About Facelift
A facelift is a plastic surgical procedure that aims to create a more youthful appearance. A facelift here at the AJ Plastic Surgery Centre involves repositioning the facial skin to give it a tighter, smoother look. This can resolve the most common signs of aging, including sagging skin, wrinkles, fine lines, and more.
Collagen and elastin are the building blocks that give your skin a youthful appearance. These two factors work together to give you firm, smooth, vibrant skin. As we age, the collagen and elastin production in our skin decreases, and as a result, we see age-related changes like wrinkles, loss of volume, and sagging.
Facelift procedures combat these signs of aging by removing sagging skin or lifting hanging skin to make it firm and tight again. When used in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures like fat grafting, neck lifts, and eyelid lifts, facelifts can create an overall more youthful appearance.
When performing a facelift, our goal is to give the patient a significant result that still looks natural. We want every patient to look like themselves, just more refreshed. This is why we approach every facelift with gentle and meticulous techniques to ensure you have the best possible outcome.
- Before Procedure
- During Procedure
- Results & Recovery
What You Should Know Before Your Facelift
You will need to have a consultation before scheduling a facelift at the AJ Plastic Surgery Centre. We will carefully examine your facial anatomy, assess your primary concerns, and discuss your desired outcome during this appointment. We can also review before-and-after photos with you to show you the results of other facelift procedures we’ve done.
We consider age, overall health, emotional well-being, as well as expectations for surgery when evaluating a candidate for this procedure. As we’ve mentioned before, plastic surgery is not an exact science. Every person has a unique anatomy and their own idea of what their body goals should be. This is why consultations are vital so we can work together to create the best possible plan, customized for your personal needs and goals.
The purpose of this consultation is to determine whether a facelift is the best cosmetic treatment to help you achieve your goals. We are always honest and upfront with our patients. If we do not believe that a facelift is the proper procedure to meet your needs, we will advise you on other procedures.
If we determine you’re a good candidate for a facelift procedure, we will begin designing your customized surgical plan. Every patient is different and has unique needs. We will work with you to create a surgical plan that addresses your concerns and leads to your ideal results.
What Happens During Facelift?
Before your procedure begins, we will once again discuss your desired outcome in the pre-operative area. We may mark your skin to show where your incisions will be. After this, we will move forward with your procedure.
What Kind of Anesthesia Is Used?
A facelift at the AJ Plastic Surgery Centre is performed under general anesthesia. We may also use a numbing solution on the skin to minimize any discomfort upon waking from surgery.
The Surgical Procedure
We work alongside a complete surgical team to provide you with the best results for all of our cosmetic procedures. During your surgery, will work together to ensure that you are comfortable and safe at all times.
Once you are fully under anesthesia, we will make incisions inside the hairline at the temple, in front of the ear, then around the earlobe and behind the ear, ending in the scalp area. We strategically make incisions in these areas because they can easily be concealed post-surgery.
We perform all of our procedures under 3.5X microscopic examination in order to have the most precise visual while working. This allows us to pay the closest attention to detail and give you the most natural-looking results.
When performing a facelift at the AJ Plastic Surgery Centre, we accomplish a natural-looking outcome by placing the pull of tissues on the layer under the skin called the SMAS. This technique puts the soft tissue framework of your face back into its youthful position. Once complete, we gently drape the skin back into place and trim away any excess sagging skin. We make sure not to create an overly “pulled” look that makes cosmetic work very obvious.
Many of our facelift procedures are performed with other treatments at the same time. This often includes fat grafting, which involves harvesting fat from another body area and placing it in the cheeks or around the eyes to restore volume.
Some patients desire an eyelid lift or neck lift along with their facelift at the AJ Plastic Surgery Centre. When these procedures are performed together, they give the patient an overall balanced and harmonious look.
How Long Does a Facelift Procedure Last?
A facelift at the AJ Plastic Surgery Centre can last anywhere from five to eight hours, depending on your unique needs. Surgery is typically eight hours when patients request other procedures like a neck or eyelid lift.
Facelift Recovery and Results: What to Expect
After your facelift, you will need to remain in our plastic surgery aftercare nursing center for at least 24 hours. This is simply to monitor you after awakening from anesthesia.
Most patients get discharged to return home the following day or the day after that. You will be unable to drive or perform most tasks immediately after your surgery. For that reason, it is important that you arrange for someone to assist you during this time.
How Long Does Facelift Recovery Last?
During the initial few days of recovery, you will have surgical drains that hang at your neck.
You will have a dressing wrapped around your head for the first two weeks to promote optimal healing. Patients often feel a slight tightness in their skin during these initial weeks, but it settles as they recover. We’ll remove your stitches one week after your procedure.
Our innovative approach to facelift surgery results in minimal pain and a shortened recovery time. After your procedure, you will experience swelling and bruising in the surgical area, but this will subside in the first few weeks of recovery.
It can take up to three to four months to see the results of your facelift. This span gives enough time for the skin and tissue to begin settling into their new positions. You may see even further results develop in the remainder of the first year after surgery. At this point, the skin will have settled into its final position.
Does a Facelift Leave Scars?
We have developed an advanced technique that results in virtually invisible facelift scarring. Since we make your incisions in discrete areas of the face, you can hide them very easily after you’ve healed from your surgery.
We also incorporate a comprehensive scar treatment plan into the recovery process. About two weeks after your procedure, you will begin scar treatment that involves specialized medications and products. These products and therapies work together to fade any scarring and leave you a spotless face. This is important for many patients who worry that others will know they had surgery.