Sagging or wrinkled skin occurs naturally with increasing age. Folds and fat deposits appear around the neck, and deep creases form between the nose and mouth. The jawline grows "jowly" and slack. Heredity, poor diet, smoking, or obesity can contribute to early or severe skin problems.
A facelift can help repair some of the visible signs of aging. Fixing damage to skin, fat, and muscles can restore a "younger" look. A facelift can be done alone or with nose reshaping, a forehead lift, or eyelid surgery.
While you are sleepy (sedated) and pain-free (local anesthesia), or deep asleep and pain-free (general anesthesia), the plastic surgeon will make incisions above the hairline at the temples, behind the earlobe, to the lower scalp.
The surgeon removes some of the fat tissue and loose skin, then stitches (sutures) the incisions closed. The fat tissue is called the SMAS layer and is the main lifting part of the facelift.
Indications
People who have a facelift are not satisfied with the signs of aging on their face, but are in otherwise good health.
Risks
Risks for any anesthesia are:
Problems breathing
Reactions to medications
Risks for any surgery are:
Bleeding
Infection
Other risks include:
A pocket of blood under the skin (hematoma) that may need to be drained
Damage to the nerves that control facial muscles (this is usually temporary)
Expectations after surgery
Most patients are pleased with the results.
The doctor may temporarily place a small, thin drainage tube under the skin behind the ear to drain any blood that might collect there. Your head will be wrapped loosely in bandages to minimize bruising and swelling.
Cosmetic breast surgery(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Cosmetic breast surgery is a surgical procedure to change the size or shape of the breasts. Reviewer: Hebe Molmenti, M.D., Ph.D., Private Practice specializing in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 10/19/2007
Cosmetic nose surgery(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Rhinoplasty is surgery to repair or reshape the nose. See also septoplasty (nasal septum repair. Reviewer: Melvin Sidney Dassinger, III, MD, Department of Surgery, University of Tennessee, Memphis, TN. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 01/18/2007
Chin augmentation(Doctor-Reviewed information)
A chin augmentation is a surgical procedure to reshape or enhance the size of the chin. Reviewer: Hebe Molmenti, M.D., Ph.D., Private Practice specializing in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 10/19/2007
Eyelid lift(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Eyelid lift surgery, also called blepharoplasty, is done to repair sagging or drooping upper eyelids (ptosis. Reviewer: Manju Subramanian, MD, Assistant Professor in Ophthalmology, Vitreoretinal Disease and Surgery, Boston University Eye Associates, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 02/22/2007
Liposuction (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Liposuction is the removal of excess body fat by suction using special surgical equipment. A plastic surgeon typically does the surgery. Reviewer: Robert A. Cowles, M.D., Assistant Professor of Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 05/03/2007
Skin-smoothing surgery(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Skin-smoothing surgery is the removal of the top layers of the skin. It is commonly called dermabrasion. Reviewer: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Associate, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 04/12/2007
Forehead lift(Doctor-Reviewed information)
A forehead lift is a surgical procedure to correct sagging of the forehead skin, eyebrows, and upper eyelids. Reviewer: Hebe Molmenti, M.D., Ph.D., Private Practice specializing in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 10/19/2007
Cosmetic ear surgery (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Cosmetic ear surgery is a procedure to move very large or prominent ears closer to the head. Reviewer: Hebe Molmenti, M.D., Ph.D., Private Practice specializing in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 10/19/2007
Cleft lip and palate (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Cleft lip and palate are birth defects that affect the upper lip and the roof of the mouth. Reviewer: Deirdre OReilly, MD, MPH, Neonatologist, Division of Newborn Medicine, Childrens Hospital Boston and Instructor in Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. Review Provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 09/28/2007
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