Cosmetic Surgery

5. Face Lifts (Rhytidectomy)

Facelifts have been considered for many years to be the answer in the search for that youthful, younger looking self. Individual results do vary and are depended on a number of factors such as bone structure, personal habits, skin type and age.

A facelift tightens the skin of your face, neck and chin by removing excess tissue. A facelift enhances sagging cheeks, strengthens the jaw line and removes the excess neck skin.

Procedure:
There are a number of different procedures available. Some may take only a couple of hours under local anesthetic; other more complicated procedures may require a hospital stay and a three to six hour operation. Below are some of the possible procedures:

• Blepharoplasty to treat the eye area.
• Laser Liposculpture and Platysma Resurfacing for the neck.
• Superficial musculoaponeurotic system or SMAS is the most usual facelift procedure. A fine incision is made in the hairline, the underlying muscles are tightened and excess fatty tissue is removed.
• Endoscopic subperiosteal also known as the subgaleal facelift is even less invasive. Only a few small incisions are made and the operation involves the raising of facial structures as opposed to the cutting of anything away.
• Composite facelifts are not at all common now and are still in the investigation process. Composite facelifts address the “dark areas” of the other facelifts that cannot effectively treat the middle part of the face. Although the SMAS facelift improves the upper area of the face the lower line continue to age and eventually become unnatural imbalanced.
  The recovery time for these procedures is typically from several weeks to several months. Some discoloration and swelling is common and temporary. Some numbing sensations have been reported but this is also temporary as the nerves repair.
  

Complications / Side Effects: 
Rhytidectomy is a medical procedure and therefore may be subject to some complications. These may include hematoma in 2.2% of patients or more minor hematoma in 6.6% of patients within two weeks of surgery. These do need to be treated promptly to prevent further complications and avoid extended recovery times.

Less common side effects may include permanent nerve injury, excessive bleeding or scarring but these complications are rare.

Cost:
The cost of rhytidectomy is depended on surgeon fees, anesthesiologist and hospital fees and typically range from $6000-$12000. Some extra skin repair may need to be also performed at a fee.

Microlipoinjection (Fat Injections):
Microlipoinjection is an implant procedure; it involves transferring fat from one area of the patient into another to repair the visiable effects of wrinkles. A number of new biologic fillers from animal, bacterial and human sources are being explored for use instead of fatty tissue for lip enhancements, and deep wrinkles.

Procedure:
Fatty tissues are injected into the area to be treated by syringe, this is then absorbed into the area and multiple injections are required. As the substance being used is the patient’s own allergic and immunity reactions do not occur.

Complications / Side Effects:
Complications have been reported when synthetic fillers have been substituted by way of allergic reactions which may lead to more chronic problems. Side effects are not all common using the traditional patients own tissue.

Cost:
The average cost of the procedure is approximately $1025 for a single treatment before other possible fees such as surgeon fees and anesthesia charges. Further treatments are necessary to maintain the new appetence.

Alternatives to Operations or Injections
Alternative cosmetic enhancement treatments are available to operations and injections. Amazing scientific formulas have been produced in anti-aging or ant-wrinkle creams and
Cosmetic treatments such as Botox or chemical peels can help to reduce the visible signs of aging and wrinkles. But you may be disadvantaged by the risks, recovery times and possible complications involved. The final results are in many cases somewhat temporary.
The advantages include excellent results. A good dermatologist or plastic surgeon will follow up their results and taking pride in their work.

To find out if cosmetic surgery is for you it is recommended that you discuss all of your options with your cosmetic surgeon and be sure to make yourself aware of all costs involved, possible complications and predicted outcomes.

If you're thinking about cosmetic surgery, discuss which option is best for you with your Cosmetic Surgeon.