| Call (808) 247-3737 today
or request your FREE
consultation online now!
Reasons
for Considering a Facelift
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Sagging skin, muscles, and fat in
the face and neck |
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Excess
skin and fat on the neck |
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Sagging jaw line |
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Crease
lines along the nose, mouth, and
chin |
Face
Lift Procedure
At our Kaneohe office, a facelift involves
making an incision just inside the hairline
to follow the contour from in front of the
ear, under the earlobe to the lower scalp.
Skin and fat tissue are separated, the skin
is tightened, and excess is removed. Tiny,
ultra-small stitches are used to close
incisions and reduce chances of scarring.
A facelift takes two hours or longer,
depending upon whether additional cosmetic
procedures are done at the same time. There
are several different facelift techniques
from which to choose. Consult with Dr.
Watkins to decide which method is best for
you.
The
Best Candidates for a Facelift
The best candidate for a facelift is a man
or woman whose face and neck have begun to
sag, but whose skin still has some
elasticity and whose bone structure is
strong and well-defined. Most patients
are in their forties to sixties, but
facelifts can be done successfully on people
in their seventies or eighties as well.
A facelift can make you look younger and
fresher, and it may enhance your self-
confidence in the process.
All
Surgery Carries Some Uncertainty and Risk
Be sure to tell Dr. Watkins if you smoke
or are taking any drugs or medications,
especially aspirin or other drugs that
affect clotting. Don't hesitate to ask
Dr. Watkins any questions you may have,
especially those regarding your expectations
and concerns about the results.
Preparing for Your Surgery
Carefully follow your pre-op instructions
to help your surgery go more smoothly.
If you smoke, it's especially important to
stop at least a week or two before and after
surgery; smoking inhibits blood flow to the
skin, and can interfere with the healing of
your incision areas. You should
arrange for someone to drive you home after
your surgery and to help you out for a day
or two if needed.
Where Your Surgery Will Be Performed
Your facelift will be performed in our
surgeon's office-based outpatient surgical
facility. An Anesthesiologist will be
present to monitor you throughout surgery
with all the state-of-the-art equipment
necessary for your procedure.
Types of Anesthesia
Most Facelifts are performed under local
anesthesia, combined with a sedative to make
you drowsy. Most patients express a painless
experience and do not remember anything from
their surgery.
The
Surgery
A facelift usually takes several hours or
somewhat longer if you're having more than
one procedure done. Incisions usually
begin above the hairline at the temples,
extend just inside the cartilage at the
front of the ear, and continue behnd the
earlobe of the lower scalp. If the
neck needs work, a small incision may also
be made under the chin. Dr. Watkins then
tightens the underlying muscle and membrane,
pulls the skin back, and removes the excess.
Stitches secure the layers of tissue and
close the incisions. Following surgery, a
small, thin tube may be temporarily placed
under the skin behind your ear to drain any
fluid that might collect there. The surgeon
may also wrap your head loosely in bandages
to minimize bruising and swelling.
After Your Surgery
Your doctor may tell you to keep your
head elevated and as still as possible for a
couple of days after surgery, to keep the
swelling down. If you've had a
drainage tube inserted, it will be removed
one or two days after surgery.
Bandages, when used, are usually removed
after one to five days. Don't be
surprised at the pale, bruised, and puffy
face you see. Just keep in mind that
in a few weeks you'll be looking normal.
Most of your stitches will be removed after
about five days.
Getting Back to Normal
You should be up and about in a day or
two, but plan on taking it easy for the
first week after surgery. Avoid
strenuous activity, including sex and heavy
housework, for at least two weeks. (Walking
and mild stretching are fine). Avoid
alcohol, steam baths, and saunas for several
months. Above all, get plenty of rest
and allow your body to spend its energy on
healing. Most patients are back at
work about ten days to two weeks after
surgery.
The end result can leave you looking 10
to 15 years younger.
Call (808) 247-3737 today or
request your FREE
consultation online now!
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