Also known as rhytidectomy, lower third lift or neck lift, facial rejuvenation surgery is what most people think of when they think of cosmetic surgery. There are so many examples of celebrities who look like they have had surgery. This creates a lot of apprehension for patients looking to restore a younger look.

Plastic surgeons have developed newer techniques to improve the naturalness of the results of surgery but not all surgeons are comfortable with these techniques. Dr. Mosher is privileged to have completed a recognized fellowship in Aesthetic Facial Surgery. This allows Dr. Mosher to tailor the right approach and technique to give you optimal results.

Restoring balanced youthfulness to your face is critical if you are going to avoid that "operated" and "pulled" look so common even today. Rarely, you can achieve worthwhile improvements with facial liposuction alone. However, it is very uncommon for someone to have excess fat in the face or jowl. The fat has simply fallen as is in the wrong place. Surgery should be designed to restore the facial proportions rather than try to remove displaced tissue.

Modern facelift surgery improves the contours of the cheeks, smile lines, mouth corners, jowls, and neck. Surgery for the eyelids and brow will often be discussed if needed so that you can achieve harmony for your appearance.

• If you have experienced a loss of skin elasticity and muscle tone of the face and neck.
• If you have developed jowls and deep creases from the nose to the corners of the mouth or from the mouth corners to the jaw line ("marionette lines").
• If you have developed face and neck wrinkles that give you a tired and aged look.
• If you lack a youthful jaw line and neck contours.
   

• A more rested and youthful contour of the middle and lower face as well as the neck.
• Every detail is carefully planned to achieve these improvements while limiting any changes to your expressions or your hairline.

This operation is done on an outpatient basis under light general anesthesia or with sedation and local anesthesia. An anesthesiologist is present for the procedure to maximize your safety and comfort.
A lot of skill and planning goes into good facial rejuvenation surgery. Dr. Mosher will assess your skin quality, hairlines, hairstyle, and bone structure in order to create an individualized approach. Incisions are made within the hairline (or along the hair margin), above the ear, extending down around the lobe and ending in or below the hairline behind the ear. The subcutaneous layers and neck muscles are tightened, the facial skin is re-draped and lifted, and the excess skin is removed.

Facelifts are designed to improve the lower face and neck. In some instances, a "lower-third lift" or "mini-lift" is appropriate. In these shorter operations the loose skin is lifted and re-draped without tightening the deeper layers.

A neck lift is occasionally all that is required and involves an incision under the chin. Through this the excess fat is removed and the neck muscles tightened. To enhance the result, suspension sutures can be placed under the skin. These extend up behind the ear to help lift the neck and improve the jaw line.
If no excess skin is present the deeper layers of the middle face can be lifted by using an endoscopic technique that avoids incisions around the ears.
 

• The patient goes home with the head and neck lightly wrapped in dressings, which are usually removed the next day. Most are permitted to shower and wash their hair the second day after surgery.
• Minimal initial discomfort is easily controlled with oral medications.
• Sutures are removed approximately 10 days after surgery. Swelling and bruising decreases to "socially acceptable" levels within 10 to 14 days.
• Final results are usually evident in six weeks with continued improvement for several months.
   

Additional procedures that would enhance the results are: eyelid lifts, browlift, chin augmentation, facial liposuction, laser resurfacing, lip enhancement, and reduction of ear lobes.

 

Visit our plastic / cosmetic surgery and medical spa office located in Langley, British Columbia (BC), conveniently near the Vancouver area.