Facelift
For those seeking a younger, more vibrant look, facelift surgery offers a highly effective method of reducing telltale signs of aging.
Sun damage, stress and pollutants all have a profound effect on the skin. In time, these effects show themselves in the form of fine lines, wrinkles, excess skin and other types of skin damage that can make a person appear older. Facelift surgery, performed by Dr. Robert Colgrove at Vinings Surgery Center, is an excellent option for those seeking a solution to “crow’s feet” at the corners of the eyes, a sagging jaw line (jowls), and other telling effects of skin damage or age.
Candidates
Now more and more women and men are finding that a facelift is the answer for them. The best candidates for this procedure are men and women over age 40 whose face and neck have started to sag but have good skin elasticity. Strong and well-defined bone structure is also a plus. After the recuperation period, often no one can tell that you have had a facelift, yet you can look as much as 10 years younger. Many of our patients say, “I wish I’d done it sooner.”
Consultation
Dr. Colgrove will customize your facelift procedure to achieve an appearance that is noticeably toned and youthful. Because the facelift is tailored to your specific needs, it is possible to attain natural-looking results including the following:
- Tighter facial muscles
- Smoother facial contour
- Reduced amount of sagging facial skin
- Diminished appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Addition of volume with fat grafting
Procedure
During the facelift procedure, Dr. Colgrove will make an incision that begins at the hairline above the ear and follows the natural curves of the ear and ends at the hair behind the ear. A small incision can also be made beneath the chin, in the neck. Through these incisions, Dr. Colgrove will tighten the underlying facial muscles and stretch the skin to create a natural, rested, more youthful appearance.
A facelift usually takes several hours, depending on the number of procedures being done. A facelift can be done alone or in conjunction with other procedures such as a forehead lift, eyelid surgery or nose reshaping. For extensive procedures, separate sessions may be scheduled.
Facelifts are performed at Vinings Surgery Center in Atlanta. They typically are done on an outpatient basis and general anesthesia is used. Certain conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure should be monitored after surgery and may also require a short inpatient stay. Local anesthesia is acceptable for “minor” facelifts or facelift revision.
Risks and Recovery
When a facelift is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor. Still, since individuals vary greatly in their anatomy, physical reactions and healing abilities, the outcome is never completely predictable.
Complications that can occur include hematoma (a collection of blood under the skin that must be removed by the surgeon), injury to the nerves that control facial muscles (usually temporary), infection, and reactions to the anesthesia. Poor healing of the skin is most likely to affect smokers.
Following facelift surgery with Dr. Colgrove, patients will require some time to recover (though discomfort and bruising are generally minimal). Bandages will be changed the day following the procedure and check to see if the recovery process is going as planned. Sutures will be removed within a week of the procedure. In most cases, the patient will be able to return to work within a week or two. Patients may begin applying makeup again within a week.
Dr. Colgrove will have a follow-up with each patient in the weeks following the facelift surgery to ensure that the recovery process is going well. Most patients are back at work about ten days to two weeks after surgery. Bruising usually fades within two weeks, and after a few days you will be permitted to wear camouflage makeup. The average facelift done today lasts 10 to 15 years and follow-up procedures can be performed to keep you looking as good as possible for many more years.
Results
The results are permanent, however having a facelift doesn’t stop the clock. Your face will continue to age with time, and you may want to repeat the procedure one or more times—perhaps 5 or 10 years later. But in another sense, the effects of even one facelift are lasting; years later, you’ll continue to look better than if you’d never had a facelift at all.