Cosmetic Surgery Daily
5 Keys to Successful Face Lift Surgery
Posted Monday, September 21, 2009
As with any surgical procedure, there are a number of things that face lift patients can do in order to ensure that their procedure is as safe and successful as possible. Through the years I've spent working as a Toronto facial cosmetic surgeon, I've identified 5 keys to a successful face lift surgery.
A face lift is a great way for men and women who are beginning to see the signs of aging to refresh and rejuvenate their look. If you're considering a face lift, there are a number of things you should keep in mind as you research the procedure and surgeons in your area. I've outlined 5 factors that are key to having a safe and successful face lift surgery.
1. Know Your Options
The basic goal of a face lift procedure is to smooth and tighten the skin around the face and neck. However, no two faces are the same and variations on the traditional face lift have been developed in order to meet the individual needs of individual patients. One key to having a successful face lift procedure is to become familiar with different face lift options so that you can work with your surgeon to customize a procedure that fits your needs and plastic surgery goals.
The two basic types of face lift are the Traditional and the Mini Face Lift:
Traditional Face Lift
In a traditional face lift, an incision is made around the temple area and brought down around the ear. The incision generally can be hidden in the hairline to reduce the visibility of scarring. The skin is lifted and underlying facial muscles and tissue are tightened. The surgeon also removes excess fat and skin from the neck and facial area.
Mini, or Limited Incision, Face Lift
I often recommend a limited incision, or "mini" face lift, for my Toronto patients who are younger or who have less excess facial skin than the traditional face lift patient. A mini face lift utilizes a smaller incision and focuses more on smoothing the middle part of the face than the chin and neck area.
Your surgeon will help you decide which type of face lift is best for you, and they will work with you to develop an individual treatment plan based on your current anatomy and surgical goals.
2. Choose a Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
A top priority for anyone who is considering a face lift should be choosing a surgeon who is fully qualified to perform facial plastic surgery. Make sure to choose a surgeon who has been properly trained and is experienced in the procedure you wish to have. Certification by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is a useful benchmark. Anyone who has received a medical degree can legally perform "cosmetic surgery," even if they have not had surgical training, but a board certified facial plastic surgeon is required to complete several years of advanced training in otolaryngology (head and neck surgery) or plastic surgery before becoming certified. As the face is so complex and delicate, I always recommend that you choose a surgeon who has had specialized training in facial plastic surgery for your face lift.
You should also be certain to choose a surgeon who makes you feel comfortable and whom you can trust. Having an open, trusting relationship with your surgeon is an important factor in any successful face lift experience.
3. Take Good Care of Yourself Before and After the Procedure
In order to make your face lift surgery as successful as possible, it's essential that you take good care of yourself before and after the procedure. It's up to you and your surgeon to work together to ensure that you are healthy before the procedure and that you will have a quick and comfortable recovery.
If you are a smoker, your surgeon likely will recommend that you quit smoking for at least one month before and one month after the procedure. Smoking reduces blood flow to parts of the face, which can cause skin death at the incision site. You also may be asked to stop taking certain medications like Aspirin and some anti-inflammatory medications that increase the risk of bleeding. Your surgeon will provide you with a list of things you should and shouldn't eat or drink before and after the surgery.
After a face lift, most of my Toronto patients take about two to three weeks off from work and other social activities as that is when swelling and bruising is generally most pronounced. Strenuous activity should be avoided for four to six weeks after the procedure and most patients can expect their incision scars to have fully faded after about six months.
4. Determine If You Are a Candidate
During your initial consultation, your surgeon will perform an evaluation and let you know whether or not you are a good candidate for a face lift. Contrary to what many people believe, age is not the most important factor in determining candidacy for a face lift; face lifts can be performed for people of any age, generally 40 and older. Factors like skin condition, skin texture, and bone structure are actually more important than age.
Some of the most important characteristics of a good face lift candidate are:
- Strong Bone Structure: Having well-defined bone structure is important to provide support to facial skin and tissue.
- Skin Elasticity: Since a face lift involves stretching the skin, the patient's facial skin should have a healthy level of elasticity and flexibility in order to ensure successful healing.
- Loose Skin on the Face and Neck: It's important to have some excess skin on the face and/or neck because removing excess skin will allow the surgeon to tighten the skin and remove wrinkles.
In addition to having these general characteristics, face lift patients should be in good health and be able to commit adequate time to recovery. They should also have realistic goals and expectations for the procedure.
5. Understand the Risks and Results
As I explain to my Toronto cosmetic surgery patients, a face lift is not a minor procedure - it is an invasive surgery and there are risks to the procedure that you should be aware of.
As with any surgical procedure, there is the risk of infection and the potential for a negative reaction to the anesthesia. Injury to underlying facial structures, including the nerves that control facial muscles, is a possibility, but such injuries are usually temporary. There is a chance that you will experience a change in skin sensation, such as numbness, and some patients do have visible scarring.
None of these risks and potential complications can be completely avoided, but you can minimize the chance of experiencing any of them by working with a fully qualified facial plastic surgeon who has been trained in facial surgery and by taking care to follow all of your surgeon's instructions before and after the procedure.
It is important to keep in mind that a face lift will not stop the aging process, but it can create a freshened appearance that will last for many years. Be sure to discuss your goals with your surgeon and make sure that you have realistic expectations.
In short, the best advice I can offer face lift patients in Toronto is to educate themselves, choose a surgeon they trust, and take good care of themselves both before and after the procedure. No one can guarantee that any surgery will be 100% successful, but using these 5 keys as a guide to planning your face lift will certainly help you have a safe and comfortable plastic surgery experience.
Dr. Richard Rival is board-certified in Facial Plastic Surgery and Otolaryngology. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He is a fellow of the American and Canadian Academies of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Otolaryngology.
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