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FACELIFT
As we enter our 40s, signs of aging begin to become more visible in our faces. The facelift procedure is designed to help reverse some of these changes and allow you to achieve a youthful, refreshed, and rejuvenated appearance.
What is a FaceLift?
The loss of youthful contours in the face can be due to a variety of factors, including heredity, gravity, environmental conditions, and stress. A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that improves visible signs of aging in the face and neck, such as:
Sagging in the middle of your face
Deep creases below the lower eyelids
Deep creases along the nose extending to the corner of the mouth
Fat that has fallen or has disappeared
Loss of skin tone in the lower face that creates jowls
Loose skin and excess fatty deposits under the chin and jaw can give even a person of normal weight the appearance of a double chin
In general, good candidates for a facelift include:
Healthy individuals who do not have medical conditions that impair healing
Non-smokers
Individuals with a positive outlook and realistic expectations
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.
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.
Non-Surgical Alternatives
Non-surgical rejuvenation treatments include dermal fillers, neurotoxins such as botox, microneedling, and chemical peels. All the results can be further augmented by choosing an excellent daily skin care regimen.
It's important to recognize that the "best" technique differs for each individual and is dependent on factors such as age, underlying facial structure, and the desired results. During your consultation, Dr. Abedi will perform a detailed individualized evaluation, discuss your goals, and suggest a personalized approach tailored to your specific needs.
Consultation and Preparing for Surgery
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Your surgical goals
Medical conditions, drug allergies, and medical treatments
Current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco, and drug use
Previous surgeries
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Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors
Discuss your facelift options
Examine and measure your face
Take photographs
Recommend a course of treatment
Discuss likely outcomes of a facelift and any risks or potential complications
Discuss the type of anesthesia that will be used
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Get lab testing or a medical evaluation
Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
Stop smoking
Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding
The Procedure
STEP 1: Anesthesia
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Dr. Abedi and your anesthetist will recommend the best choice for you.
A variety of other procedures can further enhance the outcome of a facelift. They include:
Fat transfer soft tissue augmentation to recontour the facial structure
Resurfacing techniques to improve the tone and texture of facial skin
Wrinkle reduction by injection of fat or fillers
Step 2: The Incision
Depending on the degree of change you'd like to see, your skin laxity and quality, your age, and areas of sagging in your face, the facelift may include a traditional facelift, limited incision facelift (mini-facelift) and/or a neck lift.
A facelift incision often begins in the hairline at the temples, continues around the ear and ends in the lower scalp. Dr. Abedi will make these incisions discreet by placing them along the natural contours of the face which helps minimize visible scarring.
Dr. Abedi performs a sub-SMAS or a deep plane facelift which involves dissecting under the facial muscles and tissues (known as SMAS), releasing the tethering ligaments that prevent upward movement of tissues, and then repositioning and lifting this tissue vertically and securing it to deeper structures. The skin is then re-draped over the uplifted contours and then the excess is trimmed away. This type of facelift results in a more natural looking lift that often lasts longer than other traditional facelifts that rely mainly on skin redraping. Dr Abedi may need to place another incision under the chin if neck contouring is required. The incisions are meticulously closed with sutures. The procedure can take up to 5-7 hours to complete depending on the personalized approach designed for your needs.
Traditional Facelift Incisions
Limited Incisions (Mini-Facelift)
Ideal for younger patients with only mild to moderate signs of aging and without a significant amount of excess skin. The mini facelift has the advantage of shorter scars with a more focus treatment of mid to lower face rather than a global facial rejuvenation.
2. 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. Depending on the issues being addressed, a separate incision under the chin may be required.
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.
risks and safety
The decision to have a facelift is extremely personal. You will have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals, and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and any risks and potential complications.
The risks include:
Anesthesia risks
Bleeding
Infection
Poor wound healing and skin loss
Facial nerve injury with weakness which can be temporary or permanent
Temporary or permanent hair loss at the incisions
Fluid accumulation
Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
Persistent pain
Unfavorable scarring
Prolonged swelling
Skin irregularities and discoloration
Sutures may spontaneously surface through the skin, become visible or produce irritation that require removal
Unsatisfactory results may include: asymmetry, unsatisfactory surgical scar location and unacceptable visible deformities at the ends of the incisions. (It may be necessary to perform an additional surgery to improve your results)
Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It is important that you address all your questions directly with Dr. Abedi.
RECOVERY AFTER SURGERY
When your procedure is completed, a bandage might be placed around your face to minimize swelling and bruising. Thin tubes may be present to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect under the skin.
Dr. Abedi will give you specific instructions that may include how to care for the surgical site and drains, 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 your general health, and when to follow up with her.
results
It may take a few months for swelling to fully dissipate and for incision lines to mature. Life-long sun protection and a healthy lifestyle will help extend the results of your rejuvenated, more youthful appearance. Using a dedicated personalized daily skin care regimen will further complement your results and the natural aging process that will continue.
As swelling and bruising subside, the visible improvements of a facelift appear. Your final result should not only provide a more youthful and rested appearance, but also help you feel more confident about yourself.
Although good results are expected from your procedure, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and another surgery may be necessary.
Following Dr. Abedi’s instructions is essential 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.
Prices for facelifts can vary. The cost of your procedure depends on the details of the procedure being done, your geographical location, and the complexity of your individual plan. Dr. Abedi offers patients financing plans, so be sure to ask.
Cost may include:
Anesthesia fees
Hospital or surgical facility costs
Medical tests
Post-surgery garments
Prescriptions for medication
Surgeon's fee
cost
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