All about Facelift and its treatment
Overview
A face-lift medically termed a rhytidectomy is a cosmetic surgery that improves the appearance of the face. This is a surgical procedure that aims to remedy some of the changes that take place on the face due to aging.
A facelift can make people look younger by reducing the wrinkles and folds in the skin. It can repair sagging skin of the cheek and jawline aiding a more youthful look to the face. It can also work on other changes that take place in the face as people advance into middle age.
The cosmetic surgeon performing face-lift work on the skin, which is on the side of the face. The surgeon usually pulls back the skin and operates on the tissues below the skin. The focus is also on the contour of the face to restore youthfulness. The excess skin is done away with, and the incisions are closed with sutures.
Commonly, a facelift also includes a neck lift procedure that essentially means dealing with the sagging skin on the neck and fat deposits. A neck lift is medically called, a Playsmaplasty.
A face-lift will not take care of the damage undergone from exposure to the sun. It cannot also reduce the subtle creases or wrinkles on the skin. Cosmetic procedures are many and some of them can address these issues.
Facelift surgeries are performed using the traditional surgery technique as well as using the laser. The use of laser technology for a facelift is a minimally invasive procedure with fewer incisions and lesser recovery time. However, the uses and benefits of conventional facelift surgery and laser are completely different. Patients may need to choose the method for facelift depending on what they need to correct. The cosmetic surgeon is in a good position to advise the method they need to adopt which will produce good results.
Causes
As one ages, there are changes that occur to the shape and appearance of the face. These are normal and are expected to happen. The skin undergoes changes such as becomes looser and less elastic. Deposits of fat are reduced in certain areas of the face, whereas in certain others, it increases. A facelift may just be what the doctor orders to remedy these age-associated changes on the face.
Some of the questions that help decide if you need a facelift :
- Are your cheeks sagging?
- Do you find that the skin on the neck is sagging and there is a lot of fat in that area?
- Do you have jowls? ( lower jawline appearing to have excess skin )
- Do you find that the skin from the corner of your mouth to the side of your nose is looking like a deepened fold?
If the answer to most of the questions is in the affirmative, a facelift will remedy the appearance and correct these age-related developments on the skin.
Your cosmetic surgeon will also tell you that a facelift will not remedy any skin color problems, treat the apparent wrinkles, or reverse the damage caused by the sun. It cannot also cure any creases around the upper lip or nose.
Risks
Facelift surgery is not without risks or the danger of it going wrong. Although extremely rare, few complications can result in marked changes to appearance. Some of the less serious complications can be handled well with proper care, surgery, and medications.
The risks of a facelift procedure are the following:
Hair loss: There is a possibility of losing hair either temporarily or permanently at the site where the incisions were made. While temporary hair loss is not something to worry about, permanent ones can also be rectified by transplanting the skin with hair follicles.
Hematoma: One of the most common risks of facelift surgery is an accumulation of blood under the skin, medically termed as a hematoma. This build-up of blood causes pressure and inflammation that can show up in the operated patients within 24 hours following surgery. Doctors usually perform surgery to remedy this problem and offset any damage to tissues and skin.
Skin loss: This is a rare complication but if it occurs can hamper the supply of blood to the tissues on the face. This can cause a medical condition called sloughing or skin loss. Doctors prescribe medications if it is not very serious or even performs surgery if required in case there is a deep scar. Otherwise, this skin loss can heal with appropriate care to the wound.
Scarring: Conventional facelift surgery does leave permanent scars, but these are usually in a place that is not visible. They are hidden by the hairline or covered by the contours of the ear and face. Doctors sometimes use corticosteroid injections or other medication to decrease the appearance or visibility of scars.
Nerve injury: Although it is extremely rare, a facelift can cause either temporary or permanent damage to nerves. Some patients complain of a loss of sensation due to this complication. Few patients experience temporary paralysis that can cause distortion of their expression. Usually, this becomes all right in few months. Surgery can also be performed to improve the condition.
Some patients react to the anesthesia badly. The risks of a facelift could be very similar to any major surgery such as infection or risk of bleeding. Doctors usually check the patients’ medical history, medications, and supplements to assess the risks of facelift surgery and advice accordingly.
Contraindications
The existence of certain medical conditions or intake of certain medications or supplements can increase the risks of a facelift procedure. Specialists usually dissuade patients from undergoing a facelift in the presence of the following:
Weight fluctuation: Patients that experience frequent weight swings, which is an abnormal yo-yo of weight gain and loss can cause harm to their skin and shape of the face. The result of facelift surgery performed on such patients may not be satisfactory.
Clotting problems: If patients suffer from a medical condition that impairs the mechanism of clotting of blood, doctors do not perform a facelift. The presence of medical conditions or lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, or improperly managed hypertension can slow down the process of healing or lead to heart problems.
Smoking: Those that smoke will markedly elevate the chances of poor wound healing. They could suffer skin loss after a facelift and hematomas.
Blood-thinning medications or supplements: If patients are on blood thinners, it can elevate the chances of hematomas post-surgery. Certain medications and supplements can affect the body’s ability for blood clotting. If patients are on NSAIDs(non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs ), blood thinners, aspirin, and supplements, such as fish oil and ginseng, can increase the risk of complications.
Preparation
Before the facelift surgery, the surgeon will conduct the following:
The specialist will want to know about your present as well as past medical conditions, about lifestyle habits, previous surgeries, any complications, and such other vital details. If you have a history of drug or alcohol use or smoking, your specialist must be aware of it.
Doctors also perform a physical examination to ascertain the preparedness for facelift surgery.
A facial examination is necessary. The surgeon will take pictures of the face from different angles. Pictures of some of the features from close quarters are also taken. The surgeon also checks the structure of the bones on the face, distribution of fat, skin quality, to evaluate the course of the plan for the facial surgery.
