What is a facelift?
Technically known as rhytidectomy, a facelift is a surgical procedure to improve visible signs of aging in the face and neck, such as, sagging in the midface, deep creases below the lower eyelids, deep creases along the nose extending to the corner of the mouth, fat that has fallen or is displaced, loss of muscle tone in the lower face may create jowls, loose skin and excess fatty deposits under the chin and jaw can make even a person of normal weight appear to have a double chin. Rejuvenation procedures typically performed in conjunction with a facelift are brow lift, to correct a sagging or deeply furrowed brow, and eyelid surgery to rejuvenate aging eyes.
Face Lift
Variations of Facelift Surgery
Depending on the degree of change you’d like to see, your rhytidectomy surgery choices include a traditional facelift, limited incision facelift or a neck lift.
Traditional Facelift
A traditional facelift incision often begins in the hairline at the temples, continues around the ear and ends in the lower scalp. Fat may be sculpted or redistributed from the face, jowls and neck. Underlying tissue is repositioned, commonly the deeper layers of the face and the muscles are also lifted.
Skin is redraped over the uplifted contours and excess skin is trimmed away. A second incision under the chin may be necessary to further improve an aging neck. Sutures or skin adhesives close the incisions.
Mini Facelift Surgery
A mini-face lift attempts to improve upon the shortcomings of the traditional face lift.
It may involve a shorter incision, different incision line, and may even involve different methods of pull of the SMAS layer.
A mini-face lift typically takes between 1 ½-2 ½ hours and has a shorter recovery of about 7-10 days in most cases. There is also a much lower chance of injury to the facial nerves because the pull of the SMAS is generally done without elevating it. Since the nerves are underneath the SMAS, the chance of injury is considerably lower. However, this procedure gives limited results and does not address all of the issues that come with the aging process of the face.
Sagging jowls, loose neck skin and fat accumulation under the chin may be corrected with a neck lift. The neck lift incision often begins in front of the ear lobe and wraps around behind the ear ending in the lower scalp.
Neck Lift
Anesthesia risks
Bleeding
Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
Facial nerve injury with weakness
Fluid accumulation
Unsatisfactory results may include asymmetry, unsatisfactory surgical scar location and unacceptable visible deformities at the ends of the incisions
Temporary or permanent hair loss at the incisions
Unfavorable scarring
Risks
Persistent pain
Poor wound healing and skin loss
Prolonged swelling
Skin irregularities and discoloration
Sutures may spontaneously surface through the skin, become visible or produce irritation that require removal.
Infection
Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
Loss of skin & non-healing
Excessive bleeding
Possible need for hospitalization and blood transfusion (extremely rare)
Facial nerve and deformities
Hematoma (Collection of blood under the skin)
Possible need for revision and/or further surgery.
The Process
Meet with the Surgeon
Create a surgical plan that is right for you.
Schedule your surgery.
Get a medical clearance to clear you for surgery.
Schedule your pre-op before surgery.
Take pre-op photos.
Have surgery.
Return to the office for your post-op visit.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about our procedures, or if you would like to schedule a consultation, please don't hesitate to contact us.
El Doctor Habla Español.
Address: 7020 Van Nuys Blvd. Van Nuys, CA 91405
Phone: (818) 780-7900
Email: info@johnyermianmd.com
Our office hours are Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. If you need to reach us outside of these hours, please leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Thank you for choosing Plaza Outpatient Surgery Center. We look forward to serving you.