Face and Neck Lift

Introduction

The term "face and neck lift" has only a very general meaning and, in fact, your operation will be designed to suit your individual needs. The procedures available range from the mini-lift (or skin lift) that I find rarely adequate, the S-lift, the MACS lift, to finally, the SMAS lift which I find the most effective in rejuvenation facial surgery despite the slightly longer duration of the procedure. The SMAS lift can be performed in combination with other techniques such as fat grafting (to add volume to certain facial areas), chemical or LASER peel (for skin rejuvenation), eyelid rejuvenation surgery, and more.
The object of the surgery is to produce a natural correction of the ageing changes, removing the lines of "wear and tear", but not resulting in a mask-like expression, devoid of your natural lines of character or animation. Surgery can be done selectively to the neck, face, forehead and eyebrows depending on your individual needs.

The operation is a long and detailed procedure and, if done fully, will produce an excellent long term improvement for a considerable number of years. There is no optimum age for a face and neck lift, some may need it in their late thirties, others in their forties, fifties and sixties.

It is hoped to achieve your operation with almost no pain post-operatively and with little bruising. The latter depends on the individual and the health of your skin. Smoking and drinking of alcohol adversely affect bruising and the pre-operative intake of Vitamin C often helps reduce bruising. For this reason it is well worthwhile to prepare yourself for at least two weeks before undergoing surgery with Vitamin C and Arnica.

Operation

The scar lines are concealed in your hair, and do not go, unless exceptional circumstances discussed during consultation, either in front of the hair on your temples or down to your neck, as practised by some Surgeons. Your scars are designed to permit you to wear your hair in any style.
A bandage covers the sides of your face and the area under your chin and this is removed one day post operatively.

2-3 Days post operatively

You will return to my consulting rooms for a hair wash. Your dressing will be changed and my nurse or myself will advise you on your post operative needs.

5-8 Days post operatively

The fine stitches around your ears are removed, and all your scalp stitches at the same time. Some patients are free from bruising at this stage, but it is wise to calculate on being "out of circulation" for three weeks in all, as there is so much of an individual variation of the rate of healing and the degree of possible bruising. After three weeks you may have your hair tinted. Many patients prefer to tint their hair before the procedure.

During the first six weeks after your surgery

The face and neck may feel a little tight. This is a period in which the scars naturally contract; and as soon as the stitches are out, warm water compresses to the face may speed up absorption of bruising and give the skin a more supple feel.

Strong sunshine is not advisable for at least six weeks, but moderate sunshine can be beneficial in the same way as warm compresses.

Numbness is often present in the skin and in front of the ears, where the skin has been undermined, this recovers gradually and is usually back to normal in three months. During this time the skin may appear drier and a suitable moisturiser is beneficial.

Finally! Don't expect miracles overnight. Details will continue to improve for six
months as the scars soften and fade. Give yourself plenty of rest during the early weeks, and don't talk about the operation to your friends until you have recovered and feel confident about your improved appearance. In the early days you need one or two close friends so it is better just to just confide in them.

Complications

1. Excessive bruising or infection are fortunately very rare, but can occur as with any operation, and will be treated appropriately.

2. Numbness of the skin in front of the ears is routine, but some patients will be aware of this in a wider area over the ears, scalp and neck. Recovery takes place, exceptions apart, as the tissues heal over the course of 3-6 months.

3. The scars are normally very fine and well hidden, but in some individuals a scar may tend to thicken after 6-12 weeks and such "hypertrophic" scars can be treated if required with variable degrees of success.

4. Motor nerve damage: This is a complication that must be mentioned in any information about facelift procedures because it relates to structures in the region where the operation is performed. It would be exceedingly rare to have permanent nerve damage affecting facial movement. In the rare occasions, where alteration of movement is noted, this recovers shortly after the locally injected medications have worn off following the procedure, or exceptionally, may take a few weeks to fully recover.

I regard facial rejuvenation surgery as a highly satisfactory procedure. During consultation we will discuss the aimed goals of the procedure, as well as general and specific details about the operation that may have not been covered here.
If you have any queries or further questions, please contact my secretary who will be only too pleased to help.
After the operation you will be visited while in hospital by myself normally or otherwise a member of my team in order to ensure a personal and confidential programme of after care. I can be contacted through my secretary or -out of hours- the Hospital switchboard should the need arise.

Revision surgery may be required in a very small minority of cases in the short term. In these circumstances you will not incur any surgical fees (payment to the surgeon), but you will be responsible for the cost of the hospital and anaesthetic fees.

I hope that this information, and the attention that you will receive post-operatively will keep you fully informed at all times. A more detailed discussion about the operation and possible complications adjusted to your specific needs takes place during consultation.

 

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Short Scar Face Lift Technique and MACS lift (Minimal Access Cranial Suspension)

In the past few years, several European and American surgeons have developed and refined the short scar for face lifts. Mr. Matti has been fully trained in this advancement. This greatly reduces the size of the scar located in the hairline and the area behind the ear. The scar now is limited to the inside of the ear, and the area behind the ear.

In older patients, where there is a lot of skin to be tightened, a small extension may be used near the sideburn area and behind the ear. In the MACS lift procedure, special sutures are used for the elevation and distribution of deeper tissues under the skin.

The advantage of this new technique is substantial. The scar is better concealed, and there is less healing time. The scar is not exposed, even when the patient wears her hair "up". Mr. Matti will discuss this option during the consultation.

 

 

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Volumetric Face Lift

The increase in volume with fat particles harvested from the own individual is not a new concept because this was used in France with success in surgery of the face in the 80´s. Since then the technique has improved and continues to do so: The instruments we use have improved , the knowledge of the body areas that provide the best particles of fat for the different areas to fill, the technical adjustments for minimizing trauma in the donor and recipient tissues, etc.

The volumetric Facelift consist in the balance combination of techniques with two main effects: The increase in volume with the lift of specific areas that have descended of the face. The addition of volume is given to areas of lost facial volume. Fine canulas are used to graft or infiltrate fat from the same individual in those other volume-deficient areas. This technique has the advantage of returning to the face lost shapes and volumes using the patient's own tissue. The surgery of the lifting is adjusted for minimal interference with the fat grafts in the grafted or augmented area.

 

 

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