Thread Lift
Technically known as Rhytidectomy, a facelift is a surgical procedure to improve visible signs of aging in the face and neck such as sagging in the midface, deep creases below the lower eyelids, deep creases between the nose and mouth, fat that has fallen or is displaced, loss of muscle tone in the lower face that may create jowls, loose skin and excess fatty deposits under the chin and jaw. These visible signs of aging can be corrected by a facelift. It restores a more youthful and rested appearance with uplifted contours and improved tone in facial skin and underlying muscle.
Other surgeries that may serve as adjunct to facelift surgery are: blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) and brow or forehead lift. These other procedures help with the overall goal of facial rejuvenation.
Ptosis, wrinkling or fine lines of the face are largely the result of aging, massive weight lost, actinic damage or genetic disorder acting singly or in combination with one another. The aged look of the face results from gradual reduction of facial soft tissue volume.
As a restorative surgery, a facelift will not and cannot change your fundamental appearance. Moreover, the aging process will continue as soon as your surgery is over. A facelift will and cannot stop aging. Having a facelift doesn't stop the clock. Your face will continue to age with time, and you may want to repeat the procedure one or more times-perhaps five or ten years down the line. But in another sense, the effects of even one facelift are lasting; years later, you'll continue to look better than if you'd never had a facelift at all.
To better analyze the face and the changes that it sustained through time, this is divided in 3 regions. The forehead is observed for dynamic and static transverse lines, ptosis of the brow and vertical glabellar lines between the brow. The mid face is noted for hallowing of the cheek, deep nasojugal, nasolabial and labiomental furrow, hooding of the upper eye lid skin and lower eyelid bags. While poor jaw line definition is accompanied by laxity of the neck skin with vertical lines and is often seen at the lower 3rd of the face.
These significant changes can be addressed by Rhytidectomy or commonly known as face lift . There are 2 general types of face lift procedure. These are the open or surgical face lift and non surgical face lift which is also known as thread lift. Both the non-surgical and the surgical face lift reduce the sagging skin, soften the deep nasolabial folds, smoothen the sagging skin of the neck and improve the definition of the jaw line thus, restoring a youthful appearance. Face lift procedure addresses only sagging and atrophic facial tissues. It has no effect on the quality of facial skin. And consequently, this is not a treatment for irregular skin pigmentation which can be address by resurfacing procedure.
This rejuvenation or restoration procedure is done by re-suspending the soft tissues of the face with placation sutures and removing or excising the excess, inelastic skin of the face. The resulting scar is oriented along the natural line of the face, this is placed along the anterior border of ear and turns back at the ear lobule going to posterior hair line, thus making it very inconspicuous. Majority of the patients that seek consult for facial rejuvenation often have simultaneous concern with the appearance of their eye lids. Most would complain of hooding and fullness of the upper eye lid skin with baggy lower eye lids. This can be deal with upper and lower blepharoplasty. It's very common that patients consulting for face lift procedure will also need a blephraoplasty surgery and vise versa. The result of both procedures are very complementary and maximizes the result of each procedure.
Facial rejuvenation can also be attained through a minimally invasive procedure without any surgical incision. This procedure is called Thread Lift Surgery, in which suspension, non absorbable barbed sutures are inserted under the skin to lift the facial soft tissues and attain a more youthful look. This procedure results to less swelling compared to traditional open face lift. However, the results may only last for 2 to 3 years.
Individuals planning to undergo face lift are prepared prior to scheduled surgery. Patients are advised to avoid the following for 2 to 3 weeks before surgery; smoking, alcoholic beverages, steroids, NSAIDs or pain medications like mefenamic acids and naproxen, herbal tea, herbal medications, Vitamin E, blood thinning medications like aspirin, heparin and coumadin, regulated drugs like valum, prohibited drugs like methamphetamines, diet pills and oral contraceptive pills. These medications and social activity may delay healing, prolong bleeding during surgery and may interact with the medications used during surgery. It is advised that patients discuss this further with their surgeon to minimize possible risks and complications.
