Boston Facelift Surgeon

As people age, the effects of gravity, exposure to the sun, and the stresses of daily life can be seen in their faces. Deep creases form between the nose and mouth; the jawline grows slack and jowly; folds and fat deposits appear around the neck.

Facelift

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A facelift (technically known as rhytidectomy) can’t stop this aging process. What it can do is “set back the clock,” improving the most visible signs of aging by removing excess fat, tightening underlying muscles, and re-draping the skin of your face and neck.* A facelift can be done alone, or in conjunction with other procedures such as a forehead lift, eyelid surgery, or nose reshaping.

If you’re considering a facelift, this page will give you a basic understanding of the procedure when it can help, how it’s performed, and what results you can expect. It can’t answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on the individual patient and the surgeon. Please ask Dr. Katherine Hein about anything you don’t understand.

WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR A FACELIFT?

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The best candidate for a facelift is a person whose face and neck have begun to sag, but whose skin still has some elasticity and whose bone structure is strong and well-defined. Most patients are in their forties to sixties, but facelifts can be done successfully on people in their seventies or eighties as well.

A facelift can make you look younger and fresher, and it may enhance your self-confidence in the process. But it can’t give you a totally different look, nor can it restore the health and vitality of your youth. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations, and discuss them with Dr. Hein.

A facelift can improve the deep cheek folds, jowls and loose, sagging skin around the neck that come with age.

ALL SURGERY CARRIES SOME UNCERTAINTY AND RISK

When a facelift is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor. Still, individuals vary greatly in their anatomy, their physical reactions, and their healing abilities, and the outcome is never completely predictable.

Complications that can occur include hematoma (a collection of blood under the skin that must be removed by the surgeon), injury to the nerves that control facial muscles or sensation (usually temporary), infection, and reactions to the anesthesia. Poor healing of the skin is most likely to affect smokers.

You can reduce your risks by closely following our advice both before and after surgery.

WHAT ARE THE STEPS TO PLAN FOR YOUR FACELIFT SURGERY?

Facelifts are very individualized procedures. In your initial consultation, Dr. Hein will evaluate your face, including the skin and underlying bone, and discuss your goals for the surgery.

She will review medical conditions that could cause problems during or after surgery, such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, blood clotting problems, or the tendency to form excessive scars. Be sure to tell us if you smoke or are taking any drugs or medications, especially aspirin or other drugs that affect clotting.
If you decide to have a facelift, Dr. Hein will explain the techniques and anesthesia she will use, the type of facility where the surgery will be performed, and the risks and costs involved.

FACELIFT SURGERY CONSIDERATIONS

We will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. Carefully following these instructions will help your surgery go more smoothly. If you smoke, it’s especially important to stop at least a month or two before and after surgery; smoking inhibits blood flow to the skin and can interfere with the healing of your incision areas. You should not smoke for two to four weeks after surgery, either. If your hair is very short, you might want to let it grow out before surgery, so that it’s long enough to hide the scars while they heal.*

Whether your facelift is being done on an outpatient or inpatient basis, you should arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery, and to help you out for a day or two if needed.

WHERE YOUR SURGERY WILL BE PERFORMED

A facelift may be performed in a surgeon’s office-based facility, an outpatient surgery center, or a hospital. It’s usually done on an outpatient basis, but some plastic surgeons may hospitalize patients for a day when using general anesthesia. Certain conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure should be monitored after surgery and may also require a short inpatient stay. Dr. Hein performs all of her major surgery at a fully accredited hospital or her fully accredited in-office operating room. She operates at Newton Wellesley Hospital, MetroWest Medical Center, and Milford Regional Hospital.

TYPES OF ANESTHESIA

Most facelifts are performed under local anesthesia, combined with a sedative to make you drowsy. You’ll be awake but relaxed, and your face will be insensitive to pain. However, you may feel some tugging or occasional discomfort. You are not likely to remember your time in the operating room.* Some patients and surgeons prefer general anesthesia. In that case, you’ll sleep through the operation.

WHAT IS THE SURGICAL PROCESS?

Facelift ExampleA facelift usually takes several hours — or somewhat longer if you’re having more than one procedure done.* For extensive procedures, some surgeons may schedule two separate sessions.

Every surgeon approaches the procedure in her own way. Some complete one side of the face at a time, and others move back and forth between the sides. The exact placement of incisions and the sequence of events depends on your facial structure and your surgeon’s technique.

Facelift Example 2Incisions usually begin above the hairline at the temples, extend in a natural line in front of the ear (or just inside the cartilage at the front of the ear), and continue behind the earlobe to the lower scalp. If the neck needs work, a small incision may also be made under the chin.

In general, the surgeon separates the skin from the fat and muscle below. Fat may be trimmed or suctioned from around the neck and chin to improve the contour. The surgeon then tightens the underlying muscle and membrane, pulls the skin back, and removes the excess. Stitches secure the layers of tissue and close the incisions; metal clips may be used on the scalp.

