Rhytidectomy (face lift) surgery is designed to tighten, smooth and refresh the lower portion of the face and neck. "Turkey neck" and "jowls" are terms many patients use to describe their troubled areas. The process of aging brings about many changes in the appearance of facial skin. Skin will loosen & sag and muscles will lose their elasticity and begin to droop.
Aging differs with each person due to genetics and environmental issues such as sun exposure, stress and smoking.
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Male - 66yrs - Face Lift & Neck Lift
Female - 60yrs - Face Lift & Neck Lift
A face lift is designed to reduce sagging and wrinkling by removing excess skin and fat, while redraping the skin over the newly positioned and tightened deep muscle layer. Liposuction under the neck and jowls helps re-draping of skin to attain a more youthful profile. Thin muscle layers of the neck and connective tissues are tightened to rejuvenate the temple, cheek, jowl and neck area.
After deep layers are secured, excess skin is removed (one to two inches in most patients). A turban-like pressure dressing is applied to the head and neck after the surgery to minimize swelling and bruising. The dressing does not cover the eyes, nose or mouth.
A small suction drain is placed and exits through one of the incisions behind the hairline to prevent blood or fluid accumulation. This is removed on the first post-opertive day.
Two days after surgery the dressing is removed at the office and the hair is shampooed, conditioned, combed outand blown dry. Patients may shampoo their hair as usual every day until the clips are all removed (a painless procedure) at about 10 to 12 days.
The drains placed during surgery will be removed the following day. The drains are attached to a reservoir (egg-shaped receptacle) that is pinned to the back of the head dressing. The reservoir may fill 1/3 to 1/2 full. This can be normal drainage following surgery. However, if the reservoir were to fill completely, please call Dr. Robinson.
After the drains are removed (the day after surgery) you will be wrapped with another dressing that will stay on for one more day.
"My surgical experience with Dr. Robinson was truly wonderful!"
"When you prepare for surgery you want to feel confident and comfortable and that's how I felt at Dr. Robinson's office."
"This experience made a tremendous positive change in my life."
- Heidi S.
Our staff of knowledgable professionals will answer your questions promptly. If you have further inquiries, please call us (503) 635-8930
