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Surgical Solutions : Face Lift
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Preparing yourself for surgery
Preparations for surgery include a comprehensive physical examination. The doctor also checks every part of the face for creases, wrinkles, lines, puffiness, and sagging. The doctor will assess your skin's thickness, elasticity, and mobility; check the jaw and neck for fatty deposits; examine the thickness of the hair and note the location of the hairline; and document any previous surgical incisions and scars. An assistant will then take a series of photographs which the surgeon will use to plan the operation and explain the procedure to you. The photographs will also remind you later of how you looked before surgery. Such photo sessions are standard before just about any kind of plastic surgery.
The doctor will explain the surgical plan feature by feature. Some trouble spots can be improved but not eliminated. Forehead lines, crow's feet, and creases around the nose and mouth can be softened, for example, but not removed altogether. Fine wrinkles can, however, be treated with a chemical face peel after the area has healed.
Facelifts involve close work around the mouth and hairline, where bacteria hide in large numbers. To minimize contamination, you will be asked to remove all makeup the night before surgery and to scrub your face and wash your hair and scalp with a medicated soap.
How the surgery is done?
Most facelifts are performed under local anesthesia with heavy sedation. The incision is placed in the natural crease behind the ear.
Excess skin and fat may be removed. The incision is then closed with fine sutures and/or metal clips. If metal clips are used, shaving hair from the incision site may be avoided. A facelift can take between two to four hours depending on the extent of the procedure.
What happens after my surgery?
Pain is normally minimal and can be controlled with oral medications. After the procedure, an elastic net dressing that leaves only a small part of the face and eyes exposed will cushion the skin flaps and absorb drainage from the wounds. This dramatic mummy-like dressing helps remind you to let your face rest.
Dietary restrictions are necessary after facial surgery to limit the nausea and vomiting induced by anesthesia. Furthermore, chewing can cause bleeding. You'll start out on clear liquids and quickly progress to a full liquid diet. Soft foods are added the day after surgery. If all goes well, you can return to your usual menu the day after that.
Movement is discouraged for 24 hours. Don't talk on the phone and walk as little as possible. Keep your head still and slightly elevated at a 30degree angle. After 24 hours, you can resume light activity. Most surgeons keep their facelift patients in the hospital for one night.
You'll wash your hair on the third day after surgery and at least every other day after that, to keep the incisions clean. The stitches will be removed on days 5 through 10 after surgery.
Unless you are a smoker or a diabetic, healing is a quick process. After about one week you will feel comfortable (with make-up) among strangers. After ten days you will look and feel confident enough to go out with friends again although all swelling and numbness may not disappear for many weeks. Direct sun should be avoided for several weeks.
Your surgeon will give you more specific guidelines for gradually resuming your normal activities. They're likely to include these suggestions: Avoid strenuous activity, including sex and heavy housework, for at least two weeks (walking and mild stretching are fine); avoid alcohol, steam baths, and saunas for several months.
At the beginning, your face may look and feel rather strange. Your facial movements may be slightly stiff and you'll probably be self-conscious about your scars. It's not surprising that some patients are disappointed and depressed at first.
By the second week, you'll look and feel much better. Most patients are back at work about seven to ten days after surgery. Most patients are delighted with their new, more youthful and relaxed appearance.
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