There are different types of facelifts, and a patient consults with their plastic surgeon to find out which one is best for them. Patients seek facelifts because they have sagging in the middle of their face, furrows and creases beneath their lower eyelids and furrows running from their nose to the corners of their mouth. They may have jowls because of lost muscle tone and displaced fat. A facelift may take a few years off of a person’s looks, but it mostly makes them look refreshed and young for their age, as if they had been on a long, restful vacation.

One type of facelift is the superficial musculoaponeurotic system facelift, or SMAS facelift. This is a deeper sort of facelift where the doctor operates on the muscles and connective tissues in the lower face, neck and jawline. They also reposition the fat and muscles on the patient’s cheekbones. Traditional facelifts do not disturb this layer of muscle and connective tissue. There are three main types of SMAS facelift. They are the SMAS plication facelift, extended SMAS facelift and high SMAS facelift.

So before a person has the surgery, they will need to have a consultation with their plastic surgeon and follow a pre-operative regimen. The consultation makes sure that he person is a good candidate for the facelift, because it is not for everyone. The best candidate for a facelift is a person who is in good health and whose skin is still supple. Most people who get facelifts are between ages 40 and 60, though people who are older can also have them.

During a consultation, the surgeon assesses the patient’s physical and mental health and asks them about the goals they have for the surgery. They’ll also need information about any previous surgeries that the patient has had and if they have had any medical conditions or treatments that could impact the SMAS facelift. The physician also evaluates the patient’s bone structure, the suppleness of their skin and the depth of wrinkles and folds in the face. They even examine the patient’s hairline to determine where best to put any incisions.

When the patient is determined to be a good candidate for SMAS surgery, they are given a list of instructions for what to do before the operation. First, they must stop smoking at least two weeks before the surgery, as smoking can lead to complications. They should also avoid medications such as blood thinners that can interrupt their healing from the surgery. They should arrange to for someone to pick them up after their operation, and stay with them for a while after they come home. Patients should also prepare their home for their recovery. Some patients even need to let their hair grow long enough to hide the incisions.

During the Surgery

The patient is usually given general anesthesia during an SMAS facelift, which means that they are asleep during the surgery and feel no pain at all. Some people are given twilight sedation, where they are deeply sedated. This cuts down on the risks of general anesthesia. The facelift takes about two to three hours.

During SMAS surgery, the surgeon sutures both the muscles and tissue that make the jowls and the bands that lead to “turkey neck.” This tightens them, but the results only last a few years. For a longer lasting results, surgeons often choose the extended and high SMAS facelift. During these operations, the muscles in the jowls and neck are lifted up. The doctor creates a flap in the muscle, then lifts the muscle from the architecture of the face and smooths it. Excess tissue is removed, and the muscle is placed higher in the face. The one difference between an extended and a high SMAS facelift is that the extended corrects the jaws and the neck, and the high technique raises the cheeks along with the neck and the jowls.

After the operation the doctor closes the surgical wounds with non-absorbable sutures or skin glue. Sometimes surgical staples are used around the patient’s hairline. Then, the surgeon bandages the patient’s face and head to reduce the inevitable bruising and swelling.

Recovery

How long it takes to recover from an SMAS facelift depends on the patient, though some people are able to go back to work in about a month and are able to go back to their gym in about a month and a half. Some patients need prescription strength painkillers while others can do well with over-the-counter medications. Health workers often suggest that the patient purchase their painkillers before the surgery so they’ll be on hand when they are needed.

The patient should sleep with their head upright, and apply ice packs to help reduce the swelling. They should keep the incisions dry, avoid wearing clothing they need to pull over their head and rest as much as they can for the first week. The patient should be careful to use sunscreen when they go outdoors.

The doctor removes the stitches after about a week to 10 days, and the patient will start to see the improvements caused by the facelift. Swelling and bruises usually go away after about six weeks, though it may take a few months for them to go away all together. After 6 to 9 months the end results of the facelift, which is a more vibrant and youthful look, can be clearly seen.

Get more information about the SMAS facelift in Naples, Florida by reaching the Aesthetic Surgery Center. With a team of highly-trained plastic surgeons to help improve and enhance your self-image, you sure are in good hands. Book a consultation with Dr. Anurag Agarwal, Dr. Richard Maloney or Dr. William Ross by calling (239)-594-9100 or by visiting website at https://www.aestheticsurgerycenter.com.

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