Facelift

Facelift

The earliest signs of aging often start in the face. These signs include wrinkles and saggy skin around the eyes and the mouth, droopy eyelids, eye bags, tear trough, nasolabial folds, jowls, double chin, blunt jawline, and loss of tissue volume in the face that causes sunken temples and sunken cheeks.

The severity of facial aging varies. For mild to moderate cases, non-surgical treatments can be useful in rejuvenating the face. These non-surgical treatments include Botox injection, fillers, laser therapy, ultrasound skin tightening, thread lift, and fat grafting.

For severe cases, a facelift is the treatment of choice. A facelift is an effective technique to lift and tighten the soft tissues (also known as superficial musculoaponeurotic system, SMAS) and the overlying skin in the face. Lifting and tightening of the SMAS is the single most crucial step in any successful facial rejuvenation. In facelift surgery, the surgeon gains direct access to the SMAS, and is able to lift and tighten effectively the SMAS under direct vision. A facelift is a powerful and highly effective technique for rejuvenating an aging face. Depending on the severity of the laxity, options of facelift include a standard facelift or a short-scar facelift (see Mini Facelift). In a standard facelift, the incision begins along the hairline in the temple, continues downward in front of the ear and then curves backward behind the ear and ends in the hairline at the back of the head. Facelift scars usually heal well and are inconspicuous after full recovery.

A facelift can combine with other procedures such as a browlift, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), neck liposuction and neck lift, fat grafting, and other facial cosmetic procedures to enhance the overall results in face rejuvenation. The aim is to make the face looks youthful, vibrant and yet natural.

Preparation

1. 1. 1. Inform the doctor of any pre-existing medical conditions and drug allergy. All medical conditions must be treated and stabilized before surgery.

      2. Stop smoking at least one week before surgery. Smoking is harmful to wound healing and increases the risks of other post-operation complications.

      3. Stop the following medications and supplements from one week before surgery until one week after surgery:

         1. Medicine that increases bleeding during surgery such as aspirin, NSAIDs and warfarin. However, you may need to consult your physician who prescribed the medicine before you stop them.

         2. All supplements that contain vitamin E, ginseng, ginkgo, garlic, fish oil and other ingredients that increase bleeding during surgery. Other supplements, traditional medicine and herbs in which ingredients are unknown have to be stopped as well.

      4. On the day of surgery, wear simple and comfortable clothing. Do not wear any makeup. Do not wear any jewelry and metal objects on the face and body.

Surgery 

Duration:  3-4 hours

Anaesthesia: general anaesthesia.

Hospitalization: usually one night stay.

Recovery*: Back to work in 3-7 days, light exercise after 2 weeks, heavy exercise after 3-4 weeks. * The actual speed of recovery may vary from person to person.

Surgery Technique*:

There are many varieties of facelift surgery. Each facelift surgery is tailored to the specific needs of the individual patient. In all facelift surgery, the surgeon mobilizes and lifts the SMAS using various techniques. At the end of the surgery, the skin is redraped over the SMAS, and any excess skin is removed. There are main two types of facelift surgery, depending on the location of the skin incision:

1. 1. 1. Standard facelift: skin incision begins in the temporal hairline and continues around the ear and ends in the scalp hairline behind the ear. The standard facelift is usually is the preferred treatment for the severe cases of face laxity

      2. Mini facelift (also known as short-scar facelift): skin incision begins in the temporal hairline, continues in front of the ear and stops at the earlobe. There is no scar behind the ear. Mini facelift is suitable for younger patients, patients with moderate severity of facial laxity and male patients  (because the short hair in men is  difficult to hide the scar behind the ear)

Post-operative Care**

1. 1. 1. 1. What to expect:

            1. Swelling usually peaks on the second and third day after surgery and will gradually subside after that. Post-operative pain is usually minimal.

            2. A suction drain may be inserted to remove blood and tissue fluid from the wound. The drain is removed after one to two days.

            3. Wear compression garment for 2-3 weeks

         2. General care

            1. Apply cold pack in the first 3 days and warm pack in the following 3 days. Elevate the head during sleep to reduce swelling.

            2. Avoid smoking for at least one month. Smoking increases the risk of wound complications.

            3. Adequate rest and sleep are helpful for a speedy recovery.

            4. Sleep on the back. Avoid sleeping on one side to prevent pressure on the face.

            5. Be relaxed and calm. Contact the clinic if there are any queries.

         3. Medicine: Finish the oral antibiotics as prescribed. Take the painkiller as prescribed when necessary.

         4. Wound care: Clean the wound with a clean cotton tip soaked with sterile water/saline. Apply antibiotic ointment.

         5. Physical activity: Avoid heavy physical activity and exercise for at least one month.

         6. Follow-up: Come back one week after surgery for suture removal and review.

         7. Emergency: If there is heavy bleeding, a rapid increase in swelling or severe pain, immediately contact the clinic/doctor for advice.

** The instructions in this list are only for general guidance. If you have any specific queries or concerns during the post-operative recovery, please contact the clinic for further advice.