The decision to undergo a Face lift is an exciting one. It is my belief, that an educated patient allows you to determine your personal goals, and enables you to make an informed decision about your surgery. I have developed this website as a patient information source. Hopefully, this site will prepare you for your consultation.

With time, gravity, and sun exposure you may experience loosening and sagging of the skin and underlying facial muscles leading to a tired or aged appearance. Face lifts are usually done on men and women after age 40 to give a rejuvenated appearance.

Procedure:

Face lift surgery, also known as Rhytidectomy, is a procedure that is used to reshape or contour the lower two-thirds of the face. A face lift will provide tightening of the skin and the underyling lax muscles to improve cheek, jowl, and neck contour. Dr. Kole uses the latest techniques in facial contouring and liposuction. Incisions are hidden in the hairline, inside the ear, as well as behind the ear and scalp leaving patients with minimal hidden scars. After underlying muscles are tightened and fat suctioned, the excess skin is pulled up and back, trimmed, and sutured into place. Liposuction and tightening the underlying muscles will leave you with a natural, well-rested, not "windblown" appearance.
A forehead lift or brow-lift corrects the upper one third of the face. It raises the brows to a higher level, removes lines that run across the forehead and vertically between the eyebrows. Forehead lifts also aid in correcting upper eyelid baggy and extra skin. A forehead lift may be done in combination with a face lift or independently.
A neck lift is part of the lower face lift that improves the neck and jaw line.

Ideal Candidates

• Patients with deep lines that run from the corner of the nose to the mouth
• Patients who do not have a well defined jaw line or extra neck fat obscuring the contour
• Patients who have deep wrinkles in the cheeks, and sagging skin near the cheekbones
• Patients with loose skin, wrinkles, or excess fatty tissue in the neck
• Patients who are in good health
• Patients who are doing it for the right reasons (i.e. for themselves)
• Patients with realistic expectations
• Non-smokers

Risks and Complications:

Risks and complications may include but are not limited to bleeding, infection, scarring, damage to deeper structures, asymmetry, nerve injury, improper healing, numbness, allergic reactions, and risks and complications associated with anesthesia. Although complications can occur, they are rare.
Risks and potential complications of surgery are best discussed at the time of your consultation.

Smokers have a greater risk of skin loss, pulmonary, and wound healing complications.

It is extremely important with this procedure to avoid aspirin and aspirin-containing medications two weeks prior to surgery. It is also mandatory to avoid situations that will raise the blood pressure post surgery. Dr. Kole will not perform Face lift surgery if you are a current smoker.

Recovery

After surgery, a padded bandage will be wrapped around your face to help relieve some swelling. Drains are also placed in the posterior hairline to help drain fluids that may accumulate, and are removed the following day after surgery. After forty-eight hours the bandages will be removed, and you will be able to shower. Stitches in front of the ear are removed within the first week, and the rest of the sutures will be removed within two weeks. Makeup may be worn to conceal bruising. By ten to fourteen days non-strenuous work and light exercise may be resumed. After four to six weeks, more strenuous exercise may be resumed. The final results will be apparent within one year. Keep in mind, your face lift will turn back the hands of time, but, does not stop the aging process. Longer lasting results tend to occur on patients who are younger, have never smoked, and do not have sun-damaged skin.

In/Out Patient

The procedure is done as an out-patient using IV sedation and local anesthesia or in some cases, general anesthesia. This procedure usually takes two to three hours and may be performed with other facial procedures. Patients with underlying medical problems may require an overnight stay in the hospital for observation or may opt for our 24 hour post operative visiting nursing observation.

Call Dr. Kole for a complimentary consultation: 215-354-1010