Face Lift

A face lift is intended to improve your facial appearance and make you look good for your age. Usually a face lift can be done with a correction of the eye lids, a lift of the forehead or of the neck, or a liposuction of the chin.

Basic preconditions:
	You are over 18 years old, in good physical and psychological condition and have a realistic idea.
	You are not pregnant and not nursing your baby.

Preparations:
	About 4 weeks before the surgery, you should reduce smoking. Moreover alcohol should be avoided.
	About 2 weeks before the surgery you should not take anticoagulants (Aspirin, acetylsalicylic acid containing drugs).
	For about 2 weeks before the surgery you should avoid sunbaths or solarium, particularly in the face.
	If you have short hair, you should grow it a bit longer, in order to cover the sutures in the period of recovery.
	Not later than 3 weeks before the surgery the birth control pill must be discontinued.

Surgery preparations and examinations:
	For the surgery you need a blood count and an ECG. Your GP can provide both. Please bring the findings with you (it should not be older than two weeks).

Length of the surgery:

Usually the surgery takes 2-3 hours and is conducted during a stationary stay in hospital of 2-3 days.

Course of action (SAMS lift):

Before the surgery you will be informed during a detailed counselling talk on how the surgery is done, possible complications, risks, and alternatives. Maybe you want to write done your questions on the surgery. The surgery will be conducted under general anaesthesia sometimes partially under regional anaesthesia. Before the anaesthesia you will be advised by an anaesthetist about the risks, complications and possible alternatives to a narcosis. The anaesthetist will be present during the surgery. A general anaesthesia means stress for the body. During narcoses risks or complications can occur, depending on previous diseases and your general state of health..

One incision runs from the hair line at the temples to the front side of the ear and ends behind the ear at the hair line of the neck. The skin is separated from the subjacent tissue. Thus droopy connective and muscle tissue can be corrected, superfluous skin can be removed, and the face and the neck are lifted. Connective and muscle tissue is fixed again to its original position by wafer-thin fibre.

Afterwards the wound is closed by thin, inconspicuous sutures. You get a head bandage for about 24-48 hours.

Forehead lift:

If only a forehead lift is done the incision runs at the hair line from one ear to the other. Like during a face lift, the skin is separated from the subjacent tissue, thus droopy connective tissue and muscles can be corrected. Usually scars are covered by hair.

Neck lift:

If only a neck lift is done, the incision runs under the chin. Possible fat is removed. Skin and muscles are lifted by very thin sutures. Scars are usually very inconspicuous after the wound is completely healed.

Perception and possible complications:

The pain can usually be alleviated by soft pain killers. After the surgery there is a risk of possible infections, anaesthetic scars, enduring feeling of tightness, pain, or haematoma. Usually haematoma, swellings, and feelings of numbness subside after a short time.

Circulatory disorders as a result of nicotine can lead to wound necroses. A very rare complication is a permanent disorder in the facial musculature caused by a nerve injury.

General risks of a surgery like heavy bleeding, blood clots in the main veins (thrombosis), which can be carried further and thus block a blood vessel (embolism) are very rare with this surgery. Even when the wound healing is normal, scars can initially become red or harden. After a while they will fade, they become inconspicuous. You will be informed on further risks and possible side-effects in a comprehensive handout.

After the surgery:

If you got drainages, these are removed one day after the surgery. The bandages are also removed or renewed. The stitches can usually be taken out after 10-14 days by your GP. Red scars usually fade more and more until only a very small white line is visible. Before your departure you get a follow-up examination. To make it easier for you, you should have an accompanying person as you should not drive home yourself. Make sure that you have enough breaks.

For your recovery you should grant yourself one week off after the surgery. Then, you can slowly take up your every-day activities again. Sports should be avoided for 6 weeks. You should not go to the solarium or take sunbathes for about 8-12 weeks. When you take a sunbath afterward you should apply a sun lotion with a high protection factor to the face.

As soon as the wounds are completely closed you can take showers and cautiously wash your hair again. Permanent waves and dyeing can be done usually after about 6 weeks.


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