Endoscopic Facelift
Endoscopic Facelift
A facelift is a surgical procedure designed to improve the
most visible signs of aging on your face and neck. The procedure
removes skin on the face and neck that is loose and sagging
and tightens the underlying muscles and support structures.
Although the traditional
facelift is usually the best choice for most patients,
an endoscopic facelift can be beneficial for patients who
do not have a significant amount of excess skin. Almost
any problem that can be treated with a traditional facelift
can also be addressed through an endoscopic facelift. With
this type of facelift, the doctor
can focus on problems in a specific area of the face, making
smaller, more concentrated adjustments.
Endoscopic
facelifts make use of the latest technology and require
much smaller incisions (often less than one inch in length)
than a traditional facelift. The doctor inserts an endoscope
- a probe that contains a small camera -- through the small
incisions and is able to monitor the progress of the procedure
using the internally placed camera. Patients who undergo
endoscopic facelifts typically require less recovery time,
experience fewer side effects, and have lower risk of complications.
There are two kinds of endoscopic facelifts:
· The superficial facelift in which your skin is elevated at the hairline.
· The deep lift in which the original attachment of your skin is freed and then your skin is reattached to the facial bones in a tighter and smoother fashion.
Working with the experienced doctors and staff at The
Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery, you can
determine which type of endoscopic facelift is right for
you and be assured of a safe and pleasing outcome.
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Are You A Good Candidate for a Facelift?
The best candidate for an endoscopic facelift is someone whose face and neck have begun to sag, but who does not have large amounts of sagging skin. It is also helpful if the skin still has some elasticity and the bone structure is strong and well defined. Most patients are in their forties to sixties, but facelifts can be successfully performed on people well into their seventies and eighties. If you are generally healthy, have a realistic view about the results that can be achieved with an endoscopic facelift, and have any of the following conditions, you may be a good candidate for the procedure:
· Loss of skin elasticity and/or muscle tone on your face and/or neck
· Wrinkles or furrows on your face and/or neck
· Deep creases forming between the bottom of your nose and the corner of your mouth
· A diminished jaw line
· A sagging or heavy chin
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Meeting With The Doctor
Prior to scheduling your endoscopic facelift, you will have
an extensive consultation with the doctors and staff at
The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery. The goals
of the consultation are to evaluate your facial and neck
structure, your skin elasticity, and your underlying muscle
tone to determine if an endoscopic facelift is right for
you and, if so, which technique suits you best. The doctor
will thoroughly explain each technique, along with its risks,
benefits, and recovery times. You will be asked to describe
in detail how you want your face and neck to look after
your facelift. Working together, you and the doctor will
decide which technique will give you the results you desire.
The
Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery doctors and staff
will:
· Review the two endoscopic facelift options with you
· Clearly discuss the potential risks of each procedure
· Outline in detail how the surgery is performed and what you can expect before, during, and after the procedure
· Provide detailed cost and payment information
· Answer all your questions
You will be asked to provide:
· Details about your medical history
· A list of all medication you currently take including over the counter medications such as aspirin, vitamins, and herbal supplements
· Information regarding your tobacco and alcohol use
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How The Procedure Is Performed
Your endoscopic facelift will be performed at one of region's premiere accredited outpatient-based surgical facilities: the Center for Ambulatory Surgery, Inc. (CASI) or the Washington Hospital Center. If your facelift is combined with other procedures, a hospital stay of one to two nights may be required. Your endoscopic facelift will take between one to two hours to complete and is performed under local anesthesia.
The doctor makes three or more small incisions above your
hairline and behind each ear. The incisions are usually
made well behind the hairline so that they are not visible.
The doctor inserts a small instrument called an endoscope
through the incisions. The endoscope has a camera on it
that is connected to a television monitor, allowing the
doctor to precisely work with the skin, support structures,
and muscle.
Once the procedure is complete, the doctor uses stitches
to secure the layers of tissue and to close the incisions.
Surgical clips may be used to secure the scalp. Your head
is wrapped with gauze dressings to help reduce the swelling.
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What To Expect After Your Surgery
| Activity | When |
|---|
| Bandages Removed | One to Three Days After Surgery |
| Shower and Shampoo Hair | Two Days After Surgery |
| Stitches Removed | Three to Five Days After Surgery |
| Back to Work | One Week After Surgery |
| Driving | As Soon as You Feel Comfortable |
| Strenuous Activity | Two Weeks After Surgery |
| Fading of Scars |
Several Months to One Year |
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Immediately After Your Surgery
Your endoscopic facelift surgery is performed on an outpatient
basis and you go home shortly after the surgery. You may
be sleepy from the anesthesia
and the surgical area will be sore so you will need to have
someone drive you home. There will be some bruising, swelling,
and numbness. Pain medication will be prescribed to alleviate
as much post-surgery pain as possible.
