Now You Can Wipe The Years Away,
Remove Wrinkles And Lines, And Look Young Again
With A Facelift From Dr. Vu
- Face Lift (Rhytidectomy) Quick Glance
- Face Lift (Rhytidectomy) Surgery Risks
- Face Lift (Rhytidectomy)Surgery Postoperative Care
Has age and gravity finally caught up with you?
Is you face sagging?
To many lines and wrinkles?
Is everything dropping down and you find your ears really have been lowered? Time to turn back the clock?
With aging we develop lines and creases on our faces, due to the effects of gravity, exposure to the sun, and the stresses of daily life. Deep creases and lines form on the forehead, the face, there is jowling along the jawline, folds and fat deposits appear around the neck.
Sometimes we need to turn back the clock, to improve the visible sign of aging. With this in mind, a facelift (rhytidectomy) surgery performed by removing the excess fat and skin, tightening the underlying muscles, and redraping the skin of the face and neck to rejuvenate our face.
In the temporal area, Dr. Vu can make the incisions within the hairline or in front of the hairline. If made in front, the scars will be visible but the hairline will not change. Scars made within the hairline cause the hair to move up and slightly backward when the lift is done. We find it best to place the preauricular (in front of the ear) scar behind the tragus (the small flap at the external opening of the ear), as that incision is least noticeable.
Schedule Your Face Lift Consultation With Dr. Vu Today By Calling 503.297.8555 or Toll Free 866.297.8522.
This is a procedure covered by CosmetAssure. Learn how Dr. Vu protects you from any potential financial burden from complications by visiting our Complications Assurance page.
Facelift Surgery – A Quick Glance
Who is a Facelift Candidate?
- If you have experienced a loss of skin elasticity and muscle tone of the face and neck.
- If you have the appearance of jowls and deep creases between the base of the nose and the corners of the mouth.
- If you have developed facial and neck wrinkles.
- If you believe you lack youthful chin and neck contours.
- If you think you have a tired facial appearance.
Facelift Intended Results
- A more rested and youthful contour to the face and neck.
Facelift Procedure
Facelifts range in size from “mini” to “standard” depending on location and extent of skin laxity. The operation is done on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia with sedation, or under general anesthesia. Incisions are made within the hairline (or along the hair margin) above the ear, extending down around the lobe and ending in or below the hairline behind the ear. The subcutaneous layers and neck muscles are tightened, the facial skin is redraped and lifted, and the excess skin is removed.
Facelift Recuperation and Healing
- The patient goes home with head and neck wrapped in dressings, which are usually removed the next day.
- Minimal initial discomfort is easily controlled with oral medication.
- Sutures are removed within 14 days.
- Bruising and swelling decrease to “socially acceptable” levels in 10-20 days.
- The final result is evident in 4-6 weeks or sooner with continued improvement for several months.
Facelift Other Options
Additional procedures that would enhance the result are: Eyelid Lift, Brow Lift, Chemical Peel, Facial Sanding (dermabrasion), Chin Enlargement, Nose Reshaping (rhinoplasty), Fat Suction, and Laser Skin Resurfacing, Cheekbone Enhancement, Augmentation/Enhancement of Lips, Reduction of Earlobes.
Facelift Insurance Guidelines
- This procedure is considered cosmetic and therefore is not covered by insurance
- The patient is responsible for payment.
Facelift Potential Risks
No surgeries are performed without risks. Dr. Vu’s goal is to perform the planned procedure, take extra precaution during surgery, and most important of all is to be safe and yet achieve utmost optimal outcomes. Following are some of the potential risks that are commonly discussed about regarding facelift surgery.
A. Incisional scar
The incision behind the ear can also be made within or below the hairline. If made within the hairline, much of the scar will be hidden, BUT THERE WILL BE A CHANGE IN THE HAIRLINE AND THERE WILL BE MORE HAIR-FREE SKIN BEHIND YOUR EAR.
