Face Lift

As people age, deep creases form between the nose and mouth; the jaw line grows slack and jowly; folds and fat deposits appear around the neck.

A facelift 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 or eyelid surgery.

Who is a good candidate for a face lift?

The best candidate for a facelift is a man or woman 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.

About face lift surgery

In general, Dr. Grenley 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. He then tightens the underlying muscle layer, pulls the skin back, and removes the excess. Sutures secure the layers of tissue and close the incisions.

There usually is no significant discomfort after surgery; if there is, it can be lessened with the pain medication. Some numbness of the skin is quite normal; it will resolve over the coming weeks and months.

Most of your stitches will be removed after about five to seven days. Your scalp may take longer to heal, and the stitches in your hairline will be left in about one week longer.

Recovery following face lift surgery

You should be up and about in a day or two, but plan on taking it easy for the first week after surgery. Be especially gentle with your face and hair, and the areas of your incisions around your ears.

By the third week, you'll look and feel much better. Most patients are back at work about two or three weeks after surgery. If you need it, special camouflage makeup can mask most bruising that remains.

The chances are excellent that you'll be happy with your facelift- especially if you have realistic expectations and realize that it may take a few weeks to really look your best. Men may find they have to shave in new places, such as 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.

For more information about face lift surgery with Dr. Grenley, please contact Seattle Plastic Surgery at 206-324-1120.