Facelift
WHAT IS IT AND WHO IS IT FOR?
The Cervico-Facial Lift is a surgery that aims to improve the appearance of the face and neck. It is aimed at people with some sagging and/or fat deposits in the facial area.
SURGICAL PROCEDURE
There are different types of facelifts, depending on the need for the extent of the surgery done to the facial muscles.
Depending on the type of facelift, the incisions are usually made around the patient’s ear or in the scalp area. The sagging skin is then stretched, and the remaining excess is removed. The deeper facial muscles may also be treated.
ANESTHESIA AND SURGERY DURATION
In experienced hands, the surgery can take between 90 and 120 minutes. The anesthesia can be general or local, depending on the extent of the surgery. This detail should be discussed with the surgeon and anesthesiologist.
SURGERY GOALS
To improve skin tension, eliminate sagging and fine wrinkles, and remove fat deposits in the cheeks. If the desired tightening is not achieved, the procedure can be partially repeated after 3 months.
SURGICAL TECHNIQUE
The skin is incised in hidden areas to make the scars almost or completely imperceptible. Once the skin is detached from the superficial muscle of the face and neck, we use the modified Becker technique for plication of the muscle.
Afterward, the skin should be pulled vertically upward to improve the sagging of the structures.
COMPLICATIONS
They can vary. Infections, which are rare, may occur. Hematomas, although uncommon, can happen in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. Facial nerve damage, the most feared complication, is also the rarest.
In the case series of Clínica Luso Espanhola, we have no cases of infections. We had 2 cases of hematoma, which resolved without consequences, and the rate of nerve injuries is zero.
Cases of skin necrosis are very rare in healthy people but can occur in smokers, so it is recommended to stop smoking well in advance of the surgery.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When can I leave the house?
You can go out as early as the second day, but for a reasonable appearance, you should wait 4-5 days.
When are the stitches removed?
The stitches are usually removed after 10 days, depending on the healing of each patient.
When can I wash my hair?
You can wash your hair after 2 days, taking care to disinfect the wound afterward. You can comb your hair, but you should avoid using a hot hair dryer in the first few days, as well as hair coloring. We only recommend these hair treatments after the stitches are removed and with the approval of a specialist (the surgeon or a nurse).
Are the scars very visible?
The scars in the most exposed area are usually almost invisible, as they heal very well. The more noticeable scars are hidden behind the ear, so they are not evident.
From what age can I undergo this surgery?
It depends on each case, but in cases of premature aging, this surgery can be performed earlier
