Beverly Hills Facelift™

What is a facelift, who is it for and what is it meant to do?

A facelift, technically called a rhytidectomy, is a form of cosmetic surgery where the noticeable signs of aging that occurs in the lower two-thirds of the face and neck can be reduced. This is achieved by removing the excess fat, tightening the neck muscles and removing drooping skin.

Are there any age-related concerns?

Every age group (children, teenagers and elderly) has their own individual concerns. When a person reaches their late 50s or 60s, then there is a significant amount of excess facial skin, this is when the majority of surgeons prefer to wait to do a facelift. An exception is if a candidate in their 30s or 40s has lost a great deal of weight.

Are there any alternatives to a facelift?

To reduce wrinkling in the forehead and outer eye area, BOTOX, or botulism toxin (the substance of food poisoning) can be injected into the facial muscles that wrinkle the skin. However, less drastic alternatives include: wrinkle diminishment, age spot removal, and some reduction in drooping (tightening) can be achieved through assorted forms of laser treatments.

Am I a good candidate for a facelift?

Take into consideration if a facelift is right for you – physically, mentally and emotionally. The ones who get the greatest outcomes from a facelift in Beverly Hills are those who have a well-defined bone structure, or whose face and neck have begun to droop, but whose skin still has elasticity. To define the cheekbones, one may need to have a consultation to consider cheek implants.

Facelifts have proven successful on those in their 70s and 80s; however, the most popular ages for facelifts are 40s and 60s. Younger patients may not see the results that the elder patients notice as they have less wrinkles and more skin elasticity, so those under the age of 40 should think realistically before having a facelift. Younger patients may want a consult on a facelift if they have lost a great amount of weight or have genetic problems, as they could possibly be considered a candidate.

How can I best prepare for the surgery?

Before your scheduled surgery, your Beverly Hills facelift surgeon will review your medical background to make sure that there are no conditions that will interfere with the surgery or recovery after the facelift.

Conditions that may be of concern are:

• Hypertension (high blood pressure) – specifically if it isn’t under control
• Smoking – a person who smokes does not heal as quick as those who do not smoke. (You’ll most likely be informed to abstain from smoking for a number of weeks before your surgery.)
• Scarring problems from the past – including keloid scars and hypertrophic scars
• Bleeding problems – a history with blood clotting, or lack of clotting must be brought to the attention of your surgeon as well as any medications (including over the counter) you are taking. Also, tell your surgeon about herbs and supplements that you take. Many patients feel it helps to open up their medicine cabinets and make an inventory before they go to see their surgeon

Plan for a ride home after your facelift in Los Angeles. Try to arrange for someone to stay with you for the first several days after surgery. Ask your surgeon about a visiting nurse service if you live alone. You may want to stay at an aftercare facility for the first several days after your facelift.

You should wear clothing for both surgery and afterward that has front closures (nothing than has to be pulled over your head).

Grow out your hair a little longer if your hair is very short, as longer hair will make it simple to conceal healing scars.

You should get ready a relaxed spot that you can utilize to recover from your facelift.

What is a revision facelift?

If you’ve previously had a facelift and you are not satisfied with the results, then you can get the problems corrected with a revision procedure.

What are the risks and complications?

Your surgeon may tell you that complication can include a hematoma (an accumulation of blood under the skin that may need to be removed), an infection or a reaction to the anesthesia. Injury to underlying structures is possible (though usually temporary) could happen even though the plastic surgeons are trained in techniques for safely manipulating facial skin and tissue. Facelift incisions can be unpredictable depending on the way the patient heals, however most are regularly not noticeable. Listening to the advice from your surgeon can considerably reduce the risks before and after your surgery.

Is a facelift permanent?

Meant to enhance your current look, a facelift will not halt the signs of aging, however it will ‘set back the clock’. Previous patients usually opt to repeat the surgery after a good 5 to 10 years. To help prolong your results, there are a few things you can do:

Maintain your weight, avoid exposure to the sun, and keep your skin appropriately hydrated.

What is SMAS?

