A facelift surgery aims at tightening the facial skin and discarding wrinkles and big creases, which have been developed in the regions of the mouth and nose. In this cosmetic procedure, both the neck and face are taken into account simultaneously. This is why the facelift surgery is also known as face and neck lift. Technically, it is known as rhytidectomy. Such a surgery focuses only on the face and so it might be performed along with the further lift surgeries such as brow lift or temporal lift to achieve the required look. It aims at rectifying the profound dropping and wrinkling tissues. However, keep in mind that the facelift surgery will not put a halt on your aging process. This means that the aging signs might be seen again even though after a long time.
>> The procedure
A facelift surgery involves making an incision such that maximum scarring takes place by the side of the natural facial lines and on the scalp. For example, in males, the incision is made along the beard line, which is disguised as sideburns. The surgeon would just trim a thin hair line by the side of the incision line. The incision starts in this line, which is carried on until the ear front downwards and is culminated in ear’s hairline at the rear. Once this is done, the skin is softly freed and elevated from the causal fat. From the chin and neck, the surplus fat is then removed.
If jowls or baggy neck persists as an issue, the muscle and fibrous tissue are suddenly isolated to achieve tightness. Then, the skin is dragged tight followed by trimming anything in excess. Finally, the incisions, using sutures, are closed. In rare cases, under the skin located at the ear’s rear, a tiny drainage tube is instilled so that surplus fluid or blood gathered there is pumped off. In two days of the procedure, this tube will also be discarded. As the surgery is over, the incision lines are coated with the gauze dressings and a flexible bandage is applied on the head, which would be discarded within two days.
The facelift surgery takes 2 to 5 hours to complete. This is possible on an outpatient basis via local anesthetics. However, a few surgeons are inclined towards a general anesthetic and short rest at the hospital. Sedatives might be used for easing the tension.
>> After surgery
In order to alleviate swelling, the head must be in a raised position and that the incisions as well as bandages should be maintained dry. The sutures are discarded in a period of 5 to 10 days after the procedure. Do follow the instructions of the surgeon with regards to hair washing and bathing strictly. Normally, you would feel discomfort to only some extent, but prescribed medication would be given in case of pain. Listed below are some do’s and don’ts to be followed after the procedure.
- Avoid any kind of vigorous activities
- Apply cosmetics once the sutures are discarded.
- Resolution of muscle strength and numbness would usually take place during the healing time, but the total come back of the sensation might consume many months.
- Avoid using hair dryers or tints for a few days.
- Avoid earrings until the earlobe sensation is back.
The recover period for most cases is 15 to 21 days in which swelling and bruising usually are mended. If your lifestyle is healthy, then the surgery effects will remain for over 3650 days. But, there are even some rare cases in which the effects stay forever.
Coming to the scars, they soften and go away in a time period of 1 year. But, maximum scars should stay concealed via the hair. The remaining scars can be covered via jewelry and cosmetics.
