Dear Dr. McCollough: I read a recent article you wrote on "mini" lifts. After reading that, I now know that I am ready for a traditional "full" facelift. Please tell me a little bit about that procedure.

Dear Reader: Today, one must be careful when exploring procedures called "face lifts." Some of the techniques advocated do not last more than a couple of months. Many are performed by doctors who attended a weekend course to learn how to do them. So, make sure you ask probing questions of the doctor with whom you consult, i.e. 1.) How long have you been doing the operation? 2.) How many have you done? 3.) Were the patients whose photographs you've shown me operated on by you? If you feel uneasy about the answers to any of these questions, be weary.

The facelift has become one of the most popular cosmetic operations performed in the head and neck because as medical advances and new technology increase the average life span, many women, and men, find that they look older than they feel, physically and mentally. The antiquated stigma previously associated with having plastic surgery is disappearing. Men and women from all walks of life are seeking ways to look as good as they feel. The techniques I use and have developed produce results which cause patients to have "natural" and "un-operated" looks.

The facelift operation may be divided into three parts: the forehead or eyebrow lift (the upper one-third), the cheek lift (the middle one-third), and the neck lift (the lower one-third). Most people require all three components but occasionally only one or two portions are recommended. We will advise you in your particular situation. Most people seeking "neck lifts" require some lifting of the cheeks in order to avoid "puckering" of the skin around the ears.

Face-lifting may be done for one or two reasons: to help prevent the advancement of aging, i.e., to help relatively young individuals (about 40 or less) to appear to stay young. The second reason is to assist one who is already wrinkled or whose skin sags to appear younger, fresher and more rested-to help one recapture the appearance they once enjoyed. Technically, the facelift operation consists of repositioning and supporting the sagging skin and the underlying tissues of the face and removing the excess skin and fat.

Some degree of tightness, numbness or weakness of surrounding tissues is expected following surgery. It is usually temporary, disappearing as healing -progresses.

The operation may be done either under "twilight" anesthesia or general anesthesia.

A turban-type head bandage is worn the night following surgery but it is generally removed the next morning. The face may be swollen and some discoloration may be present. This discoloration usually fades away within about 10-14 days. Patients can return to most of their "normal routine" within two (2) weeks. But the face and neck may feel "tight" and movement will be restricted. This is to be expected as long as the tissues are swollen.

The patient returns to the Clinic in about a week to have the sutures and clips removed. Makeup may be worn by seven (7) to ten (10 days and (s)he should be able to return to work and carefully drive an automobile in about two (2) weeks. Patients must not pull against tightness, lie on their sides or engage in heavy lifting during this time. Doing so can interfere with healing and lead to less than favorable results. For best results and better scars these activities should be avoided for at least 6 weeks following surgery.

For more detailed information on this and other surgical procedures we perform, I am sending you a complimentary copy of our patient information book. It includes full pre- and post-op instructions as well.

The foregoing represents the professional opinions of the writer. If you would like information or a FREE copy of our latest book, call 967-7000 or visit www.mccolloughinstitute. com. If you would like to ask Dr. McCollough a question, email him at info@mccolloughinstitute. com .