Facelift/Neck lift

Facelift/Neck lift

If you are bothered by signs of aging in your face, facelift surgery may be right for you. The most common causes of premature facial ageing include heredity, aging, chronic sun exposure and sun damage, pollution, irregular sleeping habits, chronic lack of sleep, sigificant fluctuations in weight, dietetic indiscretions, alcoholism, smoking, and medical problems like hyper or hypothyroidism and liver diseases.

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Technically known as rhytidectomy, a facelift is a surgical procedure to improve visible signs of aging in the face and neck, such as:

  • Sagging in the midface
  • Deep creases below the lower eyelids
  • Deep creases along the nose extending to the corner of the mouth
  • Loss of muscle tone in the lower face may create jowls
  • Loose skin and excess fatty deposits under the chin and jaw can make even a person of normal weight appear to have a double chin

Rejuvenation procedures typically performed in conjunction with a facelift are brow lift, to correct a sagging or deeply furrowed brow, and eyelid surgery to rejuvenate aging eyes.
As a restorative surgery, a facelift does not change your fundamental appearance and cannot stop the aging process permanently. Non-surgical facial rejuvenation treatments cannot achieve the same results, but may help delay the time at which a facelift becomes appropriate and complement the results of surgery. Facelift surgery is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfil someone else’s desires to try to fit any sort of ideal image.

Facelift surgery is a good option for you if:

  • You are physically healthy
  • You do not smoke
  • You have a positive outlook and specific, but realistic goals in mind for the improvement of your appearance

The First Consultation

The success and safety of your facelift depends very much on your complete openness during your consultation. You’ll be asked a number of questions about your needs, and goals and specific expectations from your procedure.All options will be presented and the procedure best suited for you will be recommended. The likely outcome of the surgery, any risks or potential complications as well as type of anaesthesia that will be used will be explained.

You must reveal any medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments you might have undergone during this time. You will need to inform about your current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drugs as well as any previous surgeries you have undergone. A detailed medical examination will also be performed at this stage.

General Guidelines prior to your Face Lift

  • Pre-Operative Photographs for medical record keeping
  • Obtain laboratory testing or a medical evaluation
  • Pre-operative Anaesthetic assessment for fitness for surgery
  • Sign an informed Consent Form
  • Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
  • Stop smoking well in advance of surgery
  • Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they increase risk of bleeding.
  • Maintain a stable weight for 3 months prior to the date of surgery

Types of Face Lift

Traditional (SMAS) Facelift

A traditional facelift incision often begins in the hairline at the temples, continues around the ear and ends in the lower occipital scalp. Fat may be sculpted or redistributed from the face, jowls and neck. Underlying Submusculoaponeurotic (SMAS) layer is repositioned, and commonly the deeper layers of the face and the muscles are also lifted.

Skin is redraped over the uplifted contours and excess skin is trimmed away. A second incision under the chin may be necessary to further improve an aging neck. Sutures or skin adhesives close the incisions.

Mini Facelift (Limited Incision)

In general, a mini facelift will use a smaller incision than a traditional facelift, and healing timewill be proportionately shorter. The best candidates for mini facelifts are usually younger patients with good skin elasticity or those who accept limited results with minimal surgical intervention.

Neck Lift

Sagging jowls, loose neck skin and fat accumulation under the chin may be corrected with a neck lift. The neck lift incision often begins in front of the ear lobe and wraps around behind the ear ending in the lower scalp. A Neck lift is usually combined with a Face lift procedure or platysmaplasty.

MACS Lift

Macs or Midface Lift is a technique wherein strong sutures are used to suspend the deep tissues of the face (SMAS) from firm points near the ear and forehead. The operation is done through a shorter scar, so less dissection is required and therefore less risk of bleeding. The suspension technique is a more direct and simple way of lifting the deep tissues and is also less risky with shorter recovery time. Good candidates are middle aged patients requiring volumetric lift of the midface.

Platysmaplasty

A platysmaplasty is a procedure which targets the platysma muscle which is located beneath the skin on the neck thus separating it. As part of the aging process, some people develop bands of muscle running vertically down their necks. A platysmaplasty is commonly performed as an adjunct to a facelift and necklift.

