What it is
Aging skin can be attributed to many factors such as sun damage, heredity, stress, thinning of the skin and loss of fat. Over time, these factors cause the skin to lose elasticity and tone. Facelift surgery is the best option for correcting droopy and saggy skin.
Facelifts can correct several issues such as:
Droopy, sagging, loose and excess skin
Deep lines and wrinkles
Fat loss
Sagging jowls
Options
There are several ways to perform a face lift. Dr Rizis will choose the appropriate one for you upon consultation.
Upper Facelift:
Traditional Facelift:
Traditional Facelifts are performed through a larger incision that starts in the hairline (around the temples), goes around the ear and ends in the lower scalp. A smaller incision under the chin may also be required in some cases. Traditional facelift surgery permits the surgeon to lift and tighten the deeper face muscles and tissues. It also makes it possible to sculpt, redistribute and reposition fat to areas that may need it.
Mini-Lift:
For patients with less skin laxity, the Lower Face and Neck Lift can also be an option. Incisions at the temples are shorter and continue around the lower part of the ear.
Lower Face and Neck Lift:
Facelifts are commonly performed in combination with other surgeries such as eyelid surgery. When undergoing facelift surgery, patients occasionally opt for added CO2 Facial Resurfacing to offer a greater transformation of skin texture. After surgery, some patients also have fillers injected to restore volume loss in key areas of the face.
Approximate duration of surgery
4 hours
Anesthesia
Facelifts are normally performed under general anesthesia.
Post-Op Care
Facelifts are often performed as day surgeries. You will therefore be home on the first night and for the remainder of your recovery. Occasionally, patients stay in the recovery room overnight, but are never kept more than 24 hours. Dr Rizis will see you within the first 3 to 5 days to remove sutures and bandages as well as to assess your scars. Recovery continues for a few weeks until the swelling has significantly subsided. It may take 2 to 3 months for the face to feel "back to normal" in terms of texture, sensibility and loss of tightness. Most patients resume normal activities such as work, driving, showering and exercise within the first 10-15 days.
Potential Risks & Complications
Although unlikely, all surgical procedures pose potential health risks. During the pre-operative consultation, Dr Rizis will go over all possible risks and complications as well as pertinent procedure information.