Cosmetic Surgery
Full Face Lift (Extended S-Lift)
What is a Face Lift or Extended S-Lift (Rhytidectomy)?
As you age, the lines and furrows of your face become deeper and more pronounced; sometimes resulting in sagging skin around the neck and jaw line. A full face lift is a surgical procedure that can help to resolve these issues for most people. It cannot correct conditions such as sagging eyebrows, droopy eyelids or wrinkles around the mouth, and many patients elect to have those areas corrected at the same time. During your consultation with Dr. Cole, you and he will determine if you are a good candidate for a face lift. He will also recommend which additional procedures, such as blepharoplasty or a brow lift, will address your concerns and enhance your results.
How is a Face Lift (Extended S-Lift) Performed?
There are many variations of the facelift procedure, and Dr. Cole performs an extended S-lift. This involves surgically lifting the skin of the face and tightening the muscle underneath, giving you a natural, refreshed appearance. The incisions begin just above the ear in the hairline, follow the natural contour of your ear, and extend down around the earlobe and back into the hairline below the ear. For women, the incision will go just inside the ear, and for men, it is just along the front of the ear to allow for a more natural look of the facial hair. There will be several sets of sutures in place as well: underneath to plicate the muscle for lift, and 2 sets on the outside to close the incision. Staples are somtimes used behind the ear in the hairline because the scalp takes longer to heal. Liposuction of the neck and jawline can also be performed as part of the face lift procedure. This surgery is performed under general anesthesia at Surgery Center of Silverdale, a Medicare Approved Ambulatory Surgery Center located here in our building.
What is the Downtime for a Face Lift (Extended S-Lift)?
A patient should plan on 2 weeks of downtime for a face lift, and 3 weeks to return to full activity. Most people will experience bruising and swelling, and a compression wrap will be worn around the head during that time as well. Sutures will remain in place during the first 2 weeks, and no cosmetics should be used until approved by Dr. Cole. This is important to reduce the risk of infection. Numbness may be experienced for 6 months to 1 year, which is completey normal, as the nerves have been partially separated and the need time to heal. The final results of the surgery will be visible anywhere from 4 months to 1 year.