I'd like to undergo a face lift but I'm scared of the potential complications of the procedure and anaesthesia. What are the main risks and the most frequent complications? How often do they occur?
2011-05-03 12:03
What are the possible complications and risks of having a face lift?
(Discussion to topic Face lift (Rhytidectomy), SMAS face-lift)
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The face lift is generally performed under local anesthesia and general sedation. The specific risks are related to the different techniques(involving or not deep tissues or nerves) The risks in general are liquid collection or ematoma,skin necrosis,infection... Yet they are not frequent in the hands of expert surgeons.
2012-01-23 13:02
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mrsnoel
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Is it normal to do a three hour SMAS facelift with only local anesthetic?
I assume this means injections into the face like in a dentists office?
Or is there more to it? Thanks
2012-03-01 18:22
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Some face lit techniques can perfectly be performed under local anaesthesia even three hours long (often an intamuscular relaxing agent is also given).
as for the coñplications, the most common is postoperative hematoma (bleeding). Highly unfrequent is skin sloughing, infection, nerve damage)
Sincerily
Dr A ZELTZER
2012-03-01 20:00
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Extensive SMAS lift is a procedure which lasts a long time. Because of this, the surgery is usually done under general anesthesia. The most serious complication is cut of some branches of the facial nerve. Of course, in the hands of an experienced surgeon, this does not happen.
Prof. Dr. Radmilo Roncevic, Belgrade, Serbia
2012-03-01 22:58
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I usually make Facelift with local anestesia in an Hospital Setting, Becouse the patient have to stay one night in the clinic. We sometimes add some sedation and I always ask my Anesthesiologyst to add some blood pressure lowering med in the iv line.
2012-03-02 12:19
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SMAS, it is a very sophisticated operation...to be done in the way you ve described it. a general anesthesia is much, much better!
2012-03-02 12:31
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Yes, it is quite normal to do a three hour SMAFS face lift, with local anesthetic, and this is our usual practice. There are several varieties of SMAFS face lift like Transcutaneous, Barbed wired, Anchored / Non-anchored, S-lift, Delta-Lift, Simplified S-lift, Silk lift, Prolene lift, and the operating time depends on the type of face lift required, experience of the surgeon, and type of anesthesia used, and can be from 1/2 hour to 4 hours or more.
H.A.Khawaja, MD
2012-03-02 18:36
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Proper Local anesthesia can last as long as 4hrs. I prefer to do it under general anesthesia and still if it is under local I have my patient under sedation and constant anesthesia monitor under a proper certified anesthesiologyst.
2012-03-07 02:48
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imaryg
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Hello, I'd like to find out if anybody has had a smas lift, and suffered a hematoma afterwards.
I had such a procedure Jan 2 2012 and a hematoma on one cheek had to be aspirated 3x with a needle. It is now very hard and lumpy, very unsightly, dark coloured.
The doctor keeps telling me it will take time to heal and be reabsorbed by the body, but, I am starting to panic that it will be a permanent scar after reading about hematomas. My surgeon has not run into such a serious case before, he has told me.
I am massaging, I see to improvement. I'd like to hear from someone that has gone through this.
Thanks.
2012-01-31 07:41
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Trust your surgeon and have a little patience. I will improve with time.
2012-03-01 20:11
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Hematomas after face lift begin to liquify after 9 to 12 days, and at this time, they should be aspirated with a wide bore needle. Generally after aspiration, they resolve, but the underlying inflammation, and pigmentation of your skin will considerable time to improve.
H.A.Khawaja, MD
2012-03-02 13:48
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Dr. Luigi Maria Lapalorcia M.D.
European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons
Plastic surgery
Perugia
Comments: 28
 | Active member |
Plastic surgery
Perugia
Comments: 28
infection, hematoma, dealyed wound healing, are the most feared complications of facelift. they are minimized with accurate patient selection and education.
2012-02-10 17:58
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Scars ,necrosis of cutis,paresis facialis,infection,unlike face shape....and there are rare.
2012-02-24 01:28
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Hi
I suggest you to elect a surgeon in way to explain everything, honestly about benefits, best techniqu amd reisks involved in this procedures.
Best regards, with attention,
AH
2012-03-01 21:01
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Risks associated with a surgical facelift include infection, hematoma, correctable hair loss at the incisions, facial nerve injury with weakness, facial asymmetry, skin loss with scarring, numbness and risks associated with anesthesia.
