Microincision
Face Lift
& Brow Lift
Face
and Endoscopic Brow Lift
As people age the effects of gravity, exposure to the sun and stresses of the daily life can be seen in the face. Deep creases form between the nose and mouth. Wrinkles, sagging skin, laxity in the skin affect the neck. We also see wrinkles and frown lines in the brow in the forehead region as well as heavy upper eyelids. A facelift and brow lift can reverse these signs of aging. They are two of the most accepted and frequenly performed cosmetic procedures. Each year thousands of men and women choose this cosmetic surgery to help restore a more energetic and youthful appearance.
Are
you good candidate ?
The best candidate for facelift is a man and women whose face and neck
has begun to sag but whose skin has some elasticity and whose bone structure
is strong and well defined. A brow lift, which can be performed
alone or with a facelift or cosmetic eyelid surgery is best for people
with heavy wrinkes of the forehead and a drooping heavy brow. Most
patients for the above procedures are within their 40's and 50's, but
face and brow lifts can be done successfully on people in their 70's or
80's. Both procedures can make you younger and fresher and may enhance
your self-esteem. It will not give you a totally different
look but just a fresher version of yourself. The brow lift
provides a lift to the upper 3rd of the face while a face lift covers
the lower 2/3rd of the face and neck.
About
the consultation
When a face or brow lift is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon,
complications are usually inrequent and minor. In your initial
consultation, Dr, Boss will evaluate your face, including the skin and
under lying bone and discuss your goals for surgery. Dr. Boss
will also review your medical history to determine if there are any reasons
for you not to proceed. He will explain the techniques and
anesthesia he recommends. Dr. Boss like to show before and
after pictures of patients having similar features.
The
surgery - Facelift
A facelift usually takes several hours, the exact placement of incisions
and sequence of surgical technique depends on Dr. Boss's extensive clinical
experience. Incisions usually begin above the hairline at the
temples, extend in a natural line in front of the ear (or just inside
the cartilage at the front of the ear) and continue behind the ear lobe
to the lower scalp. If the neck needs to be done, a small incision
will also be made under the chin.
Dr. Boss separates the skin from the fat and the muscle below. Fat
may be trimmed or suctioned from around the neck and chin to improve the
contour. He then tightens the under lying muscle, pulls the
skin back, and removes the excess. He then stitches the layers
of the tissues and closes the incisions. He may place a small thin
tube under the skin behind the ear to drain any blood. Dr.
Boss may also wrap your head loosely in bandages to minimize bruising
and swelling.
The
surgery - Endoscopic Browlift
Endoscopic brow lift is performed using a small microsurgery device with
a lens and light inserted through a small incision through the hairline. The
device is connected to a video screen which allows Dr. Boss to visualize
the surgery as it is performed. Sometimes a second incision
is made for the use of a tiny scalpel or other instrument. Dr.
Boss performs the surgery while viewing the video screen and manipulating
the special small instrument. A bandage is usually placed.
After
the surgery
There is not usually significant
discomfort after surgery. If there is, it can be relieved with
pain medication. Some numbness of the area is normal and will
disappear in a few weeks or months. Dr. Boss likes patients
to keep their head elevated for a few days after surgery to diminish swelling. If
a drainage tube has been placed, it will be removed one or two days after
surgery. Bandages are removed after 1 to 5 days. Stitches
are removed for the face lift in 5 - 10 days and for the endoscopic brow
lift in 10 days to 2 weeks. Dr. Boss's experience in microsurgery
and endoscopic techniques allows him to use smaller incisions leading
to less scarring, bleeding and hair loss. Most endoscopic brow
lift patients can return to work in 5 - 10 days and facelift patients
can return in 2 weeks. By the third week, most of the swelling
is down and chances are you will be happy with your new appearance.
