Cosmetic Surgery: Considering a Facelift

Of all our physical features, the face is commonly the primary visual focal point. The face is not only a main way in which we recognize each other, but it is also largely responsible for conveying a person's inner life, state of mind, feelings and reactions. However, through the passage of time, the skin and muscles on a person's face may steadily lose firmness, tightness and elasticity. Sags and sun damage can accumulate, creating creases and jowls. Deposits of excess fat and the loosening of facial muscles further affect change on an individual's appearance.

Over time, cosmetic alteration caused by the natural aging process may be so significant that a person's facial expressions no longer suitably reflect the way he or she truly feels, making an individual appear inaccurately sad, tired or even angry. The face may also no longer reflect a person's inner youthful, energetic personality. This can create a growing disparity between who a person is on the inside, and what he or she looks like on the outside. The result can be a self-image and self-perception that is greatly negatively impacted, as well as a negative impact on others' perception of the individual. If the facial signs of aging are a subject of concern for you, a facelift, or a rhytidectomy, may be a viable solution.

Procedure Details

A facelift is a surgical procedure by which, through a series of inconspicuous surgical incisions in the hairline, the skin is freed from the underlying tissue. The tissue is then repositioned and redistributed, the skin is pulled up and back over the tissue, and the excess skin is trimmed away.

The procedure is highly customized according to the individual patient's goals and expectations, as well as your surgeon's individual preferences and techniques. For example, your facelift may be performed in a traditional hospital, an ambulatory-care facility, or an in-office surgical suite. The type of anesthesia used during the procedure may also vary. Most patients are able to go home the same day as the procedure, though some individuals may require an overnight hospital stay. Post-operative pain is managed orally.

Your Options

Generally speaking, a facelift is performed in one of two ways. The more traditional method is through a series of incisions made around the hairline. These begin at the temple and continue to the lower scalp. Once the skin has been separated from the underlying tissue, sub-dermal tissue and fat are redistributed, repositioned and re-shaped. Then, the skin is repositioned over the new contours, while any excess skin is trimmed away. In an alternative method, shorter surgical incisions are made in the upper lip, the eyelids or the temples, while a surgical telescope (called an endoscope) is used to reposition the underlying tissue and muscles.

In both cases, additional incisions may be necessary to simultaneously improve the appearance of the neck. The incisions are then closed by either sutures (stitches) or skin adhesives. A facelift can be performed individually, or in conjunction with other cosmetic surgery procedures, such as a browlift or eyelid lift. You can consult with your surgeon which options are right for you.

Ensuring A Positive Outcome

As with all cosmetic plastic surgeries, having realistic expectations is crucial to having a positive and satisfying post-operative experience. A facelift is a surgical procedure, and results may range from dramatic to subtle. A facelift won't be able to change your basic appearance, nor will it stop the aging process; it will simply "reset the clock" on your appearance. It isn't generally recommended as a treatment for wrinkles, and it won't improve sagging in the eyelids or forehead.

A facelift can, however, tighten and improve sagging midfacial and neck muscle and tissue due to aging. It can also get rid of deposits of excessive fat in the face and neck that create creases, as in the case of frown lines, jowls or "double chins." This all serves to restore a fresh, youthful appearance to an extensive and noticeable degree. For this reason, it can also play a large part in rebuilding a person's self-confidence.

Consult with a board-certified surgeon to see if you are a candidate for a facelift, and whether it is the right procedure for you.