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Facelift |
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Also known as rhytidectomy, a facelift is a surgical procedure to improve visible signs of aging in the face and neck. |
Enhancing your appearance with Facelift |
If you are bothered by the signs of aging in your face, a facelift may be right for you. Technically known as rhytidectomy, a facelift is a surgical procedure to improve visible signs of aging in the face and neck, such as:
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Sagging in the midface |
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Deep creases below the lower eyelids |
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Deep creases along the nose extending to the corner of the mouth |
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Fat that has fallen or is displaced |
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Loss of muscle tone in the lower face may create jowls |
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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. |
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What it won’t do |
As a restorative surgery, a facelift does not change your fundamental appearance and cannot stop the aging process.
A facelift can only be performed surgically; non-surgical 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. |
Is it right for me? |
A facelift is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image.
Facelift surgery is a good option for you if:
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You are physically healthy |
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You don’t smoke |
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You have a positive outlook and specific, but realistic goals in mind for the improvement of your appearance |
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| What to expect during your consultation |
| The success and safety of your facelift depends very much on your complete candidness during your consultation. Dr. Vartany will ask you a number of questions about your health, desires and lifestyle. He will also show you a series of before and after photographs. |
| Be prepared to discuss: |
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Why you want the surgery, your expectations and desired outcome |
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Medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments |
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Use of current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drugs |
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Previous surgeries |
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Dr. Vartany will also: |
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Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors |
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Discuss the options available to you for facelift and facial rejuvenation |
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Examine and measure your face |
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Take photographs for your medical record |
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Discuss your options and recommend a course of treatment |
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Discuss likely outcomes of a facelift and any risks or potential complications |
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Discuss the type of anesthesia that will be used |
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Preparing for surgery |
Prior to surgery, you may be asked to: |
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Get lab testing or a medical evaluation |
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Take certain medications or adjust your current medications |
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Stop smoking well in advance of surgery |
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Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding |
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| Special instructions you receive will cover: |
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What to do on the night before and morning of surgery |
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The use of anesthesia during your face lift |
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Post-operative care and follow-up |
Dr. Vartany will also discuss where your procedure will be performed. A facelift may be performed in an outpatient or ambulatory surgical center, or a hospital. |
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| Procedural Steps: |
| What happens during facelift surgery? |
| Step 1 – Anesthesia |
Anesthesia will be administered by a board certified anesthesiologist who specializes in out-patient surgery.
A variety of other procedures can further enhance the outcome of a facelift. They include: |
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| Step 2 – The incision |
Depending on the degree of change you’d like to see, your facelift choices include a traditional facelift, limited incision facelift or a neck lift.
A traditional facelift incision often begins in the hairline at the temples, continues around the ear and ends in the lower scalp. Fat may be sculpted or redistributed from the face, jowls and neck, and underlying tissue is repositioned, 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. |
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Traditional Facelift |
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An alternative to a traditional facelift uses shorter incisions at the temples, continuing around the ear and possibly within the lower eyelids or under the upper lip. |
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Limited Incision |
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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. |
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Neck Lift |
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Step 3 – Closing the incisions |
Once healed, the incision lines from a facelift are well concealed within the hairline and in the natural contours of the face and ear. |
Step 4 – See the results |
| The visible improvements of a facelift appear as swelling and bruising subside. Your final result should not only restore a more youthful and rested appearance, but also help you feel more confident about yourself. |
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Important facts about the safety and risks of facelift surgery |
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.
Dr. Vartany will explain in detail the risks associated with 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. |
The risks include: |
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Unfavorable scarring |
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Bleeding (hematoma) |
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Infection |
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Poor wound healing |
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Anesthesia risks |
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Correctable hair loss at the incisions |
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Facial nerve injury with weakness |
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Facial asymmetry |
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Skin loss |
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Numbness or other changes in skin sensation |
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Fatty tissue found deep in the skin might die (fat necrosis) |
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Fluid accumulation |
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Pain, which may persist |
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Skin contour irregularities |
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Skin discoloration, sensitivity or swelling |
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Sutures may spontaneously surface through the skin, become visible or produce irritation that require removal |
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Unsatisfactory results may include asymmetry, unsatisfactory surgical scar location, unacceptable visible deformities at the ends of the incisions (It may be necessary to perform additional surgery to improve your results) |
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Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications |
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Possibility of revisional surgery |
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When you go home |
If you experience shortness of breath, chest pains, or unusual heart beats, call Dr. Vartany immediately. Should any of these complications occur, you may require hospitalization and additional treatment.
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. |
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My Recovery |
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When your procedure is completed, a bandage could gently be placed around your face to minimize swelling and bruising. A thin tube may be present to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect under the skin. |
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The results will be long-lasting |
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It may take several months for swelling to fully dissipate and up to 6 months for incision lines to mature.
Life-long 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. |
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Words to know |
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General anesthesia: Drugs and/or gases used during an operation to relieve pain and alter consciousness. |
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Hematoma: Blood pooling beneath the skin. |
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Intravenous sedation: Sedatives administered by injection into a vein to help you relax. |
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Tear trough: Deep creases below the lower eyelids. |
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Nasolabial fold: Deep creases between the nose and cheek |
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Jowls: A jaw line that sags into the neck, usually caused by loss of muscle tone in the lower face. |
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Local anesthesia: A drug injected directly to the site of an incision during an operation to relieve pain. |
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Rhytidectomy: A surgical procedure also known as facelift, to reduce sagging of the mid-face, jowls and neck. |
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| Excerpted from the ASPS/ASAPS Patient Education Brochures |
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