You may be an appropriate candidate for facelift surgery if:

• You have deep lines and wrinkles in the face and neck
• You have loose, sagging skin in the cheeks and jawline
• You have deep folds in the creases between your nose and mouth
• You are in good physical and emotional health
• You have realistic expectations

• Most patients are back to work 1-2 weeks after a facelift
• Results will continue to look natural over time
• Scars are well-concealed in the natural contours of your face
• On average, nearly 10% of facelift patients each year are men

A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic procedure used to reduce signs of aging on your face by tightening the facial skin and deeper tissues. Facelift options include surgical treatment methods, as well as methods without surgery, such as the liquid facelift using Botox and fillers & thread facelift.

At aesthetic intern at Iona®, we specialize in the use of advanced surgical techniques to perform facelift procedures that leave your skin appearing healthier and more youthful.

As we age, skin begins to lose elasticity, and facial tissues lose volume. Eventually, this results in “jowls” on the lower face, deep wrinkles, and loose skin on the neck. While this is a natural part of growing older, patients who are bothered by these signs of aging may find a facelift to be a good solution.

If any of the following describe you, a facelift is an option to consider:

• You feel self-conscious about the way your face & neck look due to sagging skin
• You wear turtlenecks and scarves not because you want to, but because you want to hide your aging neck
• When you see your reflection, you feel that your face makes you look much older than you feel
• You feel that an aging appearance is negatively affecting your career or personal relationships

Following a facelift, patients frequently experience an upsurge in self-confidence, as their appearance better portrays their healthy, energetic vibe.

Can

• Make your face more youthful
• Add or remove volume
• Tighten your underlying muscular structure
• Remove excess skin or fat
• Be combined with a neck lift for optimum results

Can’t

• Make you look like someone else
• Make your face look blown-out because of skin tightening
• Affect the underlying, natural contours
• Leave behind evident scars

A facelift is the literal lifting and tightening of the muscle structure under the face skin. Depending on the patient’s needs, there are three methods of doing this lift: SMAS ectomy, SMAS plication and MACS lift.

• Anesthesia is required for facelift surgery. Your surgeon will determine the type of anesthesia administered.
• Incisions are placed along the hairline. Your surgeon will explain exact placement of the incisions.
• The loose skin is raised and underlying tissues are tightened.
• Some fat may be suctioned.
• Excess skin is removed.
• Remaining skin is pulled and tightened.

It’s not uncommon to hear the word “facelift” used when referring to any type of facial rejuvenation surgery, and understandably, a lot of people think that a facelift involves operating on the entire face—eyes, brow, cheeks and chin.

That’s understandable; after all, your eyes and forehead are part of your face too. However, a facelift on its own only addresses the lower two thirds of the face – the cheeks and jawline.

It is common for patients to choose to have an eyelid lift, brow lift or neck contouring at the same time as a facelift, but in these cases, a cosmetic surgeon will actually be performing two different procedures in one single operation. Likewise, patients who only want to address aging around the eyes or neck can typically achieve their goals with only an eyelid lift or neck lift, and not a facelift.

• The majority of healing and recovery occur during the first four weeks after a facelift.
• Depending on the ancillary procedures performed, patients will look reasonably acceptable after 1 week, good with makeup after 2 weeks and able to attend social functions after 3 weeks.
• After about one month, patients typically resume most of their normal activities, including moderate exercise.
• Still, it is important to continue paying attention to physical and emotional cues that additional rest is needed.
• Certain areas of the face may remain slightly bruised or swollen, but this is usually minimal and concealable with makeup.
• A sensation of tightness may persist for 6 to 8 weeks.
• After approximately 2 months, the side effects of surgery should be nearly resolved and we expect the patient to be enjoying their refreshed, youthful look.
• Scars continuously improve with time and are nearly invisible after 6 months to 1 year.

Every patient heals a little differently, your cosmetic surgeon will give you detailed instructions for aftercare and returning to activity.

Facelift recovery largely takes place within a two-week period. After that time, patients can gradually return to their normal activities.

During recovery, patients should be prepared for the following:

• Swelling. Every surgery results in some degree of swelling. This side effect can make facial features appear distorted. We often see an initial worsening of swelling the day after surgery and gradual improvement after that time. To minimize this side effect, patients may sleep in a reclined position rather than lying down. Staying comfortably upright as much as possible is ideal.

• Discomfort. Facelift recovery isn’t necessarily painful. However, patients may feel a deep bruising-type sensation that results from swelling. Prescription painkillers should be taken as directed for a day or two. This medication should also be taken as directed to maintain consistent comfort control.

• The surgeon might place a bandage around your face to minimize swelling and bruising.

• Small tubes may be present to draw off any excess blood or fluid.

• You can start your daily routine work from next day after the surgery and can go for a walk etc.

