Marcelo Zanini, MD

E.N.T. – FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY Member of the AMERICAN ACADEMY OF FACIAL PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY (AAFPRS)

FACELIFT AND NECK LIFT

casal sorrindo | rejuvenescimento facial

       Facial aging is inevitable. Over time, the skin covering the face undergoes changes such as decreased hydration, decreased subcutaneous fat and loss of elasticity. The weight of the skin, associated with other structural changes, such as the sagging of the fasciae and muscles, that is, the loss of muscle tone, causes folds and wrinkles. Heredity, the effect of gravity, smoking, poor diet, irregular sleep and excessive sun exposure all contribute to aging. Attention to all these determining factors is of fundamental importance to prevent the acceleration of the facial aging process.

        Between the ages of thirty and forty, the first signs on the face are noticeable, such as the wrinkling of the forehead, the drooping of the eyebrows and nasal tip, the appearance of “crow’s feet”, the deepening of the nasolabial fold, the formation of eyelid bags and small lip wrinkles, in addition to other apparent signs. The attitude of wanting to improve one’s appearance should not be interpreted as vanity, but seen as a way of improving self-esteem and valuing one’s own image.

       The right time to undergo a facelift will be directly related to the objective of each patient. From the age of forty, often, the desire to make some change begins, however, through a frank dialogue with the surgeon, a consensus can be reached to postpone the surgery or perform it, adding one or several surgical procedures to achieve an ideal. We can complement the treatment with peelings, fillers and Botox. Every patient who decides on the surgical procedure must undergo a preoperative check-up and, if a smoker, must not smoke during the previous 4 weeks.

        The surgery consists of incising the skin in front of the ear and a little above it, contouring the auricular lobe inferiorly and following posteriorly until the implantation of the hair (rhytidectomy or facelift). The skin is detached, suspending and fixing the underlying muscular plane (SMAS), favoring a better positioning of the subcutaneous structures. The incisions are closed using delicate threads, providing better healing. As the face region is richly vascularized, scars usually become imperceptible over time.

        If there is a drop in the eyebrows, we perform a frontoplasty, lifting them, whether or not associated with surgery to remove excess skin or correction of eyelid bags (blepharoplasty), both the lower and the upper. Liposuction of the jowl fat and/or fixation of the platysma muscle of the neck is often necessary, thus optimizing the postoperative results of the cervical region (neck). For lip wrinkles, we usually perform microdermabrasion, making pre-existing furrows smoother. other procedures may be indicated, depending on each patient, always aiming at a better harmony of the face.

evolucao do rosto

Pre & Post Surgical

Recommendations:

  • Avoid taking aspirin and smoking for at least 4 weeks prior to the surgery. Inform about any current medication in-take.
  • Washing the hair on the day before.
  • Fasting for at least 8 hours before the surgical procedure.
  • Discharge takes place some after hours. The patient will go home with a bandage over the area, which may be removed in 24 hours.
  • Avoid wetting the stitches.
  • After removing the bandage, avoid abrupt movement with the head. We suggest a 10-15 day resting period. The face will be swollen and bruised, although smaller than compared as it was in the past. Some discomfort or pain, demanding painkillers, at times.
  • On the first three days, apply cold chamomile tea damp pads over the eyes. On the first 24 hours, apply it continuously.
  • Stitches will be removed in 10 to 14 days.
  • Use iced chamomile tea over the eyes and the face in the first 3 days, being the first day uninterrupted.
  • Avoid exercising for 30 days.
  • Avoid wearing contact lenses and hair dye for 2 weeks, earrings for 40 days and sun exposure until the total vanishing of the bruising.
  • On the first days the patient must use a higher pillow, in order to keep the head raised when lying down.

         The definite result will take weeks or months to show, requiring, as in any other surgery, adjustments in some cases, once every person will respond differently to the procedure, with more or less tissue retraction. Thus, we recommend the patient to be prepared for the post-surgical period and must be aware that the recovery period must be respected, so that the structures will settle in due time. In case of any doubts, please refer to your surgeon, with confidence and spontaneity, being him the most indicated person for obtaining the proper orientation. Following these recommendations, aware of the stages to be dealt with in the post-surgical period, and resting assure of being under the best care, these are the essential conditions for an easy recovery and for satisfactory final results.

Procedures