| Dr. D.J. Verret is a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery and the American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. Here the Doctor has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Facelift.
Q. What is a facelift?
A. A facelift is a surgical procedure which aims to turn back the clock on facial aging. There is no one procedure which is a facelift and each part of the face is treated with a separate procedure. Facelift procedures generally refer to procedures aimed at restoring the youthful look of the lower face and possibly the neck.
Q. What are the benefits of a facelift procedure?
A. A facelift procedure will help to reverse the signs of aging in the lower face including reducing or eliminating the jowls, improving the nasolabial folds, and tightening the cheek and lower face wrinkles. It will not address fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth. Depending on the technique used, a facelift may or may not address aging concerns in the neck as well.
Q. Are there significant risks associated with facelift surgery?
A. There are risks associated with any medical procedure and a facelift is no different. Though a person’s specific risks will be determined both by the exact procedure which is performed and any other medical problems they may have, most facelift procedures also run the risk of scarring, pain, numbness of the operated areas including the ears, bleeding, damage to the nerve which provides motion to the face, distortion of the ear and earlobe, and loss of hair along the temples and behind the ear.
Q. Can I expect permanent results from a facelift?
A. This is an excellent question. The results will depend on many factors including how quickly a person ages after the procedure as well as the type of procedure done. Mini lift procedures which are often touted with certain trade names as procedures which are done in about an hour without general anesthesia will generally not last as long as a more extensive procedure. Some may not even last a year before patients are desiring additional procedures. More extensive procedures are usually said to last about 10 years though patients are warned that they will continue to age and certain stresses may cause premature aging.
Q. Is there a common technique for facelift procedures?
A. There is no one technique for facelift procedures. Techinques are generally divided into mini facelift procedures, SMAS elevation procedures, and subperiostial procedures. The mini facelift procedures are often referred to my tradenames and are marketed as procedures performed within an hour with minimal down time and recovery. The incisions are generally the same as for a more extensive procedures but the amount of skin elevated is less. In addition, the deeper tissues responsible for the signs of aging are not elevated but rather folded on one another and sewn into position with the sutures being mostly responsible for holding the tissues up. These procedures are best suited for people in the 40-50 age range with minimal aging changes, little to no neck changes, and good skin elasticity. The SMAS procedures elevate the deeper layer of tissue termed the SMAS to which most of the soft tissues of the face attach. This procedure is suited for anyone of any age with facial aging but does require a slight bit more recovery though most patients can be back in public with makeup within two weeks. Subperiostial facelifts are very extensive and only practiced by a few physicians nationwide. There are no clear advantages over a well performed SMAS facelift.
Q. Is a facelift performed under general anesthesia?
A. There are many options for anesthesia for a facelift. Some types of facelifts can be performed using only local anesthesia – similar to that received in a dentist’s office. Some can be performed with intravenous sedation, similar to the anesthesia given for a colonoscopy, which does not require a breathing tube or a ventilator be used. More extensive facelifts do require general anesthesia. |
