Am I suitable for a face lift?

The classic Face Lift technique is especially suited for those men and women whose skin on the face and neck has flaccidity signs but still conserves the elasticity of the bony structure, plus the patient’s facial shape is strong and well defined. The age of the patients is usually between fifty and seventy years, however, there are hereditary factors, nourishing habits, situations of stress, prolonged exposure to the sun, etc., that modify the signs of aging substantially and which will determine if the Face Lift is the right surgery independently from the actual age. We have achieved excellent results in younger and older patients.

The lifting of the face provides the patient with a younger and fresher look. The Face Lift however should not leave a “pulled or distorted” look; it should achieve maximum natural and youthful results, for which the surgeon needs to analyse and determine if there is a need to use additionally to the lifting, soft sculpting fillers or implants, in order to recover shape and contours.

Face Lift does not treat the underlying muscles and bone surfaces as does the FAMI Technique, created by Dr. Amar to treat and recover the shape, health and vitality of youth, achieving most natural and long-lasting results.

Planning your surgery

Good communication between you and your plastic surgeon is essential. Be specific about what you would like done. If your surgeon fully understands your expectations, he will be able to determine whether your goals are realistic. In the first consultation Dr. R. Amar will evaluate your face, including the skin and the underlying bony structures and discuss the surgical possibilities after a clear understanding of your expectations and wishes. Additionally we will check the state of your health including any problems that can complicate the surgery, like high blood pressure, etc. will need to be verified, to identify any possible healing or coagulation problems. It is important that you tell the surgeon if you smoke or take any medication, especially aspirina®.

Sometimes it is necessary to have more then one consultation. Once you decide to have a Face Lift, Dr. Amar will give you detailed information on the surgery procedure and the type of anaesthesia, the risks and the cost of the intervention. You should ask any questions you may have in order to solve all doubt and concerns. Don’t be afraid to discuss with the surgeon all matters that you want answered, mainly those related to your expectations and realistic results.

We will provide specific instructions to you about how to prepare yourself for the surgery, including norms on taking foods and liquids, tobacco, intake of medicines and vitamins, and the accurate hygiene rituals for your face and body to be ready for surgery. If you are a smoker, it is important to stop smoking at least one or two weeks before surgery. If you have short hair, you may want to let it grow before the Face Lifting surgery to disguise better the scars while these cure.

Following our instructions is important to enable a pleasant and secure surgery for you and the surgeon. It is important that you have a family member or friend to collect and accompany you when leaving the hospital facilities and to assist you during the first days thereafter.

The surgery

Location of Surgery:
Face Lift is always performed in an operating room, within a clinic or hospital. Normally, you will remain in the clinic on the night of the surgery, discharge is usually the following day, but can be after 2 days.

Anaesthesia:
Face Lift can be completed under local anaesthesia or general anaesthesia; however, this will be discussed in consultation and determined by the surgeon.

Surgery Time & Facelift Procedures:
The surgery intervention usually lasts 3-6 hours, depending if it is associated to other interventions. The exact positioning of the incisions and the passages of the surgery vary according to the structures of the face and the lifting technique chosen by the plastic surgeon and discussed in detail during your consultation. The incisions begin generally within the hair lines and are disguised.

Depending on the patient’s needs and expectations the surgeon can decide for the following Facelift procedures:

Full Facelift: in which deeper layers of the face are elevated together with the skin.

SMAS Layer: Lifting this layer, concentrates on tighten the mid-face, excluding the forehead.

Platysma Muscle (neck): Lifting this layer helps tighten the neck. Different variations on how, where and how much these layers are lifted and trimmed exist between surgeons and account for the differences between procedures.

Frontal Facelift: This technique concentrates on the tightening of the forehead.

Recovery Time & Results

The majority of the patients having a Face Lifting are feeling well after 2 days of the surgery. It is recommended to strictly rest during the first week, this is called “down time”. Some moderate pain and headache is part of the post-operative time, for which we will prescribe medication. If you have severe or persistent pain you must tell your surgeon immediately.

You will notice high sensitivity on face and hair, we advise therefore to be especially careful with these areas. It is normal to feel some numbness within the skin; this sensation disappears progressively during the first weeks or months. You will have to maintain your head lifted as much as possible during days after the surgery, to diminish the inflammation. Bandages and draining applications are usually removed between the second and fifth day after surgery. Swelling and bruising during this time is normal and will diminish during the next weeks. The majority of the stitches will be removed by the fifth day; the points or staples of the hair are removed later.