• Constipation. Prescription pain medications are known to cause constipation. Patients must not strain when using the bathroom. To prevent this, they may take a laxative alongside prescription painkillers.

• Quietness. For the first 12 to 24 hours after facelift surgery, it is ideal to remain in bed as much as possible. After that time, patients may sit upright and walk to the bathroom or around the room to facilitate circulation. However, it is necessary to stay quiet during the first few days of recovery. Avoid talking and visiting too much. These activities may resume within a few days.

• Numbness. The facelift alters deep muscle and fat and may temporarily sever some surface nerves. Numbness, weakness, hypersensitivity, and tingling are all perfectly normal, albeit unusual sensations that may occur when nerves are regaining feeling.

• General weakness. It is normal for a patient to feel dizzy, weak, and generally out of sorts after surgery. There may be instances of breaking out in a cold sweat or having heart palpitations, both of which should clear up in a few days.

• Tightness. Until the facial muscles and skin relax, the face may feel tight. This side effect typically resolves in a matter of weeks.

• Depression. Regardless of how much a patient has looked forward to surgery, there is a chance they may encounter mild, temporary depression during recovery.

Side effects like swelling and bruising can look alarming even when the plastic surgeon has prepared the patient for them. Understanding that it’s normal to get the blues after surgery and that these emotions will pass can help. It is also helpful to have various forms of entertainment as a pleasant distraction from surgical side effects.

As you ease back into your routine after a facelift, it’s especially important to keep your face protected from the sun. You will be more vulnerable to sunburn for several weeks after surgery, plus staying out of the sun will help scars heal as inconspicuously as possible. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and apply sunscreen regularly.

Every patient recovers from their facelift in their own unique way. Factors that can affect facelift recovery time include:

• The extent of your facelift
• Your overall health
• Age(younger skin has more elasticity and tends to heal faster on average)
• The techniques used during your facelift
• Genetics
• How well you stick to the post-op recovery suggestions

During your initial rhytidectomy consultation you will meet with the plastic surgeon. Your previous surgeries, your medical history, medications you are presently taking, and your overall physical and emotional health will be reviewed. Your skin quality will also be evaluated. Photographs of your face may be taken for your medical record.

Our surgeons will determine what you may benefit from most and whether additional procedures will be necessary for you to achieve your desired results.

Recovery time, costs, risks, and limitations associated with surgery will also be discussed.

The doctor’s patient coordinator will review treatment scheduling with you.

Our experienced plastic surgeons are experts and placing facelift incisions in discreet locations. The majority of facelift scars are placed well and do not pose a significant concern. Still, patients are encouraged to carefully follow post-operative instructions to help scars heal as quickly and efficiently as possible.

General guidelines for optimal scar healing include:

• Keep the incisions clean and dry
• Stay hydrated and eat enough protein
• Use all ointments recommended by the surgeon
• Take multivitamins
• Protect the incisions/scars from direct sunlight

Yes. Facelift surgery can be combined with ancillary surgical or nonsurgical treatments to address multiple signs of aging. After a facelift, many patients schedule treatments that target issues such as sun damage and fine lines and wrinkles. Our doctors spend time listening to patients’ concerns. We develop the ideal treatment plan for each so that the signs of aging are adequately corrected.

When performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon, facelift surgery is considered very safe. That said, no surgery is completely without risk. Risks and complications will be discussed during consultation in detail.

An experienced plastic surgeon employs protocols that minimize surgical risks. Patients can also manage their risks by following their post-surgical care instructions well.

If you would like to avoid having a traditional surgical facelift—or if you’ve already had a facelift and are seeking a way to maintain your results—there are a number of helpful, minimally-invasive options to consider. While these non-surgical treatments can’t remove sagging skin or reposition tissues, they can effectively take years off your appearance via other means. And, because they also offer alternative benefits a surgical facelift can’t provide, they are a great way to enhance the procedure. Popular nonsurgical facelift options currently include:

• Laser skin resurfacing can smooth fine lines and wrinkles; correct age spots, acne scars, and discoloration; and improve skin tone & quality. Laser treatments can either be ablative or non-ablative, depending on the depth of skin you wish to treat. There are a number of lasers that can be used to rejuvenate the face, which are covered here.

• Renuvion tightens lax skin and subdermal tissues using radiofrequency (RF) energy and helium plasma. The combination of RF and plasma allows your surgeon to precisely regulate Renuvion’s heating and cooling abilities, ensuring tissues are heated to the optimal temperature for contraction while maintaining patient safety & comfort. Plus, Renuvion’s RF energy stimulates collagen production deep within the skin for firmer, younger-looking skin. Renuvion can be applied to the brow, lower cheeks, jawline, neck, and eye area for full facial tightening.

