What is it?

A procedure that helps counteract the affects of aging by lifting the skin of the face and repositioning the tissues to their more natural and youthful location.

What does it accomplish?

The purpose of the face-lift procedure is to remove the signs of aging in the face by pulling the skin and the structures underneath the skin in an upward and backward direction, thereby counteracting the effects of gravity.   The beneficial effects of a face-lift can vary depending on the patient's anatomy and their lifestyle.   In addition, the role of heredity is also important in the effect that the face-lift has in the patient's overall appearance.

How long does it last?

The beneficial effects of a face-lift can vary depending on the patient's anatomy and their lifestyle.   In addition, the role of heredity is also important in the effect that the face-lift has in the patient's overall appearance. With current methods of face lifting it is not uncommon for a achieving results that last up to 10 years.

What happens during the first consultation?

In the first consultation you will get a chance to discuss your concerns with our patient care coordinators and Dr. Marefat. We will tell you what you need to know about your procedure and will help you determine what is best for you. You will receive information booklets, review before and after photographs, and receive pricing on the procedures.

How is it done?  

We usually perform this operation in an out patient surgical facility under general anesthesia.   The skin of the face is lifted and the tissues underneath are fixed in their proper position.   The skin of the face is pulled and trimmed.   The suture line is hidden in the hair bearing skin and natural folds of the face

What can I expect after surgery?

There will be a moderate amount of swelling and bruising with a facelift operation. You cannot do this procedure and plan to go back to work the following week. Most patients elect to take between two to three weeks off work.   This gives them adequate time to recover from surgery and to be seen without drawing attention.   Although most of the

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evidence of surgery has disappeared by the end of the third week the ultimate result of the face-lift operation will not be evident until at least five or six months have passed.   You should expect a moderate degree of tightness in the skin of the neck and the cheek area during this period. This will slowly resolve and become normal over the ensuing weeks.   You will also remain very sensitive to sunlight and therefore using sun block and protecting of the skin from direct sunlight is advocated.

When are the sutures removed?

Most sutures are removed within a week. However there may be sutures or staples that remain up to 2 weeks in order to provide additional support in critical areas.

How many visits do I have after surgery?

We like to see our patients frequently after surgery. You are seen by the doctor or nurse within 2-3 days of surgery. Then the normal routine is 1 week, 1month, 3 months.6months, and 12 months after surgery. Of course if there is a need, you are seen as many times as necessary. We encourage our patients to come for routine follow-up visits every 3-5 years.

When can I cover my bruises with make-up?

You should be able to put makeup on your bruises after one week. However, we do not recommend your putting makeup on your incisions until the skin is completely healed because this may result in tattooing of the skin by the pigments of the makeup.

Am I a good candidate?

The ideal candidate for a facelift is person good facial skeletal structure but loose and sagging skin. There is no definite age category when the surgery should be done. The ideal candidate for plastic surgery is a self-motivated patient who has realistic expectations about the results.   Generally the younger you are the better a candidate you are for surgery. But the physiologic age of person is more important than the chronological age. That is to say you may be 60 years old, but your skin and general health could be better than most who are 50 years old.

What does the surgery cost?

The cost of surgery varies but here are some guidelines that will help you determine roughly what you could expect. Remember that these are only rough estimates. The best way for you get an accurate cost analysis is to see a doctor.

Facelift:     $4,650 - $12,175

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How do I pay for surgery?            

You can pay for surgery by certified check. credit card, or cash. Payments for cosmetic surgery are expected prior to the procedure. If you are scheduling several weeks in advance of surgery you can pay by personal check.

Are there scars?

Yes. The extent of the scars depends on the type of facelift you are having. If you have a Mini-facelift the scars are quite short and inconspicuous. The traditional Facelift incision starts in the temple area and comes down in front of the ear. Then it curves back around the earlobe towards the posterior scalp. About half of the incision is in the hair-bearing scalp and the rest is well hidden in the natural folds around the ear. If you look closely you can see the scars but from a normal conversational distance the scars can go unnoticed.

Does it hurt?

Yes. However, the pain involved in Facelift procedures is very tolerable. We have heard our patients describe it as 'discomfort' or 'soreness'. For some reason, injuries to the face (including those surgically induced) do not hurt as bad as they look. Many patients do not finish the pain medications prescribed to them for pain relief. But having said that remember that pain is very subjective, and it is not easy to predict what degree of pain you will have.

Will I be awake during surgery?

If you are having a regular facelift operation you will be asleep. It is to your advantage to be comfortable and have an anesthesiologist monitor your heart and lung. This would also help the surgeon because he can concentrate on his work and accomplish what he wishes to do with expediency.

Where is the surgery performed ? (i.e. office suite or hospital)

The operation is performed in an out patient surgical facility under general anesthesia. Only in rare situations in which the patient may have medical risk factors does Dr.Marefat suggest the hospital environment for surgery.

Are medical photographs taken?  

Yes. Photographs are mandatory for all cosmetic and reconstructive cases. Photographs are the only way for us to compare before and after results. Photographs in plastic surgery serve the same role that x-rays do for orthopedic surgery.

Date Revised: 9-9-04

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