Facelift

Facelift cannot stop the aging process but it can “turn back time” by removing extra skin and fat and by straightening the muscles.

As we become older, the gravity, exposure to sun, and everyday stress, all leave their marks on our faces. Wrinkles appear between the nose and the mouth, the skin becomes loose, dropping below the jaw line, and extra fat and skin accumulates around the neck.

The ideal candidates for the procedure are patients with face and neck skin which started to drop, yet still has its elasticity.

The operation takes 3-7 hours (it can be longer if additional procedures are performed). Some surgeons prefer to work on each side at a time, where others handle both sides simultaneously.

The positioning of the cuts and the magnitude of the operation depend on the face structure and the repair required. The cut usually starts on the forehead and goes in front of the ear and behind the ear lobe. An additional cut is made below the chin, to repair the neck.

The surgeon separates the skin from the fat, removes the extra fat, strengthens the muscles and returns the fat pockets where they used to be. After that he stretches the skin, cuts the extra and closes with sutures.

Ususally, a drainage tube is left in both sides to draine secretions and blood. The face is bandaged for the first 24 hours.

Every operation has its risks. Although not common, such include: bleeding, infection, damage to facial nerves (usually temporal), face asymmetry and delayed healing. Patients who smoke have higher rates of delayed healing.

There may be pain or uncomfortable feeling after the recovery which can be treated with painkillers. A sensation of ants crawling would usually disappear within several weeks after surgery. Bandages are removed after a day or two and your face may look swollen, with red or pale and bleeding spots. You must remember that those will disappear after few days or weeks.

You can come out of bed after 24, however, you should avoid any efforts for at least a week, in order to help the healing process. You should avoid alcohol, hot tubs and saunas for at least a month. Most of the patients feel disappointed at first, sinve their face looks and feels strange, however, after a few weeks the scars will heal and you will be able to see the final results. Many patients return to work after 3 weeks. Sometimes you may need to use make up to blur the hemorrhage spots.

Scalp Lift

Scalp Lift – What Is It?

Scalp lifts are radical procedures of scalp reduction methods, resulting in fewer operations. Some plastic surgeons believe that a single scalp lift could be as effective as 3-4 scalp reduction plastic procedures. In a typical scalp lift face procedure, a patch of bald scalp is removed from the back and the top of the head. Subsequently, the surrounding area of the hair-bearing skin is stretched for closing the opening. The surgeon should perform extensive loosening or undermining of the skin on both sides of the head and the back of the neck so that the hair-bearing skin could be moved up without any difficulty.

Scalp Lift – How Is It Done?

Scalp lift cosmetic change procedures could be done under local anesthetic. This unique plastic procedure could be completed in a single day. However, the blood vessels in the scalp might be re-routed away from the selected site several days ahead by the surgeon. As such, this face procedure is a highly delicate and risky plastic surgery. The surgeon should be a skilled and experienced person to perform a successful scalp lift. If done properly, this would provide the best hair replacement, compared to all other procedures like scalp reduction, scalp expansion, and scalp extension.

Scalp Lift – After the Surgery

In patients whose donor scalp hair was depleted, surgeons had transplanted the chest hair to the scalp. The surgeons removed donor hair harvest from the sternal area of the patient. The surgeons divided the tissue into single and double haired micrografts. These micrografts were subsequently transplanted to the bald scalp area. The donor site healed without any complications. This is an effective alternate in scalp lift procedure, when the donor scalp hair is depleted. Scalp flaps procedures and scalp lift plastic surgery brings in a new look to the person and the self-confidence increases. The patient faces the society with a higher self-esteem.

Brow Lift

With age the brows drop below the eye line and wrinkles appear on the forehead. These make a person look angry, sad and constantly tired. Brow lift is most popular among ages of 40-60, and you can combine it with a facelift or an eyelid surgery.

Using the classic technique, the surgeon cuts ear-to-ear through the scalp behind the hairline. This allows access to the forehead while releasing the muscles, to remove extra skin and lift the eyebrows to a higher position. This method is modified for patients with high forehead and retreat in their hairline. Then a cut is made in the front of the hairline, so that brow lift does not cause additional retreat.

Under the endoscopic approach, 3-5 small incisions are made on the scalp, from ear to ear behind the hairline. Then, using special tools, the excessive skin and tissue are removed from the forehead and sometimes attached to the scalp from the inside. With time the wrinkles disappear. In some case the surgeon inserts a special hook through the endoscop, to attach the tissue onto the desired location. The hooks melt over time and the forehead reshapes.

With another technique a smaller cut is made, through the temple areas, and the excessive skin is removed as described. This approach used when the outer portion of the brows needs to be lifted. The operation can be performed using local anesthetics with deep sedation.

Every operation has its complications. This one may include:

Damage to the forehead nerves, which results in inability to move the forehead or brows; loss of sensation, usually temporarily, around the scar; hair loss in the scar margins and wider scar; infection and bleeding. Endoscopic complications may force the surgeon to perform an open surgery, which has longer recovery duration.

After the surgery (of the classic approach) has been performed, there might be an uncomfortable feeling of ant crawling and pain around the scar. These usually disappear over time, while the pain can be managed with painkillers. It may be difficult to open the eyes due to eyelid swelling. The endoscopic approach has less pain and alter sensation.

