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Face and Neck Lifts -
About the Operation
Indications for surgery
For the correction of facial ageing, particularly the neck and jaw line. As the face ages the skin and underlying muscles become lax with loss of skin tone and elasticity. This with the effects of sun and gravity result in the drooping of the facial tissues. There is also loss of fat volume and descent of fat in the face. Facelift can partly reverse these changes. This procedure can sometimes be done with removal of neck fat, blepharoplasty (eye-lid tuck), fat injection to help fill out the middle of the face and forehead lift.
Procedure in brief
The full-facelift and short scar facelift are differing extents of the same operation. The most commonly performed is the full-facelift. This entails lifting the skin and fat layer away from the underlying muscles. This is done in the cheek, jaw-line and down into the neck. An incision from above the ear in the hair runs then in front of and finally behind the ear. Sometimes the incision is placed along the sideburn hair- line instead of up into the hair itself. These options will be discussed at consultation. The underlying muscle layer (SMAS layer) is then tightened. This is an important stage in the operation as this layer takes up much of the ‘lift’. The excess skin from the face and neck is then removed and carefully stitched in its new elevated and tightened position.
A short scar facelift involves a smaller incision that is in front of and not behind the ear. Although working on similar principles the extent of skin elevation is less and it treats predominantly the jaw-line and less so the neck.
Scars
Scars on the face tend to heal very well. Although a little pink initially in the first few months they then fade to white. Most patients will form very good quality scars over time. Some reach this quickly; others take longer or a very small number may form raised or stretched scars.
Medicines and smoking
All medical history will be sought before any surgery. Do not take herbal medicines prior to surgery or for 3 days following (arnica etc). Also avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, and voltarol-based tablets. It is always better if you do not smoke. Smoking is a risk factor for complications with facelift. If you are a smoker, try to stop eight weeks before and one week after surgery. This can reduce the chances of complications. This is very important for facelift surgery.
