Full Face Lift

The Standard (Full Lower) Facelift is indicated for moderate to severe amounts of facial drooping, jowling and excess skin. The full lower facelift will address redundancy of the skin under the chin and the upper two thirds of the neck. The procedure is performed by creating an incision in the crease of the skin just in front of the ear extending around the earlobe and posteriorly along the hairline. Sometimes, an additional incision is made under the skin to tighten muscle bands and to allow for a greater amount of excess skin removal. Small tubes may be placed under the skin behind the ear to drain any blood that may have collected during surgery. Your head may be bandaged to minimize bruising and swelling.
Typically performed under local anesthesia with sedation, the facelift procedure may take up to four hours or longer depending on if you are having more than one procedure performed and the technique best for you.
The discomfort associated with a facelift is usually minimal to moderate. Bruising, swelling and a feeling of tightness are expected, but this will resolve in two to three weeks following the surgery. Stitches will come out or be absorbed on their own between a week and ten days. Bruising and swelling will subside significantly within a week to ten days. Pain is moderate with this procedure but pain medication will be prescribed to control any discomfort. As with any plastic surgery procedure, the healing process with a facelift is gradual and final results may not be apparent for several weeks, but the benefits from the surgery will last for years.
The recovery process is different for everyone, but within a day of the facelift you should be up and walking around. You may bathe following your surgery, as long as you keep your dressings dry. Keep your head elevated at all times for two weeks following surgery. You may also apply small bags of frozen corn to help reduce swelling and discomfort. Over the next couple of weeks, your face may be very sensitive and you may want to consider using special camouflage makeup as you heal. For the first week or two you should plan on being out of work and away from your usual activities. After this period, you may gradually return to activities such as lifting, exercise and sex. Avoid any high impact activities for about one month. Stay away from saunas for a few months as the steam can affect healing. These precautions will help you avoid stress to your scars and allow time for your facial tissues to heal and recover. While there will be permanent scars, in most cases they will be well hidden by your hair. The scars are usually small and become difficult to see as they heal over time.
For more information about Face Lift, please visit the American Society of Plastic Surgery site, by clicking on http://www.plasticsurgery.org.
Pre-Operative Instructions

1. Please see medication list with respect to avoiding medications that can contribute to bleeding particularly including aspirin. Smoking should be discontinued prior to surgery and for at least two weeks after surgery as it decreases healing and oxygenation.
2. Please shower the morning of surgery. Do not use conditioner on your hair.
3. You may have a light non-fat meal at least eight hours prior to surgery, if you desire. Otherwise, do not eat or drink after midnight the day before surgery.
4. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes.
5. A friend or family member should be with you to bring you to the office and drive you home afterwards. Plan to be in the office from one to five hours depending on the amount of area that is involved. You will not be allowed to drive home if you have had any type of sedation during surgery.
6. Please be sure you have met any financial obligations if your surgery is elective cosmetic surgery not covered by insurance, or refractive surgery. Payment is expected in full five days prior to surgery, unless your insurance covers your procedure. System Optics/Cosmetic Surgical Arts accepts cash, Mastercard, VISA, Discover, bank checks or money orders. NO PERSONAL CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
7. Pre-operatively, if you have questions please call the office between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm during the week. Post-operatively, you may call the doctor on call at any time.
8. Bring all medications you take with you on the day of surgery for us to verify.
9. Normally, you may take blood pressure medications and heart medications (except Coumadin) the morning of surgery with a sip of water. Taking your blood pressure and heart medication will help with surgery.
10. Please do not wear any makeup or jewelry. Please remove all nail polish.
11. Please take all prescribed medication after surgery as directed, until gone.