INTRODUCTION TO MICHIGAN FACE LIFT
A face lift, also called by its medical term, rhitidectomy, is an elective cosmetic surgery procedure for men and women who desire a more youthful facial appearance. It involves lifting and tightening specific facial muscles and excising loose skin. Depending upon the patient’s aging pattern, the face lift may concentrate primarily on the mid-face, to lift the cheek area, or may include the lower face and neck. It might also include other facial procedures such as eyelid rejuvenation (blepharoplasty) or a forehead lift, as well as a chemical peel or other intraoperative procedures that will improve both the appearance of the face and the skin. Traverse City plastic surgeon Dr. F. Matthew Smith has many years’ experience performing face lift procedures. During your consultation at Dr. Smith’s Traverse City, MI plastic surgery office, he will evaluate your skin and muscle tone and seek to understand your final goals before recommending a specific face lift plan.

APPROPRIATE CANDIDATES FOR TRAVERSE CITY FACE LIFT
The best candidates for a face lift procedure are healthy men and women who have wrinkles and facial sagging that cannot be treated effectively with Botox and dermal fillers. Though few people need a face lift before their 40’s, there are some individuals who, due to illness, genetic tendencies or excessive sun exposure, may benefit from a mid-face lift prior to their 40th birthday, though this is rare. In summary, healthy men and women who are emotionally mature, who understand their motivations for the procedure and who have realistic expectations are generally good candidates for a face lift procedure.

HOW A FACE LIFT PROCEDURE IS PERFORMED
Dr. F. Matthew Smith performs most of his cosmetic surgeries, including face lifts, in the accredited surgery suite at the Munson Medical Center. With the latest, cutting-edge equipment and a fully trained staff, the Munson Medical Center is an ideal place for his patients. A face lift procedure is typically scheduled for 2-3 hours. Because Dr. Smith wants to ensure a well-controlled and safe surgical experience that is comfortable for his patient, general anesthesia is always used.

The exact details of your specific face lift procedure, including placement of incisions and the number and placement of any postoperative drains will have been discussed and confirmed at your cosmetic surgery consultation with Dr. Smith in his Traverse City plastic surgery office.

Dr. Smith’s preferred face lift technique involves a vertical repositioning of the superficial Muscaloaponeurotic System, or SMAS. This 3-dimensional face lift repositions both skin and muscle, and adds volume for a very youthful result.  Dr. Smith is likely to perform a neck lift with your face lift procedure, as most individuals who need a face lift also have neck sagging or lines around the neck that are unattractive. For this reason, incisions are generally placed in the scalp area and behind the ears to enable Dr. Smith to provide the most effective lift without excessive tightness. A youthful face is full, not tight. You’ll find that Dr. Smith works very hard to ensure that no signs of a face lift are apparent once the incisions have healed, by inserting very tiny sutures so that incisions heal as invisibly as possible. You may have drains inserted at the end of the procedure, depending upon the final face lift plan. Your face will be bandaged as well.

RECOVERY FROM A FACE LIFT IN TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN
It may surprise you that pain and swelling is fairly minimal with an effectively crafted face lift. Dr. Smith will give you pain medications and any other prescriptions he thinks you will need prior to your procedure, however, to ensure that you have the most comfortable recovery period possible. He will recommend that you sleep in a chair for the first few nights to avoid facial swelling. Ice packs and Tylenol are generally sufficient for discomfort. Depending on the procedure elected, if drains were inserted, they are usually removed within a few days.  You will have a compressive dressing that he will ask you to wear for a few days to a few weeks, again depending upon the specific face lift procedure.