This is also a time to have a detailed and candid discussion with the surgeon. The specialist will analyze the expectation of the patient from facelift surgery and clarify realistic expectations of the outcome. The objective of the consultation will be to address what facelift surgery can do and what it cannot, so the patients are not disappointed.
Procedure
Specialists perform the surgery either in the hospital or in a surgical room in the outpatient facility.
Specialists may use a combination of sedation and local anesthesia, which numbs only one area. General anesthesia is also used for facelift procedures.
The surgeon makes the incisions depending upon the type of technique decided by the doctor and patient.
Doctors could either perform an incision, which begins at the temples and goes down until the front of the ears, behind the lower scalp. For a neck lift, doctors may make an incision below the chin.
Doctors also perform a facelift surgery using a shorter incision that starts at the hairline above the ear and surrounds the front of the ear. The incision does not go till the lower scalp at the back.
The surgery for a facelift is usually a two to four hours procedure. If there are more procedures that the patient has signed up for, the procedure may take longer.
Post-op care
Patients are likely to experience the following after the surgery
- Bruising
- Slight to moderate pain
- Numbness
- Inflammation
- Blood or fluid from the incisions
Consult your specialist for the following severe symptoms post-surgery:
- Chest pain
- Breathlessness
- Acute pain on the face or neck in 24 hours following surgery
- Irregular heartbeats
After the surgery, the specialist covers the incisions with bandages to reduce the swelling and chances of bruising. In some cases, doctors also place a tiny tube under the skin behind one or both of the ears to allow the excess fluid and blood to drain out.
Self-care
- Remember to take the medicines as prescribed by the doctor
- Make sure your head is in an elevated position
- To reduce the swelling and pain, cool packs on the face will help
- Keep up the schedule of the follow-up appointments given for two months after the facelift surgery is important
- The bandages could be removed after two or three days post-surgery and you may be given an elastic facial sling
The doctor usually waits for a week after the surgery to remove the stitches and evaluate the wound
- Adhere to the wound care as directed
- Always check if you can begin to use soaps and shampoos
- Stick to instructions about the usage of shampoos and soaps
- Crusting scabs should not be picked
- Do not use chemicals and makeup
- The incisions should heal so it is best not to put any pressure on them or around them
- Keep physical activity to a minimum
- The incisions should not be exposed to the sun for several weeks after surgery. It is also good to use sunscreen for added protection.
- For six weeks, completely stay away from hair treatments such as application of hair color, bleach, or perming hair.
- Avoid beauty treatments to the face
A facelift or rhytidectomy is a cosmetic surgery done to reduce the sagging skin folds along the cheeks and the jawline. The surgery is done to provide a younger appearance and gives shape to the face due to aging.
Benefits of Facelift Surgery in Bangalore
- Cost-effective
- Latest technologies
- Fewer risks
- Faster recovery
Why choose goficure for facelift surgery in Bangalore?
A facelift is a common cosmetic procedure and many women after their 40s are going under the knife to give a youthful look to their skin. In Bangalore, there are many cosmetic surgeons who conduct facelift surgeries. We at goficure, will do a thorough search and find out the best medical facilities in Bangalore.
Goficure is one of the leading healthcare service providers in Bangalore. We provide all sorts of medical facilities including an appointment with doctors, follow-up visits, counseling, guidance regarding the cost of surgery and finance, diagnostic tests, etc. Our service providers will chalk out a comprehensive plan for your surgery.
We have access to some of the best cosmetic surgeons in Bangalore. Our surgeons are specialized in facelift surgeries and are some of the top doctors in Bangalore. If you are not sure about the surgery, you can always reach out and we will give you proper guidance. After the surgery, there might be mild pain, bruising, or swelling. You have to follow home-care instructions as directed by our surgeon. Do call us to schedule your follow-up appointment after the surgery.
Exclusive features you get with goficure
1. Dedicated Medi-Pal
A dedicated Medi-Pal is assigned to you. Your Medi-Pal will be your one point contact throughout the treatment and post-op period. They will always be available for you
2. Quick doctor’s appointments
After understanding your concerns, your Medi-Pal will schedule your consultation with a specialist doctor. Your doctor will carry out necessary tests and advise the course of treatment
3. Hassle-free treatment
If you opt to get the surgery done, goficure will take care of it completely. Right from booking your surgery, claiming your insurance to being with you throughout the procedure, your Medi-Pal will do it all
4. Post-op recovery support
Your Medi-Pal would ensure quick recovery. This includes booking your follow up consultations and helping you with doctor-recommended steps for diet & exercise
Guarantees
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Why Goficure?
Specialist doctors
Our doctors are vetted for their experience and skills. Rest assured, you are in safe hands. The best treatment for your condition is delivered all the time
Medi-Pal assistance
A dedicated Medi-Pal is assigned to take care of the entire process. This includes booking your appointments, scheduling the surgery, handling your documentation including claiming insurance, discharge, and post-op recovery
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Goficure delivers high-quality treatment to you at affordable prices. Superior treatment and best quality of service is assured while keeping costs reasonable
Post procedure care and follow-ups
Our engagement doesn't end after your surgery. It continue until you go back to your normal life. Free diet and exercise consultations during your recovery phase are offered to ensure a quick recovery
Comparison
With so many options, are you wondering what the right choice for your condition is? While you can opt for either an open surgery or a laser surgery, numerous studies have shown that laser surgeries are far more effective. Be it the duration of the procedure, post-operative pain or recovery time, laser surgeries always outrank open surgeries and are therefore, a better choice. Here is a quick comparison that will help you decide your course of action.
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