The facelift is one of the oldest and most well-known cosmetic surgeries for restoring a youthful appearance to the face. If you are considering this procedure, it is important to understand the steps of the process and the time commitment involved. The specifics of the process can vary depending on the patient; however, here is what one can typically expect.
Also known as a rhytidectomy, a facelift is a surgical procedure designed to reduce the signs of aging of the face. This surgery can help reverse age-related facial changes such as sagging of the cheeks and lower jawline and deep folds on the corners of the mouth and sides of the nose. There are several types of facelift surgeries, and the procedure is customized to fit each patient's unique face and goals.
During the consultation, the medical professional evaluates the patient's suitability for the procedure. They will thoroughly review the patient's goals for the procedure, facial structure, current health situation, and medical history. We must ensure the candidate is healthy enough for surgery and a good candidate for the procedure.
Preparation instructions may vary by patient and procedure. However, they typically involve ceasing certain medications and not eating after midnight before the surgery. During this time, the patient will also want to prepare for the recovery period, including arranging a ride home after the procedure.
Facelift procedures are performed under general anesthesia and can take 2 to 6 hours. While the incision locations depend on the type of facelift, the traditional procedure involves an incision starting in the hairline at the temples, continuing down the front of the ears, and ending behind the ears in the lower scalp. Before repositioning the skin, it is crucial to sculpt and redistribute underlying tissue and lift muscle to suit the new contours of the face. Then, we will redrape the skin over the new contours and close the incisions.
The bulk of the bruising and swelling will be experienced the first few days after the procedure. The patient will be bandaged and may have a small tube under the skin on both sides of the ears to drain excess fluid. These first few days after surgery, the patient should rest with their head elevated and apply cool packs to the face to help with pain and swelling. A day or so after the procedure, we will remove the draining tube and likely treat the incisions with antibiotic ointment. The doctor may also prescribe medication for pain or to guard against infection.
The patient will attend several follow-up appointments in the few months after surgery. About three days post-procedure, the patient can typically switch from wearing bandages to a facial sling, and stitches usually come out a week after surgery. Full recovery time depends on the patient and type of facelift, but the typical patient reports their face feeling and looking back to normal in about two to three months. The ability to return to work and regular activities can take anywhere from five to seven days to about three weeks.
The above is a general overview of the typical facelift process. Specifics of your procedure may vary. If you are considering this procedure, the next best step is to call our team and schedule a consultation.
Request an appointment here: https://spectrumsurgical.net or call Facial Spectrum at (816) 524-4334 for an appointment in our Lee's Summit office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Facelift in Lee's Summit, MO.
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