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FACELIFT
Various types of facelift can be performed and at the design
most suited to your needs will be discussed with you.
During the operation, the skin and deeper tissues of your
face are tightened as much as is possible. The tension is held
with deep stitches which are inserted in the temple area and up
behind the ear over the bone of the skull. This helps to hold
both the skin and the deeper tissues in place. Tension cannot be
put on the skin around the earlobe because it would become
deformed. Facial ageing has occurred because of loss of
elasticity within your skin. If this is severe, the effect may
be that the facial skin stretches once again and leaves you with
some jowling once the scars have settled. We cannot guarantee to
achieve the result we both desire.
The operation is lengthy and you would need to be in hospital
for one or two nights after the procedure.
It will take you approximately a month to recover from the
immediate effects of the operation. The bruising and swelling
should be settled by three weeks after the operation. The face
will feel tight for some months after surgery and the sensation
in the skin returns to normal over six months. During this time,
you must be careful to wear sunblock to avoid burning. The scars
will pass from your hairline, down in front of the ears, then up
in the groove behind the ear and into the hairline. They are
usually well hidden from view.
With all operations there can be problems with infection in
the wounds and some scars become lumpy and may remain raised for
up to eighteen months. The risks of wound infection, delayed
healing and loss of skin are very small. Blood clots may form
underneath the skin, despite using small tubes (drains) inserted
into the wound temporarily to collect blood. This may mean a
return trip to the operating theatre to remove the clot. There
is potential for damage to the nerve which supplies the muscles
of the face, particularly where it runs over the jaw bone and
over the cheek bone. If this occurs it may leave you with some
weakness at the corner of the mouth, or of the forehead. This is
usually temporary as it is unusual for the nerve to be cut,
though it may be pulled upon. There is also potential for damage
to the nerve that supplies sensation to the bottom of the ear.
If damaged, this is repaired and sensation usually returns over
a 2 year period. The risk of these complications is very small.
Please remember that the 'time clock' does still keep running
and you must expect that the face will tend to become lined once
again and to sag with time. Whilst we do our utmost to try to
achieve the best possible result for you, this cannot be
guaranteed. If subsequent revision procedures are required,
there may be additional fees.
It is also inadvisable to be on regular Aspirin containing
tablets, rheumatic-type drugs like Nurofen and Brufen, or Ginkgo
Biloba, as these can cause bleeding. You should discontinue them
not less than 1 week before the operation. Smoking affects your
skin blood vessels and makes both bleeding after operation and
the risk of skin dying, more likely. If you are in doubt about
any of these points please consult us or your doctor.
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