Facelift Example 3Following surgery, a small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin behind your ear to drain any blood that might collect there. The surgeon may also wrap your head loosely in bandages to minimize bruising and swelling.

Incisions usually begin above the hairline at the temples, follow the natural line in front of the ear, curve behind the earlobe into the crease behind the ear, and into or along the lower scalp.

Facelift Example 4Facial, neck tissue and muscle may be separated; fat may be trimmed, or suctioned, and underlying muscle may be tightened.

After deep tissues are tightened, the excess skin is pulled up and back, trimmed and sutured into place.

WHAT IS THE RECOVERY PROCESS AFTER FACELIFT SURGERY?

There isn’t usually significant discomfort after surgery; if there is, it can be lessened with the pain medication prescribed by your surgeon. (Severe or persistent pain or a sudden swelling of your face should be reported to your surgeon immediately.) Some numbness of the skin is quite normal; it will disappear in a few weeks or months.*

Dr. Hein may tell you to keep your head elevated and as still as possible for a couple of days after surgery, to keep the swelling down. You will go home with written instructions, and we will call regularly to check on your progress. Our most important post-operative instruction is to call if you have a question.

If you’ve had a drainage tube inserted, it will be removed one or two days after surgery. Bandages, when used, are usually removed after one to five days. Don’t be surprised at the pale, bruised, and puffy face you see. Just keep in mind that in a few weeks you’ll be looking normal.*

Most of the scars will be hidden within your hair and in the normal creases of your skin. Most of your stitches will be removed after about five days. Your scalp may take longer to heal, and the stitches or metal clips in your hairline could be left in a few days longer.*

GETTING BACK TO NORMAL

You should be up and about in a day or two, but plan to take it easy for the first week after surgery. Be especially gentle with your face and hair, since your skin will be both tender and numb, and may not respond normally at first.*

Your surgeon will give more specific guidelines for gradually resuming your normal activities. They’re likely to include these suggestions: Avoid strenuous activity, including sex and heavy housework, for at least two weeks (walking and mild stretching are fine); avoid alcohol, steam baths, and saunas for several months.* Above all, get plenty of rest and allow your body to spend its energy on healing.

At the beginning, your face may look and feel rather strange. Your features may be distorted from the swelling, your facial movements may be slightly stiff, and you’ll probably be self-conscious about your scars. Some bruising may persist for two or three weeks, and you may tire easily. It’s not surprising that some patients are disappointed and depressed at first. By the third week, you’ll look and feel much better. Most patients are back at work about ten days to two weeks after surgery.* If you need it, special camouflage makeup (we recommend Jane Iredale) can mask most bruising that remains.

YOUR NEW LOOK

Facelift Example 5The chances are excellent that you’ll be happy with your facelift — especially if you realize that the results may not be immediately apparent. Even after the swelling and bruises are gone, the hair around your temples may be thin and your skin may feel dry and rough for several months. Men may find they have to shave in unfamiliar places — behind the neck and ears-where areas of beard-growing skin have been repositioned. You’ll have some scars from your facelift, but they’re usually hidden by your hair or in the natural creases of your face and ears. In any case, they’ll fade within time and should be scarcely visible.*

Having a facelift doesn’t stop the clock. Your face will continue to age with time, and you may want to repeat the procedure one or more times — perhaps five or ten years down the line. But in another sense, the effects of even one facelift are lasting; years later, you’ll continue to look better than if you’d never had a facelift at all.* After surgery, you’ll present a refreshed, more youthful-looking face to the world.

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Why You Should Select Accurate Aesthetics for your Facelift Surgical Procedure

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Dr. Katherine Hein is among the top cosmetic surgeons in the Boston, Wellesley and Sudbury area. As a Harvard trained board-certified plastic surgeon and Medical Director of Accurate Aesthetics Plastic Surgery, Dr. Hein has helped thousands of satisfied patients achieve their cosmetic surgical face and body enhancements goals.

When you select Accurate Aesthetics Plastic Surgery for your facelift procedure you can be reassured of a close personal relationship with Dr. Hein and her professional staff.

Additional Reasons to Select Accurate Aesthetics

  • One-on-one consultation with Dr. Hein, follow-up appointments after surgery, and availability by telephone for your questions.
  • Availability of a fully certified operating room in-office for your comfort and privacy.
  • The exclusive use of a certified Physician Assistant (PA-C) on each case to keep your surgery time shorter and safer.
  • The use of a board-certified MD anesthesiologist or a certified nurse anesthetist(CRNA) on each sedation case where sedation or general anesthesia is used.
  • Consultation fee is deducted from cost of any major surgery.
  • Free Arnica Montana (pharmaceutical grade) anti bruising and swelling regimen with appropriate surgical procedures.
  • Free general skincare session with a medical esthetician after any major surgical procedure.

*Results may vary and are not guaranteed. Consult with the medical professionals at Accurate Aesthetics Plastic Surgery to see if you are a candidate.

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