Cervicofacial lift

 

Neck lift and facial lipostructure

 

A neck lift is a procedure designed to correct the effects of aging on the lower face and neck. It does not address the upper face (forehead, eyelids), lip wrinkles, or nasolabial folds, which is why it is often combined with facial fat grafting to achieve a more youthful, rounded appearance. This also avoids the "pulled" look sometimes associated with older, more traditional facelifts.

This is the only procedure that can restore a beautiful oval shape to the face and correct sagging of the neck and jowls while significantly reducing wrinkles. It is rarely considered before the age of 40. This procedure should be distinguished from morphological transformation facelifts (mask-lifts) which alter the angle of the eyes and the shape of the cheekbones. A forehead lift raises the skin and muscles of the forehead. A cervicofacial lift must not, under any circumstances, alter the appearance of the face. It restores the structures of the face and neck; deep wrinkles are made less pronounced by tightening the skin, but they do not disappear completely.           

                                             

Before the intervention

• Two surgical consultations, spaced at least 15 days apart, are mandatory before any cosmetic surgery procedure, as well as the provision of a quote with a minimum reflection period of two weeks.

• An anesthesia is mandatory several days before the procedure and can be combined with the second consultation.

• Medical photographs are always taken and all explanations are provided, especially regarding the scars: they pass at the temple, in the hair or just at the hairline, in front of and then behind the ear, and in the hair behind the ear, towards the nape of the neck.

• The most important systematic medical instructions are: cessation of smoking, taking aspirin or anticoagulants, oral contraception, a betadine shampoo must be carried out the day before the procedure.

 

Course of hospitalization

 

• You will be hospitalized on the morning of the procedure for 24 hours

• You must have fasted since midnight (including for water and tobacco).

• The procedure is performed under general anesthesia. It lasts from 2 to 3 hours depending on the

case.

• Monitoring takes place first in the recovery room, then in your room.

• A drainage system is usually put in place to reduce the risk of hematoma. It is usually removed the next day.

• The dressing is removed the day after the procedure. A lighter dressing will be applied.

• Returning home the next day, it is recommended that someone accompany you home.

• The threads or staples are removed between the 5th and 12th day, in one or more stages.

• The first shampoo is allowed from the third day. The first haircut is allowed after 3 weeks, and the first dyeing after 4 to 6 weeks.

• Several follow-up consultations are carried out: at 10 days, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after the intervention.

• Typically and usually, the weeks and first few months after the procedure are

present:

Facial edema

o Bruises on the face and neck, often asymmetrical. They persist for a few weeks, at least 15 days.

o An uncomfortable feeling of tension in the face, especially behind the ears.

o Sometimes there is pain, which is relieved by simple pain relief treatments.

A frequent decrease in sensation in the cheeks and neck, related to the surgical procedures (skin detachment), can last for several weeks or months. Furthermore, the detached areas remain hardened for several months.

• The period of social isolation is generally 15 days, but it can extend to several weeks.

• Plan for a period of unavailability from work after the procedure, as no sick leave can be prescribed. Depending on the case, this period varies from approximately 2 to 3 weeks. In particular, be aware that bruising is common and will only disappear completely after at least 3 weeks.

• The final result of the facelift should not be assessed before 6 months. You must wait 12 months.

to judge the final appearance of the scars. Like all scars, they are permanent and must be protected from the sun for at least 6 months to avoid the risk of permanent pigmentation. They may be red and visible for several months; their final appearance (width, thickness, color) is unpredictable and should not be judged before 6 to 12 months.

In men, a facelift pulls back the stubble on the cheek, bringing it permanently into direct contact with the ear.

 

Surgical risks

Every medical procedure, investigation, examination, or intervention on the human body, even when performed with the skill and safety standards required by current scientific knowledge and regulations, carries a risk of complications. Like any surgical procedure, a facelift involves risks:

Complications common to all surgery

• The risks associated with general anesthesia will be explained to you by the anesthesiologist.

during your pre-operative consultation.

• Among the general complications of surgery are:

o Hematoma. This is due to bleeding from the surgical area. It most often requires

Emergency surgery under general anesthesia is required to avoid the risk of skin necrosis. This risk is more common in men. To reduce this risk, medications that can promote bleeding are prohibited 15 days before the procedure (aspirin, anti-inflammatories, oral anticoagulants).

Skin pigmentation disorders

Localized skin necrosis is possible, especially in smokers, particularly behind the ear where the skin is especially thin. This prolongs healing by several weeks and leaves wide scars.

o Surgical site infection is rare, but possible,

o Healing problems may occur: large, hypertrophic, or keloid scars.

More specific complications of this procedure

alopecia ), most often occurring in the temple area near the scar, can be temporary (lasting a few months) or permanent. In the latter case, it may require a second procedure 12 months after the facelift.

 

Some results

Case #1: Thin skin

Case #2: Thick skin, restoration of the oval shape with tip rhinoplasty

Case #3: