Face / Neck Lift

If you’ve been curious about how rhytidectomy, or a facelift, as it is commonly called, could enhance your overall facial appearance, it’s helpful to understand more about the facelift procedure.

The most important prerequisites for facial surgery are good health and realistic expectations. Knowing the limitations of a facelift is important and psychological stability is essential. There is no ideal in a facelift. The purpose is to improve the overall appearance of the face. Skin type, ethnic background, degree of skin elasticity, individual healing, and basic bone structure are factors that should be discussed with your surgeon prior to surgery. A facelift cannot stop aging, nor will it reverse the effects of time. Instead, it can help your face look its best and give you a healthier, more youthful appearance. By changing how you look, a facelift can help change how you feel about yourself.

Before deciding on a facelift, it’s recommended that you discuss with your physician whether the results you’re looking for will be more attainable if additional changes are made in the chin and neck areas through other facial surgery. If several imperfections need correction, more than one procedure may be required to achieve the most successful result.

Selecting a qualified facial plastic surgeon is of particular importance. During the initial consultation, Dr. Cohen will examine the structure of your face, skin texture, color, and elasticity. Photographs are necessary so the surgeon can study your face. Individual risks will be examined, specifically those related to medical situations such as high blood pressure, a tendency to scar, smoking, and any deficiency in blood clotting. Dr. Cohen will also ask for a complete medical history and will evaluate the patient’s mental and emotional attitude as it is crucial to the success of the surgery.

After both you and Dr. Cohen make the decision regarding the facelift procedure, the surgeon will describe the technique indicated, the type of anesthesia, the surgical facility, any additional recommended surgery, and the pros and cons including possible complications.

Recovery

Most people experience little pain after surgery; however, the surgeon will still prescribe medication. A degree of swelling and bruising is not only unavoidable; it’s quite normal too. Your surgeon may suggest using cold compresses to minimize swelling. If a dressing has been used, it will be removed within a couple of days. It’s advisable to keep your head elevated when lying down, to avoid as much activity as possible, and to report any undue discomfort to your surgeon. Though there are few risks in facelift surgery, there is always a slight risk with any surgical procedure.

With some procedures, a drainage tube may have been inserted during surgery. This will be removed on the first or second day after surgery. All sutures and clips are usually removed within five to ten days. You will be helped with arrangements for post-operative care and instructions on how your family, and/or friends, can be of the most optimum support to you and your needs.

Recovery generally takes two to three weeks, though many patients are able to go back to work in two weeks.  Scars are usually fairly inconspicuous after time has passed for them to mature.  In any case, they are easily hidden by creases in the skin, the hair, or by makeup until the total healing process has completed.