Facelift Information (Platysmaplasty)

A facelift restores smoother, more pleasing contours to your face and neck. It can help you look as good as you feel, and perhaps feel younger than you are. Any one or combination of the following conditions may indicate that you are a good candidate for a facelift; a deep line, or fold, running from the corner of your nose to the corner of your mouth, jowls, or loss of a well-defined jawline associated with youthfulness, deep wrinkles in the cheeks and sagging of the "highlight" areas of the cheekbones, and loose skin, wrinkles, vertical "cords" or excess fatty tissue in the neck.

Consultation

Dr. Stewart will examine your face and take photographs for your medical record. You may be asked to look in a mirror and point out exactly what you would like to see improved. Sometimes, patients may focus their attention on excess skin in the upper eyelids and not realize that sagging of their eyebrows contributes to this skin redundancy. You should be very frank in discussing anything about your appearance that bothers you, as well as what you hope to achieve with surgery. This will help Dr. Stewart understand your expectations and determine whether they can realistically be achieved.

In evaluating you for facelift surgery, Dr. Stewart will assess the thickness, texture and elasticity of your skin, and the severity of wrinkles and folds. Your hairline will be examined to determine where incisions can be discreetly placed. All of these factors, as well as your bone structure and underlying tissues, will be considered in developing an individual surgical plan.

Dr. Stewart may discuss with you additional procedures that can be performed along with a facelift in order to address all the concerns you have identified. For example, a facelift is frequently combined with a forehead lift, eyelid surgery, nose reshaping or skin treatments such as a chemical peel, dermabrasion or laser resurfacing.

Return to Work

Straining, bending and lifting should be avoided during the early postoperative period. In many instances, you will be able to resume most of your normal activities within two weeks and begin to exercise three to four weeks after surgery. You will be instructed to temporarily avoid exposure to direct sunlight and, for the long-term, to be conscientious about the use of a sunblock to protect your skin.

Understanding Risks

Fortunately, significant complications from facelifts are infrequent. Every year, many thousands of people undergo successful facelift surgery, experience no major problems and are pleased with the results. Anyone considering surgery, however, should be aware of both the benefits and risks.

I understand that every surgical procedure has risks, but how will I learn more so that I can make an informed decision?

The subject of risks and potential complications of surgery is best discussed on a personal basis between you and Dr. Stewart, or with a staff member in our office.

Some of the potential complications that will be discussed with you include hematoma (an accumulation of blood under the skin that may require removal), infection and reactions to anesthesia. While plastic surgeons are trained in techniques for safely manipulating facial skin and tissue, injury to underlying structures is possible, though it is usually only temporary. Facelift incisions are most often inconspicuous, but this is not entirely predicable due to individual variations in healing.

You can help minimize certain risks by following the advice and instructions of your plastic surgeon, both before and after surgery.

How is my plastic surgeon able to restore a firmer, fresher look to my face?

Through the discreet facelift incisions, Dr. Stewart is able to free the skin from the underlying tissues to the extent necessary for the particular surgical technique selected. After the skin has been pulled up and back, the excess is removed. In some instances, the deeper tissues may also need to be repositioned in order to restore a more youthful contour to your face. If necessary, a small incision beneath the chin permits the removal of fatty tissue in that area and smoothing of the cord-like structures of the underlying muscle in the neck.