Procedure | Surgical
Lift (Face and Body)
A lift, whether is it for the face or body, seeks to repair and readjust the contours of underlying tissues and muscles while removing unwanted fat. This procedure can be done to various parts of the body such as the face, brows, forehead, arm, neck, breast, thigh, upper and lower body, and tummy.
A facelift deals with the region just below the eyelid area all the way through to the lower region of the face. Whereas, a neck lift online concentrates on the lower face from the chin or jowls area down to the base of the neck.
Because of the mid-face and neck interrelation, it is quite common that both procedures may be performed or what we call a full facelift. However, if patients feel that a full facelift is too much, your doctor may suggest a larger surgery if they think it is a better option to achieve your desired results.
Whilst there are various types of lift such as the MACS lift, SMAS facelift, deep plane facelift, and a traditional facelift. They are all very similar procedures. They differ in techniques employed such as incisions, internal supporting structures which can be used depending on the patient’s desired results.
Before a lift surgery, you might need to:
• Begin certain medications prescribed by your doctor.
• Avoid eating after midnight the night before your surgery.
• Arrange for help during recovery. Someone to drive you home and stay with you the first night after surgery.
The procedure method may vary depending on the area being treated and your doctor’s preferences. The procedure can be done with local anesthesia, or general anesthesia according to each case. The surgery may take several hours.
A general guide would entail:
• Incisions made
• Liposuction – may be used to remove excess fat and improve the contour at the same time.
• The incisions are closed with sutures.
• Drains will be placed temporarily to aid recovery.
Expect swelling, bruising, and pain but should resolve in the weeks following.
The treated area would be dressed and bandaged. You may have a tube temporarily placed underneath to drain any excess blood or fluid that may have collected after the surgery.
You would also need to wear a compression garment to aid recovery. This should be worn at all times except while showering.
Post-operative activities will be restricted until you have fully recovered. However, it is recommended to take walks during these period.
Most people require four to six weeks of recovery time before returning to normal activities, and generally, they should wait from six to eight weeks before exercising. There cannot be any pressure placed on the treated area.
Results tend to be visible almost immediately, but final results may take several months to fully develop depending on your individual needs. While scars will remain, the overall results are long-lasting through maintaining a stable weight and exercise.
Risks include:
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Separation of incision
• Skin laxity (looseness)
• Skin necrosis (tissue death)
• Abnormal scar formation
• Formation of a seroma (a mass or lump caused by fluid buildup in a tissue or organ)
• Asymmetry (unbalanced appearance)
