A facelift is a serious plastic surgery procedure that helps patients achieve a younger look by removing facial wrinkles and tightening any loose skin and muscles in the face.  During a facelift, a plastic surgeon removes excess skin through incisions that separate the skin from the underlying tissue.

After a patient has had a facelift, his or her surgeon will bandage the facial region to reduce swelling as well as bruising.  A drainage tube will usually be inserted behind the ear.  The purpose of this tube is to prevent blood and fluids from collecting under the skin, which may cause swelling or even infection.  Patients are also prescribed pain medication so they remain comfortable during the recovery process.

Patients may experience swelling, numbness and skin discoloration for a period of two weeks.  Within approximately 5 days, stitches are removed from the facial region and following that, patients should see some results from their facelift procedures.  It is important that patients allow sufficient time for recovery after surgery.

If you would like to learn more about facelift procedures, contact us to speak with a Westlake Village plastic surgeon!

A facelift, rhytidectomy in the medical community, is a plastic surgery procedure that is performed when patients want to:

§  reduce the appearance of wrinkles on their faces

§  reduce obvious signs of aging

§  improve the appearance of the face and jaw area

As people age, the appearance of wrinkles is common and also quite natural.  Stress and other elements, like sun exposure, may enhance the appearance of wrinkles.  When people notice the telltale signs of aging on their face and they want to turn back the clock, they may decide to move forward with a facelift procedure.

People who are having facelift procedures will usually have:  a lower (standard) facelift, a mid facelift, a mini facelift or a thread facelift.  The type of procedure people choose will usually depend upon their overall cosmetic goals and their surgeons' recommendations.

A facelift can do many things, like correct sagging skin, tighten muscles in the face and improve a person's overall facial appearance.

To learn more about this procedure, contact the West Coast Plastic Surgery Center and set up a consultation with a Westlake Village plastic surgeon.

If you are planning to get a facelift in the near future, there are a few things you can do to ensure that your surgery and recovery is smooth.  Below, we have provided 5 great pre facelift surgery tips that we hope will be of use as you get ready to undergo your procedure:

1.       Understand what will happen.  Every surgeon has different protocol and you will want to know what is to be expected pre and post operation.

2.       Arrange transportation.  It is extremely important that you have transportation to and from the surgical center where you facelift will be performed.  Also, having a friend or family member present may alleviate any pre-surgical jitters you may experience.

3.       Arrange for help.  The first few days after cosmetic surgery can be a little tough and you may need additional help from a friend or a family member during this time.

4.       Designate a recovery space.  When you go home, it is very important that you are able to rest, take it easy and recover.  For this reason, designating a private recovery area that is free of distractions is a great idea.

5.       Have ice packs.  If advised by your surgeon, you may be able to use ice packs on your face to reduce the swelling.  However, always consult with your surgeon about what you can and cannot do following your procedure.

If you have additional questions or would like to schedule a consultation to discuss possible facelift surgery, contact the West Coast Plastic Surgery center to speak with a Westlake Village plastic surgeon.