Face and Neck Lift
Due to the aging process, the skin naturally begins to lose its elasticity. Younger skin, when stretched, is able to return to its original position and will not sag but remains firm. However, as the skin begins to age, the fibers which contribute to elasticity in the skin begin to break down causing the skin to no longer possess the firmness that it once had. In addition to the skin sagging, time also increases the appearance of wrinkles and lines due to the frequent contracting of face muscles. The skin aging process is inevitable but can affect certain people more than others, a fact that is largely based on genes although other factors such as exposure to the sun and smoking may also play a role. The sagging of the skin around the face and neck may also be exacerbated by rapid loss of weight.
Am I a Good Candidate for a Neck and Face Lift?
Many people are candidates for neck and face lifts but the procedure is most successful in individuals who have a good bone structure and who, despite sagging of the skin, still retain some of their original skin elasticity. If the patient still has relatively elastic skin, the surgery is more likely to be successful and the positive effects will be longer lasting.
The face lift is most effective around the lower part of the face with an endoscopic brow lift being more successful in the upper half. Because weight loss can increase the likelihood of sagging skin, any planned weight loss should be completed before the surgery in order to enhance the effectiveness of the procedure. Smoking should also be stopped before the procedure in order to enhance circulation for more rapid healing. And, as always, aspirin should be avoided before as well as after a surgery because of its blood thinning components which can lead to excessive bleeding before and after the procedure. Also, it should be noted that the chemicals in perms and hair dyes will aggravate new scars so, until the incisions are completed healed and the scars are less inflamed, it is best for patients to avoid receiving these treatments.
The Procedure
A face and neck lift is typically conducted in the hospital under a general anesthetic and the patient usually remains hospitalized for 24 hours after the procedure for observation. It is common for other procedures, such as endoscopic brow lifts, to be performed at the same time as the face and neck lift. During a face and neck lift procedure, an opening is made around the ear with an extension of the incision being made horizontally beneath the temporal hairline. Another slit is made, also into the hairline, high up on the head behind the ear. The scars that result from the incisions are usually very well hidden and, even when purposely looked for on the head, remain difficult to see. As with other procedures, the surgeon will minimize the appearance of all scars by closing the incisions with sutures that are buried within the skin as opposed to being exposed externally. These sutures are dissolvable and, because they are located underneath the skin, there will not be any visible post-surgical stitch marks. As is the case with an endoscopic brow lift, the tissues are freed from the underlying bone and are able to be moved. The tissues are moved upward smoothing out the skin of the face and neck, removing wrinkles. The tissue is then sutured with permanent suspension sutures in the new location. In this way, the soft tissues under the skin draw the skin up instead of the skin supporting the tissue. This allows for the lift and decreased heaviness of the skin and looks more natural than simply pulling the skin itself upwards.
Neck and Face Lift Side Effects and Recovery
The side effects of the procedure include skin numbness in front of the ear. This can last for several months but is temporary. And, as with any operation, there is a slight risk for infection, continued bleeding, and pain. Some bruising following the surgery should be expected but this will pass and can easily be concealed with makeup. The surgeon also has to be careful not to damage nerves in the area of incision but this rarely occurs. However, it is likely that some stretching of the nerves will occur which is what leads to temporary numbness of the area of the surgery.
It can sometimes occur that patients are not able to recuperate as quickly as desired and expected. However, patients who are heavy smokers and continue to smoke before their operation are more susceptible to delayed healing due to a decrease in circulation. Not only should patients quit smoking before the operation, they should not begin smoking again after the operation as this could lead to healing complications.
In the majority of cases, patients are very satisfied with the result of their face and neck lift procedure. However, it is important that the individual be aware that the effects of the lift are not permanent. Eventually, the skin will again begin to sag on the face and neck due to the passage of time and the action of gravity. The skin will again begin to slacken with age although this will occur slower because of the lift. Also, if the skin still possesses a certain amount of elasticity, the effects of the face and neck lift will last for a longer period of time. Sometimes, patients will decide to come in at a later date for a repeat procedure in which a minor tightening of the tissue would be performed. This can usually be done under local anesthetic and requires less time for the procedure as well as recuperation. If a patient decides to go back for a tightening procedure due to the stretching the skin, there would be an additional cost due to the stretching of the skin being a inevitable occurrence and not an error on the part of the surgeon. However, the cost of any follow-up procedure will be far less than the cost of the original surgery as it is a much simpler out-patient procedure that does not have to be done under general anesthesia.
Our Practices
Mr Fourie practices at Nuffield Health Hospital, Leeds, conveniently situated in the city centre near Leeds General Infirmary and at Barnsley Medical Consulting Rooms in central Barnsley.
Cosmetic Surgery Procedures
Mr LeRoux Fourie offers a wide range of cosmetic surgery and non surgical treatments and below is a brief outline of each
Inverted Nipple Correction
Many women find their nipples to be a great cause of embarrassment as they do not project past the breast and remain inverted. Mr Fourie is able to correct this problem using a quick and reliable treatment that can be done in as little as thirty minutes
Prominent Ear Correction
Although having prominent ears typically causes no physical discomfort as such they can sometimes lead to a lack of self-confidence and be on the receiving end of cruel jokes. Sometimes just one ear is the problem but usually both will be pinned back. It is also possible to perform other types of ear surgery to the lobes depending on the complexity of the case.
Male Breast Reduction
Gynecomastia is the medical term for male breasts and can be a very humiliating condition for men and can make them very self-conscious. Because of this, some individuals decide to undergo a male breast reduction procedure in order to remove the excess tissue and, occasionally, even skin from the area of the breasts.
