Genetics, sun damage, and even weight changes effect how women and men look as they age, often making them look older than they feel. A facelift is a surgical procedure to reduce sagging of the mid-face, jowls and neck. The goal is to relocate sagging muscle and facia (known as SMAS) in mainly a vertical direction and remove excess skin; ti may involve removal of excess fat in the neck and jowls, and transfer of ones' own fat to help restore lost volume. The facelift surgery is often performed in conjunction a brow lift and eyelid surgery.
Dr. Slywka, known for his gentle, healing touch, artistry and experience, will help you determine your goals and provide the evaluation and plan for the best, most natural-looking results.
Depending on the degree of aging changes, genetics and body weight, the facelift surgery is designed to produce the best result with the least amount of surgery. If there are no prominent muscle bands in the anterior neck, an under chin incision may not be necessary; if there is no excess fat in the neck or jowls, a sculpting of fat may require only a redistribution rather than its excision.
Dr. Slywka performs a vertical facelift similar to a MACS-lift but with incisions in front and behind the ears following the natural crease lines to help blending of resulting scar lines. There are strong, deep supporting sutures to elevate and tighten the underlying fascia and muscles; these sutures eventually dissolve. The skin is redraped over the uplifted contours and the excess is trimmed with incisions being closed with nylon sutures that need to be removed. Usually a drainage tube is placed over night and a supportive head dressing for three or four days.
Short scar facelifts (with incisions only in front of the ears) and a neck lift alone are rarely done. The traditional forehead lift (coronoplasty) which involves an incision from ear to ear is less often performed, usually a lateral temporal forehead lift is more common; this involves a smaller incision but does not correct frown lines (consider Botox). Dr. Slywka does not perform endoscopic forehead lifts.
Facelift surgeries are performed in our private, in-office surgical suite, which is AAAASF accredited and has a private rear exit as well as the main entrance. We provide the highest standard of safety, care and privacy.
Facelifts are usually performed under general anesthesia, if more limited, with intravenous sedation. Anesthesia a provided by experienced CRNAs (certified registered nurse anesthetists), who are always present for your entire procedure and discharge.
When your procedure is completed, a gauze bandage is placed around your face to reduce swelling and bruising. A thin tube may be present to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect under the skin; it is connected to a suction bottle and is usually removed the next day. Specific instructions for after care will be given to your caretaker and during follow up visits. Specific medications are prescribed.
Dr. Slywka and his staff will give extensive advice regarding your surgery and any risks during your consultation and pre-op and post-op appointments. It may take several months for swelling to fully dissipate and for incision lines to mature and fade. A healthy lifestyle with sun protection will help extend the results of your rejuvenated, more youthful appearance.
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