If you’re considering a facelift in San Francisco:
The Best Candidates for a Facelift
A facelift yields the best results on men and women who feel that their face no longer reflects the youth and vitality that they are truly feeling inside. Good skin elasticity is one of the important qualities that helps define a good candidate, and Dr. Mosser can determine this during a consultation.
What to consider prior to getting face lift procedure?
If you think a face lift would improve your appearance, you should consider the following:
- Do you have any medical conditions that could impair healing from facelift surgery?
- Are you a non-smoker?
- Are you committed to proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle, including moderate amounts of physical exercise?
- Can you fully disclose your health history to Dr. Mosser, including current medications, your use of vitamin and herbal supplements, as well as your use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs?
Facelift Specifics—What You Can Expect
Facelift incisions often begin at the hairline near the temples and extend around the ear, ending in the lower scalp. The tissue under the face, jowls, and neck may be repositioned and fat may be redistributed from these areas. The skin is then re-draped over the raised contours and the excess skin is trimmed away. A second incision under the chin may be necessary to tighten the muscles and tissue of the neck.
When the large incisions of a facelift aren’t required to achieve your goals, a mini-facelift (also called a partial facelift, an omega lift or an S-lift) may be all that is necessary, with shorter incisions than a traditional facelift. A device called an endoscope repositions tissues from these incisions and raises the mid-facial muscles.
Skin resurfacing procedures may be performed in conjunction with your facelift surgery—or as a separate procedure afterward. These refine and improve skin tone and texture.
The incision lines from a face lift are well concealed within the hairline and in the natural contours of the hair and ears. Once they’ve healed, they’re virtually unnoticeable without very close inspection.
Learn about Post-Facelift Recovery.
Post Facelift Surgery Recuperation
Immediately after facelift surgery a bandage will gently enshroud your face to minimize swelling and bruising. Dr. Mosser may place a small tube near the incision sites to drain any excess fluid that may collect under the skin.
Before you are released from the surgical center, he will give you detailed instructions for:
- Caring for the facelift incision sites.
- Taking medications to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection after your facelift surgery.
- Specific things to be aware of concerning the surgical site.
You will experience swelling and perhaps some numbness immediately after surgery. Facial movements may be restricted and your skin will look bruised. These conditions are normal, and Dr. Mosser will work with you to control any pain through medication.
Most face lift incisions will heal within one week. You can return to normal activity, including work, within two to four weeks. Healing will continue as swelling dissipates and your incision lines refine. During this period, you should practice diligent sun protection whenever you venture outdoors.
It can take several months for the swelling to completely subside and up to six months for incision lines to diminish. Aging will begin reasserting itself, of course, but as long as you maintain sun protection and a healthy lifestyle, you can expect your youthful appearance to last for years. At any time after your procedure, you can address your questions to Dr. Mosser at his San Francisco facial plastic surgery office.