Aesthetic Surgery

RHYTIDECTOMY (Facelift or wrinkle surgery)

1) How much younger will I look?
The surgery cannot turn a 40- into a 20-year old face. Although this seems quite obvious, we are emphasizing it because lay people often spread wrong information, leading patients to believe in the possibility of "setting back the clock" at will. We can clearly tell you that no plastic surgeon will ever fulfill this intent. What surgery can do is to correct some imperfections from aging, such as removing excess skin and lifting facial structures, which, in turns, leads to a rejuvenated appearance.

2) How will the scars look like ? Will they disappear?
Plastic surgery is designed to improve flaccid skin, wrinkles, lines, etc., thus rejuvenating the face. However, the scars will be permanent, even though they tend to become less visible with time. While you wait for that to happen, some cosmetic resources, such as makeup and appropriate haircuts may perfectly disguise the inconvenience of recent scars. Additionally, each patient reacts differently from others as concerns the evolution of scars, and in some cases they may even become invisible. Despite these warnings, many patients forget the details explained to them during the initial consultation and start worrying about the scars, in the immediate and intermediate postoperative periods. We hope you are not one of these patients and that you keep this brochure always with your for orientation. Itching, burning or insensitivity may sometimes occur on the scars. This is transient and tends to disappear.

3) How long is the result sustained?
Surgery on the face, neck and eyelids rejuvenates the appearance of these areas. "It delays but does not halt the evolution of the body." The patient will continue to age, but will exhibit a younger look.

4) Does this surgery bear any risk?
Very rarely does a facelift cause serious complications. However, as this is a surgical procedure, occasionally unforeseen reactions happen, such as hematoma, hypertrophic scar or cheloid (due to a predisposition by the patient), necrosis (more common in smokers), infection.

5) Are the "Before" and "After" picture important?
Certainly; the only way to assess the result obtained is to compare the pre- and postoperative pictures, taken under identical photographic conditions, in these two occasions. They are documents.

6) Which kind anesthesia is used in this surgery?
Both general anesthesia and local anesthesia with sedation may be used. Depending on your case, we will suggest the most convenient option for you. The final result will be the same.

7) How long is the surgical procedure?
It depends a lot on the extent of the surgery (if it includes eyelids, forehead, neck) and on the technique used. It may take from 2 to 6 hours. As any surgical procedure, the time alone is not so relevant, since some cases will require that more time be spent on some particular phases of the procedure. What matters is the result and not the surgical time.

8) How long is the hospital stay?
Twelve hours for surgery under local anesthesia with sedation. Twenty four hours, for general anesthesia.

9) Are dressings used?
Yes. Usually, "helmet-like" dressings are used. The large dressing is removed in the first 24 hours, only a simple dressing being kept in place over the residual scars after this period.

10) Are the eyes occluded in postoperative?
Usually no. We recommend only the application of cold compresses (cotton soaked in cold water, or similar) over the eyes; these may be removed at the patient's discretion. They decrease the postoperative eye edema (swelling).

11) Is there pain in the postoperative period?
Quite rarely. Aesthetic surgeries usually have painless evolution. Occasionally, a patient may have mild pain, easily controlled with regular analgesics.

12) When are the stitches removed?
Most of the stitches on the eyelids are removed after 72 hours. The remaining ones (face, neck, scalp), between 5 and 15 days.

13) When will I be allowed to use makeup?
On the eyelids, 3 days after the stitches are removed. On the face, around the 10th day.

14) When will I be allowed to wash and do my hair?
Between the second and the seventh day postoperatively the hair may be washed and done (with care). To dry them, please use manual hairdryer with mildly warm air. Hair dye should only be used after the 3rd week.

15) Does the preparation for surgery require a very a very short "Hair Cut"? Can it be disguised in postoperative?
The hair should be cut only in those areas where the incisions will be made. In the immediate postoperative period, this inconvenience may be easily disguises with an adequate coiffure.

16) What is the postoperative evolution?
You should not forget that, until the expected result is achieved, this surgical procedure typically goes through different phases. Edema (swelling), "spots" due to blood infiltration, hypersensitivity in some areas, lack of sensitivity in others, are common to all patients; obviously some people experience these symptoms with less intensity than others. We hope you belong to this group. If not, please do not worry about it. Please be patient, because your body will take care of resolving all the small, transient disturbances that invariably call the attention of some person, who will certainly not refrain from asking: "Was there any complication? Are you sure this will disappear?" Obviously all your questions and concerns should be addressed to your doctor. We will give you all the necessary explanations and help you calm down.

Remark: A short period of "emotional depression" may happen in the first days, due to the transient appearance. This is a transitory condition and usually reflects the desire to achieve the final result as soon as possible. Be patient. Please remember that no result of an aesthetic nose surgery should be evaluated before the 3rd month postoperatively. The final result is only achieved after 6 months.

17) Last but not least: Is the result of the rejuvenating surgery rewarding?
Each case is assessed individually in the first consultation. Some patients seek to become "prettier" with this surgery. This is not the essential goal of the surgery; its major objective is rejuvenating.
During the consultation, we must clarify all the details mentioned here, as well as those that might have been overlooked. If we decide, together, to perform the surgery (doctor and patient), this is because the result is worthwhile. Otherwise, we would be the first one to refuse doing it. This simple message was designed to inform you about facial rejuvenating surgery. We are at your disposal for any further detailed clarification.