The table outlining the steps in Facial Surgery apply to facelifts with a few unique differences. Facelift surgery is tailored to specific needs, but the basic steps are as follows:
A general or a local anesthetic may be administered. intravenous sedation to relax the patient is often administered as well if local anesthetic is used.
Some of the hair above and behind the ear may have to be shaved if the incision is to be made in the hair bearing skin of the scalp.
The incision, although always around the ear, will vary according to the problems to be corrected, the quality of the skin and the technique used. If an endoscope is used then the incision is not as long because the surgeon does not have to draw back the skin to see what he or she is doing. The endoscope allows the surgeon to view the area being treated through a lighted microscope housed within a narrow cannula (round rigid or flexible tube). This is accompanied by surgical tools and/or a laser fiber passed in or along the same cannula To minimize trauma during the procedure and to shorten the healing time endoscopic face lifts are becoming more and more popular. They also offers the advantage of an unmarked canvas (the facial skin) for additional procedures such as laser resurfacing and Laser removal of blood vessels or pigment spots. As these procedures, especially laser resurfacing, can cause a lot of swelling an extensive, tight incision line may be compromised.
When excessive redundant skin needs to be removed and lax muscle needs to be redraped rather than simply repositioned and elevated, an open surgical approach rather than endoscopic technique is preferable.
Once the incision is made, the skin over the cheek and neck arm is lifted away from the underlying fibrous tissue.
If the neck muscle requires repair or if fat beneath the skin is to be removed, another incision is made under the chin in a natural crease.
The supporting fibrous layer under the skin is then tightened.
The excess fat is removed from the jowl, cheek, and chin regions by either cutting or liposuction techniques.
The skin is pulled smoothly across the lower half of the face and the excess skin is removed.
