Facelift

“Facelift is the only procedure that reliably rejuvenates the middle and lower third of the face along with the neck in one stage and for the longest period of time” Dr Parag Mahadik, Sydney.

Loss of structural integrity of facial skin, fat and ligaments results in an aged face. Wrinkles, and droopy skin makes people look sad and dull.

Advancement in surgical techniques are able to restore facial shape, texture and radiance with facelift surgery.

Facelift and neck lift are reliable and safe ways of rejuvenating ageing face. Dr Mahadik believes that a good operation should reset your age clock by 10- 15 yrs as it dramatically improves the skin texture and radiance as well. If possible every woman should have a facelift at some stage after 50.

After working extensively in the area of Head and Neck surgery, Dr Mahadik has developed an eye for facial harmony and the requisite skills for this surgery. Maintaining a god balance of the new face in relation to the eyes, cheek and chin, is key for a good outcome.

Dr. Mahadik sets aside a full days of work for a full face makeover. We think it’s important to address all minute details and provide the necessary finesse and unmatched results

WHAT TO EXPECT

Facelift is not an operation to take you back in your 20’s. The aim is to achieve firm and radiant skin texture and a face that is set 10-15 yrs younger for another 15 years.

Dr. Mahadik uses a modern technique of lateral SMAS-ectomy which provide longer lasting results. Neck lift needs to be combined if neck bands and a bulge of skin and fat exists under the chin.

FACELIFT IN BRIEF

Surgical time	4 – 5 hrs
Hospital	Day surgery under General Anaesthesia
Back to work	2-3 wks
Final outcome	although variable, it may take around 6 – 9 mnts before you see your final reaults.
Cost	The costs depend upon which procedures are chosen

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DO I NEED ANYTHING MORE ?

Cosmetic surgeons divide the face and facial features into upper, middle and lower thirds units to study and plan treatments. Facelift rejuvenates the middle and lower third of the face. Hence the eyes, brow, crows feet and forehead which remain unattended may not blend in with a rejuvenated lower face after a facelift.

To maintain a relative facial harmony, after a facelift we offer a few procedures to choose from. Some can be done at the same setting while others at a later date.

Fat grafting to augment temple hollowing and cheek volume loss
Surgical / non surgical eyelid lift to remove eyelid bags
Skin resurfacing tools like LASERS and
Anti wrinkle injections

Most people will choose for one of them a some point in the journey for a more youthful appearance.

Ideal age – We know that some faces age earlier than others. Ageing depends on many factors. like genetics, ethnicity, smoking , sundamage and use of skin care.

We recommend this procedure to men and women around and past 50 years of age with visible signs of ageing. However some people with severe sun damage or unexplained pronounced early signs of ageing will benefit from this procedure earlier inn life.

Dr. Mahadik does not offer facelift below 35 years of age as we know its not possible to make a appreciable difference in your looks after going under the knife.

TYPES OF FACELIFT

Aesthetic surgeons often divide the face into 3 units ;

Upper unit – forehand , brows and the eyes
Middle unit – Lower lid , cheeks and the nose
Lower unit – Lips , chin and jowls

Facelift is a technique that rejuvenates the middle and lower third of the face along with the neck in one stage.

Depending on how much of a lift is needed there are 2 different procedures to choose from

Full facelift

This is ideal for women after 40 who wish to correct the face and neck skin at one time.

A fine incision, well hidden partly in your hair line and partly behind your ears, exposes the entire cheek, jowl and the upper neck areas. Skin is separated from the muscles ( SMAS) carefully with a special instrument. The loose and drooped SMAS layer is resuspended upwards and supported with permanent sutures. This rejuvenates the face. Fat is repositioned to soften the contour.

A formal neck lift is always a part of the full facelift. Neck skin is elevated via a small incision hidden under the chin. Neck bands are released and midline muscles trimmed and sutured tight to give you that sharp angle under the chin. As the overlying skin flap is redraped upwards, the excess skin is removed to give a more youthful look.

Short Scar Facelift

This procedure is more suitable for younger women with mild to moderate ageing, which does not involve the neck skin.

The same skin flap is elevated to a limited extent through a limited skin incision. SMAS is lifted upwards and plicated to achieve a lift.

Neck skin cannot be addressed in the procedure. Neck liposuction however can be added to give some benefit.

RECOVERY

Rest	is advised week or 10 days after surgery.
Strenuous physical activity	that can increase blood pressure and falls is to be avoided.
Stitches	will come out day 5 or 6 and dressings changed.
Work	Most patients can go back to work after 2-3 wks post surgery
Tightness and numbness	may last for a few weeks
Swelling	80% of the swelling settles in 3 months while the remaining 15-20 % may take 9-12 months.
Final outcome	becomes visible after 12 months

RISKS

Like with any other surgery, people should be aware about the potential complications of the procedure.

All due care is taken to minimize complications, but they do occur despite the best care.

General complications are, bleeding, infection, clots in the legs and chest infection.

Specific complications –

Facial nerve injury with facial weakness
Skin necrosis
Scar healing problems like keloids and hypertrophy
Asymmetry
Hair loss at the scar

FAQs

# What is the ideal age for a facelift

Most of my facelift patients are 45-50 years of age. I would advocate this procedure after 45 years of age., although it also depends on the degree of sundamage and ageing.

# How long does the results last

A properly done facelift should last for around 15 years. 25 – 30 % women choose to go for a second facelift after this time

# Do I need to stay in the hospital

A full facelift is infact a combination of an extensive facelift and neck lift. It takes 4-5 hrs of operating time. So I recommend an overnight stay.

Short scar ( mini ) facelifts can go home on the same day.

# I just want a ‘ subtle ‘ lift

There isn’t a procedure called ‘small ‘ or ‘subtle’ lift. Most of our patients wouldn’t want a ‘ facelifted ‘ look.

The surgical steps are still the same and involves lifting the SMAS layer rather than just the skin.

# I am scared of the scar . Will it look ugly.

Scars can be hidden, but unfortunately can’t be avoided. Facelift scars mature very well. They may appear raised and pink in the first 2-3 months. After that they start to fade and become almost imperceptible in 2 yrs time. Some people have disordered scarring tendency, which may be a problem.

# What happens to my hairline after surgery.

The hairline can shift very mildly depending on how much skin is removed. All this will be discussed at the consultation. It’s unlikely that a properly planned procedure causes concerns about unnatural hairlines.

# I was told to go non Surgical fillers and injectable instead of facelift

There is no doubt that, ‘Facelift is the only reliable way to rejuvenate your middle third, lower third face along with the neck in one stage with the longest lasting result’.

Non –Surgical treatments are better for isolated areas and for more younger people. We offer fillers and injectables to rejuvenate midface and lower third face separately. At the end of the day it is the patients desire that needs to be respected.

However, we often see that people eventually spend much more ( but in stages ) money trying various non surgical treatments before they embark on facelift surgery.