Cosmetic Procedures - Facelift - Operation

Facelift surgery is usually performed as an outpatient in either a hospital or surgery center. If the patient undergoes other concomitant procedures with a facelift, such as eyelid/brow or body procedures, it may be necessary to observe the patient in the facility overnite. Anesthesia may be either general or sedation dependent upon patient and surgeon preference as well as the extent of the procedure. With the surgeon working on one side of the face at a time, the incision usually extend from within the hair in the temple region, around the ear and under the earlobe, and up into the hairline at the back of the neck. (Full Facelift) The skin is then undermined towards the nose and mouth and into the neck. A small incision underneath the chin may also be used to free up the skin from the middle portion of the neck as well as tighten the neck muscles. The face and neck skin is then pulled back and the excess removed. Some of the deeper facial tissues may also be tightened to complement the overlying skin resection. Fat along the jawline and neck is removed prior to skin closure. A dressing that encircles the head and face is then loosely applied. The entire procedure may take from two to three hours dependent upon how many other procedures are performed at the same time.

A contemporary alternative to a full facelift is the Limited or ShortScar Facelift. This differs from the full facelift by using less long incisions, usually limited to just the front of the ear, and less tissue dissection. It is more rapid to perform with less recovery time. It is indicated when jowling is the main problem and the central part of the neck is fairly acceptable.