FAQ

What is facelift?

Facelift is a surgical procedure to smoothen out the wrinkles and deep creases of the face and neck, remove the excess fat especially around the jaw line and tighten the underlying muscle. 

Can I undergo face-lift?
Facelift is carried out to reverse the sign of ageing on the face and neck, namely: wrinkling and sagging of the skin, presence of deep crease on either side of the mouth (nasolabial fold) and fat deposit especially around the jaw line.

Is there any other option?

Recently  “threads with hooks” have been devised to lift the sagging face skin through a small puncture. However its long term results and complications are not known. Skin resurfacing (laser/dermabrasion/chemical peel) can smoothen the skin by eliminating fine wrinkling of the skin. Various “filler materials” are available to fill out the deep creases. The effect is temporary and the filler needs to be reinjected every 6 months. However both fillers and skin resurfacing can not lift loose and sagging skin of the face and facelift is the only option in these cases.

What tests do I require to undergo prior to facelift?

Blood tests are required prior to any surgery. Additional tests such as x-ray, cardiogram, physician check-up etc may be required depending on your health status. These tests are carried out for your safety.

Do I need to have anaesthesia for the procedure?

You will be put to sleep (general anaesthesia) for the facelift.

What does facelift involve?

The incision (cut) is started in the hairline just above the ear, continues in the crease in front of the ear and extends behind the ear. The skin of the face is then lifted off the deeper tissue, pulled back and the excess trimmed. The deeper layer of fascia can also be tightened at the same time by either plicating it or by trimming off the excess, as is done for the skin. Additional maneuvers are done in some individuals to further refine the result of facelift. Liposuction in the neck area defines the jaw line. Bands in the neck are de-emphasized by stitching the muscle in the midline.

What to expect immediately after the operation?

You may have a plastic tube (drain) at the site of operation to prevent collection of blood clot. Your head will be wrapped around in a loose dressing. You will be up and about the same evening or by next morning of the operation. The dressing and the drains are usually removed in 2 days at which time you will be discharged from the hospital.

What is the recovery period like?

Once at home you will be allowed to shower and shampoo your hair. You will be prescribed antibiotic ointment to be applied to the stitch line. Light activity can be resumed immediately. However heavy activities such as gymnasium, swimming etc can be started only after 4 weeks. The stitches will be removed after 5 to 7 days. Thereafter you need to apply sunscreen lotion to protect the scars from the sunlight. Special gel may be prescribed to soften and lighten the scar.

What can go wrong?

As with any operation facelift can also be associated with certain side effects.

The swelling and occasionally bruising seen on the face, immediately after the operation can take 2 to 4 weeks to subside. Majority of the scar is hidden behind the ear and in or within the hairline and can be camouflaged with appropriate hairstyle for the first few months. The scars become barely perceptible over a period of few months and you will be then free to wear hairstyle of your choice.

What result to expect?

Facelift rejuvenates the face and reverses the sign of aging to give you a younger and fresher look. Majority of the patients is satisfied with the outcome.
 

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