What to do before your procedure?
At your initial consultation with Dr. Marciales, you will discuss your medical history and receive a physical exam. He must be healthy and have realistic goals for his procedure. Dr. Marciales will make recommendations based on his expectations and general health. In some cases, a smaller procedure may be enough to satisfy the goals of it.
Explanation of the procedure:
A facelift (rhytidectomy) is a cosmetic surgical procedure to give the face a more youthful appearance. The procedure can reduce sagging or folds of skin in the cheekbones and jawline, and other changes in the shape of the face that occur with age.
During a facelift, a flap of skin is stretched on each side of the face, and surgical changes are made to the tissues beneath the skin to give the contours of the face a more youthful shape. Before the flap is sutured, excess skin is excised.
Neck lift (platysmaplasty) is often performed as part of a facelift to reduce fat deposits and sagging skin on the neck.
A facelift will not reduce skin folds or wrinkles or sun damage. Other cosmetic procedures may address the appearance or quality of the skin.
What can I expect from a rhytidectomy procedure?
A facial rhytidectomy can be performed in a hospital or an outpatient surgical center.
Before the procedure
Sometimes the procedure is done with sedation and local anesthesia, which numbs only part of your body. In other cases, general anesthesia is recommended, which renders you unconscious.
during the procedure
In general, facial rhytidectomy lifts the skin and tightens the underlying tissues and muscles. Fat in the face and neck may be sculpted, removed, or redistributed. The facial skin is then repositioned over the newly repositioned contours of the face, excess skin is removed, and the wound is stitched or taped closed.
The incisions made in the procedure depend on the techniques used and the patient’s preferences. Some options are:
- A traditional facial rhytidectomy incision begins at the temples at the hairline, continues down and around the front of the ears, and ends behind the ears at the bottom of the scalp. An incision may be made under the chin to improve the appearance of the neck.
- A limited incision , which is shorter and begins at the hairline just above the ear, continues around the front of the ear but does not extend to the bottom of the scalp.
- The neck lift incision begins in front of the earlobe and continues around the ear to the bottom of the scalp. A small incision is also made under the chin.
Performing facial rhytidectomy generally takes between two and four hours, but it may take longer if other cosmetic procedures are performed at the same time.
Post operation:
- After a facelift, you may manifest the following:
- Mild to moderate pain
- discharge from the incisions
- Swelling
- bruises
- Numbness
- Severe pain on one side of the face or neck within 24 hours of surgery
- Short of breath
- Chest pain
- Irregular heartbeat
- Rest with your head elevated.
- Take pain relievers as recommended by your doctor.
- Put cold compresses on your face to relieve pain and reduce swelling.
What are the risks?
A facelift can cause complications. Some can be controlled with proper medical care, medication, or surgical correction. Although long-term or permanent complications are rare, they can cause significant changes in appearance. Risks include the following:
- Hematoma. Collection of blood (hematoma) under the skin causing swelling and pressure is the most common complication of a facelift. Hematoma formation, which usually occurs within 24 hours after surgery, is treated immediately with surgery to prevent damage to the skin and other tissues.
- Cicatrization. The scars from a facelift incision are permanent, although they are usually hidden by the hairline and the natural contours of the face and ears. Rarely, the incisions can cause red, raised scars. Corticosteroid injections or other treatments may be used to improve the appearance of scars.
- Nerve injury. Although rare, nerve injury can temporarily or permanently affect the nerves that control sensation or the muscles. Temporary paralysis of a select muscle, causing an uneven facial appearance or expression, or temporary loss of sensation, can last from a few months to a year. Surgical interventions may offer some improvements.
- Hair loss. You may experience temporary or permanent hair loss near the incision sites. Permanent hair loss can be treated with surgery to transplant skin with hair follicles.
- skin loss Rarely, a facelift can cut off the blood supply to the facial tissues. This can cause skin loss (peeling). Scaling is treated with medication, proper wound care, and, if necessary, a procedure to minimize scarring.
Like any other type of major surgery, a facelift has a risk of bleeding, infection, and adverse reactions to anesthesia. Certain diseases or lifestyle habits can also increase the risk of complications. The following factors may pose a significant risk or cause unfavorable results, for which your doctor may advise against a facelift.
- Supplements or anticoagulant medications. Medications or supplements that thin the blood can affect the blood’s ability to clot and increase the risk of bruising after surgery. These medications include blood thinners (Coumadin, Plavix, or others), aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, ginseng, Ginkgo biloba, fish oil, and others.
- Diseases. If you have a disease that prevents blood from clotting, you will not be able to undergo a facelift. Other conditions, such as poorly controlled diabetes or high blood pressure, increase the risk of poor wound healing, bruising, and heart complications.
- smoking. Smoking greatly increases the risk of poor wound healing, bruising, and skin loss after a facelift.
- Weight fluctuation. If you have a history of repeated cycles of weight gain and loss (factors that affect the shape of the face and the condition of the skin), the result of the surgery may not be satisfactory or may be satisfactory only for a short time.
Call +66 43 880 147 for more information or to make an appointment.
