What to consider before getting a Face Lift

Have you been considering a Face Lift?
Many women-and some men-are finding that a facelift can restore not just their youthful look, but also their youthful energy. However, promises of eternal youth might make you forget that a facelift is a major medical procedure with serious risks. Before you decide to undergo surgery to turn back the clock, you need to gather enough information to make a wise decision.

Choose the Right Surgeon
A facelift is a surgery, and you would never jump into a surgery without a little research. First, you need to do is choose a surgeon carefully. Always make sure that your surgeon is board-certified and keeps up on continuing education. If you're not sure, ask. If you have friends or family members who have had a facelift with good results, ask them who did their surgery.
If not, ask a potential surgeon for referrals, and follow up on them. Call them and ask them about their procedures, the results, cost and follow up. Even better, see their facelifts in person. Find out if there is anything they are not satisfied with. Ask them if they would return to that doctor. If they had problems, were they dealt with promptly and appropriately?
Your surgeon should be technically skilled, but your surgeon should also be realistic about what the facelift can do for you. Your surgeon should discuss the procedure with you thoroughly-the expectations as well as the risks. He or she needs to make sure you are a good candidate for the surgery.

Who Makes a Good Candidate for a Face Lift?
You may have several reasons for getting a facelift, but good candidates undergo the procedure only for themselves. Mindset is an important part of any medical procedure, but, with cosmetic surgery, realistic expectations are vital. A facelift can help smooth the lines and wrinkles on your face and may help you appear more youthful, but it cannot repair a damaged relationship or make you feel more worthwhile. Of course, a positive attitude is beneficial, but unrealistic expectations are a set-up for disappointment.
A good candidate for plastic surgery has more than the right attitude. As with any surgery, but especially elective surgery, the best candidate for a facelift is someone who is in good health. Not only will this reduce the risks of the surgery, but it also significantly reduces recovery time. As a part of ongoing good health, a prime candidate for a facelift doesn't smoke. Smoking hinders circulation and slows healing.

What to Expect From a Face Lift
Your first visit to the plastic surgeon will be a consultation to discuss your medical history, expectations, desired outcome, drug allergies, current medications and drug, alcohol and tobacco use. You can expect the doctor to measure your face, take pictures, discuss options, determine a course of treatment and prepare you for the procedure if you are a good candidate.
At this time, you need to divulge your entire medical history and habits in case there are potential reactions. Don't leave anything out. If a doctor isn't concerned with your general health or rushes through the risks, you should move on. And if a doctor tells you you aren't a good candidate, you have a right to a second opinion, but don't go doctor-shopping until you find one who says yes. If you aren't a good candidate, then you aren't a good candidate, and you need to consider other anti-aging options for your own health.
On the day of your surgery, the first step is the anesthesia. You and your doctor will have already determined the best anesthesia for your individual circumstances.
Once the anesthetic is delivered and has taken effect, the doctor will make the incision, which is usually hidden within the hairline. Depending on the results you are after, a traditional facelift is often done along with other procedures to enhance the outcome. You and your surgeon may decide to include facial implants, soft tissue augmentation and filler to reduce wrinkles.
After the incision is made, your surgeon may sculpt or move fat from your face and neck, reposition the tissue underneath and lift the muscles. The skin is then put back in place, and the excess is removed.
The doctor will then use stitches or surgical adhesive to close the incision. The number and location of incisions depends on the specific embellishments and improvements you are having done. If you are having your neck area worked on, for example, you will have an additional incision near your ear lobe.

What to Expect After Your Face Lift
You might be able to go home that day, but it will take much longer before you see the final results of your facelift. While initial bruising and major swelling will subside over the first few days and weeks, swelling may not fully disappear until several months after your facelift. It's important to be prepared for this initial swelling and pain and to understand that you won't have the final results for a while after your procedure.
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks involved with a facelift. Discuss these potential risks and problems, such as scarring, infection, pain, numbness or other unsatisfactory results, with your surgeon prior to the procedure. Don't be afraid to ask your doctor about any concerns or fears you have. It's your body, and you have every right to understand the good and the bad that may come from your facelift.
There are no guarantees with a facelift. But, if you choose a qualified, trained surgeon who can demonstrate prior good results, and if you take good care of yourself before and after your surgery, you will be more likely to look and feel a little younger.
*source: Life 123 Theresa Hall

If you would like to discuss a facelift with Dr. Kennedy call us at 801.261.3637 to scheldule a complimentary consultation.

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Great Article!

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Thread Lift Gets Thumbs Down From Surgeons

A thread lift was a much sought after alternative to full facelift surgery a few years back when I first wrote this article. Things have changed a lot since then and in 2011 very few board certified plastic surgeons now recommend the procedure to their patients.

