Facelift Rejuvenation

Cosmetic Facelift Plastic Surgery and Rejuvenating Skin Care for Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, & Washington DC

Facial rejuvenation or facelift surgery, is one of the most commonly performed surgeries today in the world of aesthetic cosmetic plastic surgery. Facelift surgery has served as an aide to restoring a youthful appearance for centuries. Facelift surgery is recognized worldwide by nearly all civilized cultures as a tool to turn back the hands of time and delay the appearance of aging. Facelift surgery can help change the appearance of a person, who wants their outer look to match the way they feel inside. When facial rejuvenation (facelift) is approached at all levels, dramatic results can occur. 'Attention to the details' improves the chances that a quality, long lasting result will occur. Specifically addressing a person's skin care, detrimental behaviors (i.e. sun exposure, tobacco smoke) and their facial symmetry helps to influence the overall treatment plan and the final result. Each person's care is customized to achieve his or her goals.

Facelift or rhytidectomy is a surgical procedure to improve visible signs of aging on the face and neck. As individuals age, the skin and muscles of the face region begin to lose tone. The facelift cannot stop the process of aging. It can improve the most visible signs of aging by tightening deeper structures, re-draping the skin of face and neck, and removing selected areas of fat. A facelift can be performed alone, or in conjunction with other procedures, such as a browlift, liposuction, eyelid surgery, or nasal surgery.

Facelift surgery is individualized for each patient. The best candidates for facelift surgery have a face and neck line has begun to sag, but whose skin has elasticity and whose bony structure is well defined.

It is important that you read the information below carefully and have all of your questions answered before signing the consent for facelift surgery.

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT

RISKS of FACELIFT SURGERY

Bleeding- It is possible, though unusual, that you may have problems with bleeding during or after surgery. Should post-operative bleeding occur, it may require emergency treatment to drain accumulated blood or blood transfusion. Do not take any aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications for ten days before surgery, as this contributes to a greater risk of bleeding. Hypertension (high blood pressure) that is not under good medical control may cause bleeding during or after surgery. Accumulations of blood under the skin may delay healing and cause scarring.

Infection- Infection is unusual after this surgery. Should an infection occur, additional treatment including antibiotics or surgery may be necessary.

Scarring- Although good wound healing after a surgical procedure is expected, abnormal scars may occur within the skin and deeper tissues. Scars may be unattractive and of different color than the surrounding skin. There is the possibility of visible marks from sutures. Additional treatments may be needed to treat scarring.

Damage to deeper structures- Deeper structures such as blood vessels, muscles, and particularly nerves may be damaged during the course of surgery. The potential for this to occur varies with the type of facelift procedure performed. Injury to deeper structures may be temporary or permanent.

Asymmetry- The human face is normally asymmetrical. There can be a variation from one side to the other in the results obtained from a facelift procedure.

Surgical anesthesia- Both local and general anesthesia involve risk. There is the possibility of complications, injury, and even death from all forms of surgical anesthesia or sedation.

Nerve injury- Motor and sensory nerves may be injured during a facelift operation. Weakness or loss of facial movements may occur after facelift surgery. Nerve injuries may cause temporary or permanent loss of facial movements and feeling. Such injuries may improve over time. Injury to sensory nerves of the face, neck and ear regions may cause temporary or more rarely permanent numbness. Painful nerve scarring is very rare.

Chronic pain- Chronic pain is a very rare complication after a facelift.

Skin disorders/skin cancer- A facelift is a surgical procedure for the tightening of skin and deeper structures of the face. Skin disorders and skin cancer may occur independently of a facelift.

Unsatisfactory result- There is the possibility of a poor result from the facelift surgery. This would include risks such as unacceptable visible deformities, loss of facial movement, wound disruption, and loss of sensation. You may be disappointed with the results of surgery. Infrequently, it is necessary to perform additional surgery to improve your results.

Allergic reactions- In rare cases, local allergies to tape, suture material, or topical preparations have been reported. Systemic reactions which are more serious may occur to drugs used during surgery and prescription medicines. Allergic reactions may require additional treatment.

Hair loss- Hair loss may occur in areas of the face where the skin was elevated during surgery. The occurrence of this is not predictable.

Delayed healing - Wound disruption or delayed wound healing is possible. Some areas of the face may not heal normally or may take a long time to heal. Areas of skin may die. Frequent dressing changes or further surgery may be required to remove the non-healed tissue.

Smokers have a greater risk of skin loss and wound healing complications.

Long term effects- Subsequent alterations in facial appearance may occur as the result of aging, weight loss or gain, sun exposure, or other circumstances not related to facelift surgery. Facelift surgery does not arrest the aging process or produce permanent tightening of the face and neck. Future surgery or other treatments may be necessary to maintain the results of a facelift operation.

ADDITIONAL SURGERY NECESSARY

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The cost of surgery involves several charges for the services provided. The total includes fees charged by your doctor, the cost of surgical supplies, anesthesia, laboratory tests, and possible outpatient hospital charges, depending on where the surgery is performed. Depending on whether the cost of surgery is covered by an insurance plan, you will be responsible for necessary co-payments, deductibles, and charges not covered. Additional costs may occur should complications develop from the surgery. Secondary surgery or hospital day-surgery charges involved with revisionary surgery would also be your responsibility.

Prior to any surgical procedure, it is imperative that you have read and understand the consent forms required for a plastic surgical procedure.