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Facelift

INTRODUCTION

Your face is your most prized feature. It reflects how you feel inside to the world. Many of our patients feel like they are 20 on the inside, but their face does not reflect that. Facial aging affects the skin, muscle, and fat of the face. In order to truly rejuvenate the face, all the layers need to be addressed. A facelift that is well performed by an experienced plastic surgeon will accomplish that. The reasons why men and women choose to have facelifts in their forties, fifties, and up to their eighties vary, from wanting to look good to competing in the workplace to being able to shave better.

When someone looks in the mirror and is unhappy with their face, it can sometimes be difficult to verbalize why they are unhappy. Assuming that genetics and the aging process play a role in a person’s unhappiness with their appearance, it is important to identify the problem and offer a surgical solution:

• If a patient is unhappy with excess fat in their neck but has good skin tone and good muscle tone of their neck, then he/she is a good candidate for neck liposuction.
• If a patient is unhappy with excess fat in their neck and has loose skin and/or muscle in their neck, then he/she is a good candidate for a neck lift.
• If a patient is unhappy with laxity in their neck as well as their jowls and jaw line, then he/she is a good candidate for a mini facelift
• If a patient is unhappy with their neck, jowls, and cheeks, then he/she is a good candidate for a facelift.
• If a patient is unhappy with droopy eyebrows and wrinkles in the forehead then he/she is a good candidate for a forehead lift.

BENEFITS OF SURGERY

• Very natural results without a “done” look.
• This facelift technique is moderate in terms of aggressiveness. It provides an excellent long-term result (about seven to 12 years) with a low risk of major complications.
• The scars are very nicely hidden. In most cases, it is difficult to appreciate them. Hair is not shaved, and the hairline is not raised.
• This technique is flexible and can be adjusted to different shapes with varying amounts of fat, laxity of skin, and laxity of muscle, with excellent long-term results.

PREPARING FOR SURGERY

We believe a well-prepared patient leads to a successful surgery and recovery. Whether you are flying in internationally or a local, our staff strives to give you a great experience. During your initial call to our office, one of our patient care coordinators will discuss the different options available to improve the areas of your concern. A consultation is scheduled with the doctor who best fits your personal situation. The doctor will review your medical history, spend the appropriate time to review all surgical and non-surgical options, and discuss whether surgery can be performed in-office under local sedation or at the hospital under general anesthesia. In sharing our before and after photos, you get a better sense in the quality of surgery our doctors offer and what outcome you can expect to achieve. We will review pre- and post-operative care so you can be prepared for what your role is in surgery. You will be asked to stop smoking two weeks prior to and post-surgery. Safety is our top priority, so we will ask you to see your primary care physician to perform a physical exam, lab work and, in some patients, an EKG 30 days prior to surgery. Next, we see you for a pre-op appointment two weeks prior to surgery to discuss any questions you may have and review surgery details, ensuring everyone is on the same page. You will then receive a courtesy call the evening before surgery to review instructions and any questions you may have.

PROCEDURE DESCRIPTION

A facelift rejuvenates the cheeks, the jowls and the neck. It is the gold standard for facial rejuvenation, and the best time to do it right is the first time by a plastic surgeon who is experienced in performing facelifts.

The way that we perform a facelift is essentially a cheek lift plus a neck lift. First, the face is injected with tumescent solution to decrease bleeding and pain during and after the procedure. Next, if liposuction is needed to remove excess fat in the face, then it will be performed. After that, the skin is elevated from the underlying fat in the cheeks, jowls, and the neck. The fat in the jowls is repositioned upwards into the cheek to give a more youthful face. The muscle in the neck is tightened. A special suture is used to lift the muscles and give the neck a long-term youthful look, as well as a well-defined jaw-line, despite the pull of gravity and the aging process. After the underlying fat and muscle is addressed, then the excess skin is excised and the incisions are carefully hidden around the hairline and inside the ear. Two drains are placed behind the ears to remove the fluid that accumulates after a mini facelift. Autologous fat transfer to the mid-face (cheeks and nasolabial folds) is very effective in restoring facial volume loss associated with aging. It is complimentary to a facelift, which addresses laxity of tissue, and both procedures are often combined.

