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WHAT IS A FACELIFT?
As we age, the skin on our face begins to lose elasticity, resulting in sagging skin, lines and folds, jowls, or excess fat throughout our faces and the neck that can cause wrinkles like pronounced nasolabial folds and other aesthetic concerns. A facelift is a surgical procedure done to improve these visible signs of aging face and neck for a more youthful appearance.
WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR FACELIFT SURGERY?
Men and women who are experiencing sagging skin in their midface or jawline, deep creases from the nose to the mouth or from the mouth to the chin (marionette lines), lost facial volume, sagging jowls, or a double chin may be able to benefit from a facelift. Non-smokers and patients in good general health are the best candidates for various facelift procedures. The best way to see if you are a candidate is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Fichadia.
BEFORE & AFTER
FACELIFT CASE 1
THE FACELIFT PROCEDURE
There are multiple facelift techniques available, including the traditional facelift and the limited incision facelift. The technique that is best suited for your concerns, age, and ability to take time off for the healing process to be finished will be discussed with your facial plastic surgeon during initial consultations.
Traditional Facelift
Traditional facelift incisions begin at the hairline near the temples, and continue around the ear, ending in the lower scalp. Fat is redistributed and sculpted in the mid to lower face, jowls, and neck, and underlying tissues are repositioned. The deeper layers of the face and muscles may also be lifted, and excess skin is trimmed away. It includes a neck lift.
Dr. Fichadia understands that facial aging includes loss of volume in the cheek area, and routinely combines fat grafting to these areas to ensure beautiful results. Additionally, in most cases, the deeper soft tissues can be re-secured to the underlying musculature in what’s known as a deep plane facelift for more natural-looking, longer-lasting results.
Limited Incision Facelift
The limited incision facelift uses shorter incisions, which begin at the temple and continue around the ear. This technique is usually done for patients with less sagging skin, as the results are not as dramatic as a traditional facelift. This more minimally invasive procedure can be done with local anesthesia in the office, resulting in much quicker recovery and lower cost.
Neck Lift
A neck lift is often done in conjunction with a facelift to address sagging jowls and loose skin on the neck, but can occasionally be done alone. Incisions often begin near the earlobe and continue around behind the ear, ending in the posterior hairline.
RESULTS AND RECOVERY AFTER A FACELIFT
Dr. Fichadia’s approach to a facelift is individualized with careful analysis of the degree of facial aging in each individual patient. Following a facelift, a compression garment should be worn to reduce swelling in the treated area(s). Patients can also reduce swelling by reclining rather than lying down, and keeping their head elevated. Any discomfort can be controlled with pain medication. Drains are removed the day after surgery.
Allow at least two to three weeks for the facial bruising and swelling to subside and for sutures to begin healing before resuming light-duty work. Strenuous exercise, bending, and lifting should be avoided for 2-4 weeks. Direct sun exposure should also be avoided to reduce the chance of irregular pigmentation. Scars tend to mature over 6 months, by which point they can be camouflaged with makeup and hair.
RESULTS AND RECOVERY AFTER A FACELIFT
Dr. Fichadia’s approach to a facelift is individualized with careful analysis of the degree of facial aging in each individual patient. Following a facelift, a compression garment should be worn to reduce swelling in the treated area(s). Patients can also reduce swelling by reclining rather than lying down, and keeping their head elevated. Any discomfort can be controlled with pain medication. Drains are removed the day after surgery.
Allow at least two to three weeks for the facial bruising and swelling to subside and for sutures to begin healing before resuming light-duty work. Strenuous exercise, bending, and lifting should be avoided for 2-4 weeks. Direct sun exposure should also be avoided to reduce the chance of irregular pigmentation. Scars tend to mature over 6 months, by which point they can be camouflaged with makeup and hair.
Facial Rejuvenation Through Facelift in Portland, OR
When you start to notice that the face reflected at you in the mirror looks older than you feel, it may be time to consider a facial rejuvenation plan, including facial surgery, to help you feel more confident in how you present yourself to the world. Those in or near Portland who are looking to turn back the clock with a facelift can contact our office to schedule a consultation. We would be happy to answer any questions that you may have.
Facelift FAQs
How long does facelift last?
How painful is a facelift?
What is a good age for a facelift?
Should I get a facelift or fillers?
Are facelifts safe?
Does a mini facelift tighten the neck?
Dr. Fichadia is a double board-certified, comprehensively trained plastic and reconstructive surgeon. She completed general surgical training at St Elizabeth’s Medical Center, an affiliate of Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, MA, and subsequently completed a highly competitive plastic surgery program at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, OR. She has presented research from her time in Boston and Portland at national and international surgical meetings such as Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons and annual meeting of American Society of Plastic Surgery.
