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Not long ago, a facelift was considered by many to be reserved for movie stars and celebrities. Today, a facelift is not just for the rich and famous. It is one of the most well accepted and most frequently performed cosmetic procedures in the United States. Today baby boomers from every walk of life are electing to have a facelift.
WHAT IS THE HOUR LIFT?
Wrinkles, sagging skin, laxity in the jowls and neck begin to appear after years of exposure to the elements, facial expressions and the natural aging process. The Hour Lift, also known as the "S" lift is our version of a mini face lift. By surgically tightening the muscles of the face we achieve an overall lift, tightening loose skin in the jowls, jowl line, cheeks, smile lines and neck.
A facelift alone will not remove forehead wrinkles, crow's feet or bags under your eyes. The Hour Lift can be done in combination with other cosmetic procedures and these areas can be treated at the same time as your facelift. Some of the other procedures that can be done along with the Hour Lift include: brow lift, upper eyelid surgery, cheek and lip enhancement, facial and neck liposuction along with facial resurfacing. During your initial consultation, we will discuss your particular condition, your expectations, and the probable outcome of your various treatment options. You will be shown several before and after photographs of patients having similar conditions, and we will explain the details of your procedure.
THE PROCEDURE
Usually premedication is given to relax the patient. Experienced, skilled cosmetic surgeons at Skin & Vein perform the Hour Lift under local anesthesia, utilizing the revolutionary tumescent technique. This in-office surgery eliminates the risks of general anesthesia. Patients experience minimal discomfort with this anesthetic technique and because there are no hospital fees, the cost of surgery is significantly reduced.
The incision is placed in the natural crease of the facial skin. It begins inside the hairline at the temple area above and forward of the ear and continues in front of the ear around the earlobe. The skin is lifted outward and the surgeon tightens and repositions the underlying muscles and tissues. Excess skin and fat may be removed. The incision is then closed with fine sutures. The entire procedure usually takes about an hour and a half.
THE RECOVERY
You can expect an easy and safe recovery. While healing time varies slightly among patients, the tumescent technique for anesthesia allows for an overall shorter recovery period. 85% of patients experience no bruising after the Hour Lift and most will be able to resume normal activities within three days. Pain is normally minimal and can be controlled with oral medication. Generally you can shampoo and wear make-up the day after surgery.
After your surgery, instead of bandages you will wear an ice containing head garment for 24-48 hours. Your sutures will be removed in six to eight days.
MINIMAL RISKS
With any surgical procedure, there is some risk involved. Fortunately, the potential complications resulting from the Hour Lift are minimal. In rare instances, a patient could experience infection, skin trauma, bleeding or a reaction to the anesthesia or sutures. Risk will be reviewed with each patient prior to surgery.
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