Face and Neck Lifting

A Necklift involves rejuvenation of the area below the chin and jaw line, down to the clavicles (collar bones). When a significant amount of loose skin is present, usually a lower facelift is also needed to properly redistribute the lax neck skin.In some cases, an isolated neck lift can be performed by itself.For instance, if excessive fullness in the form of fat is present, liposculpture of the neck may be sufficient to reach the desired goal.Other isolated neck procedures include repairing platysmal band separation.Platysmal bands are those observable up and down lines running from under the chin and down towards the chest.Chin implants can also be inserted through the same small submental (under chin) incision during a Facelift or Necklift in order to help redistribute the neck skin and improve the neck’s appearance.

For individuals dissatisfied with the aging appearance of their face and/or neck, a Face and Necklift may be a viable option. Lower Face and Necklifts include redistribution of the skin of the lower third of the face and the front and sides of the neck.In addition, tightening of the underlying muscles is achieved through various techniques dependent on variable anatomy.Reasons for performing the Face and Necklift include:

• sagging in the lower face
• deep creases along the nose extending to the corner of the mouth
• fat that has fallen or is displaced
• loss of muscle tone in the lower face creating jowls
• loose skin and excess fatty deposits under the chin and jaw can make even a person of normal weight appear to have a double chin

Any acceptably healthy person with reasonable expectations who displays facial skin sagging, jowling, or fullness of the neck is a potential candidate for some variant of Facelift procedure.

Mini-facelifts, those performed on individuals with only mild jowling and neck laxity, can be comfortably performed in the office-operating suite using local anesthesia.A pre-operative medication such as Valium or Benadryl may be given to reduce anxiety.Otherwise, facelifts are performed in an accredited outpatient surgery center using either twilight anesthesia or more commonly general anesthesia.

Facial rejuvenation is a highly individualized treatment.Mini-facelifts take about two hours to complete while a full lower face and neck lift can take 4 or 5 hours to complete.

It is important that you be sufficiently prepared for your postoperative recovery period.Complete written post-operative instructions will be provided prior to surgery. Unless your procedure is performed using local anesthesia, the day of surgery you will feel sleepy from the anesthesia. The discomfort experienced from a lower face and necklift is mild and occasionally moderate.When you awaken from the anesthetic, a light compressive facial garment or bandage will be present.The bandage remains in place for the first 24 hours.The first follow-up appointment is the next day.The bandage will be removed and the skin cleaned.The patient typically experiences tightness in the face and/ or neck for the first week.For the first day or two you should eat a soft diet until your swelling and soreness resolve. Except for a brief peek, keep away from mirrors. Everyone experiences a temporary surprise when viewing a slightly bruised, swollen appearance in the mirror. Remember that a more attractive, youthful "you" will show through in several days.Cool compresses applied intermittingly to the face are recommended for the first 48 hours after surgery. Ice bags should NEVER be used against the skin, as the area may be numb due to local anesthesia and swelling.Applying ice directly to numb skin may result in skin death.Showering with warm water is allowed on the first post-operative day.Gentle shampoo may be used. Towel dry only for at least three days following surgery. You can resume use of a hair dryer after three days, but use only a cool setting until feeling returns to the incision area to prevent burns. Hair can be styled loosely two to three weeks after surgery, but do not use tight hair rollers or perm or color your hair for six weeks. Glasses can be worn as long as the stems do not irritate your ears.Pain medication and prophylactic antibiotics will be prescribed and should be taken as directed. Sleeping with the head elevated will help reduce post-operative swelling and bruising.No strenuous activity is allowed for two weeks following surgery.Ointment, applied over the sutures, will be used at least three times a day for the first week. Three days later you can apply make-up to camouflage bruising as long as it does not cover incision lines. Our office can suggest facial care products.

As with any surgical procedure, risks and potential complications include post-operative bleeding, infection, and visible scarring.Hair root damage is unusual but possible.Temporary sensory nerve damage occurs to some degree with all face and neck lifts.Decreased sensation or numbness is common around the ears.Typically the sensation returns to normal within one to three months.Rarely permanent numbness occurs on the earlobe.Occasionally, it can take up to one year for all sensation to return too normal.Motor nerve damage (nerves that control movement) is a very rare complication of facelifting.Typically decreased movement is temporary but could be permanent.

An alternative to more invasive facelifts is the Mini-Facelift.A Mini-Facelift provides an overall lift to the lower third of the face and cheeks.Improvements are also seen in loose skin of the neck.Compared to more extensive facelifts, it is a quicker operation with fewer potential complications allowing patients to return to normal activities sooner.The procedure may be combined with less invasive direct neck procedures such as liposuction or platysmaplasty.The procedure involves an incision strategically placed in front of the ear and sometimes also behind the ear.The skin is lifted and underlying muscles and tissues are tightened and repositioned. Recovery is quicker than with a full facelift.The procedure takes approximately two hours to complete.