2012-03-01 21:06
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2011-05-03 12:03
LIFTING FACIAL SURGERY IS A COMPLICATION WITH A VERY LOW INIDICE IF YOU TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS, OPERATE TO AVOID SMOKING PATIENTS WITH PULMONARY ENBOLISMO BACKGROUND, PROBLEMS WITH COAGULATION PATIENTS, PATIENTS RECEIVING TREATMENT WITH STEROIDS.
The main complications are skin necrosis, facial nerve injuries, hematoma, paresthesias.
MAS ANESTHESIA USED FOR THIS PROCEDURE IS GENERAL ANESTHESIA IN PATIENTS BUT WITH GOOD CHOICE PAIN TOLERANCE AND STABLE CAN BE DONE WITH PSYCOLOGICALLY local anesthesia and sedation but with monitoring by an anesthesiologist.
2012-03-01 22:00
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Dear,
We have been performing face lift surgery for decades under local anesthesia. We have never experienced any major complications that have been mentioned in the literature, like facial nerve / branch damage, skin necrosis etc.
We pioneered a number of simplified and safe face lift techniques, that have been published extensively. These include Delta Lift - A modification of S lift for facial rejuvenation, Transcutaneous Face Lift, Simplified S Lift, and recently the Quick K ( Khawajas ) Lift. These have been published extensively as articles, and as book chapters in books like Simplified Facial Rejuvenation, Simplified Cosmetic Surgery, Simplified Aesthetic Surgery, Dermatologic Surgery Journal etc.
Recently, we have also described the SMAFS ( Superficial Musculo-Aponeurotic-Fatty System ), a changed SMAS concept, with its extensive anatomical variations, and clinical significance in face lift surgery. We have also described facial nerve variations, and Khawajas Communicating nerves, with their significance in face lift surgery. All these have been extensively published on line in cosmetic surgery journals ( Meso-American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery 0n line ), and as book chapters in Advanced Surgical Facial Rejuvenation, and other books.
Patient selection, and SMAFS examination are of utmost importance in predicting the outcome of face lift surgery. Our results in all cases are excellent, and we have learned, how to avoid even minor complications. As one of my teachers Pierre Fournier ( France ), the founding father of liposuction, used to say " There is no subsitute for experience ". You must select a highly experienced facial plastic surgon, for your face lift surgery.
With Best Wishes
Dr.H.A.Khawaja, MD; Dip App: American Board of Cosmetic Surgery
Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon & Dermatologist
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery & Skin Center
53 A, Block B II, Gulberg III, 54660,
Lahore, Pakistan.
Mobile: 0092-3004699699 / 0092-3334744978
E-mail: Simplifiedcosmeticsurgery@hotmail.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cosmetic-Surgery-Skin-Center/207984409217247
2012-03-02 08:26
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I would not recommend to do a three hours face lift including the SMAS in local anaesthesia. Think about the situation lying for three hours on the operating table. This will not only create stress but also back pain, etc. Thererfor, in order to be operated with less stress I would always recommend to do such interventions in general anaesthesia.
www.sinis-plastische-chirurgie.de
2012-03-06 00:12
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The main risk is the hematoma in the imediate pos-op. The scars in fact is not a problem because is hiden in scalp and bach the ear . Most important is the paciente in good health, blood pressure under control, and the ECG normal, usualy we perform this Kind of surgery under local anestesia plus sedation.
2012-03-06 21:09
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Under the proper hands, the risk are less than what you think. But still there are risk to any kind of surgery. Most of them are related to the actual patient health condition and clinical history. It is of high importance that you provide accurate information during your first interview and still if you are not asked and you think is important say it. This will help to plan a better surgery and control as possible the outcome. If you select a well trained certified aesthetic surgeon he/she will give his/her best to keep you safe and free of complications; but if they appear, he/she will have the knowledge to give it a proper treatment.
2012-03-07 02:55
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The risks are similar for others surgícal procedures: infection, necrosis, dehiscence, pigmentation, sensitive problems, asimetry, seroma, hematoma. The compromise of the VII cranial nerve is important too.
JULIO CESAR ESCOBAR F., MD.
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon.
Member SCCP, ACCPRE, FILACP, IPRAS.
Cali, Colombia, Sur america.
2012-03-20 03:44
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