Jacksonville Facelift

Also Known As Rhytidectomy

Things You Should Know When Considering A Facelift

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. A Jacksonville Facelift could be the perfect solution!

A Jacksonville facelift, (clinically known as rhytidectomy) can “set back the clock,” improving the most visible signs of aging by removing excess fat, tightening underlying muscles, and 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 surgery.

If you’re considering a facelift, the following information will provide you a basic understanding of the procedure when it can help, how it’s performed, and what results you can expect. Be sure to ask Dr. Csikai any questions you have during your initial consultation.

The Best Candidates for Jacksonville Facelift

The best candidate for a face lift is a man or woman whose face and neck have begun to sag, but whose skin still have 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 face lift 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 a face lift surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with Dr Csikai.

Planning Your Facelift Surgery

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

Dr. Csikai will check for 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 your surgeon 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. Csikai will explain the techniques and anesthesia he will use, where the surgery will be performed, and the risks and costs involved. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions that you may have, especially those regarding your expectations and concerns about the results.

Preparing For Your Jacksonville Facelift Surgery

Dr. Csikai will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins, supplements 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 week or two before and after surgery; smoking inhibits blood flow to the skin, and can interfere with the healing of your incision areas.

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 few days after your surgery as you will want to get plenty of rest in the days following your facelift surgery.

Where Your Face Lift Surgery Will Be Performed

Your facelift will be performed at Dr. Csikai’s on-site state licensed ambulatory surgical center or at an area hospital. Face lift surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis, but some patients may require hospitalization for a day when using general anesthesia. Dr. Csikai will closely monitor you after surgery and will release you to go home as soon as he feels that you can safely do so.

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).

General anesthesia is an option in which you will sleep through the entire operation. However, general anesthesia comes with an added cost.

Facelift Surgery (Rhytidectomy)

A 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 his or 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.

Incisions 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.

Following 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.

After Your Facelift Surgery

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

Dr. Csikai 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.

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 great.

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 a few days longer.

Getting Back to Normal

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, since your skin will be both tender and numb, and may not respond normally at first.

Dr. Csikai 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.

By the third week, you’ll look and feel much better. Most patients return at work in between ten to 15 days after surgery. If you prefer, special camouflage makeup can mask most bruising that may remain.

Your New Look

The chances are excellent that you’ll be happy with your face lift-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 new places-behind the neck and ears-where areas of beard- growing skin have been repositioned.

You’ll have some scars from your face lift, 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 will be scarcely visible.

Having a face lift 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 is lasting. Years later, you’ll continue to look better than if you’d never had a face lift at all.

Dr. David N. Csikai is an active member of American Society of Plastic Surgeons. We would like to thank ASPS for the above information and encourage you to visit the American Society of Plastic Surgeons for more information about Plastic Surgery and other helpful information about the field of Plastic Surgery and difference it has made in the lives of people around the world.