Facelift

SHORT SCAR FACELIFT

Am I a good candidate for facelift surgery?

If you have sagging or loose neck skin, and/or jowls forming, it’s probably time for a facelift. Although fillers can disguise the first signs of jowling, eventually a face lift is needed to correct them.

How will my plastic surgeon evaluate me for a facelift?

During the pre-operative consultation, Dr Warfel will perform a history and physical examination. During your physical examination, your facial bone structure, underlying skin structure, skin thickness, texture, and elasticity as well as the extent of facial wrinkles and folds will be assessed. This information will be used to formulate a surgical plan and the goals of the procedure will be discussed. Generally, a facelift is a very versatile procedure, and Dr Warfel will explain the techniques that he recomends to obtain the best outcome for you based on your discussions regarding the outcome you wish to achieve.

How is a short scar facelift performed?

Dr Warfel specializes in minimal scar procedures. The short scar facelift procedure limits the incision to in front of the ear to just behind the earlobe. This technique eliminates the traditionalincisions that extend into the scalp. The hairline will not be affected.Once the incisions are made, various degrees of undermining of the skin are performed, and the deeper layers of the face are ‘lifted’. Muscle tightening as well as liposuction of the neck and jowls may be performed, and excess skin is removed and repositioned. The results tighten and re-contour the skin and soft tissues of the face to restore a healthy look of youth.

Dr Warfel prefers to do this procedure with local anesthesia. This is the safest form of anesthesia eliminating the need and risks of general anesthesia. You will be given oral medications before the surgery which will relax and calm you. Although you will be awake during the surgery you may not remember it. The area is made numb, somewhat like during a dental procedure. You will feel no pain, and won’t even require an IV line. If you are opposed to this form of anesthesia you may discuss the option of general anesthesia with Dr. Warfel.

Understanding Risks

Fortunately, significant complications from facelifts are infrequent. Every year, thousands of people undergo successful facelift surgery and are pleased with the results. However, anyone considering surgery should be aware of both the benefits and risks. These will be discussed on a personal basis with Dr. Warfel.

Some of the potential complications that may occur include hematoma (an accumulation of blood under the skin), infection, and reactions to anesthesia. While plastic surgeons are trained in techniques for safely manipulating facial skin and tissues, injury to underlying structures is possible, though usually temporary. Facelift incisions are usually quite inconspicuous; however, this is not entirely predictable due to individual variations in healing. You can help minimize certain risks by following the advice and instructions given to you by Dr. Warfel both before and after surgery.

Your Surgical Experience

The goal of our plastic surgery team is to make your surgical experience as easy and as comfortable as possible.

Pre-Operative

If you are a smoker, you will be asked to stop smoking well in advance of the surgery. Certain medications that increase the risk of bleeding such as Aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (including Advil, Ibuprofen Motrin), and some vitamins/homeopathic regimens should be discontinued prior to surgery. If your hair is short, you may want it to grow out enough to cover your incisions while they heal. Any chemical processing of your hair should be performed prior to surgery since you cannot have any of these procedures for a month of more after surgery. If your facelift will be performed on an outpatient basis, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home and stay with you for at least the first night following surgery.

Day of Surgery

Medications are administered for your comfort during the procedure. For your safety during and after the operation, various monitors are used to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.

When surgery is completed, you will be taken into a recovery area. A bandage may be wrapped around your face. Sometimes small tubes will be inserted behind your earlobes to drain away fluid that might otherwise accumulate. There is surprisingly very little discomfort experienced after facelift surgery. However, any discomfort you may experience will be controlled with pain medication as needed.

You may be permitted to go home after a few hours.

It is mandatory that you have someone to drive you home and stay with you for at least the first night following surgery

Recovery

It is important to realize that the amount of time it takes to recover from Facelift surgery varies greatly between individuals. Elevation of the head is extremely helpful in reducing the initial post-operative swelling. You can use ice packs intermittently (20 min on/ 40 min off, each hour). Ice is helpful for up to 72 hours.

You should avoid Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications for the first few days after your surgery. Smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke should be avoided to prevent delays in the healing process.

Once the dressings and drains are removed, puffiness and discoloration may be more pronounced in some portions of the face than others. Do not be alarmed by any unevenness or temporary asymmetry – this is normal. Most swelling is usually noted in the first 24 to 48 hours, and most bruising resolves within 2 weeks. Concealing makeup is usually permitted after the first week. You may experience numbness to the face post-operatively, which usually resolves within several months

Some patients find that mild swelling persists for many weeks. Most stitches are removed within a week of the surgery.

Straining, bending, and lifting should be avoided during the early post-operative period as these activities may predispose you to bleeding.

Dr. Warfel will give you specific instructions that may include caring for the dressings and incisions, directions for your analgesics and other medications, specific concerns to look for, and when to follow up in the office to monitor your healing process. It may take several months for the swelling to fully resolve, and up to 6 months for the incision scars to fully fade. Avoidance of factors that could reduce the benefits of the surgery, such as excessive unprotected sun exposure and cigarette use, is vital.

Results of Your Facelift The results of your facelift may be subtle or dramatic, depending on your appearance prior to surgery. Since the healing process is gradual, you should expect to wait several weeks for an accurate picture of your “new look”. Additional minor changes or s0ettling may occur over several months following your Facelift surgery.

How much will a facelift cost?

Cost is always a consideration in elective surgery.

The fee includes the following components:

Maintaining a Relationship with Dr. Warfel

You will return to your plastic surgeon’s office for follow up care at prescribed intervals, at which time your progress will be evaluated. The costs for these visits are included in your initial surgical fee.

Please remember that your relationship with Dr. Warfel does not end when you leave the operating room. If you have questions or concerns during your recovery from Facelift surgery, or need additional information at a later time, you should contact Dr. Warfel.