Facelift

A facelift is a surgical procedure that eliminates visible signs of aging in the face and neck. A youthful face represents a more youthful person. The "layer approach" to a facelift is the most comprehensive. The most superficial layer of the face is the skin. A facelift procedure addresses the underlying layers of the face. Also known as rhytidectomy, a facelift smoothes the loose skin on the face and neck, tightens the underlying tissues and removes excess fat. New endoscopic techniques reduce scarring. A doctor uses a small endoscope measuring 5 mm in diameter and cuts into the scalp. The plastic surgeon performs the entire operation under the facial skin resulting in no visible scars on the face. Endoscopic facelifts have a quick recovery with the patient experiencing minimal bruising and swelling. Deeper soft tissues around the checks and eye make a patient look tired. Cheek fat removal techniques and spot facial or neck suctioning or buccal fat excision, remove excess cheek fat by a tiny incision inside the mouth. The procedure yields a more sculptured appearance. Cheek augmentation makes the cheek bones themselves seem wider or more forward appearing and the buccal fat excision removes fat from "chubby cheeks" below the bones. The doctor performs the surgery with a light general anesthesia and uses long-acting local anesthetics to minimize postoperative pain. The surgery begins with the injection of a long-acting local anesthetic to keep comfortable long after the procedure is over. If there is excess fat, the doctor liposuctions the neck and face and then makes incisions in front of the ear and behind the ear. The surgeon elevates the skin from the face to reveal the deeper SMAS layer. This layer of the face includes all of the muscles that produce facial expressions. The doctor pulls the skin upwards towards the scalp in order to correct the sagging effects of gravity on the face. The surgeon then re-drapes the skin of the face also pulling in an upward direction. Then, the surgeon closes the incisions in multiple layers, paying special attention to where the sutures are. The incisions behind the ears will be covered by the ear and therefore not visible. When a doctor performs a facelift endoscopically, the anesthesiologist anesthetizes the face. The surgeon hides the small incisions in the scalp and, using a special camera (endoscope) along with special endoscopic instruments, completes the entire procedure as displayed on a monitor. The doctor elevates the skin away from the SMAS layer and suspends it from the SMAS. The doctor tightens muscles and re-drapes the skin over the face. He or she suspends it in place with special sutures. The multiple-layer approach to facial rejuvenation yields long-lasting results. The doctor places surgical scars within the scalp so that they are not visible. The minimally invasive endoscopic approach allows for a speedy recovery and shorter "down time." In both procedures, the doctor covers the face with special bandages that lightly compress the skin after surgery in order to decrease any swelling.

Q: What is the recovery time of a plastic surgery procedure and when can I return to work? A: Minimally invasive and endoscopic plastic surgery requires less downtime than older techniques. Operations result in small hidden incisions and the recovery time is much shorter. Patients typically return to work in one to two weeks after the procedure based on the occupation of the patient and the particular type surgery had. More Plastic Surgery Questions



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