Also called a ‘featherlift’ or ‘gentlelift’ – sometimes advertised as the lunch hour facelift – it was originally widely advertised as a non invasive quick procedure. Something that was seen as less expensive and much less invasive than face lift surgery.

A thread lift is so called because thin needles are used to insert clear polypropilane threads with tiny barbs just under the skin. The threads are then pulled tight to lift sagging skin and tissue on the face and neck.

Unlike a conventional face lift – no skin is removed – so the procedure relies on the skin tightening effect of the threads to create a younger looking face.

It sounds like a good idea – less invasive procedures are increasingly sought and are especially attractive to women who want a subtle lifting effect and little downtime.

The problem seems to be that there was widespread dissatisfaction amongst those that paid an average of around $3900 for a procedure which either caused long lasting problems or simply failed to have any lasting lifting effect at all.

 “The Threadlift was a novel idea but just didn’t work in reality to justify what was a significant expense. At their best, they might have had a subtle benefit for a year but usually much less than that. For that reason, I am not aware of any real plastic surgeons who can offer proper surgeries and other treatments who still offer a Threadlift in their practices.” Richard P Rand MD Seattle Plastic Surgeon

The threads used in the procedure had been used internally for years in surgery and according to the experts they were totally compatible with body tissues and unlikely to be rejected. Unfortunately the experiences of patients did not support this claim – many people went back to their doctors – or to other surgeons – for corrective treatments because of problems with the threads that had been inserted. Common issues were the thread showing through thinner skin or causing headaches or pricking sensations under the skin.

Eventually the only FDA approved thread (Contour) for the procedure was withdrawn from the market and thread lift treatments are now done with dissolvable sutures.

While traditional full face lift surgery involves a general anaesthetic followed by an overnight stay in hospital and several weeks recovery time, a thread lift can be done in under an hour with ‘down time’ just 72 hours. No bandages are needed and after care is claimed to be minimal.

“The thread lift fails after 3 to 6 months. I put in many when they first came out and I subsequently refunded many patients and gave free facelifts to many others. It was a horrible disappointment for all.” Nasimul Huq, MD Niagara Falls Plastic Surgeon

Nonetheless I still can’t see how this can be sold as a pain free or non invasive procedure. Pulling up your skin and underlying facial tissue even with a local anaesthetic is bound to hurt. You are almost certainly going to be sore and possibly bruised and hurting for some time afterwards.

All well and good if you are prepared for that and even better if the results are just what you want – but if you are dissapointed then it’s tough that you went through the pain and discomfort for nothing.

The negative reactions from plastic surgeons to the results of thread lifts seem to have arisen from the many problems that they were seeing in their own offices from their patients or other doctor’s patients who didn’t like what had happened to them.

Comments from patients cover the gamut, from it didn’t work, it didn’t work long enough, facial distortion, extruding hooks, chronic pain, palpable lumps….” Brent Moelleken MD Beverley Hills Plastic Surgeon

Of all the facial treatments I’ve looked at – there do seem to be more problems and disappointments around thread lifts than any other. Only 24% of those expressing an opinion about thread lifts on the RealSelf review website thought the procedure was worth it and many had sorry tales to tell.

You may find the procedure still offered by doctors in your area but this is only likely to be among some dermatologists rather than board certified plastic surgeons who generally have given it a definite thumbs down.

The recommendation from cosmetic surgeons for an alternative to a thread lift seems to be to look at non surgical options like dermal fillers, LED light therapy or laser skin tightening and to consider a mini lift for a surgical alternative.

If you would like information on a Face Lift procedure contact our office for a complimentary consultation with Dr. Kennedy. 801.261.3637

 Source: Simply Anti Aging

Vanity Fare

This sweet summer treat gets high marks for hydration.

The Staple: Watermelon

The Scoop: A pilot study led by food scientists at Florida State University discovered that watermelon extract, when administered daily for six weeks to nine men and women with prehypertension (considered a precursor to heart disease), lowered their aortic blood pressure. One ingested, the L-citulline in watermelon converts to L-citrulline in watermelon converts to L-arginine, an amino acid essential for vascular regulation and healthy blood pressure.

The Benefits:

• High water content (more than 90% keeps body hydrated
• Rich in powerful antioxidants such as vitamins A, C and lycopene
• Contains vitamin B6 to support metabolism
• Only 46 calories a cup
• High in potassium (important for kidney function) and low in sodium.

*Sources: Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences at Florida State University

TOTAL BODY FUN

Using your arms and legs in a workout is much more fun. Why? A workout that requires coordinating arm and leg movements, rather than focusing on one major muscle group feels easier, according to researchers from Southwest Texas State University. The enjoyment will make you more likely to repeat it tomorrow, and keep the fat-burning alive. So if lifting weights doesn't appeal to you, you may want to try exercises such as swimming or step aerobics. You just might like exercising after all! source: health.com

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