What cosmetic problems are corrected with a facelift?
The extremes of harsh weather during seasonal changes in Arizona take a toll on your appearance. Even if you take good care of your skin, exposure to sunlight coupled with natural aging leads to skin that’s dehydrated, less elastic, and loose. Changes in the protective layer of fat also occur, with the fat shifting and accumulating in unattractive pockets.
A facelift improves these aesthetic problems, helping to:
- Eliminate loose, sagging skin on your face and neck
- Smooth away deep folds around your nose and mouth
- Remove excess pockets of fat
- Tighten or remove jowls
A facelift primarily focuses on the lower two-thirds of your face, so many patients combine a facelift with procedures that address other aesthetic problems, such as a brow lift, rhinoplasty (nose surgery) and blepharoplasty, which improves your eyelids.
What happens during a facelift?
When performing a facelift, Dr. Creech uses a technique that’s more than skin deep. Conventional facelifts simply lift the skin. To get the best results, however, the underlying muscles that support your skin must also be restored.
That’s why Dr. Creech lifts and tightens the muscles and lifts cheek fat, effectively reversing the downward pull on your face and restoring a youthful, natural appearance. Dr. Creech also removes excess fat and repositions the skin on your face and neck, rejuvenating your appearance while avoiding the dreaded “wind tunnel” look.
Although a facelift enhances the contour of your face and jawline, it doesn’t correct sun damage or fine wrinkles. Dr. Creech offers other skin care treatments to correct these concerns.
How should I prepare for facelift surgery?
Before facelift surgery and during your recovery, it’s important to abstain from all nicotine products. Nicotine interferes with skin healing and can increase your chance of developing an infection.
Dr. Creech also advises all patients to avoid aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs prior to their surgery. These medications thin your blood and increase your risk of bleeding during surgery. During your consultation, you receive other presurgery instructions based on your individual needs.
What should I expect after facelift surgery?
Facelift surgery lasts about three hours or longer, depending on other procedures you may have done at the same time. Normal swelling and bruising should go away within two weeks, which is when most patients return to work. You’ll feel like you’re back to normal by the end of four weeks, but healing continues for six to nine months.
To learn more about how a facelift can improve your appearance, call David Creech, MD, today.
