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Facelift (Rhytidectomy)

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Showing a younger and more youthful face has never been easier. With a facelift, you can now get rid of all the unwanted signs of aging that pop up with time. Sagging skin and folds of skin that appear around the cheeks and jawlines are all unavoidable signs of aging, but just because these signs of aging are unavoidable does not mean you have to live with them.

A facelift can correct signs of aging in the neck and lower region of the face. During surgery, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Stanley Harper can rejuvenate your facial appearance with improved contour and smooth skin. Dr. Stanley Harper will help with a more youthful appearance, resulting in improved self-esteem and an enhanced quality of life.

What You Can Expect

A more youthful appearance is guaranteed after a facelift. There will be a marked decrease in the sagging appearance of your cheeks. All the excess fat from around the jawline, sometimes referred to as jowls are removed to reveal a firm jawline. Deep lines or furrows from around the nose and around the corner of the mouth disappear because the excess skin is removed. You will also notice that you have a firmer neck.

While these are the benefits that are most visible, there are some changes that you will not notice. For instance, you will not notice a decrease in fine lines, wrinkles, or improvement in the skin that has been damaged by sun exposure, and even irregular skin color. For these conditions, there are other cosmetic procedures available that you can talk to us about.

Facelift: Who is a Good Fit?

Good candidates are generally healthy patients who don’t use nicotine and have realistic expectations. Patients who desire correction of deep nasolabial folds, sagging jowls, and fatty deposits around the neck can expect significant improvements!

An Overview of the Process

During a facelift, a flap is made on each side of the face and the tissue below the skin is altered to ensure proper contouring of the face. The skin is pulled back, as well. Any excess skin is removed. The skin is then sutured closed.

Are There Complications You Should Be Aware Of?

As with all surgeries, facelift surgery can cause complications. However, most of these can be managed with appropriate care and medication. Other more serious complications are managed with surgical correction. Long-term complications or major complications are extremely rare. Some risks include hematomas (a collection of blood under the surgical site), scarring, hair loss around the surgical site (this could be temporary or permanent), and skin loss or sloughing. This is considered rare and is easily treated with medications.

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What You Can Do To Ensure Fewer Chances of Complications

We suggest that you follow our instructions on what medication you should stop taking before the procedure. There are medications that are safe to continue, and our team will update you on these.

We might suggest you wash your face and your hair with a germicidal soap just before the surgery.

You will be asked to stop eating after midnight of the night before your procedure. You can continue to drink water and take your approved medication.

You might want to have someone stay with you for a few days after the procedure to help you out with your activities.

The Facelift Procedure

Dr. Harper performs facelifts under either local or general anesthesia, and depending on the length of surgery may discharge the patient home the same day of surgery or the next morning.

During the procedure, the skin is gently elevated, and the underlying tissue and muscles are tightened. Excess fat from the neck and face are removed, redistributed, or even sculpted. The skin is then placed over the face and gently pulled back. Excess skin is removed, and the skin is stitched back into place or taped closed.

The procedure takes anywhere from two to four hours. The procedure will take longer if other procedures are combined with a facelift.

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Your Options

There are different types of incisions that can be made depending on the technique, as well as your preference. However, Dr. Stanley Harper will explain each of the different incisions to you so you can make an informed decision. Here is a quick look at the different type of incisions:

Traditional Incision:

This incision is most commonly made during a facelift. The incision begins in the hairline at the temple and moves down and fronts the ears, and ends behind the ears in the lower scalp. Sometimes, an incision is made under the chin so that the appearance of the neck can be improved.

Limited Incision:

This is a much shorter incision than the traditional incision. It begins at the hairline, in the area above the ears, goes around the front of the ears, and stops there. It does not go to the back of the ears and into the lower scalp like the traditional incision.

Neck-lift Incision:

This incision starts in front of the earlobes and goes around the ears to the lower scalp. An additional incision is made under the chin. All incisions are very short.

Recovery from Surgery

Immediately after surgery, you can expect mild to moderate pain and some amount of drainage from the incisions. These are normal and will be taken care of with medication.
Recovery from surgery generally takes two to three weeks. Swelling, numbness, and bruising are common after facelift surgery. Scars are generally hidden within the hairline and the natural facial contours and will fade gradually.

Follow Up After a Facelift

The follow-up procedure after a facelift is fairly simple. Drainage tubes are removed the day after surgery. An antibiotic ointment is applied to the incisions, and the bandages are changed.

After a couple of days, you will not require the bandages and can switch to an elasticized facial sling. Stitches will be assessed after a week, and if healed properly, will be removed.

All that is required are a couple of follow-up visits to assess and monitor your progress.

Dr. Stanley Harper is available for a consultation at your convenience, call us at 317.399.4567 or fill out the consultation form below.