Womens Health in the News

Due to the natural aging process the older we get the more problems are seen in our face and neck due to the effects of gravity, exposure to the weather and the stress of life in general. These changes manifest as creases, wrinkles, saggy skin and fat and folds in the skin around the neck area, this is when a face-lift or Rhytidectomy can help. While the surgery cannot stop the aging process, it can turn back time a little by helping to improve the most visible signs of ageing.

Who is the face-lift suitable for?

Anyone whose face or neck has begun to show the signs of ageing and who still have elasticity in the skin is suitable for this type of surgery. While the majority of men and women who have this procedure performed are in their 40`s to 60`s, people who are in their 80`s have also had good results from it too.

The face-lift can make you look younger and give a much needed boost to your self-confidence, however it cannot change how you look with regards to facial features and it cannot restore the health and vitality to go with the younger appearance.

The surgery and recovery time

As each individual is different, then so will the procedure differ from person to person so there are no set rules and therefore the surgeon will evaluate your face on your first consultation including the skin and your underlying bone structure. The surgeon will also discuss your goals and what he can realistically achieve with the surgery, they will also discuss what the surgery involves and the type of anaesthesia they prefer to use.

Most face-lifts are performed under local anaesthesia with the patient being given a sedative to help them relax; it is usually performed on an outpatient basis with very few people needing to stay in hospital for any length of time. The actual surgery will vary from surgeon to surgeon with some preferring to work on one side of the face before moving onto the other while others prefer to work from side to side.

Whichever way the surgeon chooses to work, he will separate the skin from the underlying fat and muscle below with excess fat being suctioned or trimmed from the chin and neck to help improve the contour. The surgeon will then tighten the muscles and membrane before pulling the skin back and trimming away any excess, the surgeon will then secure the layers of tissue and close the incisions with stitches.

Following the face-lift, the surgeon will generally wrap your head loosely in bandages and this is to help minimize any swelling, you may also have a small tube placed under the skin behind the ear which is used to drain any excess blood away.

If you have a had a tube fitted this will normally be removed one or two days following the surgery with the bandages being removed one day to a week after the surgery. During this time your face may be pale, bruised and puffy but this is only natural and it will soon return to normal with most patients being able to return to week roughly two weeks after having had the surgery.