This is performed as an out-patient procedure in a fully equipped ambulatory surgical facility or patients may be admitted for a day or two if they prefer to have more comfort and relaxation immediately after the surgery. Whether the procedure will be performed as an out-patient or as a hospital procedure, preoperative laboratory and medical clearance is required. This is done a day before the surgery. The procedure will last for 3 to 4 hours under deep sedation with local anesthesia or general anesthesia. This can be performed simultaneously with other cosmetic procedures for patients with good physical health. Patients are required to wear tight dressing or compression garment for 1 week, this will help the skin to redrape to the muscles of the face, assists in controlling swelling and also prevent fluid to accumulate under the skin flap. There will be some swelling and mild bruising of the face that will last for several days to weeks. Sutures are usually removed 7 days after the surgery.
Patients planning to have this procedure will be required to allot 10 to 14 days for the initial consultation, laboratory, medical clearance, surgery, follow up, suture removal and early recuperation. After this the patient is safe to travel since wounds are already dried and healed.
Your plastic surgeon and/or staff will explain in detail the risks associated with surgery. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo and any risks or potential complications.
The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure. Another surgery may be necessary.
The decision to have a tummy tuck is extremely personal and you'll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable.
For more information on affordable cosmetic procedure, selecting qualified cosmetic plastic surgeon and to know all your options for the procedure you want to have you may visit www.philippinecosmetic.com/ or www.cosmeticplasticsurgeryphil.com .
Author:
Dr Rino Lorenzo is a Filipino Plastic Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgeon based in Manila, Philippines. He is a Board Certified and fully trained Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon, with 6 years of formal training in the field of Aesthetic, Reconstructive and Burn Plastic Surgery. Dr Rino Lorenzo is a Fellow of the Philippine Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons.
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Resource box text: "Dr R Lorenzo is the author of http://www.philippinecosmetic.com , a free guide to affordable cosmetic plastic procedures, choosing the right surgeon and safety tips in cosmetic plastic surgery, affordable and safe cosmetic surgery tourism"
Occupation: Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Rino Lorenzo have a high sense of responsibility, devotion to duty, compassion to patients and above all a fervent desire to learn and excel in his chosen field. Dr. Lorenzo is Board Certified in plastic surgery, he is a Diplomate of the Philippine Board of Plastic Surgery and fellow of the Philippine Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (PAPRAS).
Coming from a well-known family of doctors, Dr. Rino Lorenzo is the eleventh child of the late Dr. Felipe Lorenzo Sr., a surgeon, and Dra. Peregrina Lorenzo, an anesthesiologist. He is the ninth member of the family to become a doctor. The medical profession of both his parents greatly influenced his decision to pursue a career in the medical field.
Dr Rino Lorenzo practices plastic surgery in a compassionate manner, combines excellent training with a caring and attentive bedside manner. He has years of experience in cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Dr Rino graduated from the Pontifical University of Santo Tomas with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology as his preparatory course to medicine. He then took his medical education at the same institution, graduating within the top ten percentile of his class. With his special interest in the field of surgery, he underwent training in general surgery at the Philippine General Hospital Medical Center (PGH). Dr Lorenzo had his years of formal training in Plastic Surgery from the University of the Philippines Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery training program where he served as Chief Resident of the Department of Surgery during his senior year.
Dr Rino performs a variety of aesthetic and reconstructive surgeries including, dermabrasion, cleft lip, palate, and other congenital defects; scar revision; surgery of physical malformation and malfunction as a result of trauma and burns; and even maxillofacial injuries. In terms of aesthetics, Dr. Rino is also an expert in full body contouring, liposuction, abdominoplasty, breast surgery, facial rejuvenation, breast lift, breast reduction, buttocks augmentation, cheek and chin augmentation, rhinoplasty, upper and lower eyes rejuvenation and injectables such as Botox, Dermal Fillers like Restylane and Perlane.
He is one of the cosmetic plastic consultants at the Borough Medical Care Institute, a center for beauty and wellness that aims to provide safe and quality results in plastic cosmetic surgery. Together with a team of certified plastic surgeons, the group would like to bring back professionalism in this field of medicine by adhering to the right and safe procedures. Dr Rino Lorenzo is also affiliated with several medical center in Metro Manila were he practice cosmetic, reconstructive and burn plastic surgery.
For more information you may visit www.cosmeticphilippines.com or www.philcosmeticplasticsurgery.com
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