You can return to work 10-14 days after surgery, however, the final results can be seen only after a few weeks. For several weeks you must avoid vigorous activities that can elevate your blood pressure. Also avoid prolonged heat or sun exposure. Most marks of the surgery resolve after 3 weeks, minimal swelling and small hemorrhages can be covered with make up.

Eyebrow Lift

Eyes are one of the most prominent parts of the face. Eyebrow lift is a cosmetic procedure in plastic surgery for correcting upper eyelids, dropping eyebrows, and sagging skin on the patient’s forehead. Eyebrow lift improves the furrows and lines that could make a person look tired or sad. Normally, eyebrow lift is performed on persons above the age of 40.

Eyebrow Lift Procedure Normally, the surgeon would adopt the open surgery method for eyebrow lift. In this delicate face procedure, the surgeon would make an incision that starts at the ear level and moves up around the hairline. The incision would be made behind the hairline and the scar would not be visible. In certain cases, the surgeon might follow the endoscopic eyebrow lift by making 3 to 5 short incisions and insert a scope in one of the incisions. The surgeon would be able to view the muscles and tissues from a screen. Then the forehead skin would be lifted. The muscles and the underlying tissues would be altered or removed for producing a smooth appearance. The entire procedure would take between 1 and 3 hours.

Side Effects of Eyebrow Lift

In this facelift cosmetic procedure, the normal side effects are discomfort, itching, numbness, and swelling. In certain patients, hair loss might occur along the edges of the scar. However, the surgeon should take care that the nerves controlling the eyebrow movements are not injured in this face procedure. Prolonged exposure to harsh sunlight during the first few months might be harmful. Vigorous physical activities during the recovery period could result in bleeding around the incised area. Infection is a distinct possibility and antibiotic medications should be taken. In the single incision patients, the period of recovery is usually longer than those that had undergone endoscopic eyebrow lift. The result of this facelift lasts for several years.

Forehead Lift

A browlift or forehead lift is a procedure designed to lift sagging eyebrows and rejuvenate the appearance around the eyes.

Incisions are made in the hairline. This location is chosen because it is a good area to conceal any scars.

A special instrument is inserted through the incisions to carefully lift the skin from the bone.

The skin is retraced all the way to the eyebrows. The skin is then lifted up and permanently tightened using sutures.

Extensive swelling may be present for a week. It may take longer to achieve the final results.

Lower Face

Lift A facelift or rhytidectomy is an operation that is performed to rejuvenate the face as it ages. Depending on the age of the patient and the amount of rejuvenation that is expected, the procedure may be more or less involved. Some patients have areas of the face that tend to be more of a concern to them than other areas. The face is generally divided into thirds, the upper, middle, and lower face. Depending on which of these areas may be the focus, a combination of these operations may be performed.

Incisions are made around the ear. Incisions may vary depending on the surgeon and the needs of the patient.

The skin is lifted off of the deeper structures and bone through the incisions using a specially designed surgical instrument.

The skin is carefully retracted and the underlying tissue is tightened using internal sutures.

Excess skin is cut away from the appropriate areas.

The skin is closed with sutures. Sometimes staples may be used in the incisions around the hairline. The staples are easy to place and remove as the incisions heal.

The patient may be placed in a compression garment. Compression garments are an important part of the recovery process, keeping the tissue together, and providing comfort and support. Compression garments also minimize swelling by helping to prevent fluid buildup. The length that this may be applied will vary depending on the patient and the preference. Surgical drains may also be used to help remove excess fluid build-up. Bruising and swelling may last for two weeks. It may be a month or more before the patient can return to full activities.

Mid Face Lift

A facelift or rhytidectomy is an operation that is performed to rejuvenate the face as it ages. Depending on the age of the patient and the amount of rejuvenation that is expected, the procedure may be more or less involved. Some patients have areas of the face that tend to be more of a concern to them than other areas. The face is generally divided into thirds, the upper, middle, and lower face. Depending on which of these areas may be the focus, a combination of these operations may be performed.

Incisions are made in the hairline and on the inside of the mouth.

The skin and underlying tissue is lifted off the bone from the mouth incisions to the hairline incisions using a specially designed blunt surgical instrument.

The cheeks are pulled up and suspended using internal sutures that will be tied just above the hairline. The sutures will serve to initially hold the tissue in place for the first 4-6 weeks. During this time the tissue will heal and reattach to the underlying skin and bone in the new location.

The incisions are closed with sutures or staples.

Extensive swelling may be present for a week. Many patients will notice an initial bunching of tissue around the eyes and/or more prominent wrinkles known as Crows Feet. This will correct itself during the healing process. It may take up to three months for final results.

The patient may be placed in a compression garment. Compression garments are an important part of the recovery process, keeping the tissue together, and providing comfort and support. Compression garments also minimize swelling by helping to prevent fluid buildup.

The length that this may be applied will vary depending on the patient and the preference. Surgical drains may also be used to help remove excess fluid build-up. Bruising and swelling may last for two weeks.

It may be a month or more before the patient can return to full activities.