A facial correction cannot stop the ageing process, but you can turn back the clock for many years. First signs of ageing can be literally pulled away from the face by removing excess fat and skin, tightening underlying muscles and re-draping the skin of your face and neck.
Who comes under consideration for a facelift?
Optimal results are achieved in men and women whose skin is still somewhat elastic. Most patients are in their forties to sixties. However, facelifts can be performed successfully on older patients with fabulous results.
A facelift gives you a young and fresh appearance with long-lasting results. However, it does not change your fundamental appearance nor gives you the appearance of an eighteen-year-old. It is recommended to express your expectations and discuss them with the surgeon.
There are several ways to perform a facelift. There are several techniques that can be used and the extent of surgery can greatly differ. We distinguish the ordinary facelift, the neck lift and the mini facelift. There is a big difference in operating time, extent of skin undermining and recovery between these treatments. The choice of technique and the extent of the procedure depends on the patient’s wishes. Consultation with the surgeon is therefore necessary.
The first consultation
Your first consultation with the plastic surgeon serves to explain your expectations regarding a facelift. The surgeon looks at the skin and the structure of neck and/or face and tells you exactly what the possibilities are. Next, you get an explanation about the operation. It is very important that you – as a patient – can express what it is exactly that you consider to be a problem. This creates a focused conversation. It is important that a distinction is made between the elasticity of the skin and the quality of the skin. Reduced elasticity is manifested in sagging skin of face and neck. With age, not only the elasticity decreases, but also the quality. This deterioration is manifested in wrinkles and pigment disorders, which are best treated with lasers. A facelift will only affect the sagging of the skin, not the quality.
The preparation
You will receive extensive instructions in order to prepare properly for the operation. This includes instructions on what you are allowed to eat and drink before the operation and which considerations to take into account when on medication. If you have short hair, it is recommended to let it grow for the operation in order to temporarily hide the scars.
The operation
A mini facelift is the smallest and shortest procedure. This procedure is also known as “S lift” or “MACS lift”. This procedure takes about 2 hours and is done under local anaesthesia. There is an incision made in front of the ear extending up to or beyond the hairline. The obtained result is a restored contour of the jaw line (correction of flabby jowls).
In the more extensive facial correction the incision is extended to the fold behind the ear. This may sometimes be necessary to obtain more correction in the neck. This operation can also take place under local anaesthesia although some patients prefer general anaesthesia.
The incision is extended into the hair behind the ear with a complete face and neck lift. Often an additional incision is made under the chin. This operation is usually performed under general anaesthesia.
Some patients only desire a neck lift. Here, an incision is made in front of the ear and under the chin. This operation is usually performed under local anaesthesia.
After the operation
A facelift is usually not a painful experience. Painkillers are often not necessary. A light tingling sensation of the skin is quite normal and this will eventually disappear automatically in time. It is caused by the healing that takes place under the skin. However, your face may be swollen the first week after surgery and some parts of the skin, especially around the neck, may turn blue.
In the beginning your face will feel somewhat strange. The first few weeks you will see the scar and there may be some swelling and bruising. Recovery often takes place quicker than the patients expect. You can resume your normal life after 10 to 14 days. Full normalization and recovery take a lot longer, but this is not noticeable to the outside world. The scars are barely visible and lines and wrinkles in face and neck have become smoothened. You look years younger. The ageing process cannot be stopped by a facelift and in about ten years you might consider a new treatment. However, the result of a facelift is forever: you have put back a step in time.
Anaesthesia
You can choose between local and general anaesthesia. It is very important that side effects of general anaesthesia remain minimal. We do everything that is possible to prevent pain and nausea after surgery.
Complications
Any medical intervention carries a certain degree of risk. The risk of possible complications is reduced to a minimum only when the facial correction is performed by an experienced surgeon.
Any medical intervention carries a certain degree of risk. The risk of possible complications is reduced to a minimum only when the facial correction is performed by an experienced surgeon.
A rejuvenated face
During the first months after surgery, you will weekly observe some small changes. After about six months, everything is back to normal, even the sensitiveness of your skin. The scars will then be faded to fine, smooth white lines.