Many people long to have youthful, rejuvenated good looks well into their golden years. Unfortunately, the effects of age, sun exposure, weight gain, weight loss, and other factors can have an adverse effect on your appearance. Thankfully there is help available if you meet with a Scottsdale plastic surgeon. One particularly popular surgery to address wrinkles and lines in the face is the face lift, which we’d like to look at in brief right now.
About Face Lift Surgery
A face lift is a facial surgery option that targets the middle portion of the face around the eyes and upper cheeks. The surgery will involve the precise removal of excess skin and the tightening of the remaining skin. During your visit to our Scottsdale, AZ plastic surgery center, we will let you know if a face lift is the best option for you.
Preparing for Face Lift Surgery
In order to prevent major side effects and complications, it’s important that patients take the proper steps to prepare for surgery. First of all, it’s important that patients avoid drinking and smoking a few weeks before the surgery as both can affect healing time. It’s also important that patients avoid drinking and smoking after surgery.
Prior to any facial plastic surgery procedure, we recommend that patients fill prescriptions for recommended pain medication and antibiotics. It’s also important that patients arrange for a friend or family member to drive them to and from the practice and remain at home with them for the first days after surgery. Patients will need this extra help while recovering in order to ensure the best possible healing experience.
The Face Lift Surgery Itself
During the actual Scottsdale face lift procedure, patients will be placed under general anesthetic to reduce any possible pain or discomfort. Incisions will be made behind the ear and along the sideburns and lower portions of the hairline. Through these incisions, excess skin and tissue is removed and underlying structures are adjusted. The remaining skin is tightened to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and then sutured in place.
What to Expect as You Recover from a Face Lift
Pain, swelling, and discomfort is common in the first days after surgery. It’s important that patients get a lot of rest and refrain from any sort of strenuous activity. Within the first week of recovery, patients will return to the practice for the first follow-up visit.
As the weeks progress, patients will be able to return to normal activities, though they need to progress slowly and in accordance with the wishes of their surgeon. It’s extremely important that any heavy lifting be avoided for at least a month, and that patients avoid saunas for a few months.
Other Options for Facial Plastic Surgery
In addition to the traditional face lift surgery, there are plenty of other options out there for facial rejuvenation. For the forehead area, a forehead lift / brow lift can address deep lines and furrows; or for the eyelids, there is always cosmetic eyelid surgery, which helps reduce wrinkling and sagging of the upper or lower eyelids.
Learn More About Facial Rejuvenation Surgery
If you would like more information about your many different options for facial enhancement and rejuvenation, be sure to contact our Scottsdale, AZ facial plastic surgery office today. Our entire team looks forward to meeting you in person and discussing how we can help you achieve all of your aesthetic goals.
