Many people use the term facelift to refer to a global rejuvenation of the face. They think of jowls, saggy cheeks and sunken eyelids as tale-tell signs of aging. However, it is important to distinguish between a facelift and other procedures that rejuvenate the face. A facelift is NOT a procedure to rejuvenate the entire face. Instead, a facelift is a procedure for both men and woman that only targets the lower third of the face, i.e., marionette lines, jowls and jawline. In this blog, we will take a quick look at what a patient can expect from this surgery.
Facelift: the procedure and recovery
A facelift can be performed under local anesthesia plus sedation or with general anesthesia. The operation takes from 2 to 5 hours of OR time. In most cases, a facelift is an outpatient procedure, although some patients may prefer to spend the first night in the hospital. Also, the surgeon may decide to keep the patient in hospital if he or she has a higher risk of postoperative complications.
During the operation, an incision is made at the sideburn that goes down the anterior side of the ear, around the earlobe and to the posterior scalp. This incision allows the surgeon to identify the deeper muscles in order to lift the lower third of the face and also define the jawline. It is crucial that the “lift” is done by surgically raising these muscles and not by pulling on the skin. This will prolong the result of the operation and the outcome will be more aesthetically pleasing.
The recovery time after facelift is two weeks to a couple of months, depending on the technique used by the surgeon. Swelling and bruising will be very visible the first week and can last up to two months; therefore, this is not an operation you want to do a few weeks before an important engagement.
Facelifts, like any other surgical procedures, carry a certain risk. The most important risk is damage to branches of the facial nerve that can cause paralysis of facial muscles. If this occurs, the nerves will recover in about six months. Another risk is thickening of the scars around the ear. Fortunately, these scars can be revised by the surgeon to improve their appearance.
Can a facelift be combined with other procedures?
Combining a facelift with other procedures is an excellent option. Most men and women who are interested in a facelift would also benefit from other aesthetic procedures for a more harmonious outcome. A facelift most often is combined with a neck-lift to address neck bands and saggy skin. Additionally, a forehead lift (see BEAUTYlift) will target the upper third of the face to diminish forehead wrinkles and frown lines, and to elevate droopy brows. Superior and inferior blepharoplasty paired with a canthoplasty is also an excellent option for eliminating the excess of skin in the upper and lower eyelids and for removing unwanted bags from under the eyes.
A well-performed facelift should produce natural results without causing visible scars and a “done appearance.” Our ASOPRS-trained oculoplastics surgeon is prepared to undertake multiple procedures to produce a well-balanced and natural outcome that will turn back the clock on our appearance and restore a youthful look.
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