General Information | Face Lift WI

The face ages in characteristic, predictable ways. As the years advance, the skin on the face and neck begins to loosen. Crow's feet become visible at the corners of the eyes. The jawline is no longer straight and jowls begin to develop. Under the chin, a “second chin” or vertical folds in the skin appear at the front of the neck. Forehead lines start as fine wrinkles, become defined creases, and then, gradually, end up as deeper folds. The pull of gravity, heredity, personal habits, and sun exposure contribute to this aging process. As the “baby-boomer” population grows, it’s obvious why facelifts have become the third most desired facial cosmetic surgical procedure.

If you ever wondered how a facelift, or rhytidectomy, as it is sometimes called, could improve your looks or self-confidence, you’ll be interested to know how a facelift is performed and what you can realistically expect from having this procedure done. This information page can answer many of your questions and concerns and provide the information you need when you begin considering facelift surgery.

Good rapport between patient and surgeon is important in achieving successful results in facial cosmetic surgery. Trust develops in the consulting stages prior to surgery. This trust is based on realistic expectations and exacting medical proficiency. If you have specific questions or specific needs, please ask Dr. Parfitt, as he should be able to answer them and accommodate your needs.

With facial cosmetic surgery at our WI clinic, it is very possible to correct many facial flaws and signs of aging that can chip away at self-confidence. Cosmetic surgery can help change how you feel about yourself by making your external features match how beautiful, energetic, youthful, and healthy you feel on the inside.

Insurance generally does not cover surgery that is done for purely cosmetic reasons.

Is a Face Lift for You?

Good health and realistic expectations are prerequisites for having facial cosmetic surgery. Understanding the limitations of the facelift procedure is essential and psychological stability is necessary. There is no specific ideal in a facelift. Rather, the goal is to improve overall facial appearance. Your basic bone structure, skin type, ethnic background, degree of skin elasticity, individual healing, as well as a realistic attitude are factors that should be discussed before surgery. This procedure is occasionally performed on patients in their thirties, and has been performed on patients in their eighties. Although a facelift cannot stop aging, what it can do is help your face look its best and give you a look of energy, youth, and a more healthy appearance. Increased self-confidence is a side benefit that many patients experience as well.

Making the Decision to Have a Face Lift at our Madison WI Clinic

Before making a final decision on a facelift, it’s a good idea to discuss with Dr. Parfitt whether the overall result will be more successful if additional changes are made in the neck and chin areas through other facial surgery procedures. Often, patients decide to have facial liposuction in conjunction with a facelift to remove excess fatty deposits. If a number of flaws need correction, then more than one procedure may be desired for the best overall result.

Your choice of a certified facial plastic surgeon who specializes in cosmetic surgery is of paramount importance. At the preliminary consultation, Dr. Parfitt will assess the anatomic details of your face, as well as you skin color, elasticity, and texture. Photographs will be taken so that he can further study the details of your face. Individual medical risks will also be determined and considered, especially those related to conditions such as a tendency to scar, high blood pressure, a deficiency in blood clotting, and smoking. A thorough medical history will be taken, as well as an assessment of the patient's emotional attitudes toward surgery. Since a realistic attitude is essential to the success of the surgery, a discussion of the details of the surgical procedure and expected results will take place.

After the decision to proceed with a facelift is made Dr. Parfitt will describe the technique that will be used, details about our Madison WI Plastic Surgery facility, the method of anesthesia, any additional surgery, and the benefits and risks, including potential complications.

Face Lift WI Procedure Details

The incision for the facelift starts in the area of the temple hair, just above the ear, and then continues downward around the earlobe, circling up in the groove behind the ear before returning into the hair of the scalp behind the ear. The skin is elevated from its attachments to underlying tissue before Dr. Parfitt repositions and tightens the underlying connective tissue and muscle. A quantity of fat may be removed, as well as the excess lax skin. In facelifts for men, the incision is designed to accommodate natural beard location. In all cases, the incision is designed to fall in a natural crease of the skin for concealment. After trimming excess skin, Dr. Parfitt then closes all incisions with very fine sutures. Some metal clips are also used, which permit surgery without shaving hair from the incision site. Depending which type of facelift is done and the degree of complexity, the surgery can take from one to three hours.  A combination of mild sedatives, local anesthesia, and a mild intravenous anesthesia is used to ensure that the patient experiences little discomfort. There is no need to use general anesthesia for facelifts, which would only add more risk and cost to the procedure. Following surgery, a dressing will be applied to protect the entire area where incisions were made.

Face Lift WI Recovery

Believe it or not, most patients experience little pain after a facelift at our Madison Plastic Surgery Clinic.  However, pain medicine will still be prescribed to make the healing period more comfortable. Some degree of bruising and swelling is unavoidable and expected, but the snug, yet comfortable, dressing will keep this to a minimum.  Cold compresses will be applied to the eyes or nose if additional surgery is done to these areas. You will also be instructed to keep your head elevated while lying down, and to report any undue discomfort. 

After a facelift, Dr. Parfitt recommends staying in our on-site Private Recovery Suite so that you can stay as rested as possible. The first night post facelift your head will be wrapped in a dressing.  This dressing is removed the next morning and a smaller wrap is then used. On the second morning post facelift surgery this final wrap is removed and you will begin to be able to shower.  Sutures are removed 6 days following surgery and any metal clips are removed between days 10 to 14 following facelift surgery. Mild activity is encouraged starting the 2nd day following facelift surgery. Vigorous activity, which raises blood pressure, is discouraged until 1 month out from surgery. Patients are encouraged to prearrange for post-surgery support from friends and family.

Most post facelift bruising and swelling goes away within two to three weeks.  However, many patients go back to their social and work activities within two weeks. Scars mature over time and should become minimally noticeable or even unnoticeable.  In any case, they are easily hidden in natural skin lines or creases, within the hair-bearing scalp, or, in persistent cases, with makeup until complete healing has occurred. Also bear in mind that some relaxation of tissues will occur over the first few weeks as swelling subsides.

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Featured Patient - Face Lift WI

Age: 62     Location: Janesville, WI

Procedures: Neck Lift / Face Lift & Blepharoplasty (eyelid rejuvenation)

Patient's Comments:

"I am very happy with my decision to have cosmetic surgery, especially with Dr. Parfitt.  Considering I had been in to see him 10 yrs earlier, this was no snap decision.  I just didn't think I could afford it or that I should spend money on myself.  Since I had surgery for a deviated septum with another physician years ago I had something to compare my experience with.  It was like comparing apples to oranges. There was no comparison.  From my first visit 10 yrs ago, Dr. Parfitt left me with such a good impression I never considered checking elsewhere.  Also, he specialized just in the face.  That was very reassuring because that meant he had much more experience within his field of expertise.  Amazing.  The saggy, baggy, droopy appearance is gone.  I do feel better about myself.  I know I'm the same age, but somehow I feel more hopeful.  About what exactly that is I can't say.  Just that I do.  Dr. Parfitt, thank you for all you patience and great care in my particular case.  I so appreciated you great sense of humor and being so calm and genuine.  Speaking of staff, I think you have a great mix of personalities.  They are really cool people.  Very professional and at the same time everyone was very kind and helpful and put me at ease.  What a trip!  I actually did it and with the best.  Thanks!"