Facelift Surgery
About Facelift Surgery in New York
Overview
As people age, the effects of gravity, exposure to the sun and the stresses of daily life begin to take their toll on the face. Deep creases form between the nose and mouth; the jaw line grows slack and jowly; folds and fat deposits appear around the neck.
A face-lift is a surgical procedure performed to improve the most visible signs of aging, by eliminating excess fat, tightening the muscles beneath the skin of the face and neck, and remove any sagging skin. Many times this procedure is performed in conjunction with eyelid or even forehead surgery. A well-performed face lift should rejuvenate the face without distorting or changing ones facial features. Dr. Klapper believes that the best Aesthetic Surgery looks natural. A “done” look is never the objective. A facelift can make you look younger and fresher, and it may enhance your self-confidence in the process.
Am I a suitable candidate for facelift surgery?
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. There is no need to wait until hanging folds or almost irreversible changes have taken place. While the facelift procedure is probably the most sought after within the over 40's group, increasingly these are being carried out on younger patients. In fact these days, many patients prefer earlier corrections to maintain youthful appearances, and therefore avoid living through a period of looking "old and tired". Although the occasional film star may undergo a celebrated facelift, the vast majority of patients are those normal people who take pride in their appearance and feel younger than they look.
A facelift has always been regarded as a major surgical procedure, but in reality need hold no fears. It is important to remember however that surgery cannot erase permanent creases, particularly on the lips, and that it does not stop the aging process. A facelift just "sets the clock back"; it does not stop it running.
At the time of consultation Dr. Klapper will ask you about your general medical history, specifically pertaining to any medical conditions that could cause problems during or after surgery, such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, blood clotting problems, or a tendency to form excessive scars. Slight differences in facial symmetry are normal and will be pointed out as many times these are unnoticed by the patient. It will also be explained that certain areas of the face cannot be helped by surgery, such as the lines around the mouth, frown, and crow feet region.
If you are a smoker you will be asked to stop smoking well in advance of surgery. Smoking seriously constricts blood vessels and therefore decreases blood flow to a given area resulting in poor healing. Aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs and other medications can cause increased bleeding, so you should avoid these.
If you're contemplating facelift surgery, this information will give you a basic understanding of the procedure. It can't answer all your questions since a lot depends on the individual patient. However, any specific questions should always be addressed at the consultation.
Are there different types of face lifts?
Over the years the classical (skin only) operation has undergone a number of modifications to improve the overall results. These modifications were aimed at lifting not only the skin but also the underlying structures (i.e. muscles), which were equally subjected to the effects of the aging process. By addressing these structures, the face could be lifted to enjoy a longer lasting effect.
The SMAS type of lift is that favored by many competent surgeons although there are now many variations such as the, extended SMAS lift, Composite Lift and Sub-periosteal Lift. Each of the above modifications can be tailor made to suit individual needs. It is equally important to remember that different methods do not indicate a departure from any formally established standard. Many times liposuction is carried out during a face-lift so as to ensure that the neck and jaw line is clearly defined.
At the time of your consultation Dr. Klapper will discuss in depth the types of lift that best suit your aesthetic goals and the type of incisions including classic style and short scar techniques.