Liposuction / Liposculpture / Body-Jet Lipo
You can now experience the latest advancements in cosmetic surgery with the revolutionary Body-Jet Water-jet assisted liposuction procedure. The gentle water jet washes away the fat without damaging the underlying structures such as the blood vessels and nerves which means less recovery time and bruising.
Non Surgical Treatments
Antiwrinkle Injections
It is inevitable that as we age lines and wrinkles will become visible and to some this is of concern. Lines around our eyes can develop as can lines on the forehead. The prescription injection treatment we all know as BOTOX® is now formally approved for cosmetic use and is called a new name which is VISTABEL®. VISTABEL® is a treatment that is used to relax the frown lines that can trouble our forehead as well as crows feet which can develop around the eyes.
Excessive Sweating
Our body uses sweating to help control body temperature and is normal human function however some people suffer from excessive sweating which can lead to severe embarrassment and anxiety. Following a consultation if your suitable we can provide a treatment that will prevent your excessive sweating that involves BOTOX® being injection into your arm pit.
DermaRoller
Genuine Dermaroller™ Therapy™ can offer a significant improvement in appearance for those who suffer from acne scars, sun damaged skin, fine lines and wrinkles and stretch marks. The DermaRoller procedure stimulates your skin to help with the regeneration and repair of itself and is a natural and safe way to create smoother, brighter and healthy skin.
Fillers
Dermal fillers can be used for many different non surgical enhancements and anti ageing treatments. They can be used for lip enhancement to create subtly increase the volume of the lips, smoothing lines around the lips, nose and cheeks as well as many other areas of the face and body to improve the appearance of the skin.
Mole Removal
It is very common for moles, lesions or cysts and can appear in many different places on the face and body. Sometimes they can be in a prominent position which can cause frustration or self awareness. Mr Fourie is able to assist in many different types of these problems and would be happy to perform many of these in the minor theatre or treatment room if he is able.
Mr Fourie
About Mr Le Roux Fourie
Mr Le Roux Fourie is a Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon based in West Yorkshire. Mr Fourie was born and raised in South Africa and underwent his medical and post graduate training in South Africa, obtaining his basic Medical Degree in 1979. Thereafter he served as a Medical Officer in the South African Defence Force Medical Corp, before starting training as a registrar in Plastic Surgery at the University of Stellenbosch in CapeTown. He qualified as a Plastic Surgeon in 1987 and was appointed a Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Number One Military Hospital in Pretoria, where he served as full-time Consultant for three years reaching the rank of a Lieutenant Colonel.
In 1991 and 1992 he was in full-time Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Pretoria.
In 1993 Mr Fourie joined the Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns at Pinderfields General Hospital as the second consultant to be appointed after the tragic murder of the two previous Plastic Surgeons. He helped establish the current Department of Plastic Surgery from two members to the current seven consultants. During his time in Pinderfields General Hospital he established a Breast Reconstructive Surgery Service, which works mostly with the Breast Surgeons in dealing with primary breast reconstructions and delayed breast reconstructions after breast cancer.
Mr Fourie has been in part-time Private Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Methley Park Hospital, Nr Leeds since 1993.
Since April 2008 Mr Fourie has been in full-time Private Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Methley Park Hospital.
Special Interests
Mr Fourie is an experienced Breast Surgeon dealing with congenital breast problems, acquired breast problems such as breast reconstructions after cancer surgery (both immediate and delayed) and cosmetic breast surgery.
He has published articles regarding nipple areola reconstruction and has developed a tattooing technique which is now used by Cosmetic Tattooists in the UK.
He has been involved with the Allergan Implant Corporation in a ten year follow-up study of the long term effects of silicone breast implants which was published in the International Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Mr Fourie further specialises in Facial Aesthetic Surgery and is one of the first surgeons to use the MACS (Minimum Access Cranial Suspension) face lift technique in the UK in October 2002. His long term results using the MACS face lift were presented at the Summer Meeting of the British Association of Plastic Surgeons in Dublin in 2005.
Publications and Presentations
Mr Fourie was awarded the BAPRAS prize for the best clinical paper read at the British Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Anaesthetic Surgeons Summer Meeting in Windsor in 2005.
He was awarded the BAAPS prize for the best paper read at the 2007 Conference in London. The Hackett Prize for the best paper at the BAAPS Conference 2007 was awarded to Mr Fourie.
Mr Fourie has lectured on nipple areola reconstruction and tattooing techniques, the treatment of pressure sores, wound infections and wound problems, facial aesthetic surgery and body contour surgery.
Mr Fourie has appeared in the Discovery Channels series on cosmetic surgery. He also featured on BBC's Inside Out in October 2007.
Mr Fourie has published papers in International Peer Review Journals on topics such as Breast Reconstruction, Breast Implants, Cosmetic Breast Surgery, Nipple Reconstruction and Facial Plastic Surgery
Charity Work
Mr Fourie does voluntary charity work in Africa as part of the Facing Africa Team involved in the treatment of noma (www.facingafrica.org). This is based at Yakatit 12 Hospital in Addis Abbaba, Ethiopia where reconstructions are done on patients suffering from Noma
Qualifications
MBCHB.
FCS (SA) PLAST
FRCS
BAPRAS (British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons)
BAAPS (British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons)
BAHNO (British Association of Head and Neck Oncologists)
GMC Specialist Register - Registered as a Specialist Plastic Surgeon on GMC full registration. The GMC registration is 3633562.
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