Your plastic surgeon will inform you in detail and provide important instructions to you. Some recommendations are: avoid debilitating activities during at least 2 weeks, e.g. running, walking fast, don’t strain or lift weights, sudden movements, avoid steam baths or saunas during the first few weeks. It is most important that you mainly rest and relax to allow the body to use all its energy to speed up recovery. At the outset, your face can seem strange due to the inflammation and face movements can seem slow. Some can persist during 2 to 3 weeks after surgery, and it is possible to be tired quickly. In the third week your face will be far better, the swell will be much less and you will start to feel more energy. The majority of the patients return to work between 10 days and within 2 weeks after the surgery. You will then be able to apply make up to disguise any bruising. Once the swelling and bruising disappear, the hair around the scars can be fine and the skin can be a bit dry and rough during some time.

The majority of the patients who are have face lifting are feeling well in 2 days, but you must rest during the first week. You should especially careful with the face and the hair, since they will be more sensitve during this time. Your plastic surgeon will provide important instructions to you, some recommendations are: avoid debilitating activities during at least 2 weeks, avoids steam baths or saunas during the first few weeks. Mainly rest and relax this allows that its body uses all their energy to speed up recovery. At the outset, your face can seem strange due to the inflammation and face movements can seem slow. Some can persist during 2 to 3 weeks after surgery, and it is possible to be tired quickly. For the third week your face will be far better. The majority of the patients return to work between 10 days and within 2 weeks after the surgery. If it is prefered you can apply make up to disguise any bruising.

The Results

Face Lifting can give you excellent results but it is important to understand that the results are not immediate; the end results will develop progressively and be completed after a few months. The depressed and sad looking face will be transformed. Your face will show a younger, fresher, happier and more harmonious looking appearance.

However, a Face Lift does not stop the clock; your face will continue aging as we all do with time, being able to have further surgery is possible after 5 or 10 years. Nevertheless, the results are long-lasting; after several years you will continue looking younger than your biological age.

Advice

• Protect you face and skin especially in the first few days.
• Avoid steam and the bath immediately after your surgery
• Stay out of the sun
• Do not smoke
• Avoid sports and sudden movements, don't strain or lift weights.
• If you need a dentist, avoid excess movement in the areas where the lift was completed

What possible problems can occur?

Generaly there are few complications most can be resovled with medication from your surgeon.

The usual post surgery signs are: numbness of skin, light pain on face, and headache, you will experience a tight feeling. These signs are treated and resolved with medication prescribed by the surgeon.

Numbness of the skin is normal and usually disappears after a short while. It is recommended to keep your head high to reduce any inflammation.

It is normal that you have bruising and swelling of your face and neck. The majority of swelling and/or bruising will be gone within the first 2 weeks.

When can I go back to normal life style?

The first week is the most critical in which you will need to be relaxed and rest as much as possible in order for your body to recover properly. “Down time” can be from 3-10 days, depending on the Face Lift performed and the patient, allowing you to return to your usual activities thereafter. We recommend a 2-3 week brake from work, but it is up to the patient. In the first few days your face will appear a bit strange due to the inflammation and bruising. You can use make-up to cover the bruised areas.

What about the final result

The results will usually be satisfactory for you. Face Lifting can give you excellent results but it is important to understand that the results are not immediate.

Face Lifting require some incisions; these are hidden behind the hair line and ears, so that once your hair grows back the scars remain invisible. The depressed and sad looking face will be transformed and your face will show a younger, fresher, happier and more harmonious looking appearance.

A Face Lift will make you look years younger than your biological age.

What are the risks?

When lifting is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon the complications are infrequent and of little importance. Nevertheless, each person has a specific anatomy, physical reactions and different capacities of treatment, and therefore the results are not absolutely predictable. Some complication can appear, like the haematomas, the injury, almost always temporary, of the nerves that control face muscles, the infection and the reactions to the anaesthesia. Healing problems (slower healing) are more frequent in smokers. The risks following surgery can be controlled by being careful and making sure you follow the instructions and advices your plastic surgeon has given you, both, before and after the surgery.