February 10, 2020 | 4 minute read
A facelift is a safe, predictable, and effective cosmetic surgery procedure to reduce signs of facial aging and restore an appealing, youthful appearance. During the initial consultation, the surgeon will discuss various facets of the procedure to make sure that the patient attains familiarity with facelift surgery.
A facelift is a complex surgical procedure that involves multiple steps. Therefore, it should only be performed by an experienced and well-qualified plastics surgeon, who uses cutting-edge surgical techniques to develop dramatic results. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Marco Gonzalez provides facelift surgery to patients in El Paso, TX, and surrounding communities.
Administering General Anesthesia or Local Anesthesia
Facelift plastic surgery begins with the patient being administered general anesthesia or local anesthesia. The surgeon will recommend the most suitable choice for anesthesia, depending on the patient’s needs and the extent of the surgery.
The surgeon will take into account the patient’s present health status, medical history, and other facets to determine a safe anesthesia procedure.
A skilled anesthesiologist or a registered anesthetist nurse will administer the anesthesia. In case the procedure is undertaken using local anesthesia, the patient will be relatively conscious during the procedure but will not feel any pain in the local area. If the facelift is performed with the patient under general anesthesia, they will remain unconscious throughout the surgery.
Incision Placement
Once the patient is under anesthesia, the plastic surgeon will place incisions in the pre-determined sites. They will make the incisions in discreet areas as far as possible, but without compromising the effectiveness of the procedure. The incisions are usually placed above the hairline to make sure that any future scarring remains hidden.
Sometimes the incisions may be hidden in the natural facial creases as these locations heal well and can hide scars more effectively than other areas. The incision usually begins behind the hairline on one side of the head, slight above the temple region. It goes down to the ear and continues into the lower scalp, underneath the hair.
Tightening Facial Muscles and Skin
Through these incisions, the surgeon will lift the facial skin from the underlying tissue. They will eliminate excess fatty pockets as well as trim loose skin. In addition, the surgeon will tighten the underlying muscles to improve the contours of the face.
Once this process is done, they will re-drape the skin and use stitches and staples to hold its new, tighter position. The surgeon will then apply bandages to the incision sites.
Combining Multiple Procedures
Depending on the needs of the patient, the surgeon may recommend facelift surgery along with other procedures for enhanced contours. These additional procedures may be invasive or non-invasive. Facial and neck liposuction is typically undertaken in combination with facelift to remove stubborn fatty pockets gently.
Lip implants, lip enhancement with fat transfer, or dermal filler injections may also be undertaken with a facelift. The patient can also choose to undergo eyelid surgery to lift sagging eyelids and improve the upper face appearance along with a lower or mid-facelift.
Sometimes the surgeon may recommend the use of facial implants to add volume to the chin or cheeks along with facelift surgery. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Marco Gonzalez receives patients from El Paso, TX, and nearby areas for facelift.
For more information on Plastic Surgery (cirugía plástica) and Non-Surgical Medical Spa procedures and treatments, please contact the offices of Board Certified Plastic Surgeon (cirujano plástico), Dr. Marco A. Gonzalez (Dr. G) by clicking here or calling 915-600-2639.
Serving patients in El Paso Texas, Las Cruces New Mexico, Ciudad Juárez Mexico and surrounding areas.
