Although most patients view their necks and jaw
requesting an improvement, they are concerned with the
term “facelift”. No matter what you call it, smoothing
out and naturally contouring these areas is what we want
to accomplish.
Facial surgery is more than skin deep. The deeper folds
of skin are smoothed, sagging skin along the neck,
cheeks and jaw line (jowls) are tailored into a more
natural appearance, excessive fat is sculpted away and
the underlying supportive facial structures are
repositioned to restore and rejuvenate your face. The
goal is to reestablish facial harmony and balance.
Your
comfort and safety are extremely important; thus, the
surgery is performed on an outpatient basis using a
light general anesthesia in combination with local
anesthetic. This combination affords you a peaceful
rest without feeling or hearing noises during surgery.
You are given extra oxygen while your heart rate and
blood pressure are kept level.
Scars
are hidden in the hairline of the scalp and neck as well
as within the normal creases of the around the ear,
below the chin and within the sideburn making them less
conspicuous.
After
surgery a light wrap will be placed until the next
morning, when Dr. Rosenthal will change your dressing.
You will be able to shower before starting a simple
regimen of cleaning the scars and covering them. The use
of ice and specific medications will also improve your
results.
Activities after this surgery are limited to prevent
swelling or other harmful side effects. This includes
such mundane activities as house cleaning and any sport
or activity that would increase your heart rate and
blood pressure for 3 weeks. During this time you will be
wearing an elastic garment to aide in comfort and
decrease swelling. Also, you can plan on being out of
work for 10 days-2 weeks, depending upon the work
activity.
What
we eat is who we become, so a diet rich in healthy foods
will improve your results and aide in healing. Stay away
from products that increase bleeding, such as aspirin,
Motrin, Advil and Vitamin E. Refrain from eating salty
foods which will cause swelling; therefore they are
limited for 3 weeks after surgery: pizza, Chinese food,
pretzels and potato chips, to name a few.