Facelift
- What does facelift surgery involve?
- What is the purpose of a facelift operation?
- How much younger does a facelift make me look like?
- How long does it last?
- Preparing for a facelift:
- The procedure
- What to expect afterwards
- What are the risks associated with a facelift?
What does facelift surgery involve?
During a face lift operation facial skin is separated from underlying muscle, excess fat is removed and the facial muscles tightened. Then the skin is pulled up, trimmed and sewn. This makes folds and lines, saggy skin and wrinkles disappear. A facelift is performed by an experienced surgeon.
What is the purpose of a facelift operation?
The purpose of facelift surgery is to remove wrinkles from your skin. Your expectations need to be realistic: we cannot remove each and every one of your wrinkles! Especially wrinkles around the mouth and the so-called mimic wrinkles are supposed to remain – otherwise the effect would be unnatural, mask-like. We have no intention to create an unnatural look.
How much younger does a facelift make me look like?
About eight to ten years.
How long does it last?
It is important to know that the result of a facelift is only temporarily. The ageing process will not stop after a facelift, your face will continue to age. Thus, after a couple of years, another treatment will be necessary. After how many years precisely depends on the skin, the connective tissue and the age of the patient.
Preparing for a facelift:
- Blood- en ECG-recordings
- Overweight and the consumption of cigarettes must be reduced
- Two weeks in advance: discontinue anticoagulants (drugs that help prevent the clotting (coagulation) of blood) especially painkillers such as aspirin or anti-rheumatic drugs
- Take a shower and wash your head carefully one day before the operation
- Please do not schedule the operation on a day you are having your period – that increases the risk of internal bleeding
The procedure
The procedure can take up to 6 hours. In many cases the operation is performed with general anaesthesia. Mostly the patient stays 1-2 days at our clinic.
The skin of neck and cheeks will be carefully separated from the underlying tissues. Excess skin will be removed. The surgeon will finally lift the skin, pull it back and trim off any excess parts. Then your skin is stitched back to the line of the initial cut. The small scars will be almost invisible. As soon as the bruises and swellings will be gone the result of a face lift is beautiful and natural.
What to expect afterwards
- There will be some pain, swelling and bruising in your face
- Depending on the facelift technique: don't move your head during the first days to avoid secondary bleeding
- Due to gravity haematoma (bruises) will be visible on your neck and cheeks (duration: 2 to 3 weeks)
- Numb cheeks up to four weeks after the procedure
- Scars stop standing out after two months, except with younger patients (several months)
- After five days: you may wash your hair and put on make up if you are careful. Sun bathing is not allowed for four weeks.
What are the risks associated with a facelift?
- Facelift surgery is generally safe. However, an element of risk, as inherent in any surgical procedure, always remains. It is therefore essential for the surgeon to talk you through the possible complications of your specific procedure.
- Secondary bleeding
- It could have a negative effect on the wound healing if a smoker does not manage to smoke less than five cigarettes a day
- Bad wound healing can lead to scar formation
- Damage to facial nerves (0.7% of all face lifts). Such an injury is usually temporary. It usually corrects itself in about 6 months
How much does a facelift cost?
© Dr. Darius Alamouti, MD — www.dariusalamouti.de
