Facelift Surgery (technically know as Rhytidectomy) cannot stop the aging process, but it can turn back the hands of time. A Facelift is a surgical procedure aimed at rejuvenating the face as well as the neck.

Who is a Candidate?
The best candidate for a Facelift is someone who has experienced some loss of skin elasticity and muscle tone to the face, and their face and neck have begun to sag.

Patients are usually in their 40's-60's, and wish to improve their jaw line, neck contours, and overall appearance of their face.

Preparation for Surgery
It is very important that Dr. Van Laeken is aware of the state of your general health prior to surgery. Please let her know of any allergies you have, medications, herbal supplements, or vitamins you are taking as well as the reasons for taking them. It is also important that you inform Dr. Van Laeken if you have a tendency for Keloid scarring (thick, wide, or raised scars).

If you are a smoker we encourage you to quit prior to proceeding with a Facelift. Smoking can interfere with the blood flow to the skin, and will inhibit the healing of the incisions.

Depending on your age as well as your general health pre-operative testing may be done, such as a blood test, an ECG, or an appointment with an opthalmologist if you are having eyelid surgery done at the same time as the Facelift.

It is important that you avoid taking vitamin E, anti-inflammatories or aspirin products for 2 weeks prior to surgery. These products are anti coagulants, and could lead to hematoma formation and bleeding during the surgery.

Most patients who have sedentary jobs plan to take 2 weeks off work. If your job involves a great deal of physical activity Dr. Van Laeken can advise you as to how much time you should take off.

Procedure
Dr. Van Laeken operates at several different hospitals, but generally performs Facelifts at either the False Creek Surgical Centre, or the Vancouver Plastic Surgery Centre. These are both state of the art, fully accredited private surgical facilities.

The procedure can be performed under a general anaesthesia, or sedation with local anaesthetic.

The incision for a full Facelift usually begins at the temple goes along the natural skin fold in front of the ear then behind the ear and along the hairline into the scalp. Sometimes a very small incision is required just under the chin to help tighten the neck. The incisions will be closed with sutures that need to be removed.

Facelifts are usually done on an out patient basis, however overnight nursing care is available.

Recovery
There will be swelling and bruising for the first few days after surgery. This is normal and should disappear within 2-3 weeks after surgery.

Dr. Van Laeken recommends that when you arrive home from the surgical facility you get into bed, and rest in a semi-sitting position. Do avoid bending your head down, vigorous physical activity, and lying flat. Your face and neck will feel tight, but this will decrease after a couple of weeks.

You will be sent home from the surgical facility wearing a large bandage around your head. You can remove this bandage yourself 24 hours after surgery. Once you have removed the bandage you can wash your hair in the shower with lukewarm water and a very mild shampoo. Do not rub your scalp or your face. Try to let your hair dry naturally but if you must use a blow dryer, do so on a very low setting held far from your face. Cleanse the suture area gently and then apply polysporin ointment (NOT CREAM).

The sutures in the area from the temple to the ear should be removed at approximately 5-7 days after surgery, and at 10-14 days for the sutures behind the ear into the hairline. After all of the sutures have been removed you can wear camouflage make up to conceal the bruising and scars. Men who have a Facelift often let their beard grow during the recovery period. It camouflages the bruising and is a distraction.

It is crucial that after a facelift you commit to wearing a sunscreen with a high SPF level, sun damage could cause hyper pigmentation.

The final results of the surgery will be evident at approximately 6 weeks post operatively, with improvement continuing for several months. The goal of the surgery is to rejuvenate the face and give a natural youthful appearance.

Potential Complications
There are risks associated with any type of surgery. Although the incidence of complications is rare Dr. Van Laeken feels that all patients should be informed of the potential complications prior to proceeding with surgery.

Hematoma - Blood can gather under the skin and cause a blood clot. If this does occur, Dr. Van Laeken can drain the area. Indications of a hematoma are a firm, painful lump that causes colour change in the skin. This rarely occurs after 48 hours post operatively.

Infection - Signs of infection are localized heat, redness, fever, and pain. Dr. Van Laeken can prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. Occasionally the area will need to be drained.

Facial Weakness or Paralysis - Some branches of your facial nerves could have their function compromised due to swelling. It is very rare, however the weakness and paralysis could be permanent.

Hypersensitivity / Numbness - The sensation of the face, neck, and ears could be altered temporarily or permanently.

Skin Loss - This occurs when the skin doesn't get enough oxygen, smoking often contributes to skin loss.

Alopecia - Temporary and Permanent hair loss can occur around the scars.

Keloid Scarring - Keloid scars are thick, wide, or raised scars.

Asymmetry - Symmetry is not always achieved.