What is a face lift. As we age, gravity, sun exposure, & the stresses of daily life can be seen in our faces. Creases form between the nose & mouth, the jaw line grows slack & jowly & folds & fat deposits appear around the neck. A face lift can "set back the clock," improving visible signs of aging by removing excess fat, tightening underlying muscles, & re-draping the skin of your face & neck. A face lift can be done alone, or w/ other procedures such as a forehead lift, eyelid surgery, or nose reshaping. How is the procedure performed? Most face lifts are performed under local anesthesia, combined w/ a sedative to make you drowsy. You'll be awake but relaxed, & your face will be insensitive to pain. A face lift usually takes several hours to complete. Incisions usually begin above the hairline at the temples, extend in a natural line in front of the ear (or just inside the cartilage at the front of the ear) , & continue behind the earlobe to the lower scalp. If the neck needs work, a small incision may also be made under the chin. In general, dr. bootstaylor will separate the skin from the fat & muscle below. Fat may be trimmed or suctioned from around the neck & chin to improve the contour. Dr. bootstaylor then tightens the underlying muscle & membrane, pulls the skin back, & removes the excess. Stitches secure the layers of tissue & close the incisions. How quickly will i heal? You should be up & about in a day or two, but plan on taking it easy for the first week after surgery. Be especially gentle w/ your face & hair, since your skin will be both tender & numb, & may not respond normally at first. Dr. bootstaylor will give you specific guidelines for gradually resuming your normal activities. They're likely to include these suggestions: avoid strenuous activity, including sex & heavy housework, for at least two weeks (walking & mild stretching are fine) ; avoid alcohol, steam baths, & saunas for several months. Above all, get plenty of rest & allow your body to spend its energy on healing. Expect by the third week, you'll look & feel much better. Most patients are back at work about ten days to two weeks after surgery. If you need it, special camouflage makeup can mask most bruising that remains. What are my risks? Complications w/ face lift surgery are infrequent & usually minor. Still, individuals vary greatly in their anatomy, their physical reactions, & their healing abilities. Dr. bootstaylor will give you clear & specific directions for creating the best possible outcome.
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