If Dr. Vu places the incision below the hairline, the hairline will remain intact, but the scar will be visible if you wear your hair up. Longer, rather than shorter, face-lift incisions produce a better result, as more skin can be removed. On the other hand, longer incisions and more skin removal mean that more changes will occur in the hairline if the incisions are placed there. Dr. Vu can attempt to reapproximate the hairline behind the ear and eliminate the notching, but usually at the expense of the overall face-lift result!
B. Hematoma
If excessive bleeding occurs under the skin after surgery, a collection of blood under the skin (a hematoma) can form. If the hematoma remains small, the body will absorb it gradually. If it becomes larger, it may need to be removed by suction. Further surgery to remove clots is uncommon, but occasionally necessary.
C. Loss of Sensation
Permanent numbness rarely occurs. When it does, it usually involves the earlobes and rarely the skin in front of the ears.
D. Skin Loss
Occasionally, poor circulation coupled with skin under tension will lead to blistering, redness, and, rarely, small areas of skin loss. Skin loss most commonly occurs behind the ears but can occur elsewhere. If this happens, it will delay healing, and superficial scarring may occur. You may require some “touch-up” procedures. (This is why we ask smokers to discontinue smoking for several weeks before and after surgery, as they are at the greatest risk for this complication).
E. Postoperative Sagging
Your surgeon will walk a tightrope during surgery. If the skin is pulled too tight, circulation diminishes and skin can die. Dr. Vu will lift or tighten your skin as much as it is safe to do. If your skin does not have normal elasticity, it may stretch or sag sooner than desired. This is not your surgeon’s fault. A subsequent small tuck can be very helpful if you have this kind of skin.
F. Nerve Injury
It is extremely rare for the main trunk of the facial nerve to be injured. Temporary damage to one of the peripheral branches is uncommon. If this should happen, you might have difficulty in moving your forehead, upper lip, or lower lip. Resolution usually occurs in a month or two; however, permanent damage remains a remote possibility. Occasionally, the sensory nerve that supplies the earlobe may incur damage despite the best efforts to preserve its function.
G. Asymmetry
No one’s face is totally symmetrical. Many people notice asymmetry for the first time when they scrutinize themselves after a face lift. Because this surgery is as much an art as a science, surgical asymmetries can occur. Further surgery is rarely necessary.
H. Chronic pain
Most face-lift procedures cause very little discomfort for more than a few days and all the skin sensation will have returned to normal in 3-5 months. In very rare cases, patients have noted chronic pain at the surgical site that lasts a year or longer(occasionally longer). Rarely, patients complain that the operated areas become superficially hot or red. These symptoms can occur following exercise or for no apparent reason and can occur for several months. The reasons for all the above symptoms are unclear and specific treatment is not known. Massage and ice packs may be symptomatically helpful. Some patience and understanding while the symptoms clear over time is “required.”
I. Swelling and pain along the parotid area
The surface of the parotid gland (a large salivary gland below and in front of the ear) is exposed as part of the procedure for tightening the deeper layers. Occasional swelling of the parotid gland or discomfort while eating may occur for 1-4 weeks after surgery. This is a self-limiting problem and will resolve without treatment.
J. Scars
Scars will occur and may go from pink and firm to faded and soft over a period of six to twelve months; some scars may widen, become depressed, or appear raised, firm, and “ropey” red which may take two years or longer to fade and soften; scars will be permanent and visible.
K. Fluid Collections
Hair Loss: Possible loss of some hair along the incisions lines on the scalp. Fluid collections may accumulate under the skin and may require drainage or aspiration (withdrawal by needle).
Facelift Postoperative Care
Special attentions are placed during your postoperative period. Dr. Vu’s goal is to make sure that you are comfortable after you leave the surgery center, and have proper instructions how to take care of yourself in order for you to have a pleasant surgical experience.
