Loucinda R. Dampier, plastic surgeon in Maryville offers face lift surgery in Maryville and Knoxville.

Reasons for Considering a Facelift:

• Sagging skin, muscles, and fat in the face and neck.
• Excess skin and fat on the neck.
• Sagging jaw line.
• Crease lines along the nose, mouth, and chin.

 

 

As we age, our faces and necks become victims to wrinkles and excess skin secondary to loss of fat.  This loss is fat is common, but is certainly not desirable to those of us who want to look as young as we feel.  There are many facial rejuvenation procedures offered today.  The procedures are generally divided into three areas and include the forehead and brows, the mid-face, and the jowls and neck. 

 

The forehead develops wrinkles as a result of aging and the eyebrows become lower.  For these signs of upper face aging, forehead and brow-lifts can be performed.  Some surgeons use typical long incisions hidden with the hair to lift the brows and forehead, while others use small incisions and special instruments.  Dr. Dampier offers both types of surgeries depending on your needs and preferences.

 

The major portion of the face becomes hollower with aging and often “sags.”  This look causes many to appear irritable or tired, even though this is not the case.  For this area, rhytidectomy (facelift) with or without SMAS (a special strong layer of muscle under the skin of the face) lift is generally recommended.  While these lifts may not totally correct the nasolabial folds (“laugh lines/parentheses”), they lift the skin and facial muscles to more youthful positions and smooth wrinkles. 

 

The lower face is a very common concern of those who are aging because jowls become more evident and many patients notice a “floppy” or “turkey” neck.  For these problems, a lower face and neck lift can be performed.  These lifts are combined with liposuction underneath the neck to achieve a sharp jaw line, thin neck, and essentially no jowls.  This procedure can also be done in conjunction with a facelift, blepharoplasty, and other facial procedures. 

 

Facial rejuvenation procedures generally last between two and five hours.  The procedures involve placing tumescent solution into the areas being treated followed by careful liposuction in some cases. After this is performed, the skin is lifted off of the facial musculature and the underlying muscle (SMAS) is pulled to remove large wrinkles.  The excess skin is then removed and closed.  Most facial surgery incisions are placed within the hairline to minimize visible scarring, though incisions in front of the ear are usually necessary.  After the skin is closed, a special dressing is placed on the head and neck area for one day.  When the dressing is removed, the skin will be cleaned and a removable dressing is then placed.  Patients should plan on wearing this special dressing at all times for one week and then primarily at nighttime or when at home. 

 

Because the face is the most visible area of the body, recovery time is generally two weeks.  Most patients feel well within one week, though still have residual bruising and swelling which is generally gone within two weeks.  Light exercise can be resumed at two weeks and heavy exercise can begin within four to six weeks.

 

At the L.R. Dampier Cosmetic Surgery Center, Dr. Dampier will perform a thorough consultation and suggest a surgical plan that addresses your facial concerns.  Please call our office to schedule a personalized consultation that will get you on your way to a younger, refreshed face.