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This common cosmetic procedure deals with the area from cheekbones down to the jowls including the neck. Often it includes Eyelid Surgery and occasionally Forehead Lift.
Face-Lift is effective and gives a natural a younger look. The fundamental behind a Face-Lift is to separate the layers of skin muscle and fat, remove fat deposits, tighten underlying muscle and tissue, and remove excess skin that is loose and sagging on the face and neck.
We now provide the new "Boutique S-Lift". This type of face lift is the latest in cosmetic procedures where "less is more". Click here to go to this procedure.
The Face-Lift procedure takes generally around 3 hours to perform and can be done under local anaesthesia with sedation or under general anaesthesia. Surgery begins with an incision along the ear, down around the ear lobe, and to the back of the neck. After separating the skin from the muscle underneath, the doctor removes excess fat, and tightens sagging muscle and tissues. The excess skin is removed.
The incisions are closed along the skin's natural lines and creases, but as in any surgical procedure where incisions are made, scars are unavoidable. Scar should fade gradually and may become unnoticeable after a period of time. After surgery, pain and discomfort can generally be controlled with medication.
In addition to the local, various drugs are used before, during and after surgery to make you comfortable and steady.
Products that contain Aspirin, Vitamin E, or Evening Primrose oil should be avoided for four weeks before surgery. The use of Vitamin K (10mg daily) for three days before surgery is recommended.
Strong alcoholic drinks should be avoided before surgery.
Patients should not smoke for two weeks before surgery and for a few days after surgery. Smoking interferes with the circulation of blood to the skin and can cause death of the skin flaps.
Patients should purchase Betadine shampoo use it to wash their hair the night before surgery (if surgery is scheduled for the morning) or the morning before (if surgery is scheduled for the afternoon). Hair may be conditioned and blow dried.
On the day of the surgery, the patient should wear comfortable, loose clothing that do not have to be pulled over the head, to the hospital.
Patients must not wear any make-up (including mascara and nail polish) when they go into surgery. If the patient tints, dyes or bleaches his or her hair, this should be done no later than one week before surgery.
The dressings are removed the next day, and replaced with a special bandage. Swelling and bruising usually subsides within 2 weeks. You may experience some numbness, tightness or tingling in your face and neck which will subside as you heal. Your final result will be realized in about 2 to 3 weeks.
It is important to remember that even though this delicate, extensive operation may be done under local anaesthetic, the patient must treat him - or herself as if the operation had been done under general anaesthesia. Patients should not laugh, talk or run around. It is a very big operation and patients must rest properly. During the first two weeks, the fine suturing of the deep muscle layer must be protected from rupturing. Sudden jerks or movement may cause the innermost stitches to pull free and hence compromise the long term result.
Patients should not turn their head from side to side - the whole body should be turned. The chin should be kept in an elevated position, with the head above shoulder level at all times.
The patient can bring a scarf and sunglasses to the hospital to wear after the operation. This will help to conceal the effects of the surgery.
Back at home, the patient should not sleep in a flat position. The head of the bed should be elevated with bricks so that the patient may sleep comfortably.
If the patient develops any signs of infection, pustules or boils on the face or body before surgery, the doctor should be notified immediately.
If eyelid surgery has been done at the same time as the face lift, the patient should apply cold eye pads as frequently as possible for the first 48 hours.
The patient should avoid strenuous activity, overheating and sun-bathing for two to three weeks.
The patient should not drive a vehicle before the doctor gives him or her permission to do so. In the case of neck surgery, this will usually be after two to three weeks.
Tight bandages or excessive swelling should be reported immediately.
The patient should not apply heat to the neck or face for three weeks after surgery.
There may be areas of decreased sensation and the heat may be damaging.
If the patient has pets, he or she should please be particularly careful not to allow the animals close to him or her during the early stages of healing. Pets' hair etc. can contaminate scars and cause infection.
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