Also known as rhytidectomy, a full facelift is a procedure done to tighten loose skin on the neck and jaw line, as well as treat deep wrinkle lines in the face and corners of the mouth. It can be combined with other cosmetic procedures such as a blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) to enhance the overall look of the face.
The patient is given a general anesthesia. Dr. Randall Barnett of the Alpine Plastic Surgery Clinic in Salt Lake City, UT specializes in this kind of surgery.
The procedure begins by making an incision starting from the temple area and goes around the front of your ears. The skin is then raised so that muscles and tissue beneath the skin can be tightened. Your plastic surgeon may remove some skin and fat, too. Next, the skin is draped over the face again and the incision is closed. The incision is usually made along the hairline to make the scar less visible after the procedure.
Your surgeon may ask you to take the following precautions before undergoing the procedure:
Usually, the procedure takes two to four hours to complete, depending on the extent of the treatment. Dr. Barnett prefers general anesthesia so the patient will not feel any discomfort during surgery. Once the surgery is done, a dressing is applied to the treated area to protect the incisions.
The bandages on your face will be removed after one to two days. If a drainage tube is placed during surgery, it will also be taken out after one to two days. Stitches will be removed after 5 to 10 days.
Right after surgery, minimal pain may be present. Your doctor may prescribe you with pain medications to relieve the discomfort. Swelling and bruising can also be expected, but can be alleviated through the application of cold compresses and elevation of the head.
The face may feel stiff, but this is a normal result of the surgery and will fade over time. The skin will also feel numb and dry for a few months following surgery.
The patient may be asked to avoid smoking and even exposure to smoke two to four weeks following full facelift surgery. Smoke coming from tobacco can increase the possibility of tissue and skin death and delay the healing process. Furthermore, it can make scarring worse.
You may be able to return to your regular daily activities in two to three weeks.
A facelift can improve the look of the face and make it look healthier and younger. This can boost the patient’s confidence and greatly reduce anxiety that has built up over time.
Although a full facelift can “take years off” the face, it cannot reverse sun damage in one’s skin or remove all wrinkles and creases around the eyes, lips, and below the nose.
A full facelift may pose a variety of problems following treatment, including:
