Laugh lines and other character wrinkles aren’t always funny or welcome on our face. The effects of gravity, exposure to the sun, and the stresses of daily life can all be reflected in our ageing faces. Usually they take the form of loose and sagging facial skin and skin folds in the neck; along with the appearance of wrinkles. One way to brighten your look and lessen the signs of ageing could be the face lift.
What is a face lift (rhytidectomy)
Wrinkles can take hold in different parts of the face on different people. Some people develop deep creases between the nose and mouth, while others see the skin around their lower jaw and neck is getting weak and loose. These changes can be effectively removed by having surgery of the face and neck, more commonly known as a face lift.
By removing excess facial skin, as well as any excess fat, and then tightening the underlying muscles and tissues, a reformation of the skin on the face and neck can be achieved. This can lead to the removal or lessening of the above mentioned signs of ageing.
Face lifts can be done alone, or in conjunction with other procedures such as eyelid surgery. Another option for you may be a feather face lift APTOS.
If you’re considering a face lift, the following information will give you a basic understanding of the procedure, when it can help, how it’s performed, and what results can be expected. You can post questions about face lifts in our forum. The actual procedure may more or less differ from this information, since a lot depends on the individual attitude of the patient and his relationship to his face lift doctor. A good result is always influenced through good understanding and cooperation between the patient and the surgeon. Therefore do not hesitate to ask your surgeon about anything you don’t understand.
Why facelift Prague?
Prague has many attractive features for those considering facelift surgery abroad. Its location in Central Europe is easy to access; its mild climate is conducive to healing and its experienced clinics and face lift surgeons ensure you’ll receive the best possible care. Face lift Prague costs are often much more affordable than in the UK or with the NHS. For more information about getting to and around the Czech Republic, please visit our handy cosmetic surgery Prague info guide.
The process of a face lift operation
Anesthesia
Face lift surgery can be done under general anesthesia or under so-called analgosedation, which is a combination of analgesics (painkillers) and sedatives. Most surgeons prefer this type of anesthesia but when deciding which type of anesthesia to use it depends on the patient. No matter what type of anesthesia will be used, people are requested not to eat, drink or smoke for a minimum of six hours before the surgery. The patient must also plan for a minimum one day stay in hospital.
Facelift – the surgery
A facelift usually takes 1.5 to 3 hours; if you’re having more than one procedure done, it can take longer. For extensive procedures, most surgeons prefer to schedule two separate sessions.
Every surgeon approaches the procedure in his or her own way. The exact placement of incisions and the sequence of events depends on your surgeon’s technique, although in most cases it doesn’t vary that much.
The incision usually begins above the hairline at the temples, extends in a natural line just inside the cartilage at the front of the ear, and continues behind the earlobe to the lower scalp. If the neck needs work, a small incision may also be made under the chin.
The surgeon gently loosens the skin around the temples and neck, and after an exact measurement he/she removes the excess. In case of a deeper fat layer, especially around the neck and chin, the procedure may be combined with a gentle liposuction. For a long lasting result it is necessary to tighten the subdermal musculoaponeurotic system tzv. SMAS lifting as well as the skin. The incisions are usually closed with intradermal absorbable sutures.
Under the skin of the neck and cheeks a drain may be placed on both sides. The drain will collect any liquid in order to prevent its accumulation which could significantly complicate the healing process. At the end of the surgery the surgeon usually uses an elastic bandage to fix the area of cheeks and neck.
Are you a good candidate for a face lift?
Face lifts are popular among women, and lately interest is growing among men as well. The main indication if a face lift would be right for you is loose skin in the face and neck. A natural condition is an overall healthy patient. Most patients are in their forties to sixties. A face lift can be done on younger patients, if the above mentioned ageing effects have appeared sooner than expected. The surgery can also be considered by older people, if they fulfill the medical requiremenrs. Face lifts can make you look younger and fresher and the result should never lead to an unnatural look. Before you decide to have face lift surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon. Also, view before and after face lift photos to see the results from face lift surgery that you can expect.
Before your facelift surgery
If you decide to have a facelift abroad, your surgeon will explain the surgery process and the chosen anesthesia to you; he or she should also inform you about the risks involved. Don’t hesitate to ask your doctor any questions you may have, especially those regarding your expectations and concerns about the results. Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain medications. Carefully following these instructions will help your facelift to go more smoothly and you to heal without troubles. Before the planned surgery you should arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery, and to help out for the first days if needed.
After your face lift surgery
The inserted drainage tube will be removed a day after the surgery and the patient can go home, but further treatment may be required.
In individual cases, a longer hospital stay may be necessary. The head bandage is usually removed three to five days after the surgery and nonabsorbable sutures, if used, are removed seven to ten days after the face lift. The convalescence period takes usually from one to two weeks. Any abnormal physical strain is not recommended for one month.There usually isn’t significant discomfort after face lift surgery. If there is, it can be lessened with pain medication prescribed by your surgeon. Severe or persistent pain or a sudden swelling of your face should be reported to your surgeon immediately.
Some numbness of the skin is quite normal and it will disappear in a few weeks or months.
In the first phase after the surgery you should be prepared for both large and small swelling and sometimes even bruises. It is not possible to expect your final look right after the surgery, you will have to wait for it with patience.
The final effects can be expected to last for five to ten years. The procedure can be repeated as needed.