The two most common signs of facial aging noted by
patients are tired looking eyes and a sagging neck.
Wrinkles, sagging skin, jowl and neck laxity are
more and more the reason many are opting for a
face lift. This operation has become very commonly
performed, and is no longer reserved for
celebrities. Results could last 5-10 years depending
on skin, environmental exposure and genetics.
Surgical Options:
An incision is made immediately in front of the ear
extending behind the ear by the earlobe. The skin,
fat, and muscle are separated, lifted and then
re-draped to a more youthful-appearing position.
Often times, the fat and muscle are sutured in place
to prevent premature descent. Types of lifts
include: deep plane face lift, SMAS (superficial
musculoaponeurotic system) underneath the skin but
above muscles, glands, nerves and vasculature of the
face lift, and other advanced face lift techniques.
Suturing is done in a way that minimizes scarring,
rendering it virtually invisible after the initial
healing period.
Recovery:
Face Lift surgery is performed on an outpatient
basis under local and/or MAC with oral or IV
sedation and usually takes 2 to 4 hours. Stitches
are removed in 7 to 10 days. Most patients return to
work after 2 weeks. For patients interested in
traveling to southern California or Los Angeles,
face lift surgery necessitates usually a minimum one
week stay.
Doctor’s Ideology:
There are many ways to perform a face lift, thus no
cookie cutter solution to a particular face. Age is
not the determinant for when a face lift should be
done or what type of face lift but rather a
patient’s bony anatomy, skin elasticity and soft
tissue volume. There are many short cut face lifts
and thread lifts that pass sutures without incision
in an attempt to lift tissues, often these work in
the short term. I do not believe this is a great
solution to address the aging face, but rather falls
under the category of maintenance therapy which
should be repeated often. I rarely recommend the
abridged face lift. There is much apprehension
towards the face lift look. I have lectured and
published significantly on the importance of
meticulous closure around the ears to avoid the
telltale signs of a facelift, as well as pulling the
skin too much to avoid the “windswept” and “joker”
look. To date there is nothing that addresses a
sagging neck or jowls as significantly as a
facelift.
