A face-lift surgery can cause complications. Some can be managed with appropriate care, medication or surgical correction. Long-term or permanent complications, while rare, can cause significant changes in appearance.
The risks include:
Facelifts vary depending on your desired results.
Traditionally, an incision is made in the hairline near the temples. The incision goes in front of the ear, down in front of and hugging the earlobe, then back to the lower scalp behind the ears.
Fat and excess skin may be removed or redistributed from the face. The underlying muscle and connective tissue are redistributed and tightened. If there’s minimal skin sagging, a “mini” facelift may be done. This involves shorter incisions.
If a neck lift is also going to be performed, the excess skin and fat will be removed. The skin of the neck will be tightened and pulled up and back. This is often done through an incision just under the chin.
The incisions often have dissolvable sutures or skin glue. In some cases, you might need to return to the surgeon to have stitches removed. The incisions are made in such a way that they blend with your hairline and facial structure.
You’ll often have a surgical drainage tube after surgery as well as bandages wrapping your face.
Recommendations
- Facelift surgery is not recommended for anyone with serious medical problems, and the candidate should be in good mental and physical health.
- Patients with high blood pressure and diabetes have a higher risk of complications.
- Cigarette smoking and tobacco use increase the risk of complications after surgery. It can interfere with wound healing. A person who is considering a facelift should completely stop smoking or using nicotine products.
- It is important to have reasonable expectations and to remember that a facelift will not stop the overall aging process.
- Patients should not use taking aspirin or other blood thinners for at least a week before surgery.
- Good skin elasticity and bone structure will give the best results.
Recovery
- Bruising and swelling will be at their worst after 2 days, and they can persist for a few days.
- Recovery normally takes around 2 weeks, and vigorous activity can resume after 4 weeks.
- Sutures are removed about 5 to 10 days after surgery.
- Incisions and bandages must be kept dry, and the patient should follow the specific instructions about bathing and washing.
- It is important to follow the doctor’s instructions, as this will speed the healing process and allow for the best possible result.
- Numbness and muscle stiffness is normal for some time. Scars can take nearly a year to fade and tone down.
- Avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol intake, stress, sun exposure, and contact with pollutants can all help extend the youthful appearance of skin.
