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With aging the skin, fat, and muscles of the cheeks and neck become loose and sag, resulting in lines and folds between the cheeks and nose and lips, over the jawline, and in the neck. Face lift surgery "turns back the clock", improving the visible signs of aging by removing excess fat, tightening the underlying muscles and the skin of your face and neck. It rejuvenates the middle and lower part of the face, making you look fresher and more youthful and relaxed, and feeling more self confident.
Face lifts are often combined with other procedures such as a brow lift (to lift sagging eyebrows) or blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery to remove skin or fat) to rejuvenate the upper part of the face.
Many patients also wish to have the facial skin rejuvenated with non-surgical treatments such as chemical peels or IPL (intense pulse light), which improves the texture and appearance of the skin.
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preparing for the surgery
It is important to stop smoking at least a few weeks before the surgery - smoking slows blood flow to the skin and increases the chance of healing problems after the face lift surgery. Aspirin, anti-inflammatory medications for arthritis, and some vitamins and herbal medications can cause bleeding and also need to be stopped before the surgery.
the face lift surgery
Face lift surgery is performed under general anesthesia, with the operation taking about 3 hours, and usually requires an overnight stay in hospital.
There are many different types of face lift, but the longest lasting techniques involve tightening the deeper muscle layer of the face as well as the skin. Tightening the muscle layer gives a longer lasting result and reduces the tension on the skin closure, producing better scars.
Incisions are hidden mainly within the hairline, in the natural crease in front of the ear, going under and behind the earlobe and back into the scalp, and usually there is also a small incision under the chin. The skin is lifted off the muscle layer and the muscle layer tightened, with any excess fat being removed with liposuction. Following this the loose excess skin is removed and the wound closed.
after the face lift surgery
After the face lift surgery it is important to rest and minimize your activities, with no lifting or heavy duties for 10-14 days. There is always some bruising and swelling after the surgery, however wearing an elastic compression garment reduces this. After a few days you can wear makeup to help conceal the bruising.
Most patients also have some numbness and tightness, which gradually disappears over a few weeks. The scars from the face lift surgery fade with time and are usually not noticeable, although occasionally they require further treatment.
Most patients may drive again and return to work within 2-3 weeks after the face lift surgery. Heavy activities and sport should not be undertaken for one month following the face lift surgery.