The Facelift (Rhytidectomy) is a surgical procedure used to smooth the loose skin on your face and neck, and to reduce the most apparent signs of aging in the facial area, giving you a more youthful appearance. The procedure involves improving wrinkles around the mouth, the slacking jaw line and sagging jowls. Also fat deposits around the neck are removed and underlying muscles of the face and the neck are tightened, and skin is redraped on the face and neck. This procedure can give you a fresher look with the face and the neck appearing years younger.
The best candidates for a facelift are those who:
• Face and neck skin which has begun to sag, but whose skin has elasticity and whose bone
structure is strong and well defined.
• Loss of a well-defined jaw line
• Deep wrinkles in the cheeks
• Loose skin, wrinkles or excess fatty tissue in the neck
Dr. Heidari performs a face-lift by generally making an incision around the natural contour of the ear, and around your earlobe along your hairline. This helps keeps any scarring hidden. Any incision can be easily masked by make-up or hair. If a neck lift is performed, you may have a small incision under your chin. After your surgery you may have a drain tube to allow for excess fluid to drain from the incision. Your bandage will stay in place for 1 to 2 days. You may see some increased swelling in the first 24 to 48 hours after your surgery. Most bruising will disappear in about 2 weeks. Some numbness may occur, and your stitches will remain till your 1-week visit.
During a face-lift, complications are infrequent and usually minor. Each individual will vary greatly in his or her anatomy, physical reactions and healing abilities, and thus outcomes are never 100% predictable. Some complications that may arise include hematoma (blood under the skin that must be removed by Your doctor), injury to the nerves that control facial muscles (usually temporary) infection, and reactions to the anesthesia. Smokers are more likely to experience poor healing of the skin.