Temporal Facelift

This type of lift is used to address patients with slightly drooping or lowered eyebrows without having the necessity of having to perform a more extensive full browlift procedure. During this procedure, an incision is made to lift the skin on the sides of the brows.

Your Facelift procedure

A Facelift is to be performed in a major hospital setting under general anaesthesia. A variety of other procedures can further enhance the outcome of a facelift during or after the surgery, like Facial implants, Soft tissue augmentation to recontour the facial structure. Resurfacing techniques are used to improve the tone and texture of facial skin but at a later date.

The incision is in a preauricular crease line in front of the ears going up into the temporal scalp and below it turns around the earlobule going back into the occipital scalp. The incision is very well concealed in the hairline and is not visible to the discerning eye a few weeks after the surgery.
Upon completion of the surgery the incision is closed and sterile dressing applied. When your procedure is completed, a bandage will be gently placed around your face to minimize post facelift swelling and bruising. A thin tube may be present to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect under the skin.

Recovery Period

The visible improvements of a facelift appear as swelling and bruising subside. Your final result will not only restore a more youthful and rested appearance, but also help you feel more confident about yourself. Stitches are removed on the 5th post op day.

You will be given specific instructions that will include: how to care for the surgical site, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in overall health, and when to follow up.

Schedule a Consultation for a Face Lift

Please contact Dr. Naithani to schedule a liposuction consultation today. During your consultation she can answer all of your questions about the procedure and help you determine whether liposuction is the best option for your goals.

Schedule a Consultation

If you would like to schedule a Face Lift consultation, please contact online or by phone today. Dr. Biraj will be happy to answer your questions and talk with you about all aspects of the procedure

Common Questions

The decision to have a facelift is extremely personal and you’ll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable. At the time of consultation you will be explained in detail the risks however rare, associated with the surgery. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo and any risks and potential complications. Scarring, Bleeding/ Fluid accumulation, Poor wound healing, Anesthesia risks, there maybe some hair loss at the incision site which is correctable, persistent Pain, Skin contour irregularities or discoloration. The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure. Another surgery may be necessary.

You will be back to your work in about 2 weeks. You will be allowed to start light exercises after 3-4 weeks and can get back to your normal exercise pattern or lifting weights only after 6 weeks.

All bandages come off in 5-6 days time.

It may take a few weeks to several months for swelling to fully dissipate and for incision lines to fully mature. Sun protection will help to maintain your rejuvenated appearance by minimizing photo-aging or sun damage. In addition, a healthy lifestyle will also help extend the results of your rejuvenated, more youthful appearance. Following your physician’s instructions is key to the success of your surgery. It is important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing. Avoid wearing any clothing that must go over your head.

Typically, results show up almost immediately barring the bruising and swelling which can take from a week to 3 weeks to settle down. The final results are visible typically at 6 months.

Following a face lift procedure the pain is mild to moderate. This is managed by adequate anti inflammatory and pain medications for the first 2-3 days. Bruising and swelling will depend on the extent of surgery and typically resolves in a weeks time.

Yes, in the immediate post op period you will have a dressing around your face. This is typically removed after 2 days after which the incisions are kept open and dressed only with an antibiotic ointment.

No. This is neither required nor recommended

You can do light exercises 3-4 weeks after surgery and Moderate to heavy exercises after 5-6 weeks.

Results are long lasting approximately 6-8 years. This also depends on how much care is taken in the long run.

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Risks and Potential Complications

Possible complications include bleeding and collection of blood under the skin (hematoma), fluid accumulation(seroma), infection or poor healing at the incision site. These risks are common to many operations and can be dealt with easily. Blood clots in the deep veins of the leg is a problem associated with lying still for too long for which adequate prophylaxis is taken prior to surgery. Rarely pulmonary and Fat embolism are risks associated with any major prolonged surgery. Any surgery carries risks associated with anaesthesia. These risks will be fully discussed with you prior to your consent for surgery. It is important that you understand these aspects of your surgery and that you seek clarification from your surgeon.

During the Operation: Reactions to Drugs, Bleeding
Later: Painful Scars, Abnormal Scars, Persistent Lower Abdomen Numbness and Swelling and Umbilical Deformity