The face- and neck-lift is the most frequent procedure; this means surgical correction of aging of the neck and also the face from the forehead to the jowls.
The aim of the operation is to remedy the sagging and laxity of the skin and muscles of the face (forehead, eyebrows, cheeks, jowls, and the oval facial outline) and the neck.
The aim here is not only to transform the form and aspect of the face. On the contrary, restoring the different anatomical structures of the face and neck (the skin, the muscles and the fat) enables the patient to look as he or she did some years earlier.
The muscles are tightened, to correct slackness. The skin is then draped as required over the new curves, without excessive stretching. This dual action gives a natural appearance (as the skin is not over-stretched), which lasts (since the muscular base is strong). The healing process is generally uneventful (the skin is less bruised because it is less traumatized, because the tension and separation are limited.) Excess fat, if present can be treated by liposuction.
On the other hand, if the face appears emaciated, this can be corrected at the same time by re-injection of autologous fat. (liposculpture).
In this way the face and the neck are ‘rebuilt’ or ‘restructured’.
The incisions necessary for the procedure are hidden almost entirely in the hair (at the temples and the nape of the neck) and around the ears. The scar is thus almost entirely concealed.
• BEFORE THE OPERATION
Prior to the operation a thorough examination will be carried out as prescribed.
You will see an anesthesiologist in consultation at the latest 48 hours before the procedure.
No aspirin-based medication should be taken over the 10 days preceding the operation.
You must wash your hair the day before the operation and make-up must be thoroughly removed.
You must fast (neither eat nor drink) for 6 hours before the operation.
• HOSPITAL STAY AND TYPE OF ANESTHESIA
Type of anesthesia
A face-lift can be carried out under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation (‘twilight’ anesthesia).
The type of anesthesia will be chosen after discussion between yourself, the surgeon and the anesthesiologist.
Hospital stay
A 24-48 hour hospital stay is usual.
• THE PROCEDURE
Each surgeon has adopted his or her own specific technique which he or she adapts in order to obtain the best results in each case.
We can however give some basic points:
The incision is almost completely hidden in the hair, or around the ears.
Once these incisions are made, the skin is detached ; to a greater or lesser extent in each case, according to the degree of sagging of the skin.
The muscle layer is then carefully and precisely tightened to correct laxity, without affecting the normal expression of the face.
If there are localized fat deposits, which can form on the neck, the chin, the jowls or the cheeks, lipoaspiration is performed during the operation.
The skin is then re-draped in a natural manner, excess skin removed, and stitches placed without excess tension.
Finally a dressing is placed around the head, framing the face.
The procedure lasts from two to three hours depending on the surgeon and the individual corrections required.
• AFTER THE OPERATION
You will be able to go home on the first or second day after the operation.
For the first few days you are advised to rest and avoid physical strain.
During this period you should not be surprised by, or worried by, the following :
–
edema (swelling) which can be worse on the second day than the first.
–
bruising around the neck and chin
–
a sensation of painful tightness especially behind the ears, and around the neck.
This bruising and swelling generally disappears in the two weeks following surgery.
After one month all signs of swelling have usually practically disappeared. The zones from which the skin was detached may feel slightly hardened, this is perceptible to the touch, but not visible. The ears will not regain normal sensitivity for one or two months.
The scars are hidden by the hair both in front and at the back of the head. The only zone where they are visible, in front of the ears, can be temporarily masked by make-up or concealed by the hair.
• THE RESULT
After two or three months one can have a good idea of the final result. The scars, however will still be slightly pink and hard to the touch, and will not fade until the sixth month after the operation.
Through progress over the years and techniques of great precision we usually achieve a result giving an impression of considerable rejuvenation which nevertheless looks quite natural. The face does not have a ‘surgical’ appearance and has regained the features which it had eight to twelve years .
• POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
A face lift, although essentially an aesthetic procedure, is nevertheless an operation, and this implies that the risks inherent to any surgery apply here.
We must distinguish here between risks related to the anesthesia and those related to the surgery.
Fortunately, real complications are rare following a face- and neck-lift which has been carried out correctly. In fact practically all the operations go well and patients are completely satisfied with the result.
