Facelift surgery is an operation which rejuvenates the face. Tthe aging of this zone is manifested by stretching and decreasing the elasticity of the skin, collecting it in folds. The intervention involves excising excess tissue in the temples, outer corners of the eyes, cheeks, neck and their removal. Then the skin is pulled up and back, the wounds are sutured. Thus, wrinkles are smoothed out, the age-related omission of soft tissues is eliminated. The result is visible immediately, but it will improve as the postoperative rehabilitation is completed.
Surgical facelift methods
1. Circular facelift
Ridectomy is the classic surgical method of radical lifting. The operation is performed under general anesthesia and lasts 2-3 hours. The surgeon makes a cut in the field of the temple and leads it along the auricle. If correction of a double chin is supposed, an additional incision is made under the lower jaw. The skin is separated, if necessary – the doctor removes excess tissue and subcutaneous fatty tissue. After this, the skin is tightened and the surgeon applies seams.
Circular facelift is a rather traumatic operation that requires rehabilitation. During the first week, a patient may have noticeable swelling, redness, pain, numbness or tingling. Sutures are removed after a week, but you will have to wear an elastic bandage for some time – it promotes the rapid resolution of swelling. The final result can be estimated after about 2 months, although the timing of complete healing depends on the characteristics of the body. The effect of the operation is 7-10 years.
2. SMAS-plastic (spacelifting)
This is a more modern technology that allows not only to eliminate wrinkles and sagging but also to correct the oval and relief of the face. The essence of the operation is a tightening of the skin, which is combined with the movement of muscle tissue. If the usual circular brace affects only the skin, the SMAS plastic grabs deeper structures, so the effect lasts much longer. In addition, the face looks natural after the SMAS surgery, there is no effect of skin tension, changes in the line of the mouth and the shape of the eyes.
The technology of the surgery is similar to a circular pull-up, but after the incision is made, the surgeon first shifts the subcutaneous fibromuscular layer, forming a tightened face oval, and removes excess fat. Only after the muscle tissue is fixed, the doctor puts the sutures, not stretching the skin.
Sutures are removed after 10-12 days. The result can be estimated after 1.5-2 months and persists for at least 12-15 years.
3. Endoscopic facelift
This method is considered the least traumatic. With an endoscopic facelift, the doctor makes small incisions along the hair growth line, through which absorbable plates are inserted. With their help, soft tissues move to the desired place and are fixed. There are different types of designs for tightening different zones – forehead, eyebrows, cheekbones, etc. The long-term effect is explained by the fact that not only the skin but also the muscles are pulled during the operation.
After the operation, drainage tubes are inserted into the holes, and a compression bandage is applied on the face for at least 2 weeks. As well as after any surgical lifting, swelling is observed and it will last for a long time – up to 6-7 weeks. Sometimes a small swelling is noticeable even after 2-3 months after the operation. Full recovery takes 3-3.5 months. Of course, this is long but the effect is long-term – up to 15 years.
Important: Endoscopic facelift is often performed to lift the upper half of the face.
Indications for facelift surgery
- wrinkles in the area of cheekbones, temples, forehead;
- deep nasolabial folds and the “second” chin;
- sagging skin and wrinkles in the neck;
- the lower cheek is lower than the edge of the lower jaw;
- eyelid sagging;
- sagging of the corners of the mouth and the outer corners of the eyes;
- wrinkles in the areas of the bridge of the nose;
- deep vertical wrinkles on the cheeks.
Changes appear in people aged 40-60. Therefore, facelift plastic surgery is performed mostly at this age.
Contraindications
Facelift surgery can only be indicated to those people who do not have contraindications:
- oncological pathologies;
- serious diseases of the heart and blood vessels;
- kidney failure;
- infectious diseases;
- diabetes;
- problems with blood coagulability.
How to prepare for the procedure?
Facelift surgery required tests and a certain preparation. The surgeon will need to know the results:
- blood tests (general and biochemical),
- blood ability to clot;
- tests for infection (hepatitis, HIV, syphilis);
- ECG;
- analysis of urine.
Facelift stages
In order not to be afraid of the operation, you should know how facelift surgery is done. It depends on the face area to be corrected and on the method chosen by the specialist. But in general, Trust Pharmacy divides the intervention into several stages:
- A patient wearing a disposable underwear is sent to the surgery room and receives anesthesia. The surgeon applies markings to the face;
- To ensure access to the problem area, incisions are made on the skin. They are located on the temples to the ears. To monitor the progress of the operation, an endoscope is sometimes used, which makes it possible to make the incisions small;
- During a simple facelift, the excess skin is removed. During SMAS-lifting, muscle-aponeurotic tissues are corrected;
- After excision of excess flaps, the skin or surface areas are moved upward along with the SMAS layer. If this is a lower facelift, the course of the operation can also include removing excess fat;
- The final stage is the suturing. Fibers can be absorbable or those that later require removal.
The surgical intervention can last from 2 to 6 hours.
Rehabilitation
The postoperative period is of the utmost importance. This period is subject to restrictions and the fulfillment of certain conditions. They are necessary for the healing of tissues, the prompt elimination of edema on the face, the achievement of the result.
- after surgery, the doctor recommends wearing a compression mask 3 – 4 days after the operation;
- wipe the seams with antiseptic solutions prescribed by the doctor, use the antibacterial and resorptive ointment;
- do not overheat the face, so do not take a hot bath,
- do not go to the sauna, solarium;
- do not go swimming, do not swim in open water;
- avoid physical activity;
- do not dye for 2 weeks, postpone cosmetic procedures for a later time since any contact with the face is undesirable;
- if you underwent a circular facelift, rehabilitation after surgery includes the mandatory wearing of a compression mask.
Possible complications
Failure to comply with the conditions of the postoperative period, the doctor’s mistakes may become the culprits of the following complications:
- infection and suppuration of tissues;
- hematoma;
- hypertrophic and keloid scars;
- skin tightening and incorrect attachment of deeper tissues, resulting from this deformation of the face;
- the appearance of necrotic sites;
- uneven skin coloring;
- loss of hair on the head.
Facelift prices
The cost of facelift surgery depends mainly on the type of intervention performed and the method of correction. The circular facelift is more expensive – from $5,000. Skin lifting will cost $4,500 and more. If you adjust the individual parts of the face, the price will be lower – from $1,500. Surgical plastics can rejuvenate a patient for several years, retaining the effect for a long time. This work is not only for the doctor but also for the patient. You need to carefully prepare for the operation and take efforts after it.