RECOVERY

Our office will provide a comprehensive post-operative plan to ensure the best possible outcome. The plan will include what to expect postoperatively, such as estimated recovery time, pain management, garments or dressings, and anticipated activity level. For your safety, we require that an adult stay with you at least the first 24 hours after surgery and drives you to your next day follow-up visit. With most facial procedures, you will be instructed to limit activity for the first week or two, which could include restrictions on driving, prolonged travel and flying. In addition, we ask you refrain from exercise until cleared by the physician, usually around four weeks post-op. You are asked to refrain from smoking for a minimum of two weeks. To optimize healing, we recommend that you eat a high protein diet. You should anticipate a variable degree of bruising and swelling, as with any surgical procedure; light make-up may be used to cover bruises starting a week after surgery. We also offer scar creams at an additional cost to optimize results.

To promote healing and minimize complications, you will be seen in a series of post-op appointments, including the day after surgery. These appointments will continue throughout the first year after the procedure to make sure you are healing as planned. For your added convenience, you also have direct access to Dr. Bitar’s and Dr. Lickstein’s cell phone numbers if you need to reach your physician after hours. The final post-op visit, one year after surgery, is one of our favorites since the results are fully apparent and we love seeing our patients happy. You are always welcome to come back and see us, even years after your surgery.

MAXIMIZING POSITIVE OUTCOMES

At the Bitar Cosmetic Surgery Institute, we take pride in providing our patients with the best surgical experience possible, emphasizing patient safety while trying to optimize surgical results. This is a process that includes comprehensive pre-operative preparation and patient education, the development of a personalized operative plan, and a thoughtful post operative care regimen emphasizing patient comfort and promoting recovery.

There are a number of strategies which the Institute has adapted to further ensure patient safety. We are selective and only offer surgery to patients whose general health and lifestyle choices permit healing and facilitate recovery. To minimize risk, we require a preoperative assessment that includes a thoughtful history and physical exam, as well as targeted laboratory tests.

We operate at accredited hospitals and surgicenters that have demonstrated a commitment to the highest standards of care, employing board certified anesthesiologists and nurses. We adhere to well established surgical principles designed to ensure patient safety and have developed policies and protocols to minimize the risk of infection. Our surgeons are committed to continuing education, honing their skills and introducing new techniques always with the aim of improving safety and surgical results.

We emphasize patient safety in our peri-operative care plan, advocating early mobilization, optimizing nutrition, and providing detailed care instructions. After surgery, patients are seen in our office frequently and early, starting the day after their procedure, and a staff member is available around the clock for any questions or concerns. Our entire team is committed to our patients’ well being and every measure is designed to minimize potential complications, promote comfortable and rapid recovery, and optimize surgical results.

WHY CHOOSE BITAR COSMETIC SURGERY INSTITUTE?

Our commitment to excellence and exceptional patient care is in every step of your doctor-patient experience. Dr. George Bitar and Dr. Larry Lickstein are distinguished board certified plastic surgeons, with over 30 years of combined experience, who exclusively perform cosmetic surgery. Our doctors stay on the cutting edge of advancements in cosmetic surgery and technology to offer the best possible results. With a blend of artistry and meticulous surgical technique, they are able to achieve beautiful and natural results for our patients. We provide a high level of patient safety and our experienced and caring staff will be with you every step of the way. Our institute offers a wide variety of surgical and non-surgical options, from skin care, injectables and lasers to in-office or hospital options, to provide a versatile approach to fit individual patient needs. Your aesthetic goals are our priority and each procedure is customized to ensure you receive the best possible outcome.

For more information, call our office at 703-206-0506.

Content on this website is for information only and should not be used to diagnose or treat your plastic surgery or cosmetic surgery problems. Please contact your plastic surgeon with all questions and concerns.