Face Lift
Length of Surgery
3-4 Hours
Face Lift
Short and
Sweet
Price Range
9,500-12,500 Plus HST
A Face lift is a cosmetic surgical procedure which removes excess loose skin from the face and tightens the facial musculature to help restore a youthful look along the contours of lower. It can also help eliminate wrinkling through the tightening of the skin.
Summary of Surgery:
Rhytidectomy
Alternative names:
Local or General Anesthesia
Type of Anesthesia:
1-2 weeks off from work
2-3 weeks before resuming strenuous physical activity
Recovery Period:
What is a Face Lift (Rhytidectomy)?
The term “face lift” has become the default term for any cosmetic surgery designed to alter the appearance of the face, regardless of whether that procedure is a rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, ear pinning or an actual face lift. In the medical profession, however, the term is used more precisely.
A face lift is a surgical procedure that involves making small incisions in front of and behind the ears in order to tighten muscles in the face. This procedure results in a smoother, tighter skin around the neck, jawline and cheeks. At the Canadian Plastic Surgery Centre, patients who have face lifts performed by Dr. Chivers appear more youthful and have results that look more natural without the appearance of an overdone face lift.
Suitable Candidates
A face lift is valuable management option for individuals who is experiencing sagging skin in the neck and along the jawline area. It is also important that they are in overall good health and have realistic expectations as to what surgery can do to improve their aesthetic outcomes. Additionally, patients will need to stop smoking 2 weeks prior to surgery and for 4 weeks after the procedure, as smoking can impeded wound healing and failure of the procedure.
If you have an abundance of loose or excess sagging skin at the jawline, you maybe a candidate for a face lift surgery. At the Canadian Plastic Surgery Centre, Dr. Chivers will assess you to provide you with the best surgical options for your goals. Other factors that most patients who want a face lift complain of:
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sagging in the mid-face area
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a tired and sad look
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having loose skin and excessive fatty deposits under the skin, creating an appearance of a double chin
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displaced or drooping facial fat that hangs below the jawline
What causes my skin to age and droop?
Aging in the skin is often influenced by many different environmental and genetic factors. The most common factors that causes aging of the skin include: genetics, gravity, sun exposure, and smoking. The gradual exposure these environmental factors can often result in a expedited loss of elasticity in the skin, muscle tone and the accumulation of redundant skin and fat tissues in the lower face as a result of gravity.
While a good skin care regiment is essential and limiting exposure to environmental factors can also help slow the effects of skin aging, aging of the skin is inevitable. A face lift can help remove some the effects of skin aging that has accumulated with time, giving you a more refreshed uplifted look, helping your natural beauty shine through with confidence.
Procedural Details
Face lifts are suitable for any individual who is dissatisfied with the effects of skin aging on the contours of their face and would like to a more rejuvenated look. There are several types of face lift procedures offered through the Canadian Plastic Surgery Centre and Dr. Chivers will help you determine which procedure is most suitable to help meet your aesthetic goals.
Face lifts, by Dr. Chivers, are generally performed under general anesthesia but the type of anesthesia and location of scar may vary according to the procedure performed.
Types of Face Lifts
Mini-Face Lift
Mini-face lift – is an option for patient’s with mild to moderate sagging the cheek and jowl area. Incisions are made along the hairline, at the fold in front of the ear and behind the ear. Excess skin is removed to reduce sagging and also reduces the crease at the nasolabial fold. This procedure results in small scars and reduced recovery times compare to a full face lift.
Note: A mini-face lift does not address any wrinkling in the forehead area or crows-feet at the lateral aspects of the eyes.
Mid-Face Lift
Mid-face lift - is an option for individuals with moderate sagging and targets deeper tissues of the face. Incisions are made along the hairline, at the fold in front of the ear and behind the ear. The skin and fat beneath the skin is lifted off the deep structure of the face and anchored tightly while tissue pulled towards the incisions lines. The excess tissue is removed resulting in a tighter and improved appearance at the nasolabial folds and jowls.
Note: A mid-face lift does not address any wrinkling in the forehead area or crows-feet at the lateral aspects of the eyes.
Full-Face Lift
Full face lift – is ant option for individuals with moderate to several skin sagging, excess skin in the lower face and addresses concerns with wrinkling in the forehead as well as crows-feet in the lateral aspects of the eyes. Incision for a full face lift is made along the hairline, along the side of the ears, and behind the lower part of the head just below the chin. Incisions are typically hidden in the natural creases and contours of the face. A full face lift can be formed by itself but can other techniques such as liposuction and neck lifts or eye surgery. During this procedure, skin, fat and tissues are lift off the deep structures of the face, pulled back and anchored tightly to create a more youthful appearance.
Recovery
Recovery time varies according to the type of face lift performed. Typically, after two weeks, most patients are able to engage in the majority of their daily activities, given that they are not overly strenuous, and by three weeks, most of the swelling is usually gone. As the remaining swelling fades, patients are able to resume more strenuous activities. Any scarring, most of which is usually hidden, should fully disappear in about six months time.
Post-Operative Instructions at a Glance
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Dressings are changed the day after surgery and at 1 week.
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Pain medication and antibiotics are prescribed for the first week following surgery. Any post-operative pain is typically mild to moderate.
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Patients need to maintain and elevated head position for the first 3-5 days after surgery to help reduce swelling
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Ice cold packs should be used for the first 3-5 days after surgery
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Patients are able to walk the day after surgery.
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Incisions are to be kept dry for the first 2 days after surgery and patients can shower after that.
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Patients are able to return to light duties at work typically after 2 weeks.
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Sutures are trimmed within 10-14 days.
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Patients are able to resume full activities and to exercise after 4 weeks.
