Face Lift
LENGTH: 2 – 4 hours
ANESTHESIA: Local with Sedation or General
IN/OUTPATIENT: Outpatient or Overnight
SIDE EFFECTS: Bruising, swelling
RECOVERY: Return to work: 2 weeks, Light exercise: 4 weeks, Swelling completely resolves: 4-8 weeks
The aging face with time appears sagging and deflated. A facelift is a procedure designed to rejuvenate the face by shaping and repositioning the deeper layers to make it look naturally refreshed and youthful. A facelift can be performed by itself or more often, in conjunction with other procedures in order to help balance the face and achieve a natural result that doesn’t appear “worked on”.
Although a facelift will leave you looking more youthful, rested and may improve your self-esteem, it will not give you a completely different look. Before you decide to have a face lift, or any other facial plastic surgery, such as eyelid lift or rhinoplasty, think carefully about your expectations and make sure you discuss them with Dr. Tran.
Your Face Lift Consultation
Your visit with Dr.Tran will determine if you are a good candidate for a facelift. If you are in good physical health and have reasonable expectations then this may be a good choice for you. A facelift may be right for you if you are a man or woman with signs aging such as sagging in the face and neck. This usually happens for most people in their forties or fifities but a facelift can be performed for patients as late as their seventies and eighties as well.
During your first visit, Dr. Tran will ask you about your desired results. This will help him understand your expectations and let you know if they can be realistically accomplished. Dr. Tran will analyze your face and evaluate the shape, the quality of skin and underlying bone structure. After your consultation, photographs will be taken for your medical record and additional analysis.
Be prepared to discuss any medical conditions you may have, allergies, prior surgeries, and any medications, vitamins or other supplements that you currently take. You will be asked about any conditions that may complicate the procedure such as uncontrolled hypertension or clotting problems. It is important for you to provide complete information. If you are a smoker, you will be asked to stop smoking at least 3 weeks before your surgery. Dr. Tran is concerned about your health and safety and depending on your medical status may ask for additional evaluations before proceeding with surgery.
You will learn about the procedure, its limitations and risks, and Dr. Tran will discuss your needs and concerns. He will explain which surgical techniques are most appropriate for you based on your examination and factors such as the degree of facial aging, quality of skin tone, and underlying facial structures.
Facelift Techniques
There are several different techniques that are used for face lifting including the short scar facelift, deep plane or SMAS lifts, endoscopic facelift, mid-facelift and secondary facelift. Incisions are discrete and hidden in natural creases or camouflaged behind the hairline. Dr. Tran believes that that facelifts are individualized procedures and that no one technique is right for every patient. Someone with early signs of aging may not need as extensive and operation as a person with more advanced signs. Likewise, a “mini-lift” may give minimal, short lasting results to someone older with more extensive tissue laxity.
The Day of Surgery
Before surgery, you will be given medicine to lessen the anxiety and pain. The surgery usually takes 2 to 4 hours depending on how extensive. After the procedure, you will wake up in a recovery area where you will be closely monitored. Although most patients go home the same day, some choose to stay overnight before being discharged the next morning. Be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home and stay to help you the first few days while at home.
Your Recovery
Some discomfort is normal after surgery but shouldn’t be severe. In general, facelifts are not very painful operations. You will feel tired and sore and depending on the extent of your surgery, you will appear bruised, swollen and will be uncomfortable for several days. When you are discharged, you will be given prescriptions for pain and to reduce swelling.
You will be up and walking the day after your surgery. Initially your face may appear and feel strange to you. Swelling will distort your features and your facial motion may appear slightly stiff. Bruising may persist for up to two weeks. By the third week, you will look and feel better. Most patients are back to work two or three weeks after surgery.
Your follow-up visits will usually start a few days following your surgery for a checkup and Dr. Tran will review activity limitations, incision care and concerns you may have. Following this visit you will return in approximately 2 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and one year.
Be assured that your relationship with Dr. Tran does not end after your surgery. If you have any concerns during your recovery, or have more questions at a later time, you can always contact Dr. Tran.
How much does a face lift cost?
After your initial consultation, you will be quoted a price that will include Dr. Tran’s fee as well as the operating room and any anesthesia fees. Financing options are available.