Face Lift

As we age, the effects of gravity, exposure to the sun, and the stresses of daily life can be seen in our faces. Deep creases form between the nose and mouth; the jaw line grows slack and jowly; folds and fat deposits appear around the neck.

A facelift (technically known as rhytidectomy) can reverse many of these signs of aging. By removing excess fat, tightening underlying muscles, and redraping the skin of the face and neck. A facelift can be done alone, or in conjunction with other procedures such as a forehead lift, eyelid surgery, or nose reshaping.

The best candidate for a facelift is a man or woman whose face and neck have begun to sag, but whose skin still has some elasticity and whose bone structure is strong and well-defined. Most patients are in their forties to sixties, but facelifts can be done successfully on people in their seventies or eighties as well.

A facelift performed by Dr. Hayes will look natural and make you look like a younger version of yourself. You will not look overdone nor will your basic facial features be changed. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with Dr. Hayes and staff.

There are many different techniques for facelifting, you may have heard of some; the midface lift, s-lift, deep plane face lift, endoscopic facelift and many more. Dr. Hayes is very experienced in all techniques of facial surgery and will customize your surgery to fit your specific needs.

Facelifts are very individualized procedures. In your initial consultation Dr. Hayes will evaluate your face, including the skin and underlying bone structure, and discuss your goals for the surgery.

We will ask you about medical conditions that could cause problems during or after surgery, such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, blood clotting problems, or the tendency to form excessive scars. Be sure to tell us if you smoke or are taking any drugs or medications, especially aspirin or other drugs that affect clotting.

If you decide to have a facelift, Dr. Hayes will explain the techniques and anesthesia he will use, the type of facility where the surgery will be performed, and the risks and costs involved. Don't hesitate to ask us any questions you may have, especially those regarding your expectations and concerns about the results.

We will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. Carefully following these instructions will help your surgery go more smoothly. If you smoke, it's especially important to stop at least two weeks before and after surgery; smoking inhibits blood flow to the skin, and can interfere with the healing of your incision areas.

If your hair is very short, you might want to let it grow out before surgery so that it's long enough to hide the scars until they heal.

You should arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery and to help you out for a day or two following surgery.

A facelift is usually performed in our state of the art office-based operating room. It can also be done in an outpatient surgery center or a hospital. It's usually done on an outpatient basis.

Most facelifts are performed under local anesthesia, combined with IV sedation to make you drowsy. You'll sleep through much of the procedure and your face will be insensitive to pain.

If your surgery is done at a surgery center or hospital if may be done under general anesthesia. In that case, you'll sleep through the operation.

A facelift usually takes several hours-or somewhat longer if you're having more than one procedure done.

Incisions usually begin above the hairline at the temples, extend in a natural line inside the cartilage at the front of the ear, and continue behind the earlobe. They will be pink for a time following the removal of your stitches, but this can be easily hidden with makeup. In time your incision lines will be virtually impossible to detect.

Following surgery, a small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin behind your ear to drain any blood that might collect there. You will wear a head dressing that will be removed the next morning during your post operative visit.

There is usually very little discomfort after surgery; if there is, it can be lessened with the pain medication we have prescribed.(Severe or persistent pain or a sudden swelling of your face should be reported to us immediately.) Some numbness of the skin is quite normal; it will disappear in a few weeks or months.

You will need to keep your head elevated for a couple of days after surgery, a recliner is usually the most comfortable way to sleep for a few days.

After your dressing is removed you may shower and wash your hair with a gentle shampoo. You will be instructed how to care for your incision lines. Your face will appear swollen and you will most likely have some bruising. The swelling and bruising will peak on about the 4th or 5th day and then will get better each day after. It is not uncommon to feel a little down during the 4th and 5th days. Soon after you will begin to see the results of your facelift and you will begin to feel better. Most people will be able to go back out into public after a week to 10 days.

Your stitches and staples will be removed one week after surgery.

You should be up and about in a day or two, but plan on taking it easy for the first week after surgery. Be especially gentle with your face and hair, since your skin will be both tender and numb, and may not respond normally at first.

We will give you more specific guidelines for gradually resuming your normal activities. They're likely to include these suggestions: Avoid strenuous activity, including sex and heavy housework, for at least two weeks (walking and mild stretching are fine); Above all, get plenty of rest and allow your body to spend its energy on healing.