So you have looked after yourself, creams, facials, avoided the sun, probably dabbled in anti-wrinkle and filler injections. These all have been effective and good over the years in keeping a refreshed look. Do you now find into later 40’s and 50’s that the usual things don’t work as well anymore and you are noticing looseness or sagging of the neck and lower face and around the eyes. Facelift Surgery may be your most effective option.
Non surgical treatments are very effective in the 30 to 45 year age group but do become less effective as we age. What we refer to “gravitational effects” of skin looseness and sagging become noticeable as we age and the role of surgery to rejuvenate the face become more relevant.
Facelift Surgery is an operation designed to correct the effects of ageing to the face. As we get older, the effects of sun damage as well as the natural ageing process leads to the skin of the face losing its elasticity and tightness. Gravity effects can cause some degree of sagging particularly around the eyes, cheeks, jowl area and neck. Skin wrinkling is a result of these factors.
Operative procedures, such as a face and neck lift, brow lift and blepharoplasty (eye lift) are designed to reverse the effects of ageing. This is achieved by removing and tightening excess loose skin as well as underlying tissue of the lower face, eyes and brow. Modern facelifting performed by Dr Drielsma involves tightening of the structural deeper layer of the face known as the SMAS layer as well as the skin layer. The judicious use of fat grafting to the cheeks, eyelids and temple is also used to regain youthful volume. Fat grafting of the face either alone or in combination with lifting procedures has grown in popularity in recent years.
Facelift Sydney : After a facelift procedure you should not expect to look a different person but to look “well” or “refreshed”. It is common to find following facelift surgery that you receive many compliments of looking well and not tired when seen again by friends. In order to achieve this, a facelift will involve cleverly placed and hidden incisions in front and behind the ear and in the hair lines. These incisions are designed in such a way that no one will be able to tell you have had surgery.
Facelift FAQ
How long does the operation take?
How long do I have to stay in hospital?
When can I return to activities?
How long does it last?
Are there any risks?
As with any surgical procedure, there is a small risk of complications. Surgery and anaesthesia is very safe and it is most unlikely you will experience any difficulty. However, there is a small chance that a minor complication such as bleeding or infection may occur.
Scarring: Scarring following surgery may take up to two years to mature and can be expected to be minimal and unnoticeable. It is possible for scarring around the earlobe to result in tightness and tethering. Scarring behind the ear can become lumpy and uncomfortable for a number of months. Scarring in front of the ear may cause tightness. These are all uncommon. Swelling and bruising: Bruising and swelling is usual and varies with each patient from being virtually invisible to extensive. Most bruising and swelling settles over 1 to 2 weeks, although some take longer.
As the final swelling settles, some relaxation in the tightness of the face may be noticed. This is an inevitable minor consequence of the fact that the skin is stretched by post-operative swelling and is usually complete within about three months. Fine wrinkles may return during this time.
Nerve injury: Facelift involves facial dissection very close to the course of the facial nerve. This major nerve of the face is responsible for movement of the face, particularly around the mouth, nose and eyes. It is possible though extremely unlikely that some temporary or sometimes permanent weakness of a part of the face may result following facelift. Dr Drielsma has never seen permanent weakness following a facelift in his patients.
Anaesthetic: You will be receiving a general anaesthetic and your anaesthetist will be discussing with you possible discomforts following anaesthesia. Again, anaesthesia today is very safe and no major problems should be concerning you. Any questions you have regarding your anaesthetic would be best answered by your anaesthetist at the time of surgery.