Aging is a normal part of life and wrinkles are unavoidable. However, if you look in the mirror and are bothered by the formation of wrinkles and the gathering of fat in your face, chin and jaw, the procedure known as the 'Facelift' may be a viable option for you. The Facelift, or rhytidectomy, has been developed to lessen the effects of age:

• Sagging, droopy skin around the eyes and cheeks
• Deep wrinkles below the eyes
• Deep wrinkles between the underside of the nose and the top lip of the mouth
• Asymmetry due to unwanted fatty deposits
• The appearance of droopy, fatty skin under the jaw
• Double chin, even if you are normal weight in other areas of your body

The facelift can restore your sagging facial muscles and loose skin to a younger looking state, however, the facelift procedure is often supplemented by other restorative procedures such eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty and other non-surgical treatments to create a rejuvenated, youthful look to your face. If you approach the facelift surgery with realistic expectations, acknowledging that perhaps you can slow the aging process down, but that you can't stop it, you may be a good candidate for facelift surgery.

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As with any cosmetic enhancement surgery, you should first consider your motivations for surgery to be sure that you're choosing surgery for yourself and not to fulfill someone else's' desires or expectations of you or your body. It is a very personal matter and any decision for surgery should come after careful consideration of all the facts and emotions involved.

The facelift procedure may be an option, if you:

• Are physically healthy and free from any life-threatening illness or disease
• Don't smoke
• Have realistic expectations and motivations for surgery

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In order to create the best possible results from your facelift t is important that your surgeon consult with you to discuss your desires and expectations, as well as how the facelift surgery will impact your health, lifestyle and general well-being. It is a good idea to prepare by considering the following before your consultation:

• General medical history, including the results of laboratory work and past surgeries
• A detailed account of current prescription medications, supplements (vitamins or others) that you take
• Any use of tobacco or other drugs
• What are your motivations for surgery? What are your expectations?

At the consultation, your surgeon will also:

• Evaluate your current health
• Evaluate the extent of corrective surgery needed to achieve the results desired
• Photographically document the facial area
• Based on the information gathered, your surgeon will discuss your surgical options and recommend a course of treatment
• Disclose the risk of common complications associated with facelift surgery and the use of anesthesia
• Cover what to do the day of surgery
• Cover post-operative care and recovery

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In the weeks before surgery, your surgeon may request:

• Further laboratory testing or medical evaluations
• Adjusting current prescriptions
• That you avoid the consumption of alcohol, drugs and abstain from smoking for a certain period surrounding surgery

Finally, your surgeon will go over the options you may have regarding the geographic location of your surgery. Typically, facelift procedures are performed in an accredited surgical center, outpatient ambulatory surgical center or a hospital.

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Anesthesia

Depending on your individual circumstances, your doctor will suggest either intravenous or general anesthesia.

There are several supplemental options that can accompany the facelift procedure:

• Addition of soft tissues to rejuvenate the structure of the face
• Non-surgical techniques used to enhance the elasticity, texture and surface of the skin
• Injections to fill deep wrinkles
• Facial implants

The Incision

The length and positioning of the incisions depend on the extent of correction needed to yield the results desired. Three options are available to fit your needs and desires: complete facelift, limited incision facelift and a neck lift.

The complete facelift incision follows the hairline from the temples to the lower scalp, around the top of the ear. The facial mask is then pulled away, allowing for the underlying fatty tissues and muscles to be repositioned or lifted.

The facial mask is then reapplied over the repositioned tissues and the excess skin is removed.

The limited facelift utilizes shorter, smaller incisions at the hairline of the temple, along the ear and oftentimes under the upper lip. The neck lift procedure will remove loose and sagging skin and fatty deposits from the neck area. The incision extends from the lower part of the earlobe around and behind the ear to the lower scalp.

Closing the Incisions

The beauty, so to speak, of the facelift is that scarring is minimal and incision lines are hidden under hairlines and within the natural contours of the face. If the procedure is done correctly, the results should be noticeable, but not obvious, creating a youthful look that is recognizable as your face. The results should not make your face look 'plastic' or stretched to the point that the natural contours and character of your face is removed.

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As with any cosmetic enhancement surgery, you should first consider your motivations for surgery to be sure that you're choosing surgery for yourself and not to fulfill someone else's desires or expectations of you or your body. It is a very personal matter and any decision for surgery should come after careful consideration of all the facts and emotions involved.

Ultimately, the decision to undergo the face lift procedure is yours alone. After careful consideration of both the risks and benefits of surgery, you'll have to weigh the risks against the potential benefits to make an informed decision that you can live with. Your health care professional will go over all potential risks of surgery and will make themselves available to answer any and all of your questions.

Here is a listing of some of the risks associated with face lift surgery:

• Adverse scarring
• Excessive bleeding (hematoma)
• Infection
• Complications associated with scar healing, including pain associated with surgery
• Fluids aggregation
• Leg swelling that won't go away
• Skin loosening persists
• Potential risks of anesthesia use
• Blood clots
• Facial nerve damage
• Numbness
• Asymmetry of facial features
• Potential necessity for revisioning surgery

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Here are some important questions to ask your doctor before surgery:

• Where will I recover directly after surgery?
• Will I be prescribed any post-surgery medications?
• How often do my bandages need to be changed and when will they be removed permanently?
• When will the stitches be removed?
• How soon will I need to return for a follow-up visit?

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Although the initial results of the surgery may be obscured by swelling and discoloration, after 3 to 6 months, the scars will begin to smooth and swelling will go down.

As with anyone, sun protection should be a regular part of your lifestyle, post facelift surgery. A healthy lifestyle, including a healthy diet and exercise will also extend the results of your facelift surgery, allowing the benefits of facelift surgery to unfold for many years to come.

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Cost depends on many varying factors, including the experience of the surgeon and the location of the procedure. Be sure to interview several surgeons when doing your research so you can get a clear picture of your options. Oftentimes, higher cost is not indicative of higher quality; but, it can also be said that you get what you pay for. Shop around and do your homework.

Costs you can expect to incur:

• Surgeon's fee
• Facility fee
• Anesthesiologist
• Medications
• Laboratory tests

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