FACELIFT

What is a facelift?

A facelift is a surgical procedure used to rejuvenate the face.  A complete facelift includes the forehead, eyelids, face and neck. Through strategically placed incisions in the hairline, in front of the ears and behind the ears, the facial skin is lifted, pulled and excess skin is cut out to achieve a younger looking face.  The scars after this procedure are practically invisible in most cases. The main objective of this surgery is to get a younger and more refreshed looking face, NOT a pulled or unnatural one.

Am I a candidate for this procedure?

With age, most patients feel that their facial features don’t match their level of energy or how they feel inside.  The main changes with aging are excess hanging skin and volume loss. If you feel your face has lost its elasticity and hangs more than normal, especially in the jawline and neck areas, a facelift is the solution for you.

What do I need to know about this procedur?

A facelift is a 5-hour procedure and its usually performed under general anesthesia.  Only in special cases do we perform it under local anesthesia with sedation.  After surgery, patients usually stay overnight in one of our hospital suites and go home the next day. Patients leave surgery with a drain, which is taken out 2 days post-op.

Are there risks involved?

Every patient that goes into an operating room for surgery needs to be aware that risks do exist.  However, complications in this specific procedure are extremely rare.  Dr. Mejia will go over all the possible risks of this procedure with you during the initial consultation.  It is very important that you are honest with Dr. Mejia about your medical history and habits for things to go as smooth as possible.

What is the aftercare like?

After surgery, you will have heavy bandages and a drain. Don’t take off either. You will stay overnight at one of our hospital suites. The next day, Dr. Mejia will take off the bandages and give you a facelift compression garment to wear 24/7 for the first week. The drain is taken out the second day post-op. The first 2-3 nights, you should sleep with your head elevated (two or three pillows) to help with the swelling.   Apply cold compresses over your eyes and face for the first 3 days to help with the swelling.  Sun block during the day and cream for the bruises at night is the only thing that should be applied on the face the first couple of weeks post op. When the bruising disappears, sun block should continue for at least 3 months post-op. The first few days post-op, sunglasses and scarfs can help hide the bruises and swelling.  You can wash your hair and face daily.  Avoid strong physical activity and smoking for the first four weeks.  Hair dyes can be started 4 weeks after surgery. The final result of your facelift can be seen 3-6 months after when all the swelling subsides.

How much downtime is there?

Patients can usually go back to their normal activities 10 days after surgery.  Final results are seen 3-6 months after surgery when all the swelling disappears.