Face Lift (Rhytidectomy) San Francisco Bay Area
As people age the effects of gravity,
exposure to the sun, and the stresses of daily life can be seen
in their faces. Deep creases form between the nose and mouth;
the jaw line grows slack and jowly; folds and fat deposits appear
around the neck. A face lift (technically known as rhytidectomy)
can't stop this aging process. A face lift can "set back
the clock," improving the most visible signs of aging by
removing excess fat, tightening underlying muscles, and re-draping
the skin of your face and neck. A facelift can be done alone,
or in conjunction with other procedures such as a forehead lift,
eyelid surgery, or nose reshaping.
New! Hear it from our patients: Patient's Journal: Facelift
The Best Candidates For A
Face Lift
The best candidate for a face lift is
a man or woman whose face and neck have begun to sag, but whose
skin still has some elasticity and whose bone structure is strong
and well-defined. Most patients are in their forties to sixties,
but a facelift can be successfully performed on people in their
seventies or eighties.
The Face Lift Procedure
A face lift usually takes several hours—or
somewhat longer if you're having more than one procedure. For
extensive procedures two separate sessions may be scheduled.
Dr. Rajagopal moves back and forth between the sides of the
face. The exact placement of incisions and the sequence of events
depends on your facial structure. Dr. Rajagopal will discuss
this with you. Incisions for a face lift procedure usually begin
above the hairline at the temples, extend in a natural line
in front of the ear (or just inside the cartilage at the front
of the ear), and continue behind the earlobe to the lower scalp.
If the neck needs work, a small incision may also be made under
the chin.
In general, Dr. Rajagopal separates the skin from the fat and
muscle below. Fat may be trimmed or suctioned from around the
neck and chin to improve the contour. Dr. Rajagopal then tightens
the underlying muscle and tissue, pulls the skin back, and removes
the excess. Stitches secure the layers of tissue and close the
incisions; metal clips may be used on the scalp.
Following surgery, a small, thin tube is temporarily placed
under the skin behind your ear to drain fluids that might collect
there. Dr. Rajagopal will also wrap your head loosely in bandages
to minimize bruising and swelling.
After The Face Lift Procedure
There isn't usually significant discomfort
after face lift surgery; if there is, it can be lessened with the pain
medication prescribed. (Severe or persistent pain or a sudden
swelling of your face should be reported to Dr. Rajagopal immediately.)
Some numbness of the skin is quite normal; it will disappear
in a few weeks or months.
Keep your head elevated and as still as possible for a couple
of days after surgery, to keep the swelling down.
If you've had a drainage tube inserted, it will be removed one
or two days after your face lift surgery. Bandages, when used,
are usually removed after one to five days. Don't be surprised
at the pale, bruised, and puffy face you see. Just keep in mind
that in a few weeks you'll be looking normal.
Getting Back To Normal After
Your Face Lift
You should be up and about in a day or
two, but plan on taking it easy for the first week after your face lift surgery.
Be especially gentle with your face and hair, since your skin
will be both tender and numb, and may not respond normally at
first. Dr. Rajagopal will give you more specific guidelines
for gradually resuming your normal activities.
They will 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. Above all, get plenty
of rest and allow your body to spend its energy on healing.
At the beginning, your face may look and feel rather strange.
Your features may be distorted from the swelling, your facial
movements may be slightly stiff and you'll probably be self-conscious
about your scars.
Some bruising may persist for two or three weeks, and you may
tire easily. It's not surprising that some patients are disappointed
and depressed at first. By the third week, you'll look and feel
much better. Most patients are back at work two weeks after face lift
surgery. If you need it, special camouflage makeup can mask
most bruising that remains.
What is a Mini Facelift /
Mid Face Lift?
As a person ages, the effects of gravity
and time cause a loss of elasticity and sagging of the skin,
especially deepening of the smile lines and forming of marionette
lines (vertical lines that can form on either side of the mouth).
When these changes are still minimal (especially when the person
is in the late 30’s, or late 40’s), a mini face
lift can be performed to tighten and reposition the skin producing
a more rested, refreshed look. After a mini face lift, patients
will notice diminished smile lines and diminished of marionette
lines.
Short Scar Face Lift (S-lift, MACS Lift or Minimal Incision Face Lift)
Facelifts have become more popular as the Baby Boomers are reaching the prime of their lives. Patients desire to look youthful, vibrant and natural. Gone are the days of the “tight” face and "pulled" look. A short scar facelift can help patients achieve very natural results with minimal incisions, light anesthesia and fast recovery.
What is a short scar facelift?
A MACS lift repositions the skin and tissues that are affected by aging. The primary difference between the MACS lift and the traditional facelift is that the scar is greatly minimized. The scar behind the ear and hairline is eliminated. With the scar eliminated women can wear their hair up in a pony tail or French twist and men can keep their haircut short.
Where is the scar in a Short Scar Face lift?
The incision starts at the temporal hairline and extends in the natural curves in the front of the ear and ends just below or behind the earlobes.
Who are the best candidates for the MACS lift?
It is generally for the younger patient usually under the age of 60.
What type of anesthesia is used?
Since the facelift has minor incisions it can be performed under local anesthesia combined with twilight anesthesia. Patient's wake up immediately after surgery and recover more smoothly as compared to a general anesthesia.
How long is recovery?
It is approximately 10-12 days at which time patients can return to work and wear some makeup.
What is the difference between
a Face Lift and a Mini Face Lift?
The incisions for a mini face lift are
smaller compared to a traditional face lift. They begin in the
hairline and extend along the natural line in front of the ear
and stop just behind the earlobe. The mini face lift procedure
is done more quickly (usually only about 3 hours), and the recovery
time is also shorter (most patients are back to work in a week).
With a mini face lift, only the isolated areas of the mid section
of the face (such as nasolabial folds) will be addressed. For
many patients who feel that these isolated areas are the most
significant, a mini face lift is a great solution. On the other
hand, a full face lift will improve areas like the neck-chin
angle, and restore tighter jawline definition. While a mini
face lift rejuvenates the mid-face area (which is what the term
"Mid Face lift" refers to), a full face lift may be
suggested to patients with sagging or droopiness in the jowl
area, or to tighten up the neck muscles.
What is a Weekend Face Lift?
The phrase "weekend face lift"
is used in a variety of ways depending on the doctor. Some surgeons
advertise a mini face lift as a "weekend face lift"
because the recovery time is quick when compared to the traditional
face lift procedure. Other procedures (cheek lift, vertical
cheek lift, endoscopic forehead lift, or microsuction of the
neck) have also all been described in similar ways by advertisers
as a "weekend facelift". There is another procedure
that some doctors perform as a "weekend face lift"
in which a laser is used on the inside surface of the face,
along with liposuction. The American Society of Plastic Surgery
does not recommend the use of lasers on the inside surface of
the skin due to safety concerns. For information on the new
"non-surgical face lift" procedure called the ThermaLift
click here.
If you have any questions regarding Face Lift Surgery, or wish
to schedule a consultation with Dr. Rajagopal in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, please call the
San Francisco Plastic Surgery Laser Center at 415-392-3333.
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