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As the face ages, gravity's effects
become more obvious. The earliest apparent change is loss of the
cervical mental angle, the angle formed by the neck and lower jaw.
As the neck skin becomes lax, it sags and gradually obliterates the
youthful sharp angle. This condition generally has three components:
a laxity of skin, a laxity of the underlying muscles (particularly
the platysma muscles) and an accumulation of fat. Lax platysma
muscles cause the bands in the front portion of the neck that often
are seen in older persons. In the upper portion of the face along
the jaw line, excess skin creates jowls. These jowls may be
characterized by fat deposits. The folds that run from the nose to
the jaw (nasolabial folds) also become more accentuated with age.
Surgery to improve the appearance of the aging face and neck is
called a facelift. This procedure removes accumulated fat, repairs
muscles that have stretched and removes excess skin.
While a facelift removes coarse wrinkling and sagging skin, it
cannot remove the fine wrinkling associated with sun exposure.
The usual facelift incision is from the temporal hairline in front
of the ear, around the earlobe, behind the ear and into the hairline
around the back of the neck.
Dr. Weisberg and
Dr. Cederna use a "short scar"
techniques in order to avoid the noticeable scars behind the ears,
and to shorten the recovery time.
There may also be a small incision under the chin. This placement of
the incisions restricts any scarring to less obvious areas. There
have been recent improvements in the procedure to support the
underlying facial structures, resulting in a more successful and
longer-lasting outcome.
There is no special age for a facelift. A facelift may be desired
whenever changes due to aging become bothersome to the individual.
For some people, this occurs as soon as the cervical mental angle
begins to fall. Others are not bothered until changes are more
advanced and jowl formation or platysmal banding begins.
Patients often ask how long a facelift lasts. The answer is as
individual as the patient. While surgery can turn back the clock, it
does not stop aging. Facial aging will continue at the normal rate
for that person. The average time before people begin to consider a
second facelift is usually six to ten years. Many patients never
have a second procedure.
In scheduling your surgery, we recommend that you allow four weeks
for healing prior to any important function you plan to attend, in
case your healing is slow or there is an unexpected complication. We
recommend that you have any hair trimming or coloring done during
the week before surgery. You should wait four to six weeks after
surgery before coloring your hair again.
After surgery you will probably not
be wrapped in a dressing. One to two days after, you will return for
a checkup. You will see noticeable bruising and swelling. Your
surgeon will let you know when you will be able to shower. All
sutures are absorbable and placed under the skin surface, so that
they don't have to be removed. Before and after surgery we recommend
that you consult with the makeup specialist in our office about
techniques to camouflage any remaining bruises. There is no charge
for this service. Most bruising will subside by 14 to 21 days after surgery.
Swelling may take longer to disappear. Most patients are able to
resume a normal level of activity within two to three weeks after
surgery.
Possible risks associated with a facelift include skin damage in
front of or behind the ear and damage to the nerves that move the
face. Complications are rare and usually temporary. Skin damage,
however, is more common in cigarette smokers.
Click
here for more before-and-after Facelift photos.
Visit our
plastic /
cosmetic surgery
office located in
Portland, Maine (ME).
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