Face lift

Synonyms

Facelift, facelift

General

During aging, more or less pronounced skin bumps and wrinkles appear on the face and neck area. These normal signs of age can have a huge impact on a person's appearance and thereby significantly reduce their well-being.
The reason for the appearance of skin bumps and wrinkles is a progressive loss of skin elasticity and slackening of the subcutaneous fatty tissue. A so-called face lift can help the affected people and give the skin a younger appearance. The face lift is a plastic-aesthetic procedure from the field of cosmetic surgery.
During the surgical procedure, the human facial skin can be re-modulated and smoothed. The aim of face tightening is not only to tighten the facial skin, but also to smooth the underlying subcutaneous tissue. The patients who decide to perform a face lift are in most cases older patients who have a higher skin tension and thus want to achieve a younger appearance.

Although the individual face lift techniques have been optimized over the years, the classic facelift is not a new method. The first medical face lift was documented in the early 20th century. The facelift is now one of the most common surgical procedures that are performed in the field of plastic and aesthetic surgery. Although this fact basically speaks for extensive experience in this surgical field, the performance of a face lift should be carefully considered by both the patient and the performing specialist.
The face lift is a purely aesthetic operation that has no medical indication (necessity). The possible side effects and complications of a face lift, however, can have far-reaching consequences. In addition, anyone who decides to have a surgical face lift should be aware that this operation is not covered by health insurance. The costs incurred in the course of the procedure are therefore not borne by either the statutory or private health insurance companies. Ordinary health insurance also does not cover the treatment of possible consequences of the operation.
If necessary, the patient must pay all costs incurred.

method

Usually a surgical face lift is performed starting from the deep layers of the skin Subcutaneous tissue carried out.
The most frequently chosen approach of a pure cheek lift takes place immediately above the Zygomatic bone and extends to the periosteum. In patients for whom, in addition to the face tightening of the cheek region, the neck area is to be tightened and / or a particularly long-term effect is to be achieved, the large skin muscle of the neck (Platysma) be remodulated.
The actual tightening of the epidermis usually takes place during the surgical procedure by introducing sutures into the skin and muscle structures. In this way, areas that have become too unstable can be re-anchored without sufficient inherent elasticity.
In cases where several parts of the face are to be lifted at the same time, it may be necessary to tighten these seams opposing Create directions. In this way, pronounced losses of elasticity can also be compensated for. Following the fixation of the tissue, in most cases excess skin areas are surgically removed and the surgical field is closed as tension-free as possible.
In the case of less pronounced wrinkles, the face lift can under certain circumstances in a so-called "minimally invasive procedure" without major scar be performed.Theoretically, there are also methods of face tightening that can be carried out without surgical incisions. The face lift with Gold thread or Plastic compound threads is one of the most common procedures. The problem with these methods, however, is the fact that excess skin flaps cannot be removed and they should therefore mostly only be used on relatively young patients.

Methods

A face lift surgery can be done in different ways. The choice of the most suitable method of face tightening depends on the doctor treating you as well as the extent of the tightening.

SMAS LIFT
In this context, the abbreviation “SMAS” stands for Superficial Muscular Aponeurosis System. This name was chosen because of the structures it contains (Muscles and Aponeurosis) Special attention should be paid during the surgical face lift. There is a consensus among the plastic, aesthetic experts that an effective facial tightening can only be achieved by tightening these tissue layers. Long-lasting results are therefore only possible if precise muscle and soft tissue tightening are taken into account.
The SMAS-Lift, which is often used in Germany, is still subdivided into various techniques. Depending on which effect is to be achieved in the respective patient, the operative modulation and reattachment is individually adapted.
The rough process of the SMAS lift begins with making an arched cut in the scalp area. In most cases an incision must be made starting from a ear to the other ear. The surgeon then has to carefully remove the scalp and mobilize it in this way. The face lift of the forehead and the eyebrows can now be done simply by pulling and fixing.
Mini lift
With this method of face tightening, only the actual skin is tightened. For this reason, the mini-lift is only useful for light wrinkles. In addition, the durability of this form of face lift is very limited.
Liquid lift
In this type of face lift, various liquids are used to inject the wrinkles. For the selected substances, a distinction must be made between absorbable and non-absorbable liquids. By injecting the liquid, existing wrinkles can be lifted and thus evened out.
In addition, a distinction is made in plastic-aesthetic surgery between the upper and lower face lift. While the upper face lift primarily corrects the forehead area, the temple region and the eyebrows, the lower face lift treats the cheeks and neck. In addition, can Adipose tissue can be used as insert material.

Behavior before and after the procedure

Since a face lift is usually performed under general anesthesia, some rules of conduct must be followed urgently before performing the operation.
On the evening before the surgery, the Ingestion to be set urgently. Failure to follow this rule of conduct can result in the anesthesia Vomit and in this context for aspiration (Inhalation) of leftover food.
Drinking does not usually have to be stopped until the evening before the operation. However, in the morning before performing the face lift, the patient should stop drinking. In addition, it should be noted that the consumption of alcohol and / or tobacco products can negatively affect wound healing. For this reason, all consumption should be stopped days before the planned surgery date.

After the face lift you have to enjoy at least another 14 days nicotine and alcohol be waived. Furthermore, the head should be lying down within the first few weeks after the face lift surgery high be stored. In this way, especially in the first few days after the operation, the risk of developing Secondary bleeding can be reduced considerably.

Risks

The face lift is one non-medically necessary surgical intervention. However, like any other surgery, face lift surgery has some serious ones Risks.
For this reason, performing this type of wrinkle treatment should be carefully considered.

