Facelift – Facial Surgery

A facelift refers to plastic surgery of the face. The procedure will take many years off your looks. It must be noted that a 100% reduction of wrinkles and skin tension lines is not possible. The skin’s elasticity is reduced with age and line formation is a natural process that cannot be halted completely. The lower third of the face is lifted in a facelift. If required, the procedure can be supplemented by eyelid surgery and the application of botox to smoothen lines on the forehead.

Pre-op Assessment

A combination of general and local anaesthesia is used when performing a facelift. The patient must undergo a pre- operative assessment during which the anaesthesiologist and surgeon will check whether the patient can undergo the procedure. You can undergo this assessment at your GP’s and internist’s office or at the plastic surgery clinic. The assessment includes a blood and urine test, an EKG, lung auscultation, physical examinations and any other tests that your physician might recommend. Each plastic surgery clinic has its own anaesthesiologist who will ask you several questions about the state of your health before the operation and who will explain to you once again what general anaesthesia involves. Also, the condition of your skin is important. It must not have any acne or other suppurative lesions.

Procedure

The duration of the procedure ranges from 90 to 150 minutes. The initial incision runs along the earlobes down to the hairline at the nape. The next step involves penetration of the subcutaneous layer through which we reach the platysma muscle. The muscle is pulled up and affixed with stitches. Fat deposits and excess skin are removed surgically. The face then looks smoother, thinner, and firmer after surgery. In the end, the surgical wounds are closed with sutures and a compression bandage is applied.

Recovery

The patient is required to stay at the clinic for one or two days after surgery. The dressing is changed one day after surgery and the patient can then be discharged. Additional dressing change and a check-up take place on an out-patient basis, in 3 to 5 days. The bandage is removed on the third day. The face swells after surgery, with the swelling being most pronounced on the third or fourth day. Swelling, bruises and black marks are not exceptional and can be reduced by the application of cold compresses. Stitches are usually removed 12 to 14 days after surgery.

First Visible Effects

The first visible effects can be clearly seen two weeks after surgery.