the earlobe. In some cases a second incision in made under the chin where it will also be well hidden. Its purpose is to assist with definition of the chin and neck.
Using these incisions on both sides of the face, the skin and deep tissues are remodeled and redraped. The incisions are then closed with absorbable stitches.
Small drainage tubes are inserted under the skin during the operation. These are removed the next day, so that bruising and swelling around the face and neck are minimal, and a return to work and social activities is accelerated. Some surgeons also apply a light bandage around your head at the end of the surgery.
After Your Surgery
Your bandages will be removed the morning after your surgery. After that, your hair will be washed and you'll be allowed to leave the hospital.
Once at home, it's important to take certain precautions:
- To prevent post-operative bleeding it's important not to engage in vigorous activity for the first five days after your surgery.
- Aspirin should be avoided. Any discomfort can be controlled by taking a mild analgesic such as Paracetamol.
- You may gently wash your hair with a mild shampoo, exercising care in the suture area.
You will receive a complete list of postoperative care instructions before you leave the hospital.
As your convalescence continues, you can expect certain things:
- It is advisable not to apply any strong chemicals like bleach or ammonia to the area for four weeks following surgery.
- Your scars will usually be very faint at first, however you can expect them to thicken and redden for a few months after your surgery before they return to a more natural skin colour and texture.
- It is normal to experience some bruising, swelling and numbness after a face lift. These symptoms are temporary and should mostly disappear after two weeks. Numbness takes longer to settle down, sometimes up to 6 months. To help lessen post-operative bruising, we suggest taking Arnica for one week prior to your surgery and two weeks after.
Complications From Face Lift Are Rare.
- Should infection occur it can usually be readily treated with antibiotics.
- If a haematoma (a collection of blood under the skin) should occur, a revisit to the operating theatre may be necessary. However, if a haematoma is dealt with promptly it should not affect the long-term results of the surgery.
- Occasionally, delayed wound healing may occur. This is particularly true in diabetic patients or patients who smoke. If you smoke, please discuss your habit with your surgeon.
- Damage to the nerves which control the facial muscles is extremely rare with face lift surgery. In the majority of cases where this does occur there is a full recovery.
- With any surgery that takes more than about an hour there is an increased risk of clots in the leg veins (deep vein thrombosis). Because of this, it is important that, apart from the measures taken during the hospital stay, you continue gentle mobilisation, exercising your feet lightly but regularly in the week following her operation. This will help restore your circulation and reduce the chance of clots forming.
Breakdown of Surgical Costs
There are several aspects to costings for cosmetic surgery.
1. The surgeons price
These prices are fixed for each procedure.
2. The anaesthetic price
These are generally based on an hourly rate.
3. The hospital price
These vary widely depending on the complexity of the procedure, the length of the procedure and whether a hospital stay is required.
4. Medicare & Private Health Funds
Additionally, certain procedures attract a Medicare item number. If a Medicare item number is applicable then a health fund will usually contribute towards the total price, depending on your policy and level of cover.
Prices will vary as they depend on an individual's circumstances
Please contact my office if you wish to obtain an estimation of prices and my staff will endeavour to give you a fair idea of what price may be involved. Finalisation of pricing of some procedures however may require a consultation, examination and determination of the applicability of a Medicare item number.
» Post-Op Advice for Face Lift
» More Facelift Information
» Return to Procedures Page
 |
 |
 |
 |