Some of the most relevant risks that can arise in connection with a surgical face lift are Wound infections. Due to the extensive incision, germs can enter the wound and lead to severe infections. In most cases, however, the administration makes these infections more suitable Antibiotics easy to get to grips with.

Furthermore, it can develop in the course of the face lift Numbness and strong Swelling come. These symptoms can be caused primarily by the surgical incisions and the mobilization of the skin areas and the associated damage to the smallest nerve branches.
In most cases, within a few weeks to months after the operation, the impaired nerve fibers regenerate and, as a result, sensory perception returns. In addition, ask Bruising after a face lift is a common risk. Both the swelling that occurs and the possible Bruising (Hematomas) usually resolve completely within a few days after the surgical procedure.
Another risk of face lift is the development of Wound healing disorders. The formation of unsightly scar tissue is also possible in the course of an extensive face lift.

That I nicotine and alcohol have a negative effect on the regenerative capacity of the skin and subcutaneous fatty tissue, consumption should be stopped a few weeks before the operation. Failure to comply increases the likelihood of these risks occurring. In addition, the fading of bruises and the regression of swelling can be delayed by the influence of nicotine and / or alcohol. The most dreaded risks associated with a face lift include Paralysis and impairment of ordinary facial expressions.
However, such phenomena usually arise from an incorrect surgical technique. With a regular, problem-free face lift, usually no large areas of the face should be paralyzed. Normally, facial expressions should not be negatively influenced either.

In addition, it should be noted that a surgical face lift is usually performed under general anesthesia. People who choose to have plastic surgery under general anesthesia should be aware that while this method is relatively safe, it is not entirely risk-free. For this reason, plastic-aesthetic operations without medical indication should not be performed on people who suffer from heart or lung diseases. One of the most common side effects of general anesthesia in the course of a face lift is the occurrence of nausea and Vomit.

Furthermore, the trachea can be opened by inserting the Ventilation hose (Tube) can be damaged. As a result, symptoms like to cough, Hoarseness or difficulty swallowing. In addition, malfunctions of the Cardiovascular system one of the most dreaded risks of a face lift under general anesthesia.

costs

Patients who decide to have a face lift should be aware that it is a plastic-aesthetic Operation acts. This means that the costs incurred during the face lift are not borne by either private individuals or statutory health insurance companies. Patients have to pay for all costs themselves.

The exact costs of a face lift depend on the one hand on the chosen treatment method and on the other hand on the scope of the corrective measures. Prices can also vary greatly from doctor to doctor and even within different cities. Very good plastic surgeons can often be found, especially in smaller cities, who offer face lifts at comparatively low prices. In a consultation, the patient should explain to the attending physician as precisely as possible which improvements in facial features are desired. Only then can the attending surgeon decide which treatment measures are to be taken and are best suited to the individual case.

The costs for performing a face lift in Germany range between 4000 and 9000 Euro. This price usually includes the cost of booking an operating room and performing general anesthesia. The usual follow-up treatment measures are also usually covered by the operation costs. After performing an extensive face lift, the patient must have at least one one day Expect hospital stay.
During this time, vital signs (i.e. pulse, blood pressure and breathing) of the patient can be monitored. In addition, it can be observed during the stay in the clinic whether there is any increase in the area of ​​the surgical incisions Secondary bleeding comes. Should problems arise that are caused by the anesthesia or the actual operation, action can be taken quickly and effectively. Many plastic surgeons also charge approximately 50 Euros for the extensive consultation before the face lift.
Since the cost of a face lift can be very high, most plastic surgeons have been working with financial institutions for some time. In this way, aesthetic surgery no longer remains an option for people with particularly high incomes.

An alternative to performing a face lift within Germany is the operation in foreign countries The costs of a face lift abroad are usually far below the sums required in Germany. Such foreign operations used to be considered extremely risky, as foreign doctors were often said to have less good professional competence. In addition, it has long been assumed that the hygiene measures abroad also differ significantly from German standards. In most cases, however, these prejudices cannot be confirmed.
Especially in Poland and the Turkey offer very well-trained, capable specialists face lifts at significantly lower prices. In addition, before performing a plastic-aesthetic operation, it should be considered that possible complications can result in additional costs. Neither the statutory nor the private health insurances are obliged to reimburse treatment measures that are necessary due to cosmetic surgery. For this reason, patients who opt for a face lift should take out additional insurance. The average cost of such insurance is approximately 80 Euro.

Alternatives

A face lift surgery involves a number of risks. However, there are alternatives to classic surgical face lifts, especially with slightly pronounced skin unevenness and slight wrinkles.

Wrinkle injection with Botox is the most frequently chosen alternative to face tightening. Botox is particularly suitable for correcting the eyebrow and / or corner of the mouth region. However, since the injected substance is a neurotoxin, the use of Botox is also dangerous.
Less pronounced wrinkles can be corrected in many cases by introducing fat-dissolving substances (lipolysis; fat-away injections).

In addition, the so-called thermal lifting (synonym: Thermage) is now used more and more frequently. With this alternative to surgical face lift, the lower layers of the skin are heated with the help of radio waves. In the course of this warming, small fat deposits dissolve and the connective tissue located under the skin is tightened.

Those who shy away from a facelift can achieve a much more youthful appearance with an eyelid lift. Because the more alert gaze makes the entire face appear refreshed.

Read on below: Eyelid correction

Especially with young patients who want to correct uneven skin and / or wrinkles, the use of various cosmetic articles can be sufficient. The regular application of skin-tightening substances can only correct very mild wrinkles. In addition, it should be noted with this method that no long-term effects can be achieved through the use of cosmetic articles.