As
we age, our facial skin loosens
and wrinkles, and the muscles of
the neck may weaken as well.
Anything that will cause the
skin to lose elasticity will
hasten the process, including
sun exposure, weight
fluctuations and heredity.
A
facelift can address these
problems by firming and
tightening the skin of the face
and neck all in one step. It is
most effective for the lower
face (jowls and neck).
A double
chin can be improved at the same
time by a surgical procedure
called supplemental lipectomy. To
effect a more complete facial
rejuvenation, facelifts are frequently
done in conjunction with other
procedures such as upper
eyelid blepharoplasty and
lower
eyelid blepharoplasty. Dr. Kremer / Dr. Zettl
may also recommend
injections of collagen
or fat.
Contrary to popular opinion, the
texture of the skin will not be
changed by a facelift. Acne scars, age
spots, fine lines and smoker’s
creases will soon return to their
original texture, no matter how tight
the skin is pulled. A facelift will
not give someone beautiful skin unless
they have beautiful skin to begin
with. However, skin treatments such as
laser
resurfacing or chemical
resurfacing can be used in
combination with a facelift to improve
the texture of the skins and smooth
skin wrinkles.
If you're considering a facelift, the
following information will provide you
with a good introduction to the
procedure. For
further information please
schedule a consultation with Dr. Kremer / Dr. Zettl.
What
are some of the most common benefits
of this surgery?
While
this procedure cannot stop the
aging process, it can often
make a person appear to be a
decade younger than their
actual age. This is achieved
by tightening the skin and
facial muscles as well as
resuspending the facial soft
tissues.
During
the consultation, you and Dr. Kremer / Dr. Zettl
will discuss the changes that
you would like to make in your
appearance. He will explain
the different options
available to you, the
procedure itself,
its risks and limitations, the
anesthesia required and the
surgical facility. Be sure to
as all the questions you have
about the surgery. Learning
everything you can about your
options, risks and benefits is
the key to making an informed
decision.
Each
facelift procedure is
different in different
patients and the combination
of techniques is dependent on
the individual anatomical
situation and the present
aging process. The
incision for a facelift
usually begins near the hairline
in the temple area and continues
in front of the ear, around
the ear lobe, behind the ear
and into the hair. In men, the
incision has to respect the
sideburn pattern. The muscles
and sagging tissue are
tightened, excess skin is
removed, and the remaining
skin is repositioned to create
a more youthful look. The incisions
will be closed with stitches,
some of which may be
resorbable.
If the neck needs lifting, a
small incision may be made
under the chin. If a midface
lift is indicated, also
incisions inside the
upper lip, near the gums, or
at the lower eyelids may become necessary.
Facelift surgery
generally requires a few hours
to perform, depending upon the
complexity of the condition,
additionally performed facial
procedures (e.g. facial
implants) and
the desired results and can be
performed using either local or
general anesthesia. Preferences will
be discussed with Dr. Kremer / Dr. Zettl
during
your consultation.
A
facelift can be done in the
hospital or in an outpatient
surgicenter, depending on
your preferences as well as Dr. Kremer / Dr. Zettl’s. The longer the
procedure is expected to take
and the more complex the
overall procedure,
the more likely that general
anesthesia will be recommended
and that you need to spend the night in the hospital so
your recovery process can be
monitored by a medical staff.
Patients
usually feel and look okay
surprisingly quickly after a
facelift. Despite the fact
that it is a large operation,
there is usually very little
pain.
Anyhow
you will be administered pain
medication as needed to make you feel
comfortable after the surgery.
The
swelling disappears
within a few days, and bruises
are usually gone by two weeks.
Patients generally feel a
sense of tightness and
numbness that should gradually
return to normal within
several weeks. It is important
to follow a careful plan on
return to strenuous activity,
in order to avoid tension on
the wound (which could lead to
worse scarring).
The scars will remain pink for
a few months before maturing
to less visible white scars,
which can be hidden with
makeup early on. Furthermore, the scars
are often hidden within your
hair and in non-visible areas
like behind your ears.
What
is the long-term outcome like for most
people?
After
recovery, patients can expect
a more rested and youthful appearance. Although
a face lift can last for many
years, patients continue to
age. Therefore, it is
impossible to predict how long
it might be before an
individual would consider a
second lift.
The results of a facelift are
different for each person. The
people who look best after a
facelift are those who looked
the best before the procedure.
Some people have one facelift
in a lifetime, while others
have a second surgery 7 - 15
years later.
Wanting
to improve the appearance
of their face and neck
Well
informed in regard to the
procedure’s outcome
Having
realistic expectations
The
above is only a partial list
of the criteria that Dr. Kremer / Dr. Zettl
will consider in determining
whether or not this procedure
is appropriate for you.
A
facelift is a surgical
procedure, subject to all of
the usual problems that
accompany surgery. Bleeding
from the cut tissues, leading
to bruising and possible
accumulations of blood under
the skin, are unavoidable in
any surgery. These problems
are usually kept to a minimum.
Infection can also occur any
time the skin is cut, but
again this is uncommon.
In order to minimize these
risks, it is important that
you follow all of Dr. Kremer / Dr. Zettl’s
instructions, both before and
after surgery.
A
person should have a facelift
when they feel that they are
ready for it, and could enjoy
the benefits it might offer
them. For a person with fat
deposits on the sides of the
face, or on the neck, that
could be as early as the
twenties. For others, it could
be in the eighties.
Tell
Dr. Kremer / Dr. Zettl about any allergies you
have (to foods, drugs,
environmental elements)
Tell
Dr. Kremer / Dr. Zettl if you have a history
of bad scarring, such as keloids.
Tell
Dr. Kremer / Dr. Zettl about all medications,
herbal supplements or natural
supplements you are taking (both
prescription and non-prescription)
Carefully
follow any instructions Dr. Kremer / Dr. Zettl
gives you regarding eating and
drinking and smoking.
Avoid
aspirin and aspirin-containing
medicines for two weeks prior
to surgery.
Arrange
for someone to drive you home
after surgery or after discharge
from the hospital.
Please
inform Dr. Kremer / Dr. Zettl immediately in
case you should experience fever
or symptoms of an infection after
surgery.
Please
use a cooling mask or ice packs to
reduce swelling an discomfort
after surgery.
Refrain
from strenuous physical activities
during the first days after
surgery.
The
information on this web site is only
intended as an introduction to this
procedure and should not be used to
determine whether you will have the
procedure performed nor as a guarantee
of the result.
The
best method of determining your
personal options is to schedule a
personal consultation with Dr. Kremer / Dr. Zettl.
He will be able to answer specific
questions related to your situation.
