By Gregory M. Casey –
Loose sagging skin around your face is inevitable. Whether you blame it on stress, bad genes, natural aging process or too much sun, it really does not matter. But fortunately, numerous new and improved facelift techniques available today can take years off your face.
In the field of plastic surgery, for many years the main focus regarding facial rejuvenation consisted of addressing the loose excess skin that accumulates over time from the effects of gravity, chronic sun exposure, and the aging process itself. Excess skin issues within the forehead, eyelids, cheeks, jawline, and neck result in coarse transverse lines within the forehead, sagging skin within the upper eyelids, tear trough deformities in the lower eyelids, nasolabial folds between the cheeks and nasal regions, and marionette lines around the lower lips. Of course, these stigmata of the aging process can be corrected with traditional plastic surgical procedures such as forehead lifts, upper and lower blepharoplasty, and facelifts, all of which are routinely performed on appropriately selected patients with great results.
Facelift surgery is designed to restore a more youthful appearance by removing major wrinkles and sagging skin. It involves tightening of the facial and neck muscles as well as the removal of any excess skin. The skin begins to wrinkle and sag as a result of age, sun exposure and genetics. Children and young adults have smooth, round faces due to evenly distributed fatty tissues in facial contours. Over time, the skin sags and folds in the chin, jawline and neck become prominent. Not only does a facelift improve facial appearance but also has a dramatic effect on the neck, enhancing its contour and profile. A correctly done facelift surgery can push years back by giving you a younger, well defined and healthy looking face.
If you are bothered by signs of aging in your face, facelift surgery may be exactly what you have been looking for. Technically known as rhytidectomy, a facelift is a surgical procedure to improve visible signs of aging in the face and neck, such as:
- Sagging in the midface
- Deep creases below the lower eyelids
- Deep creases along the nose extending to the corner of the mouth
- Fat that has fallen or is displaced
- Loss of muscle tone in the lower face may create jowls
- Loose skin and excess fatty deposits under the chin and jaw can make even a person of normal weight appear to have a double chin
A facelift is frequently performed in conjunction with blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), forehead lift, and/or chin augmentation to create an overall rejuvenation of the face. The procedure can be repeated as gravity continues its effects after the first surgery.
Facelifts are performed at Dr. Casey’s office in his state of the art operating room. Local anesthesia with intravenous sedation or general anesthesia is most commonly used. Premedication is available if necessary to help you relax.
Dr. Casey uses incisions inside the hairline at the temple, in front of the ear, then around the earlobe and behind the ear, ending at the scalp area. Excess skin is removed and sagging muscles and connective tissues are tightened. In some cases, fatty deposits are removed from beneath the chin and neck. Incisions are closed with small sutures.
The procedure may take up to 5 hours depending on whether or not any additional procedures are performed at the same time. The healing process is gradual, so you will not notice final results for up to 6 months. A single procedure often achieves the desired results. Most patients who have had facelifts are pleased with their new, more youthful appearance.
The field of cosmetic surgery is dynamic and is evolving all the time. Today’s advances allow Dr. Casey to deliver better, more consistent and longer lasting results often with less down time. For more information about facelift procedures and other facial rejuvenation options available, contact Dr. Casey at 239-947-6637 to schedule a consultation.