SMAS is short for Submuscular Aponeurotic System, which is a layer of tissue that covers the deeper structures of the cheek area and is associated to the superficial muscle which covers the lower face and neck, called the platysma. Some methods for facelift surgery lift and reposition the SMAS along with the skin. When doing this, the jowls are lifted, the neck is pulled taunt, and the cheeks are prominent.

What is the difference between a rhytidectomy and a facelift?

Rhytidectomy, which comes from the Greek word rhytid meaning wrinkle, is the medical term for facelift surgery.

What is the best way to conceal scarring and bruising after a facelift?

Talk to your surgeon about post-operative cover-up methods, such as unique camouflage cosmetics for both men and women that will assist to mask any healing bruising and scarring along the lines and discoloration.

How do I know if I need a facelift or laser resurfacing?

A facelift lifts drooping skin and muscle as it removes extra fat. Laser resurfacing fixes fine wrinkles or lines on the surface of the skin, but it will not tighten skin or correct a droopy neck. Some patients may need both.

What areas cannot be improved?

The lower portion of the face including the cheeks, jowls, and the neck are what a traditional facelift surgery corrects. A facelift will not enhance the upper portion of the face, such as the location of the eyebrows, wrinkling between the eyebrows, or extra skin of the upper or lower eyelids or lower eyelid bags, unless a brow lift is performed. The surgery cannot rid wrinkles around the mouth and will not do much for the smile lines.

Is there any difference between a mini facelift, a "weekend facelift" and a "ribbon" facelift?

Mini-facelifts and “weekend facelifts” essentially refer to the same procedure. The one that is a bit different than the other two is the “ribbon” facelift. It has a shorter recovery period and is less invasive than a regular facelift, but the procedure involves placing a dissolvable ribbon inside the face to hold facial muscles back while the surgeon tightens any loose skin. The ribbon dissolves after a few months and the results are temporary lasting up to about five years.

Will my head be shaved?

Your head will not be shaved, however many Beverly Hills facelift patients do choose to grow their hair longer in order to easily conceal any scars and stitches during the recovery phase.

After a facelift, are bandages applied?

Yes, bandages may be applied to the head and neck with the purpose of maintaining the area and keeping it stationary. The bandages are usually removed a day after the procedure. Another light bandage may be positioned around the chin.

Can a facelift fix my marionette lines?

It depends on your individual circumstances. The depth of the lines and the presence of any other issues you would like to correct will dictate the necessity of having a full facelift performed as opposed to addressing the marionette lines only. Perlane and Restylane work very well if you are looking for a noninvasive, temporary fix for these lines.

How can I fix a facelift gone wrong?

It is possible to correct a poorly performed facelift with a revision. The most common cause for revision procedures however is under-correction, not over-correction, as may be in your case. Excess removal of skin, and/or excess pull can result in an unnatural “surprised” or “windblown” appearance.

How does a facelift cause pixie ears and how can it be repaired if it happens?

Pixie ears may be the result of too much tension when facial skin is re-attached after a facelift. The tension can pull the ears, and as a result create the pixie appearance. Fortunately, this can be corrected with a minor surgical procedure. The extent of the surgical procedure really depends on the individual patient’s circumstances, as everyone is different and has different situations that led to the issue in the first place.

How long does the swelling last after a facelift?

Swelling should begin to reduce noticeably within two weeks. You will be the most swollen in the first few days following the surgery. Swelling may be minimized by ensuring that you limit your activities in the first few weeks following surgery and just take it easy. Hyperbaric oxygen is also a great method to reduce swelling.

How many facelifts can a person safely have during their lifetime?

There’s no set amount of facelifts you can have performed throughout your life. It is best to do your homework when choosing a surgeon and choose a surgeon who has a lot of experience performing facelift surgeries so you may obtain the best Los Angeles facelift results possible. The more surgeries you have, the more scar tissue will build up and this makes it difficult to obtain the ideal result.

How long does it take for a mini-facelift to completely heal?

Recovery after a mini-facelift is usually one to two weeks. Recovery time varies between individuals. You will want to limit activity immediately following the procedure as it may increase swelling and delay healing time.

How much pain can I expect?

Some patients experience a small discomfort in the back part of the neck, which usually clears up within a day; however, many patients do not feel much pain following surgery. If there is any pain or discomfort, the patient can be comforted with oral medication.