|
|
| Rhytidectomy
(Facelift) |
| |
|
The operation
of facelift is designed to
remove the loose skin and
excess fat on the face and
neck and tighten the muscles.
It restores firmness, and
contour to the face and neck,
giving a more youthful and
vibrant appearance.
|
|
|
| Who
is a Good Candidate? |
| Anyone
who has any one or combination of the following: |
|
Deep
lines or folds from the corner of
the nose to the corner of the mouth. |
|
Loose
skin on the face and neck. |
| |
Jowls
or sagging skin under the chin. |
| |
Excess
fat accumulation of face, under
chin and neck. |
|
| Private
Consultation: |
During your initial
consultation you will discuss with your
plastic surgeon your past and present
medical conditions and current medications
used. He should be made aware if you
have hypertension, thyroid problems,
or diabetes. It is important for him
to know about personal habits, such
as smoking and drinking. You should
reveal any past surgeries or allergies
to any medications. He will do a physical
examination and take preoperative photographs.
Before and after photographs may be
shown to show you the location of the
incisions. Lab tests, x-rays, or EKG
may be ordered depending on your general
health. At the conclusion of your consultation
and physical examination, the fees will
be discussed with you by the doctor
and his staff.
|
| Preparation: |
Stop
all non-prescriptive medication, diet
pills, herbs, and garlic two weeks before
surgery.
It is advisable to stop smoking two
weeks prior to and two weeks following
surgery. Do not drink any alcoholic
beverage two days prior to and one week
following surgery.
Avoid
taking aspirin
and aspirin
containing products such as Advil and
avoid garlic and garlic products two
weeks prior to surgery. These products
can prolong bleeding and increase bruising.
Tylenol can be taken during this period.
For
a period of two days before surgery
you wash your face, neck, scalp and
hair twice a day, for 15 minutes with
Betadine soap. An additional wash should
be done just before you come in for
surgery. No skin product should be used
two days prior to the surgery. You may
use skin care products following these
washes, except the last wash before
surgery, when no skin care products
should be used.
Do
not eat or drink anything after midnight
before surgery. You may, however, take
prescriptive medication with a small
amount of water and brush your teeth
the morning of surgery. Wear a loose
fitting shirt that does not pull over
your head to the surgical suite. Loose
sweats are recommended as you will be
in a compression garment after surgery
and they may be difficult to get on.
Do not wear jewelry or bring valuables.
Please
plan to have someone bring you to and
take you home from the surgical facility
and stay with you the first 24 hours.
Notify the office staff of this person's
name and telephone number prior to surgery.
Have
all prescriptions filled a few days
before surgery, so they will be available
for you when you arrive home from surgery.
|
The
Procedure: |
The operation of facelift is usually
performed as an outpatient using local
or occasionally general anesthesia.
The procedure can take from 3 - 4 hours
depending on the variations of surgery.
The incisions are usually hidden in
the natural crease in front and behind
your ear up to the hairline. These incisions
will allow your surgeon to remove excess
skin and tighten the muscles. These
incisions can be hidden with your hair
following surgery until the scars are
unnoticeable. There may also be a small
incision under your chin. The incision
under the chin will allow your surgeon
to remove any excess fat, double chin
and tighten loose muscles of the neck.
The result of this surgery is long
lasting, however, it can be affected
by lifestyle and genetics. Removal of
fat is almost permanent, unless significant
weight gain occurs after surgery. Excess
skin may recur after a while, depending
on lifestyle and individual hereditary
skin conditions.
|
| Postoperative
Care: |
Rest
with your head elevated on two or more
pillows the evening after surgery. Take
pain medication as needed.
There
will be a bulky bandage in place over
your entire head for the first one or
two days. There will be sutures in place
for five to ten days. These sutures will
be removed in two visits following surgery.
You may notice some bleeding or oozing
from the surgical site, this is normal.
Bruising and swelling should maximize
two days following surgery and will gradually
disappear. A slight fever is normal during
the first few days following surgery.
Social
activity can be resumed after one week
or so when the swelling and black and
blue is mostly gone and you can wear make
up. You may return to work preferably
after two weeks, depending on the type
of job you have. Traveling is allowed
after two or three weeks. Exercise is
permitted four weeks following surgery.
You should avoid direct sunlight for four
weeks following surgery and make sunblock
a part of your daily skin care regimen
following your recovery.
You
are encouraged to call the office if you
have any questions. |
| Fees: |
|
It
is customary that the fees for surgery
to be paid two weeks prior to surgery.
This assures that the patient is sincere
in his or her motivation. The fees include
the surgeon's fee, the facility charge,
which is private and fully accredited
with high tech equipment, and anesthesiologist
or certified nurse anesthetist, if general
anesthesia is used. Also included in these
fees are any laboratory tests performed
in the office, use of special equipment
such as laser, endoscope, etc. It is very
rare that insurance plans cover cosmetic
surgery. Please feel free to ask the office
staff if you have any questions in that
regard.
We
understand this is a very important decision
in your life and you would like to do
this for yourself. In your private consultation
with Dr. Zandi who is a Board Certified
plastic surgeon, you may discuss your
needs and also obtain additional information.
|
|
