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Are there significant risks associated with facelift surgery?
Facelift surgery can make a person look younger by several years. It is a safe procedure as long as the operating surgeon is skilled and experienced in performing facelifts. The procedure must be performed at an adequately equipped or certified facility, and the staff must be trained to provide efficient support during the surgery.
Bleeding is a risk with any surgery and facelifts are no exception. The face has a tremendous blood supply; therefore, bleeding is a bigger concern with facelift surgery than it is with other procedures. It is important for patients to avoid taking any medication that can increase the risk of bleeding for two weeks before surgery. It is also important that a patient’s blood pressure is under good control at the time of surgery and all strenuous activities are strictly avoided for at least a week after surgery. Infection is a small risk with facelift surgery and most patients will recommend that patients take an antibiotic around the time of surgery. Anesthesia is a risk with facelift surgery, particularly for older patients who have medical problems. It is important not to hide any medical conditions from your surgeon and it is advisable for older patients to undergo a thorough history and physical from their primary care physician prior to proceeding with surgery.
One of the risks that is relatively unique to facelift surgery is the risk of injury to the nerves of the face. These are the nerves which create motion for the face such as elevating or depressing the brow, and moving the lips for smiling or talking. These nerves are at some risk of being injured during the surgery. Fortunately, this only occurs in about in one percent of facelift procedures. Furthermore, about 85 percent of the time, these nerves will regenerate by themselves and the muscles will start moving again. However, it may take up to a year or more for complete regeneration. Nerves that give sensation to the skin of the face are also at risk, however, it is very rare to have any permanent sensory loss except, maybe to an earlobe after facelift surgery.
Bleeding is a risk with any surgery and facelifts are no exception. The face has a tremendous blood supply; therefore, bleeding is a bigger concern with facelift surgery than it is with other procedures. It is important for patients to avoid taking any medication that can increase the risk of bleeding for two weeks before surgery. It is also important that a patient’s blood pressure is under good control at the time of surgery and all strenuous activities are strictly avoided for at least a week after surgery. Infection is a small risk with facelift surgery and most patients will recommend that patients take an antibiotic around the time of surgery. Anesthesia is a risk with facelift surgery, particularly for older patients who have medical problems. It is important not to hide any medical conditions from your surgeon and it is advisable for older patients to undergo a thorough history and physical from their primary care physician prior to proceeding with surgery.
One of the risks that is relatively unique to facelift surgery is the risk of injury to the nerves of the face. These are the nerves which create motion for the face such as elevating or depressing the brow, and moving the lips for smiling or talking. These nerves are at some risk of being injured during the surgery. Fortunately, this only occurs in about in one percent of facelift procedures. Furthermore, about 85 percent of the time, these nerves will regenerate by themselves and the muscles will start moving again. However, it may take up to a year or more for complete regeneration. Nerves that give sensation to the skin of the face are also at risk, however, it is very rare to have any permanent sensory loss except, maybe to an earlobe after facelift surgery.
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