Introduction to Facelift (Rhytidectomy)
A facelift is exactly what the word describes: your
face is surgically lifted to improve sagging facial
skin, jowls and loose neck skin often associated with
the aging process. Facelifts can make you look as much
as 10 years younger, feel more confident about your
appearance and increase your self-esteem.
Best Candidates for a Facelift
Men and women, 40’s to 60’s or early 70’s,
with loose skin around the lower face and neck, prominent
jowls, loose skin along the jaw line, deep creases between
the nose and mouth. Non-smokers with good to excellent
health, good skin elasticity and strong bone structure
will have the greatest possibility for an excellent
surgical outcome.
What to Expect at Your Consultation
Dr. James Matas, a board-certified plastic surgeon
in Orlando, Florida, has extensive experience performing
facial plastic surgery. He will discuss your goals and
motivations for surgery, along with assessing your physical
and emotional health and reviewing information you provide
about previous surgeries, past and current medical conditions,
as well as nutritional supplements, herbal remedies
and pharmaceutical medications you take.
He will examine the structures of your face and neck,
assessing the quality of your skin tone and bone structure.
He may also review photographs of you at an earlier
age to determine how the aging process has affected
you.
He will recommend the exact procedure, or procedures,
needed to bring about the desired result, outlining
the techniques and incisions needed, the type of anesthesia,
where the surgery will be performed and the risks and
possibility of complications. He may also recommend
non-surgical treatments like Botox® and/or Restylane®
to enhance the surgical outcome.
He will advise you to avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen
products, Vitamin E and certain herbal medications before
surgery, as these can cause increased bleeding or have
undesirable effects with anesthesia.
A staff member may take photographs of you, and using
computer imaging technology, provide you with a before/after
comparison for discussion purposes. You will also be
provided with the financial details, along with a suggested
plan of action should you decide to take the next step
towards facelift surgery.
How a Facelift is Performed
An incision is usually made above the hairline at the
temples, follows a natural line to the ear and continues
behind the earlobe to the lower scalp. A smaller incision
may be necessary under the chin area.
Excess fat is carefully removed, the muscles are tightened,
and the skin is re-draped to improve the contours of
the face. Dr. Matas takes great care to ensure the skin
is made taut, but not overtightened, so that a natural
appearance is seen afterwards. Sutures are used to close
the incisions and secure several layers of tissue and
skin in their newly tightened state.
Surgery is performed outpatient under general anesthesia
and takes 3 to 4 hours, or longer if additional procedures
are performed at the same time.
Recovery from a Facelift
You will be discharged wearing a supportive garment
over your head and neck. There is very little pain associated
with a facelift, but any discomfort can be lessened
with prescribed medication. Some bruising, swelling
and change in skin sensation will be noticed, and should
resolve over the next 2 to 3 weeks.
You will be given guidelines to get plenty of rest,
and to avoid strenuous activity, alcohol, steam baths,
saunas and sun exposure. After a few days, your neck
garment will be removed, and your face may appear puffy
and slightly distorted.
Treatment with our massage therapist will begin in
about 5 days, and this will reduce swelling and inflammation
and help you feel more comfortable.
You’ll be back to work within 10 days to 2 weeks,
but it is suggested that you lessen your professional
and personal commitments as much as possible around
this time, as you may tire more easily. If you need
it, special camouflage makeup can be applied to cover
any bruising that remains. Your scars will be hidden
in your hairline and, with time, they’ll fade
and should be scarcely visible.
Your New Look
We expect that you’ll be extremely happy with
your facelift and the self-confidence that it brings
when you look and feel more youthful. Friends, family
and associates may comment that you look different,
but they may think you’ve been on vacation or
have a new hairstyle. As you gain confidence, you may
find yourself joining a new club, beginning a new hobby
or enjoying more rewarding relationships with those
around you!
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