improving your face…
A rhytidectomy or facelift is designed to restore a more youthful appearance to the neck and jowl region by removing major wrinkles and sagging skin. If there is excess fat in the neck or chin region, this can simultaneously be addressed with liposuction or direct excision. A facelift can improve a tired facial appearance by smoothing the skin and reestablishing defined contours along the neck and jawline. It is often done in combination with other procedures including a browlift and eyelid surgery to create an overall harmonious, youthful result.
The surgery is done under general anesthesia and typically takes 4-6 hours. Incisions are made in the natural crease in front of the ear, around the earlobe, and behind the ear extending into the hairline. It involves elevation of the skin, tightening of the facial and neck muscles and redraping and removal of any excess skin. Postoperatively patients may have a drain in overnight as well as head and neck wrappings. After these are removed, patients are often required to wear a removable chin strap for several weeks. Sutures are usually removed 7-14 days after surgery but it is usually 2 to 3 weeks before most patients feel socially presentable.
Midface Lift
This procedure is designed to correct hollowing beneath the lower eyelids and deep nasolabial folds which run from the base of the nose to the outer corners of the mouth. It creates a more youthful appearance by smoothing the transition between the lower eyelids and upper cheek region. If improvement in the neck or jowl region is desired, a Midface Lift can be combined with a more standard facelift.
The procedure is done under general anesthesia. The incision is made underneath the lower lid lash margin and usually extended out to the lateral eye region. A fair amount of bruising and swelling are normal for 1-2 weeks after surgery. Ice and ocular lubricants can be helpful early on. Stitches are usually removed 7-10 days post op. There can be a period lasting several weeks of an overcorrected or “Asian” appearance to the eyes which relaxes over the first 4-6 weeks.
Brow Lift
A browlift is done to raise the eyebrows and reduce ridges and furrows on the forehead, thus creating a smoother, more youthful appearance. This procedure is typically done with other facial surgeries, namely those on the eyelids. The originally described browlift involved an incision in the hairline extending from one ear to the other. More typically today, the browlift is performed endoscopically using 3-5 smaller incisions in the scalp and specialized instruments to elevate the skin and muscles of the forehead and resuspend them.
A browlift is done under general anesthesia and takes 1-1.5 hours. The upper eyelids can become bruised and swollen for 1-2 weeks following surgery. Most often there will staples and palpable screws in the scalp which are removed in the office 10-14 days after surgery. This is not painful.
To see before and after images of face procedures, visit our Image Galleries.
Procedures to the face might include any or all of the following:
In addition, you will want to consider the many benefits of using injectables.
You may be interested in contacting our dermatologist.
