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Face Lift

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The face lift is probably the most famous procedure in plastic surgery. Actually, infamous may be a better word. Many people think a facelift makes someone look plastic and unnatural. They think it's always noticeable and obvious. Essentially, they think facelifts don't work - but they're wrong.

Today's facelift is more effective and natural-looking than ever. Many patients look as much as five to ten years younger and best of all, they look younger naturally. Instead of looking like they got "lifted," today's patients simply look refreshed, rested and healthy. Friends usually won't know about your facelift unless you tell them. They'll recognize that you look better, but they won't know why. They'll ask if you've been on vacation? Did you lose weight? What exercise program are you on?

With today's new surgical techniques and advancements, facelifts can now last longer than ever before. The surgeon can now tighten up not only the skin but the underlying tissue as well. The average facelift today lasts from five to ten years and follow-up procedures can be performed to keep you looking as good as you can for as long as you can.

The basic idea behind a facelift is to remove excess skin that is loose and sagging on the face and the neck and sometimes to tighten the underlying tissue. If there are bags or pouches around the eyes, eye lid surgery can also be performed at the same time. Sometimes a brow lift is also performed to get the best overall result.

The procedure usually takes from two to five hours. The operation is almost always done on an outpatient basis, with local anesthesia plus sedation. The surgeon begins with an incision along the hairline from the temple down around the ear lobe and to the back of the neck. A small incision may also be made under the chin to remove excess fat. After separating the skin from the muscle and fat underneath, it is then pulled up and back and the excess skin is removed. Sagging muscles and tissues can be tightened and fat deposits removed.

Every effort is made to keep the scarring as minimal as possible. The incisions are closed along natural skin lines and creases, but some scars are unavoidable. Usually they fade and gradually become barely noticeable. Most of the scars are in the hairline or behind the ears. The fine scars at the front of the ears can be easily hidden with makeup if necessary.

After surgery, any pain or discomfort you experience can usually be controlled with medication. The dressings are removed in a few days. Swelling and bruising usually will subside in a week or two. You may experience a certain numbness or tightness in your face or neck which will subside as you heal. Your final result probably won't be realized for at least three weeks. You'll need to limit your exposure to the sun for the first few months after surgery.

Overall, the goal of a facelift is to make you look more like you used to. Together, the tightened skin and tissue lessen and eliminate wrinkles, creases and lines as they restore the younger, natural contours of your face. The way your face used to look five or ten years ago.

Dr. Ersek is a founding partner of The Plastic Surgery Company [AMEX:PSU] and IdealMe.com