Skin of the face and neck lose elasticity as one ages. Underlying muscles also lose tone. This is magnified through sun exposure, weight gain or loss, gravity and stress. These factors may act together and accentuate the appearance of the skin, creating a tired look.
A facelift-necklift helps to improve the most visible signs of aging through redistribution of excess fatty deposits, tightening underlying muscles and removing sagging skin. The standard facelift addresses the lower 1/3 of the face and the upper neck.
Variants include the mini and extended facelift-necklift procedures. Procedure choice depends on patient’s needs and must be discussed with the surgeon.
Often other facial procedures are performed at the same time including forehead lift, eyelid lift (blepharoplasty), chin and cheek implants, nose reshaping (rhinoplasty), liposculpture, chemical peel, laser resurfacing and fat transfer.
Who is a Candidate?
- Men and women with jowl formation (the lower cheeks and jaw line are saggy).
- Men and women with a poorly defined jaw line.
- Men and women with wrinkled saggy and fatty neck.
Intended Results
- A sharper and better defined jaw line.
- Improved neck and chin angle.
- Less tired look with more youthful appearance.
- This does not treat the lines around the mouth and will not improve skin surface defects and discoloration.
Procedure Description
- Face Lifts are usually performed in an accredited facility, day care centre or in the hospital.
- They may be performed under local anesthesia with or without oral sedation, conscious sedation, or general anesthesia.
- The surgeon usually makes incisions around the ear. The approach and position of the scar should be discussed with the surgeon.
- Sutures are used for closure followed by placement of an elastic dressing around the face and neck. Often a drain is needed to avoid complication of fluid collection.
Recuperation and Healing
- A compression garment may be worn around the lower face and neck for approximately one week.
- Bruising and swelling are normal and may take several weeks to resolve.
- Stiffness in the neck and some soreness with swallowing and eating is common.
- Sutures are removed within two weeks.
- Drains, if used are usually removed 1-3 days after the procedure.
- Make-up can be applied over the skin immediately but not over the incisions for 2-3 weeks.
Note
The specific risks and the suitability of this procedure for a given individual can be determined only during the consultation with the surgeon. Minor complications can occasionally occur and do not affect the outcome. Major complications are rare.