 |
 Dr. Bustillo on WPLG Channel10 discussing Medical Roll-CIT |
 |
 Dr. Bustillo on Univision Primer Impacto for Medical Roll-CIT |
|
 Baptist Hospital patients given chance to smile |
|
As the years go by and the facial tissues loose elasticity and collagen begins to lose its strength, folds and wrinkles begin develop. Early on theses may be corrected with dermal fillers to fill in the depressions. However, as they become deeper, lifting procedures are usually needed to help eliminate these.
As the aging process continues, the facial tissues continue to weaken and descend. Additionally, fat may undergo resorption in addition to downward displacement. This is particularly noticeable in the area of the midface, or the cheekbone. There, a natural mound of fat exists. The downward displacement of this fat is what actually creates the nasolabial fold. In the lower face, jowls are created as the facial tissues sag inferiorly. In the area of the neck, fat begins to collect in area underneath the chin. The skin in this area also begins to loose elasticity and hangs down.
IS FACELIFT SURGERY FOR YOU?
The majority of patients that undergo the facelift operation do so in their early fifties and on. Occasionally, patients with premature facial aging or weight loss will undergo the surgery at an earlier age. Patients are many times confused about what exactly a facelift corrects. This uncertainty can be compounded by the advent of the different types of -lifts. The goal of a facelift procedure is to rejuvenate the neck, the lower face, and the mid-facial regions. A facelift repositions sagging facial tissues hereby achieving a more youthful appearance. A facelift does “not stop the clock, but it turns it back”; the natural aging process continues after the procedure.
UNDERSTANDING THE SURGERY
Dr. Bustillo performs the facelift surgery on an outpatient basis at the South Miami Medical Arts Surgery Center, located in South Miami. The center is part of the Baptist Health System and is outfitted with the newest surgical technology. All surgeries are staffed by board certified anesthesiologists, which are part of the South Miami Hospital Anesthesiology Department.
Dr. Bustillo requires that all patients undergoing the facelift operation have a medical examination and medical clearance before the surgery by their primary care physician. All aspirin, anti-inflammatory products (naproxen, ibuprofen), and vitamins such as A, ginko biloba, and St. John’s wart should be discontinued ten days before surgery because they may interfere with blood clotting and cause bruising. Alcohol should also be avoided for five days before surgery to avoid swelling. Dr. Bustillo starts patients on high dose vitamin C two weeks before and two weeks after to help with the healing and to reduce bruising.
Dr. Bustillo performs the facelift operation with either IV sedation or with general anesthesia depending on the patient and whether or not other procedures are combined with the facelift. Dr. Bustillo will help you decide which option is best for you.
Dr. Bustillo performs a very specialized facelift, named the deep plane facelift. It is named so because it places the muscles and fat of the face back in their proper anatomic position. The deep plane facelift avoids the “operated look “in which the face appears stretched. Another advantage of the deep plane facelift is that it repositions the cheek fat pad back to its natural position. This is the only technique in face-lifting that can achieve this. Traditional facelifts only correct the neck and jowls, without placing the cheek fat pad in its natural position.
Because a facelift procedure is chosen in order to enhance one’s appearance, unsightly scars are not acceptable. Therefore, Dr. Bustillo will do everything possible to hide the resulting incision lines around the ear and in the hair. Dr. Bustillo does not place any incisions in the hairline but instead inside the hair, so that they are not visible. Because there must be an incision along the front of the ear, Dr. Bustillo hides the incision behind the tragus – the little cartilage in front of the ear canal (“post-tragal incision”). This is done to further camouflage and minimize the incision.
The facelift operation, like all surgery, does have risks aside from those of anesthesia. The highest risk patients are smokers. Patients who smoke should refrain from smoking for approximately two weeks before the surgery. The nicotine patch is not a substitute for smoking cessation as far aesthetic surgery is concerned. Nicotine causes the small blood vessels to become narrower, which decreases the blood flow to the skin. The potential complication of a smoker is the death of the facial skin, resulting in a poor outcome with facial scarring and possible infection. Dr. Bustillo will not perform the facelift operation on active smokers.
