The soft tissue of the face and neck loses their elasticity and strength. This is compounded by the stresses of daily life, gravitational factors, exposure to sun and alteration in body weight. The ageing process is also determined by our genes. The speed and the extent of ageing are different from face, neck and other parts of the body. There is a distinct disproportion in ageing of the face/neck and mind. Some people may not accept the age related changes when they see in the mirror as they don’t feel that old in their mind.
The facelift procedure is designed to tighten and lift the soft tissue of your face below the eyes. The neck lift operation tightens and lifts the soft tissue of you of the neck.
Advantages of facelift/neck lift:
It tightens the loose skin and slept and muscles. The outcome of the operation depends upon the elasticity of the skin distribution of the flat underneath the skin tone of the muscles and the bone structure underneath the soft tissue.
More questions about facelift surgery?
Your surgeon will discuss with you at the time of your consideration the extent of the procedure and the type of the anaesthetic used. Mini facelift and/or mini neck lift can be done under local anaesthetic. Your surgeon will discuss the extent of face/neck lift and the required type of anaesthetics. These types of procedures can be performed under either local anaesthetics and sedation or under general anaesthetic. Your surgeon will decide about the extent of hospital stay for you. Your surgeon will discuss the extent of scar you will be left behind on your face/neck following face/neck lift. Your procedure comprises of tightening and lifting soft tissue of face/neck e.g. skin and underlying muscles/fascia. You may require volumising your face by injection of fat graft or absorbable dermal filler.
You are expected to inform your surgeon about your past as well as current illnesses e.g. heart, lung, thyroid, kidney, bleeding, clotting, and psychological disorders. You must update your surgeon on your current medications e.g. steroids, immunosuppressants, blood thinning tablets and injections. You must stop smoking 6 weeks before the date of your operation. Your surgeon will advise you to stop blood-thinning tablets approximately 10 days before the date of your operation. You should confirm by yourself that you are not pregnant at the time of undergoing this procedure.
You must stop smoking six weeks before the date of your operation. You should follow the instructions regarding use of blood thinning medications e.g Aspirin and Warfarin 10 days before the date of your operation. You must maintain your personal hygiene and hydration around the date of your operation. You will expect to have variable degree of dizziness and sleepiness depending upon the type and the length of the anaesthetic used for your procedure. You will see that your face and head is covered with bulky dressing. You will also expect to have a degree of swelling bruising and discolouration around your operated area. You will be discharged home after removal of the Bulky bandage and the plastic tubing which is used for suction of the fluid from underneath your skin. You will be advised to take painkillers and antibiotics as appropriate by the medical team in the clinic at the time of discharge. You should not drive home. You should not commence strenuous exercise and sexual activities in the early postoperative period without your surgeon’s permission. You should not start smoking For at least 4 weeks in the postoperative period. You should rest in a semi-sitting position for 72 hours to reduce swelling on your face and use icepack well covered with a layer of cloth to avoid the direct contact of ice to your skin.
You have informed that the procedures are not essential but you wish to get is done to improve your appearance. The science of facial ascetics is very wide base. You must educate yourself about available options and alternatives before the date of your initial consultation with your surgeon. The aesthetic procedures comprise of laser resurfacing, chemical peels, dermabrasion, fat grafting, injection of absorbable dermal filler, chin augmentation and liposuction to chin/neck area. You must discuss and decide with your surgeon about your requirement of eyelid, eyebrow and forehead procedures.
It is absolutely essential for you to discuss with your surgeon and make sure that you understand the associated risk and the consequences of the procedure you have decided to undergo. Scars-thickening, stretching, hyper and hypopigmentation, Bleeding, Wound gaping and delayed wound healing, Loss of skin and soft tissue which can eventually leave behind unsightly visible scar, Change of skin colour, Infection leading to abscess formation, Swelling , bruising ,discolouration, Under /over correction, Asymmetry, Altered sensation, Damage to the deeper structures -facial nerve paralysis causing permanent weakness of the facial muscles and deformed face, Injury to the parotid duct or parotid gland will leave behind salivary fistula, Injury to the sensory nerve around the ear may cause reduced or increased painful sensations in and around the ear
Unsatisfactory outcome which may require multiple revision surgery. Deterioration of the outcome related to progressive ageing and weight loss/gain Allergic reaction including anaphylactic shock, chest infection, blood clot into your legs and chest, heart attack or stroke, death.
If you or your attendant at home notice a progressively increasing swelling, pain, change in the colour of your skin usually on one side of your face If you notice breathlessness and/or chest pain, swelling of your leg/s, If you start running a fever( raised body temperature), If you feel increasingly unwell then you must seek urgent medical attention from the following sources: contact your surgeon, the clinic/ hospital where the operation was performed, your general practitioner, local accident and emergency department in your area.
There will be a degree of swelling bruising discolouration are following this procedure. This will take 6 to 8 weeks to get completely settled.. You should confirm with your Surgeon when you can start wearing your usual makeup. The scars following such surgery will take up to 18 months to become soft supple and mature. The assessment of any cosmetic surgery/procedure including face/neck surgery is subjective. majority of the patients are generally satisfied with the final outcome but some find a new look unacceptable. This may happen to you. It is not possible to judge the final results of the procedure before 9 to 18 months. Even after the successful procedure, you may require additional procedures for further refinements and adjustments.
