subject: The Wide-Awake Facelift Procedure [print this page] The wide-awake facelift is a term that applies to several variants of the same facelift procedure, a procedure that is performed using only a mild sedative and local anaesthetic. If anyone does know who coined the wide-awake facelift phrase first, they're not telling.
So often we hear the quote "Vanity thy name is woman," but this is not a true quote. Hearing it often, however, we almost feel that the incorrect version is in actual fact the true version.
Hamlet never said "vanity." He said "frailty."
What is not under question is that the two leaders in the Wide-awake facelift field are Dr Payman Simonis of Beverley Hills and Dr Zachary Gerut of New York. Dr Geraty performed the first wide-awake facelift in 2004, although it was never referred to as the Wide-awake Facelift until recently. The facelift procedure that Dr Simonis performs is known as The Simonis Face Lift, and the one that Dr Gerut performs is known as The Gerut Face Lift no confusion there.
The mere idea of having a facelift is, for many people, just not an option. Women, especially, want to deny age its dues, and will go to great lengths to hide or improve the look of aging puffy eyelids, double chins, crows-feet at the corners of the eyes, and many of the other signs of age that manifest in various wrinkles, lines, droops and sags, but at what cost?
The main deterrent to the standard general anaesthetic facelift procedure is the length of time a person has to be out of circulation while waiting for bruising to subside, and the inevitable pain after the procedure.
According to Dr Simonis, who has performed his procedure on many well-known personalities, the major advantages of a facelift being performed while the patient is fully awake - over the standard general anaesthetic procedure - are numerous.
Due to the fact that the wide-awake facelift is performed using only a mild sedative and local anaesthetic, the facial tissues and muscles do not relax entirely. If facial muscles, blood vessels and tissues do not completely relax, there is less bleeding during the procedure, which also reduces the amount of bruising.
The wide-awake facelift procedure performed by Dr Simonis will take about an hour in surgery. Dr Gerut's procedure will involve about two and a half hours. Although there is a wide disparity in the times for the procedures, both doctors report that their patients are able to go home within minutes of their procedure being completed. It is not unusual for patients to feel well enough to be out on the town that same evening.
After a wide-awake facelift, patients are advised to spend a week at home, for any swelling or bruising to fade completely. Although many patients do rest for a week, many are out shopping the very next day, with nothing more to hide the signs of the procedure than a touch of makeup and sunglasses.
Although The Wide-awake Face-lift is a relatively new technique, it is fast becoming popular amongst plastic surgeons and their patients. The procedure induces less stress and trauma, and reduces time spent in hospital. Fewer post-procedure check-ups are needed. There is less medication, almost no pain, and virtually no bruising.
Our life-style dictates that we need to return to our usual daily activities as quickly as possible. With The Wide-awake Face-lift this is possible.
