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The Plastic Surgery Center
Sin El Fil - Horsh Tabet
Mkalles - Main Road
SAR Center- Al Rifaii Bldg
2nd Floor
Tel/Fax: +961-1-481512
Email: info@dreliegharios.com Mobile: +961-3-820103
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Dr Elie Gharios about
Lifting
| By:
Dr Elie F. GHARIOS(Forehead
Lift) WHAT
IS FACELIFT
A
facelift can tighten loose skin and muscle and remove excess fat to eliminate
sagging. The best results are seen in the jowls and neck. A facelift may make
you look younger but it cannot curb the ageing process. Depending on the condition
of your face and skin, a facelift may improve the "laugh lines" between your nose,
the corners of your mouth and/or the small vertical wrinkles around your lips.
Consequently, many facelifts are done in conjunction with other procedures
including chemical peel, laser skin resurfacing, blepharoplasty, browlift , BOTOX
and collagen injections. Many patients also opt for liposuction to remove excess
fatty deposits around the neck.
A modified facelift, referred to as a "minimal"
or "mini" facelift, is a good option for younger patients who do not require as
much correction. It is not only faster but less invasive which means reduced swelling,
scarring, bruising and risk.
What happens during the procedure
The
procedure is usually performed in a one-day surgery, either operated by your surgeon
or a hospital facility, and the entire operation takes between 3 and 5 hours.
For multiple or extensive procedures, your surgeon may chose to perform the procedures
in two separate sessions. Most patients can return home after the surgery or can
stay in a nearby hotel or recovery facility for the first night. Some, however,
chose to remain in the hospital or in a recovery facility for a few days so that
medical staff can monitor the recovery process.
Facelift surgery
can be performed under local anesthesia mild sedation or under general anesthesia
if it is long. Before the surgery, your hair is held back with rubber bands on
either side of your face. There is no need for your hair to be shaved, however,
some hair near the incisions may need to be trimmed.
The incisions
start above the hairline at the temples and continue along a line in front of
the ear or just inside the cartilage at the front of the ear, behind the earlobe
and back into the scalp. Another small incision is made under the chin for a neck
lift. The muscles and sagging tissue are tightened and excess fat is removed.
After the deep tissues are tightened, the excess skin is pulled up and back and
then trimmed. The incisions are closed with stitches. The surgeon then applies
a dressing to protect the entire area where the incisions were made.
Although
the scars are permanent, they fade over time and are hardly noticeable, as they
are hidden either by your hair or the natural creases in your skin.
 What
to expect post-procedure
Following surgery, your entire face and neck
is bandaged to minimize bruising and swelling. To drain any blood that might collect,
a small drainage tube may be inserted under the skin behind your ear for a day
or two. The extent of the post-operative swelling and bruising is dependent on
whether you tend to bruise or swell easily.
The amount you can expect varies
for each individual but past surgeries or injuries should be a good indication.
Keep your head elevated, above heart level when lying down. You will be advised
that you avoid as much activity as possible in order to avoid tension on the scars,
and to report any undue discomfort.
There is pain and discomfort for several
days after surgery and medication will be prescribed to alleviate it. Ice packs
and cold-compresses will help reduce swelling and soothe pain but make sure the
packs are not too heavy. Many patients use a water-tight plastic sandwich bag
filled with frozen berries or peas.
Bandages are usually removed within 1 to
5 days and stitches can be removed after 5 days. Your scalp may, however, take
longer to heal and complete healing of the scars can take up to a year. Some tightness
and/or numbness of the skin can be expected, however, it will disappear in a few
weeks.
How soon does normal life resume
 You
will be given more specific guidelines for gradually resuming your normal activities
and will suggest you take it easy the first week. Strenuous activities like heavy
housework, exercise and should be avoided for at least two weeks. Once the bandages
are removed you can shower and gently shampoo your hair. It is important to get
lots of rest and to stay away from alcohol, steam baths, and saunas for several
months.
Most patients are back to work within 2 or 3 weeks but major social
engagements might be avoided for a month or sixeeks until you feel comfortable
with your recovery. The hair around your temples may be thin and your skin may
feel dry and rough for several months.
Bruising and scars can be camouflaged
with make-up. The results of a facelift are different according to the individual.
Some people only ever have one facelift but others may have a second surgery 7
to 15 years later.
WHAT IS Necklift:
Is it a modified or limited
facelift. This procedure concentrates on the neck area and can give a dramatic
improvement to the neckline without having to have a facelift.
Some of the
saggy and redundant neck skin can be removed through incisions behind the ear
(sometimes these incisions extend in front of the ear) and under the chin area
as well. The tissues under the chin may be tightened by placing a suture across
the neck crease that will tighten and elevate the muscle. Loose skin may be tightened
by pulling the skin upward and backward; excess skin can then be removed from
behind the ear.
This modified facelift is not for individuals who have a considerable
amount of loose skin under the jaw or in front of the neck (sometimes called a
"turkey waddle"). For these patients a full facelift is needed to achieve the
best results. |
| Dr Elie
GHARIOS
Plastic Surgery Center - Lebanon
Horsh-Tabet - F. Chehab Av.
SAR
Center (Al Rifai Bldg)
2nd Floor | | info@dreliegharios.com |
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