Facelift

Facelift

Who is a candidate for facelift surgery (Rhytidectomy)? Both men and women experience a loss of fullness of the face and drooping of the skin of the face forming folds around the mouth and chin (nasolabial folds and jowls). This leads to an aged and hollowed appearance of the face. Facelift surgery can rejuvenated your appearance by lifting the drooping facial skin and fat and smoothing out the folds that cause an aged appearance.

Planned Results: A more rested and youthful appearance with decreased drooping of the facial skin.

Procedure Decription: Facelift surgery is done as a day surgery under general anesthetic. You must have an adult drive you home and stay with you over night. Private nursing services can be arranged through U Cosmetic if necessary for an additional fee.

There are several different methods of facelift surgery and the length of scar will depend on the amount of correction needed – this will be discussed with you are your consultation. Permanent internal sutures will be placed to reposition your facial fat and a combination of dissolving and nondissolving stitches will be placed in your skin. You will have 2 small drains to ensure that no blood or fluid accumulates under the skin.

Recuperation and Healing: You will be required to wear a special garment for one month following surgery and this will be provided by U Cosmetic. The drains will be removed in 4 to 5 days and you will be given detailed instructions on how to care for the drains. You should sleep with the head of your bed elevated to help decrease swelling and icepacks can be used in the first 24 hours to decrease swelling. You can expect some swelling, bruising and discomfort and you will be sent home with prescription medications to help keep you comfortable. It is not uncommon to have some numbness in your face for a few weeks following the surgery. Once the stitches have come out, Kelocote scar gel is recommended for optimal scar formation. Sun protection is extremely important to prevent permanent discolouration of the scars.

Options and Considerations: Optimal facial rejuvenation may need to be achieved through a combination of procedures: blepharoplasty, forehead lift, neck lift. As well, face lift surgery will not improve the texture or blotchiness of your skin. Facelift may be complimented by photorejuvenation, Pixel laser skin resurfacing or chemical peels. Often adding volume back to the face improves the outcome, this can be done through micro fat grafiing or Teosyal or Esthelis injectable fillers. If you do not want the recovery time associated with surgery or are looking for a more subtle correction in skin laxity you may be a candidate for the Accent skin tightening treatments.

Notes: Your results can best be maintained through a home skin care routine. Your optimal routine will be customized for you and products recommended. Please note that facelift surgery does not stop the aging process, gravity and sun exposure will continue to affect your skin and appearance. You may require revision surgery in the future. All potential complications will be discussed at your consultation.