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To redrape, tighten underlying muscle and soft tissue and remove excess skin associated with facial skin laxity or sagging (jowls, mid face), deep folds (melolabial) or neck laxity and bandings. Most people who seek facelift procedures are aged between 40 and 65 years of age, but younger or older people also have facelifts. It is now one of the most requested facial plastic cosmetic procedures.
Overall a Facelift address "saggy" skin and skin resurfacing procedures addresses textural fine wrinkles and imperfections, where as wrinkle relaxer (Botox / Dysport) and wrinkle fillers (Hyalaform, Restylane, Juvéderm, Esthélis, Collagen, Aquamid) address wrinkles due to hyper dynamic lines and fine to moderate static wrinkles.
You can view the range of cosmetic surgery and non surgical cosmetic procedures available, see the Gallery / Before and After Photos / and find answers to your most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). If you wish to learn more about cosmetic surgery and facial plastic surgery please contact us to schedule a consultation with our Facial Plastic and Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon or Nurse Coordinator.
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The types of face lift frequently described are:
- Face and Neck lift involve both the face and neck incisions and dissections.
- Face lift alone or Mini face lift, S-lift, MACS lift, involves incision in the face starting at the ear lobule and end in the temple.
- Endoscopic mid face lift or subperiosteal face lift utilises an endoscope to help with the elevation and redraping of soft tissue, especially the mid face. The scars are hidden in the hair or inside the mouth.
- Neck lift alone addresses the neck only with the incision from the ear lobule, follows the back of the ear into the hairline.
You can view the range of cosmetic surgery and non surgical cosmetic procedures available, see the Gallery / Before and After Photos / and find answers to your most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). If you wish to learn more about cosmetic surgery and facial plastic surgery please contact us to schedule a consultation with our Facial Plastic and Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon or Nurse Coordinator.
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Face lift is usually performed under intravenous sedation or general anaesthesia. Dr Pham will inform you of the best methods of anaesthesia, the surgical facility where your procedure will take place and the benefits and risks involved in surgery.
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A Facelift can be performed as an individual procedure or in conjunction with another procedure such as:
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After surgery your head will be wrapped in a soft bulky dressing. There will be a moderate degree of discomfort and some swelling and bruising. Ice packs on the area may help reduce any puffiness or swelling. You may have some drains in situ and these will normally be removed one day after surgery. Staples and sutures will be removed within 5-7 days. There will also be some numbness in the skin in front of the ears and this may take up to 6 months to get back to normal.
Hair can be washed on the second day with incisions, sutures and staples can get wet as water, soap and shampoo trickle over them. The incisions should not be directly scrubbed or irritated. Applying Vaseline four times a day to the sutures and staples is an essential part of the healing process. Sutures that have been kept lubricated with ointment are less painful to remove.
Unless you are staying at the hospital you will be asked to see Dr Pham at his clinic the day after your surgery for a dressing change and wound inspection. You will be asked to return four to five days later for suture removal.
After suture removal apply Vaseline at least 4 times a day. Bruising can be camouflaged with makeup after one week. Most of the swelling should resolve over the first 2 weeks but complete resolution may take 4 weeks.
Always protect your face from the sun by wearing a hat and sunglasses. Following surgery, our staff will tell you when it is OK to apply sunscreen, cosmetics and facial creams. Avoid unprotected prolonged sun exposure for three months following a Facelift to prevent pigmentation of incision lines
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Which Medications to take post op?
Take what is prescribed by Dr Pham. You can take pain killers such as Panadol / Paracetamol, Panadiene forte, Tramadol or Oxycodone and antibiotic. Avoid Aspirin, Aspirin-containing products, Plavix and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (such as Ibuprofen) for two weeks following your surgery. If you are on any medications that affect bleeding (such as Warfarin) please notify Dr Pham.
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What activities can I do after face lifting procedure?
After surgery it is best to rest for the entire day. Sleep with the head of your bed elevated or use two to three pillows for one week after surgery. You should do nothing that involves excessive bending, lifting or straining. If you have small children, bend at the knees or sit on the floor and let them climb on to your lap. Swelling, bruising, mild pain and disrupted sleep are very normal postoperative symptoms and will decrease as the healing process occurs. Assistance with daily activities during the first two to three days after surgery is strongly recommended.
You can resume your normal daily activities a few days after surgery but do not smoke or consume large amounts of alcohol as these will affect wound healing. Do not drive for one week following surgery. One to two weeks off work is recommended.
Please Inform Dr Pham's office or the hospital where the procedure was performed if you have the following:
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High fever, chills or a temperature of more than 38 degrees
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Heavy bleeding from the wound
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Heavy bleeding from the wound
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Significant redness, or discharge around the incision
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Significant swelling
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Final results following a Facelift are not fully apparent for 6/12 months following surgery. Most of the swelling will subside in 6 weeks to 3 months. There will numbness in front of the ear and this will improve with time.
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Fortunate the risks of facelifting are uncommon. Complications can occur despite the highest standards and world's best practice principles used by Dr Pham.
The potential risks are
General risk of surgery
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Wound infection - may require antibiotics
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Bleeding, blood clots or seroma
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Bleeding, blood clots or seroma
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Sore throat from the breathing tube
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Scars that become raised (hypertrophic or keloid)
Specific Risks
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Loss of skin due to impaired blood supply - worse in smokers. Usually small and heal spontaneously. Only very rarely is a skin graft required.
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Hair loss at site of incision - usually temporary but may be permanent
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Worsening and/or unsatisfactory appearance
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Nerve damage - numbness of cheeks and ears, usually temporary and takes a few months to recover.
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Facial nerve damage - occasionally temporary, rarely permanent in 1 in 100 people. This can result in a lopsided appearance.
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Painful or unattractive scarring
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Deformity of ear lobes
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Slight asymmetry between left and right sides of the face
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Subjective dissatisfaction with final outcome
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Recurrence of the original condition which may require revision surgery
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