Facelift Call our office for a complimentary consultation! Are You a Candidate for a Rhytidoplasty?   A facelift can correct many things to improve appearance, including:     -Sagging in the midface •    -Deep creases below the lower eyelids •    -Deep creases along the nose extending to the corner of the mouth •    -Fat that has fallen or is displaced •    -Loss of muscle tone in the lower face that may create jowls •    -Loose skin and excess fatty deposits under the chin and jaw that can       make even a person of normal weight appear to have a double chin

            

The Facelift Procedure
 

Regardless of the type of facelift you and Dr. Hart decide on, many of the key steps are the same:   Anesthesia. Normally a facelift requires general anesthesia, but sometimes it is performed with a combination of mild sedatives, local anesthesia and a mild intravenous anesthesia. Some less extensive facelifts can be performed using only local anesthesia.   Incision. The facelift procedure usually involves incisions in front of and behind the ear. The incisions may extend into the scalp. In all cases, the incision is placed where it will fall in a natural crease of the skin for camouflage. We may suggest that you grow your hair longer if it is currently very short, because longer locks will hide incisions during healing. In men, the incision is aligned to accommodate the natural beard lines.    The facelift. Once the incisions are made, various degrees of undermining of the skin are performed, and the deeper layers of the face are "lifted." Dr. Hart then separates the skin and muscles of the face from the deeper facial tissues. In some cases the skin is removed. Some fat may be removed as well, with liposuction. In other cases, the skin and muscle tissues are reshaped. The underlying muscle may be tightened with the skin, or separately. After the tightening or removal of excess skin, the skin is re-draped and sutured or stapled in place.   Following the surgery, Dr. Hart will apply a dressing to protect the entire area where the incisions have been made.     Recovery After Facelift Surgery A facelift usually takes anywhere from two to four hours. Typically it is an outpatient procedure, but overnight stays are possible. Usually there is some discomfort afterward; it can be managed with either over-the-counter or prescription pain medications. Also you may experience moderate swelling of the eyelids and other areas. A large, fluffy dressing is usually applied immediately after surgery. Typically this dressing is removed and may be replaced with an elastic wrap within a day. In the first 24 hours, many facelift patients are black and blue. They often have drainage tubes in place to reduce swelling and remove any excess blood. In some cases, drainage tubes are left in place for several days. You should be allowed to wash your hair in two days. You should avoid strenuous activity until the swelling has subsided. This may take four to six weeks; however, within two weeks the swelling should be reduced enough so you can engage in some social activities. You will likely want to remain under the radar for the first one or two weeks after your facelift. After that, dinner with family members and close friends is usually an option. By seven weeks, your new face is ready for prime time. Dr. Hart also recommends that you undergo a facelift a minimum of three months before attending major social events such as your daughter's wedding. Skin may feel dry and rough for a few months after a facelift.         Home          Photo Gallery       Contact Us           Virtual Consultation

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