FaceliftFacelift,
rhytidectomy. As
we age, the muscles of the face get weaker and the skin becomes less elastic,
hence wrinkles develop. The extent to which this occurs varies considerably
between individuals and may be influenced by inherited factors and external influences
such as sun exposure, smoking and weight loss. WHAT
CAN BE DONE? Non
surgical approaches include injections ("botox" or collagen) and resurfacing techniques
(lasers, chemical peel etc). A face lift is a surgical procedure which
can tighten the skin of the face and hence reduce wrinkles, folds and some fine
lines. The effects can last for up to ten years. It is best suited to treating
the lower half of the face. A
separate brow lift may be needed to tackle forehead wrinkles or droopy eyebrows.
Problems with the saggy eyelids will also not be solved by a facelift and separate
eyelid surgery may be needed. This procedure may be done simultaneously.
WHAT DOES
THE OPERATION INVOLVE? The
operation involves a general anaesthetic which means that the patients will be
asleep during the procedure. In rare cases it can be performed under local
anaesthetic with sedation. Most patients will need to stay in hospital overnight.
There are several
different techniques that can be used but in general the surgery involves a scar
that runs in the hairline of the forehead, down in front of the ears and continues
underneath the earlobe and in to the hairline behind the ears. Extra scars
along the chin may or may not be required. Using
these incisions the surgeon can then peel the skin away from the muscles of the
face. The skin can then be pulled tight, stitched in place, and the excess
skin can be trimmed away and discarded. If
you decide on surgery you will be required to undergo some simple health checks
and photos will be taken to show the appearance of your face before surgery.
You will be asked to sign a consent form giving permission for the operation.
This requires that you are aware of the risks and complications involved with
the procedure. WHAT
ARE THE RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS? There
are general risks associated with a general anaesthetic including chest infection
especially in smokers. Deep Vein Thrombosis (also known as DVTs or clots
in the veins of the legs) can also occur which can break off and travel to the
lungs. This is known as a pulmonary embolus and can, although very rare,
be life threatening. Bleeding
under the skin leads to bruising but excessive bleeding that collects under the
skin is known as a haematoma. In some cases this requires a second operation
and it also increases the risk of infection. For
most people the scars will fade and become virtually invisible in the hairline.
Some people have a tendency to form red raised scars and these can be a problem,
especially in front of the ears where they are most visible. Wounds can be slow
to heal and this is particularly true if they become infected. Smoking also
increases the chances of problems with the scars. Damage
to the nerves which supply the muscles and skin of the face can lead to weakness
and some altered sense of touch or numbness. Most
patients are very satisfied with the outcome of surgery but it is not possible
to know exactly what a patient will look like after the operations. Some
people will be dissatisfied and don't get the result they expected. It is
important to talk to your surgeon about your expectations and the limits of surgery
before the operation. WHAT
HAPPENS AFTER THE OPERATION? You
will have bandages around your face and head which may be removed before you go
home. There may also be some small tubes connected to a bag or small
bottles to collect any oozing or bleeding which will also be removed before discharge
from hospital. You
will need some simple painkillers for the discomfort and you will need someone
to drive you home and to look after you for the first 24 hours. You
should expect your face to be bruised and to feel swollen and tight. This
can take several weeks to subside. It may be painful to eat at first. You
will be given specific advice before you leave hospital but in general you should
avoid vigorous activity and bending down for a few days. It is advisable
to sleep with several pillows to keep your head higher that the rest of your body.
You will not
be able to wash your face for a few days. Stitches will be removed
after 5 to 7 days. WHEN
CAN NORMAL ACTIVITIES BE RESUMED? You
can start wearing makeup after about 4 days. You can return to work when
you choose but due to the bruising and swelling, most people chose to have a couple
of weeks off until things have settled down. You should avoid the sun for
6 weeks and after that always apply sunscreen. The
British Association of Plastic Surgeons
http://www.baps.co.uk/ More
Information ... |