A. Dressings
The bulky dressing placed at the time of surgery puts some pressure on the areas operated on and helps soak up any external drainage of normally occurring serum and blood. If the dressing is too tight or causes pain, please call us at 503-298-8555. You may be instructed to cut part way or completely through the portion of the dressing under the chin. This will usually relieve the discomfort. Removing the entire dressing will not cause any problems, in the unlikely event that this seems to be necessary. We remove the bulky dressing the morning after surgery and replace it with a very light one, which you will remove the following day. After that, there are no more dressings.
B. Position
Dr. Vu recommends your head to be elevated after your surgery to reduce postoperative swelling. If you can, sleep on two or three pillows to keep your head above the level of your heart.
C. Drains
On each side of your face, a small drain may be placed under the skin and brought out through a small incision made in the temple. These drains evacuate the fluid that accumulates after surgery and enable you to heal faster. When the drain is first put in place, the bulb at the end of each tube will be compressed to create gentle suction. As the fluid collects in the bulb, it will expand. The drains are usually removed postoperative day one or two.
D. Bleeding
Small amounts of oozing and bleeding after surgery are normal. The bulky dressing may be stained and the size of the stain may enlarge after you go home — this is normal. If serious bleeding occurs, apply pressure and call us. Bleeding under the skin flaps that causes serious swelling and discomfort is very uncommon, but if it does occur, it requires attention and evaluation by your surgeon. Call us at 503-297-8555 immediately.
E. Sutures
The sutures will be removed 4-6 days after surgery. If you have had an incision made under your chin, those sutures also will be removed 4-6 days after surgery. The staples within the hair and the sutures behind the ear are removed 9-12 days after surgery.
F. Sunscreen and Makeup
It is imperative that your scars be protected from the sun for a good 6 months after surgery. Use a sunscreen with a skin-protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 at all times. It should be applied before your makeup. You may begin applying makeup 2 days after your sutures are removed. Speak to our nursing staff or the front office about an appointment for a skin care appointment several weeks after surgery. We provide this service to help you maximize the benefits of your “new look.”
G. Skin care
All the skin of the face and neck may feel dry and chapped after facial surgery. We recommend that you make frequent and liberal use of a good moisturizer without fragrances in it.
H. Shampoo
Forty-eight hours after surgery or 24 hours after the drains have been removed, you may wash your hair. You may prefer to have your hairdresser wash it for you. In either case, a hair dryer, if used at all, should be kept on the lowest heat setting, as your scalp may be partially numb.
I. Numbness
When the skin is separated from the underlying tissues during surgery, small sensory nerves are cut. Varying degrees of numbness will be present after surgery and will improve gradually as the nerves reconnect to the skin. This process can take from 2 months for face, neck, and cheeks to 9-12 months for the forehead and scalp.
J. Tightness
Frequently there is a tight feeling in the neck after a face lift. During surgery, not only the skin, but the underlying muscles are tightened to create a better and longer lasting result. Additionally, the swelling will move downward in the first week and the neck will feel even tighter. Do not be alarmed! You will not choke, and the sensation will
decrease during the first month.
K. Healing of Sensory Nerves
As the nerves regenerate, itching, burning, tingling, and shooting sensations will occur. Ice, moisturizers, and gentle massaging are helpful during this phase of the healing process.
L. Firmness under skin
Some degree of firmness or lumpiness under the skin is normal after surgery and will resolve with time. Local massage will speed resolution of this problem, which normally takes 2-4 months to disappear completely.
M. Asymmetric swelling
Do not be alarmed if one side of your face is slightly more swollen or numb than the other. This is common and usually disappears within a few weeks.
N. Activities
Most patients who have had face lifts feel reasonably normal within 3-4 days after surgery even though they are swollen. If you wish to do light office work, you may.
Do not, however, do any heavy activities or aerobic exercise for at least 3 weeks after surgery! Strenuous activities can cause bleeding and swelling for a longer period than is necessary.
Schedule Your Face Lift Consultation With Dr. Vu Today By Calling 503.297.8555 or Toll Free 866.297.8522.
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