The surgery can take from two and a half hours if only the facelift is being performed to four hours if a blepharoplasty (eyelift) is being performed in conjunction. The patient should have a caretaker with them for about two days after surgery. This person does not need to be a medical professional and can be a family member or friend. This person will help with feeding, ambulating, and other chores. If the patient wishes, Dr. Bustillo’s office can help coordinate a home service to help you with these activities.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER THE SURGERY
The night of the surgery should be spent relaxed. Activity should be kept to a minimum. A liquid diet is best for the first eighteen hours after anesthesia. The head should be kept elevated using two pillows to help reduce swelling. Dr. Bustillo recommends placing small zip lock bags with frozen peas on the eyes 10 minutes, for every hour spent awake for the first 48 hours.
The face will be wrapped with a bandage used to keep the skin flat. Pain should be minimal. Tylenol is usually enough to control any minor discomfort. Dr. Bustillo will provide you with additional pain medication, in the event that you need it. Any significant pain should be reported to Dr. Bustillo immediately, as this may signal bleeding under the skin. This is extremely rare, but possible. If a blepharoplasty was performed, some mild bruising may be visible around the eyes.
Dr. Bustillo will remove the bandage on the first day after the surgery. It is normal for some bruising to appear in the neck. An ace-type bandage with Velcro is then worn for approximately four to five days while healing occurs. On the fifth post-operative day, the small sutures in front of the ear and under the chin are removed. Patients can usually shower and wash their hair after this second visit.
About seventy percent of the swelling resolves in the first three weeks. Only the patient is aware that the face is somewhat swollen. It is not noticeable to the average person. Hence, the patient can resume most of the daily activities. It is recommended that physical activity, such as running or lifting be resumed only after the fourth week. The remainder of the swelling can take up to four months to completely resolve.
The final results of the surgery may not be completely evident until several months after the surgery. The results of a facelift operation usually turn back the clock approximately ten years and the results last about ten years. Most patients who undergo facial rejuvenation surgery are extremely happy with the results.
What is a facelift?
Facelift surgery, also known as rhytidectomy, is the third most popular facial plastic surgery procedure according to the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS). A facelift can improve many facial flaws and signs of premature aging, including sagging facial skin, jowls and loose neck skin. During the procedure, excess fat is removed, muscles are tightened and the skin is redraped.
Who is the best candidate for a facelift?
The ideal candidate for a facelift is a physically healthy man or woman who has a strong and well-defined bone structure with skin that still retains some elasticity, though the face and neck have begun to sag. As with all forms of plastic surgery, it's also essential that patients have realistic expectations. There are many other factors that determine whether an individual is a good candidate for a facelift, such as skin type, ethnicity and individual healing, and a surgeon can help you to determine if a facelift is right for you. Though most facelift patients tend to be in their forties to their sixties, facelifts can be performed at younger and older ages.
Are there any limitations to what a facelift can achieve?
Facelift surgery cannot stop the aging process or turn back the clock, though it can help the face to look its best and appear healthier and more youthful.
What happens during a consultation for a facelift?
During a consultation for a facelift, the surgeon will examine your face, including your bone structure and the texture, color and elasticity of your skin. The surgeon will also take a thorough medical history, discuss your goals, and explain the options available to you. He or she will also explain the surgical procedure and technique, the type of anesthesia, the facility, the potential complications, and the costs. Many surgeons will take photographs of the patient's face. Other procedures may also be suggested at this time to help achieve your desired look. For instance, facial liposuction is often performed along with facelift surgery.
Click here to continue reading frequently asked questions about facelift procedures
Contact Miami Facelift Surgeon, Dr. Bustillo
Rhinoplasty
