Deep Plane Extended Facelift CENTER FOR FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY AT ENT SPECIALISTS
Deep Plane Extended Facelift
A facelift is a highly personalized cosmetic surgery procedure. It restores the natural
shape of the face and corrects the sagginess, the jowls and the neck bands produced by
aging. A well-done facelift avoids that unnatural “over stretched” look. In fact, it is not
the skin but the deep structures of the face that need to be sculpted and repositioned in
order to obtain a natural, rejuvenated result. Skin is simply re-draped with minimal
tension.
There are many facelift techniques available because each face ages differently.
However, there is one technique that is clearly superior in terms of results and longevity
and that is the Deep Plane Extended Facelift. As opposed to the older techniques (Mini
Facelift, SMAS plication, SMAS resection, etc) the Deep Plane Facelift, as the name
implies, is performed in a plane deep to the SMAS (Superficial Musculo-Aponeurotic
System) and allows for the release of the ligaments that tether the SMAS down to the
bone and prevent lifting it to a natural and aesthetically pleasing position. For these
reasons, the deep-plane facelift is not only the most effective and long-lasting technique
but also the one that provides the most natural results. It is however a more advanced
technique that requires special expertise, for which reason it is performed by a very
limited number of surgeons.
Using a special incision technique, the scar is normally invisible once healed. Due to the
completely natural result obtained with this technique, the deep-plane facelift is
appropriate for any age and any degree of tissue laxity.
Adjuvant (Add-on) Procedures:
A Deep-plane Facelift is frequently performed in conjunction with a Deep Neck-lift and with Autologous Fat Transfer (fat injections) in order to fully address the lower face, the neck laxity and volume imbalance.
BEFORE THE SURGERY
From the time of your first consultation (whether on-line or in person) till the day of surgery you will have the opportunity to discuss with Dr Georgescu and his staff all your questions and concerns related to the surgical procedure, the preparation and the recovery. Make sure you fulfill all your financial obligations at least 2 weeks prior to surgery. Stop all anticoagulants (Eliquis, Pradaxa, Plavix, Coumadin, Warfarin), anti- inflammatory medication (Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Diclofenac, Indomethacin) and all vitamins and supplements (except for Calcium and Vit. D) two weeks prior to surgery, but only with the approval of your primary care doctor or cardiologist. Smokers need to stop smoking or vaping at least 4 months prior to surgery. Nicotine patches or gum are accepted. Make sure you fill your prescriptions before surgery, as you will not be able go to the pharmacy immediately after surgery. You need to make arrangements for someone to bring you to the surgery center and take you back home, as you will not be able to drive the day of surgery. You also need someone to stay with you for at least the first night after surgery.
THE DAY OF SURGERY
Do not eat or drink anything past 10:00 PM the night before! If you need to take your blood pressure or anxiety medication, do so with a sip of water when you wake up. Make sure you arrive at the surgery center at the time indicated (our staff will call you the day prior with the exact time you need to be there). Our surgery center staff will greet you and make sure all the consent forms have been. Your companion can either wait in our comfortable waiting area, where there is coffee, water and snacks, or can return back home and we will call as soon as the surgery is over. You will be then taken to your room where our nurses will place an IV and EKG electrodes. A urine pregnancy test is performed on all pre-menopausal women. Then, you will meet in person our anesthesiologist who will explain the anesthesia procedure. Most surgeries are done under deep sedation or general anesthesia. Dr Georgescu will come and read to you the consent form and answer any last-minute questions you may have. He will then do the skin markings and may take some additional photographs. The bed will then be wheeled into the operating room where the time out will be performed before you go to sleep. The anesthesiologist will then give you IV medication that will allow you to fall asleep. At the end of surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room where you will wake up with no pain. We typically use ice-packs in recovery for 20 minutes to decrease swelling. You and your companion will be shown in detail how to apply the ointments and how to vacuum the drains. After approximately 1-2 hours you will be discharged to go home with your companion. We will bring you to the car in a wheelchair. You will be given Dr Georgescu’s personal cell number to call at any time if you have any questions or concerns and Dr Georgescu will call you the night of surgery to make sure you are doing well and following the instructions.
RECOVERY & RESULTS
Most patients take between 7 and 10 days off after a facelift surgery. Stitches dissolve or
are removed at 10 days. Bruising and swelling are minimal due to the use of drains for 5
days. Antibiotic and pain medication may be prescribed for a few days. Strenuous
activity, especially neck stretching, swimming, Yoga, Pilates, tennis and weightlifting
should be avoided for 6 weeks. Walking is allowed the day after surgery. Running and
biking can be resumed after 3 weeks. The hair can be dyed after one month. Makeup
can be applied as early as 2 weeks after surgery.
Starting on the 5 th day we will begin the INDIBA RF lymph massage that is performed in
our office and takes less than 30 minutes. The 3 complimentary sessions are scheduled 3
days apart and will decrease the bruising and swelling time to about half.
Dr Georgescu will visit you at home the following day to make sure you are comfortable
and healing appropriately, without complications. He will show you again how to apply
the ointments and how to vacuum the drains. You can shower the day after surgery.
However, we recommend using distilled water to wash the hair and the face for at least
a week. Although we do not recommend that you stay in bed, it is probably better not to
leave the house for 5 days, while the drains are in place. On the fifth day you will come
back to the office to have the drains removed by Dr Georgescu. This is a rather painless
procedure and is done under local anesthesia. You will also be seen on day 7, 10 and 14
followed by 1 month, 3 months and 6 months. However, Dr Georgescu is available to see
you at any time if you have questions or concerns.
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2122 NW 62nd ST, Ste 229 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