• Forma by inMode utilizes radiofrequency (RF) energy to lift, tone, and smooth facial and neck skin by heating subdermal layers of tissue. Similar to Renuvion, this heat promotes collagen production within the dermis for healthier looking skin that improves over the months following treatment. Forma’s specialized electrode-emitting handpiece allows clinicians to view patients’ skin temperature in real time and features a “cut-off” temperature for increased patient safety.

• Ultherapy uses ultrasound energy to tighten deep layers of skin and underlying muscle in the face and neck. It works by initiating “neocollagenesis,” a process that triggers the body to regenerate collagen proteins for healthy new skin growth. Most patients see a noticeable difference in their skin quality 2 to 3 months after their Ultherapy treatment.

• RF microneedling. You’re likely familiar with the mechanics of microneedling by now—tiny needles are applied to superficial layers of skin to create “micro-injuries” which prompt the skin to heal itself. Radiofrequency (RF) microneedling takes microneedling a step further by applying RF energy to skin on the face and neck, heating the deep dermis to stimulate new collagen and elastin fiber growth deep within for visibly tighter, smoother skin that continues to improve over the months following your treatment.

• Injectable fillers remain one of the most popular nonsurgical options for facial rejuvenation, having helped patients turn back the hands of time for decades. Fillers are strategically injected under the skin to replace lost volume in the cheeks, temples, lips, under-eyes, and nasolabial folds, and to enhance facial symmetry. A skilled provider will use different fillers to enhance different areas of the face. For instance, Sculptra Aesthetic stimulates collagen production to gradually restore facial fullness and erase deep wrinkles and folds for up to 2 years; Juvéderm Voluma is ideal for lifting the cheeks and adding volume to the mid-face; and Juvéderm Vollure is a favorite for filling in unwanted smile lines. Fillers can also be used to augment the chin to create a slimmer facial appearance and define the jawline, and even create temporary rhinoplasty results. Filler results typically last between 6 to 12 months, but Sculptra and Bellafill can last for 2+ years.

• Botox. When it comes to temporarily reducing the appearance of dynamic wrinkles (those caused by facial movements), Botox can’t be beat. Botox is injected into the face to smooth glabellar lines, horizontal forehead creases, frown lines, crow’s feet, and vertical lip lines. It can also be injected into the masseter muscle to make the jawline appear slimmer and more contoured. Botox is often paired with dermal filler injections for a full nonsurgical makeover. Results typically last 3 to 4 months.

• Fat injection. For patients wanting long-lasting results, a skilled surgeon can harvest unwanted body fat from the abdomen, flanks, or thighs via liposuction and inject it into the cheeks, temples, or under-eyes to restore volume in the face. Fat injection provides semi-permanent results that can last for many years, making it the ideal procedure for patients who want to avoid facelift surgery but desire a more permanent result than dermal fillers can provide.

Many of these procedures can be combined with one another or with various facial cosmetic surgery procedures, such as eyelid lift or brow liftsurgery, for optimal tissue tightening and skin rejuvenation.

When performed by an experienced, board certified cosmetic surgeon, a facelift is designed to achieve results that not only look natural now, but will also age naturally with you. While nothing can stop the normal aging process, after a facelift you should always look years younger than you would have without the surgery.

However, there are certain things you can do to keep your results looking their best. Maintaining a healthy, stable weight is important as significant weight fluctuations can cause skin to stretch out again. You should also adopt a consistent, quality skin care regimen to keep your skin healthy and protected from unnecessary aging.

When performed by a qualified cosmetic surgeon, facelift surgery is a safe procedure and an excellent way to rejuvenate your appearance.

The most important thing about planning your breast lift surgery is to choose the correct qualified Aesthetic plastic surgeon. More specifically, ensure that the chosen surgeon is routinely performing breast lift surgeries.

MEDICATIONS:

You must STOP the following medications approximately 2 weeks before surgery – blood thinners such as ecosprin, clopidogrel, warfarin etc, estrogen containing hormones, Vitamin E, ginseng, green tea, gingko balboa, garlic pearls, ayurvedic supplements.

SMOKING:

It is imperative that you completely stop smoking for a minimum of 1 week prior to your planned date of surgery as it can significantly increase your risk for anaesthesia as well as delay wound healing and increase your risk for post-surgery complications.

FITNESS:

You will be advised a set of routine pre-operative investigations to ensure that you are fit for anaesthesia and surgery.

Once you have decided to pursue a face lift, Aesthetic international® stands ready to partner with you during this life decision.

We are dedicated to our patients and open communication is never compromised. The better informed our patients are, the better they are at making their decisions.

We believe in providing the highest patient care and through your assigned patient advisor, you can be sure every consideration is made to ensure your expectations are the same as the final results.

Aesthetic international® has the latest technological advances to ensure your satisfaction with your breast lift. Our plasticsurgeon is highly educated and trained in all of the latest medical advances.