Patients may have some facial numbness after the surgery, which will disappear with time. The non-absorbent stitches are usually taken out at day 6 or 7, provided the wound has healed reasonably well. Generally, the scars are not noticeable and begin to fade quickly within a few weeks.
We have the most extensive range of Fractional CO2 Lasers to help reduce any type of scarring whether related to a surgery or trauma.
FULL FACELIFT AND NECKLEFT (RHYTIDECTOMY)
In a FULL facelift (termed a rhytidectomy), there will be an incision below the chin to allow access to the neck structures and the incisions extend from in front of the ears to behind the ears. There is more extensive dissection but this allows better manipulation of the SMAS as well as the jowls and neck laxity, neck fat and neck bands. In a full facelift, the following procedures are performed and the following improvements sought:
- Remove excessive jowling in the lower face
- Remove deep creases that appear between the nose and mouth and
- Restores a sharper and more defined jawline
- Improve neck sagging
- Improve fullness of the neck
- improve the fatty deposits that are so common below the chin and in the neck
- accentuate the sternocleidomastoid muscles to give the neck better definition
- Obtain and use fat grafts to give fullness to the lips, the nasolabial folds, the melolabial folds and also to give fullness to the cheeks (create the “model’s” cheeks)/
- Use the CO2 laser to improve the lip lines that are so very often present and to improve some of the accordian or sleep lines that occur just outside the corners of the mouth on the cheeks.
Am I a good candidate and which procedure should I choose to have?
The phrase “horses for courses” applies to facelifts. Not everyone needs a FULL FACELIFT (cervico-facial rhytidectomy). However, not everyone who has a MINI FACELIFT will get the improvement they seek. It is best to let us assess you, show you the changes, and present the options to you. Although we always want to give you the best possible result, it is YOU who is important in the decision making process. Some patients just don’t want an extensive FULL FACELIFT and as long as they understand that the smaller procedures will not give all the improvements we can get with the FULL FACELIFTS, the choice will be an easy one.
We will guide you and give you ample time to ask questions and decide what is best for you.
Preparation for all Face Lifts (Rhytidectomy).
Preparation for a Face Liftt involves:
- Avoiding blood-thinning medication like Nurofen, aspirin (unless for medical reasons), St John’s Wart, garlic, ginger, herbal tonics, fish oil etc. for at least two weeks prior to the surgery. This prevents excess bleeding during the procedure and reduces post-surgical swelling and bruising. Important:Please inform your GP and seek professional medical advice before stopping any regular medication.
- We recommend patients to take a herbal medication called Arnica for reducing post procedural bruising and recovery time. It should be taken daily for at least five days before your treatment day. It is available over the counter through most pharmacies and herbal food stores.
- No alcohol being consumed for at least a week before surgery as it increases the risk of procedural bleeding and hence any bruising and swelling. Alcohol and cigarettes also interfere with the normal healing process, increase the risk of potential complications and prolong the recovery time.
Can I have other procedures performed at the same time as having a face lift (rhytidectomy)?
In theory, patients can undergo browlifts, upper and lower blepharoplasty, cheek lifts, chin implants, fat grafts, CO2 laser treatment and several other surgical and laser treatments. Based upon the changes present and also what is desired, together with your health and the duration of the anesthesia which is safe, we can guide you. Many of our patients divide up facial cosmetic surgery into two: they first have browlifts, upper and lower blepharoplsty and cheek lifts. Some six months (or more) later, they will undergo a face and necklift. This way, the duration of the anesthesia is kept to a more reasonable length and patients also recover more quickly.
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To learn all about facelifts, and what to expect, please go to our Facelift Page here.
