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Face lifting procedures are designed to improve appearance of
the aging face. Surgery may include minimally invasive “mid-face
lift” designed to correct early signs of aging or involve more
complex face and neck lifting techniques.
At what age should someone have a facelift?
This decision can be only determined by the one’s discomfort
with the aging face and desire to look better and younger.
Although traditionally facelifts were performed on people in
their fifties and sixties and even seventies, nowadays majority
of the patients undergo their first facelift in their forties.
Although the results are not as striking as for the people in
more advanced age, these procedures, when done relatively early,
allow people to maintain their youthful and healthy appearance.
What is a “mid-face” lift?
This endoscopic, technically innovative procedure is designed to
correct early signs of facial aging usually associated with a
cheek flattening and droop. It is performed through minimally
invasive incisions strategically placed in the hair-covered area
and inside the mouth. Usually, it is combined with endoscopic
brow lift and sometimes with eyelid lift.
What is a facelift?
Traditionally, facelift is designed to tighten the skin and
raise it back up. Although in rare cases desirable results may
be achieved by “skin only” tightening and repositioning, in most
circumstances a more advanced approach is optimal. This involves
not only skin layer surgery but also repositioning and
tightening of the loose facial and neck musculature and fascia (SMAS).
In most cases extra fat deposits in the neck are removed through
the liposuction techniques. The incision for a facelift usually
begins in the hair-covered area near the temple and continues in
front of the ear, around the ear lobe, behind the ear and back
into the hair. This incision placement makes the scars well
hidden. The procedure takes usually about 3 hours, depending on
the complexity of the case. Face lifting is performed either
under general anesthesia or under IV sedation.
Do I have to stay in the hospital after surgery?
Although face lift
can be performed on the outpatient basis, Dr Turowski recommends
an overnight stay in a nearby Recovery Center. This allows him
an access to the patient during the first postoperative night.
Recovery Center provides level of nursing support typical for a
hospital setting with the benefits of a comfortable environment
and full privacy. Private rooms are available and the family/friends
can stay overnight with the patients. Typically only one night
stay is recommended but patients can stay longer for full
recovery, if desired.
What is the usual recovery?
After the first night,
all the dressings are removed on the first morning after surgery.
At this point, depending on the extend of surgery, face may
appear swollen and bruised. The sutures are removed on the fifth
postoperative day and patients are allowed to resume basic
activities. Expect some bruising for about two weeks. However,
bruises can be at least partially covered by professional make
up available on site. The pain is usually minor, well controlled
with oral pain medications. Most patients
resume non-physically straining activities within 7-10 days.
When do I have to repeat a facelift?
A person who underwent a facelift will always appear younger and
more youthful than her/his peers. However, usually after 7-10
years some additional “tucking” can be performed safely and with
great results. This way, good form can be maintained for life.
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