Auckland, New Zealand (Smile Makeover)
would never have though my teeth could look that good
Auckland, New Zealand (Breast Augmentation)
all spoke good English which was re-assuring and nothing was too much trouble
Hawkes Bay, New Zealand (Tummy Tuck) I'm very pleased already with the result I can see
Auckland, New Zealand (Breast Augmentation) So much better than I had imagined and the hospital was great
Hawkes Bay, New Zealand (Breast Lift, Tummy Tuck, Liposuction)
The hospital - well this was way beyond what I was expecting from the head nurse down to the orderly.
Surgery: Facelift (Rhytidectomy) Time required: 4 - 6 hours
Anaesthesia: General Length of Stay (In Hospital): 2 nights in hospital standard room Follow up: 7-10 days after surgery
Procedure
A face lift usually takes several hours or more. The exact placement of incisions and the sequence of events depend on your facial structure and your surgeon's technique. Incisions usually begin above the hairline at the temples, extend in a natural line in front of the ear (or just inside the cartilage at the front of the ear), and continue behind the ear lobe to the lower scalp. If the neck needs work, a small incision may also be made under the chin.
In general, the surgeon separates the skin from the fat and muscle below. Fat may be trimmed or suctioned from around the neck and chin to improve the contour. The surgeon then tightens the underlying muscle and membrane, pulls the skin back, and removes the excess. Stitches secure the layers of tissue and close the incisions; metal clips may be used on the scalp.
In evaluating you for face lift surgery, your plastic surgeon will assess the thickness, texture and elasticity of your skin, and the severity of wrinkles and folds. Your hairline will be examined to determine where incisions can be discreetly placed. All of these factors, as well as your bone structure and underlying tissues, will be considered in developing an individual surgical plan.
Your plastic surgeon may discuss with you additional procedures that can be performed along with a face lift in order to address all the concerns you have identified. For example, a face lift is frequently combined with a forehead lift, eyelid surgery, nose reshaping, etc.
If you are overweight and you have a realistic desire to lose more than 15 pounds, you should discuss this with your surgeon.
Post Operative Care
After surgery, you will be asked to restrict your activities and simply relax for a few days. Elevating your head when you sleep will help to minimize swelling and bruising. Doing leg exercises while on bed also helps to prevent blood clot formation on the legs.
• The surgeon wraps your head loosely in bandages to minimise bruising and swelling.
• A small, thin tube is temporarily placed under the skin behind your ear to drain any blood that might collect there.
• Bandages and drain tubes will usually be removed in one or two days.
• Do not be alarmed by any unevenness or temporary asymmetry caused by swelling and bruising. The greatest amount of swelling occurs 24 to 48 hours after surgery. Puffiness and bruising will disappear in about two weeks.
• Facial numbness may be present for several weeks or longer.
• Stitches will be removed from four to seven days after surgery.
• Resumption of sexual activity and heavy housework in about two weeks.
• Avoid alcohol, steam baths, and saunas for several months.
Potential Risks & Complications
Our plastic surgeons take every precaution possible to prevent and minimize the risks of surgery. However, much of the responsibility for risk avoidance rests with the patient as well.
Risks of General Anaesthesia
The risks of general anaesthesia include human error, unsuspected inherited hypersensitivity to anaesthetic drugs, accidental overdose of anaesthesia, any undetected airway disconnection or airway blockage. General anaesthesia, which increases the risk of vomiting and impairs protective airway reflexes, can cause aspiration of stomach contents.
Asymmetry
Moderate or severe asymmetries may require a second surgery. Mild asymmetry is normal.
Skin Death or Necrosis
This is very rare but there are increased risks in patients with diabetes, compromised wound healing abilities, history of smoking and circulatory problems. The necrotic skin will be surgically removed which may affect the cosmetic outcome.
Slow Healing
This is due to age, skin type, failure to follow doctor's advice or factors beyond anyone's control.
Numbness/Tingling/Nerve Injury
This results from injury to sensory or motor nerves which are often temporary. Transient motor nerve paralysis is more common and may be due to local aesthetic effect, excessive traction of the submucosal apo-neurotic system (SMAS), infection, or hematoma.
Hematoma
Any sudden change in colour should be reported immediately. A hematoma is a collection of clotting or clotted blood in a body cavity which can cause pain, skin flap infection, etc.
Infection
Predisposing factors for infection include diabetes, immunosuppression, or other systemic illnesses. Post-operative factors include undetected hematoma and wound contamination.
Parotid Gland Pseudo-Cyst
This condition may occur after trauma to the parotid gland when raising the SMAS flap.
Hyper-trophic Scarring
Hyper-trophic scarring is most common in post-auricular areas and areas of previous partial-thickness or full-thickness skin slough. The condition may be related to excessive tension on suture lines and can be prevented by careful incision planning, adequate SMAS suspension, accurate skin flap re-draping, and judicious use of deep sutures.
Alopecia and Hairline or Earlobe Deformities
Alopecia may be caused by excessive tension on suture lines and is often transient because of the shock to the hair follicles. Recovery usually occurs within 3 months. Earlobe distortion results from poor incision placement, inaccurate re-approximation of the earlobe to the re-draped skin flap, or excessive tension on the skin closure.
Result
A face lift restores smoother, more pleasing contours to your face and neck. It can help you look as good as you feel and perhaps feel younger than you are.
The results of your face lift may be dramatic or subtle, depending on how you look before surgery as well as the specific goals that you and your plastic surgeon have established. Since the healing process is gradual, you should expect to wait at least several weeks for an accurate picture of your "new look."
Recovery Time
By the third week, you'll look and feel much better. Most patients are back at work about ten days to two weeks after surgery. If you need it, special camouflage makeup can mask most bruising that remains. Straining, bending and lifting should be avoided during the early postoperative period. In many instances, you will be able to resume most of your normal activities within two weeks and begin to exercise three to four weeks after surgery. You will be instructed to temporarily avoid exposure to direct sunlight and, for the long-term, to be conscientious about the use of a sun block to protect your skin.
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