The First 24 to 48 Hours After Your Surgery
You may experience some numbness and temporary discomfort around the incisions. Any pain or discomfort you experience can be controlled with prescribed medication. You will also experience swelling and some bruising. Your discomfort level will improve rapidly after the first two days.
Your doctor will remove your bandages at your first post-operative visit. There
may be a small amount of bleeding around your incisions.
This is normal and can usually be controlled by applying
light pressure to the area. If the bleeding does not respond
to light pressure or becomes heavy, call The
Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery for further
instructions.
You can wash your hair 48 hours after surgery; however, if you dry your hair, keep the dryer on the lowest setting since your scalp may be numb and there is a risk that you might burn yourself.
The
First Two Weeks After Surgery
Most patients are back to work within a week of surgery.
Any stitches will be removed three to five days after surgery.
You can begin using makeup two days after your stitches
are removed. You may notice:
· Mild swelling, tenderness, and bruising in the area of
the incisions. This will gradually disappear within the
first few weeks after surgery. The swelling may cause it
to feel funny when you make certain facial expressions.
· Numbness in the area of your incisions; this is normal
and may take several weeks to disappear completely.
· Itching as a result of the healing of the nerves near
your incisions.
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Resuming Your Normal Routine
Everyone heals at different
rates and you are the best judge of when you are ready for
certain activities, but the following are general guidelines:
· You can most likely return to work a two week of your
surgery.
· You can resume driving as soon as you feel comfortable
doing so.
· You can most likely return to your physical exercise
program within two weeks of your endoscopic facelift. Our
patients are encouraged to plan an exercise program and
discuss it with the staff prior to resuming exercise.
· Most of the visible signs of your surgery should fade
within about three weeks.
· Prolonged exposure to heat and sun should be limited for
several months.
· The scars caused by the incision should be protected from
sunlight for at least a year after surgery.
Things To Be Aware Of After Your Surgery
· You may experience a loss of sensation or numbness in the area of your surgery. This is entirely normal and may take several weeks to disappear.
· Some of your hair around the incision may fall out and may temporarily be a bit thinner than normal. Normal hair growth usually resumes within a few weeks or a month. Permanent hair loss is rare.
· Protect your scars with sunscreen for at least six months after surgery. Use an SPF 15 (or greater) sunscreen every time you are outside. Apply the sunscreen before applying makeup
· Hair texture and manageability can change temporarily as a reaction to surgery. Wait at least six weeks before coloring, highlighting, or perming your hair once it returns to its normal texture.
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What Are Possible Side Effects or
Risks? All surgical procedures have some degree
of risk; however, major complications from endoscopic facelift
surgery are unusual. During your initial consultation with
the doctors and staff of The Metropolitan Institute for
Plastic Surgery, your individual risks will be assessed
and discussed. As with any surgery, you can help reduce
the risks by closely following the pre and post-surgery
instructions provided to you. And the doctors and staff
of the Institute will be with you every step of the way
to ensure a safe and pleasing outcome.
Most likely risks include the following.
· Infection
· Hair loss
· Asymmetry
· Skin sloughing, delayed healing at the incisions points
How Long Will the Results of Your Endoscopic Facelift Last?
An endoscopic facelift removes excess skin and repositions fat and muscle to reduce jowls and smooth the jaw line for a more youthful appearance. These results generally last between five to ten years, longer in many cases. It is important to keep in mind that the effects of aging, gravity, and environmental factors will continue to affect the smoothness, sagging, and wrinkling of your face and neck. Meticulous skin care is critical to maximize the effectiveness and longevity of your surgical results.
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Questions You May Have
· Are there other procedures that could be done along with endoscopic facelift surgery to enhance the overall appearance of my face?
An endoscopic facelift is often performed in conjunction with a neck lift, brow lift, or eyelid surgery to enhance the overall youthful appearance. Botox injections are a non-surgical alternative that may temporarily reduce the amount of lines and wrinkles in your face and neck.
· Will my insurance coverage pay for my endoscopic
facelift?
An endoscopic facelift is considered cosmetic surgery and, therefore, is not covered by insurance. You are responsible for the full payment of the procedure. Cost and payment information will be fully discussed with you during your initial consultation.
· Are there alternatives to facelift surgery?
Botox injections are a non-surgical alternative to a facelift. These injections can reduce or eliminate lines and furrows by blocking the nerve impulses to temporarily paralyze the muscles that cause wrinkles. Meticulous skin care may also help improve the tone, texture, and occasionally the contour of your facial skin. Laser resurfacing and chemical peels may also provide a less invasive option to surgery.
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