I would like to ask if someone with a decreased kidney function, an eGFR of 55 would be a candidate for a lower face lift?

Question

Hello, I am a 52 year old woman in very good health. I recently discovered a had a decreased kidney function while having some standard blood work done. I have an eGFR that has bounced between 50-60 in the past year. All other labs are normal. I am VERY interested in having a lower face lift and I'm concerned if I might be a good candidate? I do not have a nephrologist as I have had NO symptoms or complications due to my kidneys. I appriciate your help with this matter. Thank you

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Face lift is, from stand point of complexity and extent of "surgical trauma", fluid disbalance, blood loss, a minimal surgery. Well prepared, stable patient like you can have this procedure done in twilight, general or even local anesthesia without any consequences. Discuss this issue with your plastic surgeon, PCP and nephrologist in detail. Good luck.

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD (retired) · Answer

Hi, I have performed many SMAS facelifts and neck lifts for over 30 years and have performed many minimally, invasive SMAS facelifts.  The primary consideration is "always" your safety, so a workup and clearance from a nephrologist would be required.   The issue is that all the drugs and medications used for anesthesia will be filtered through your kidneys that have a decreased ability to function.  For this reason, it makes sense to limit the amount of work that the kidneys need to do during and after (pain medication and antibiotics) the facelift procedure.  That's one of the main reasons that I use minimally, invasive SMAS facelifts.  The limited tissue dissection means the procedure can be done under local without general anesthetic medications, is performed in about 90 minutes and has a very rapid recovery and minimal discomfort....all things that would decrease the amount of medications that the kidneys would need to process.
  If you have "jowls” these are sagging facial tissues and the main indication for some form of a SMAS facelift.  The underlying SMAS layer, of the face, must be dissected, lifted, trimmed and re-sutured (not merely folded or suspended with threads or sutures that will not last).  The excess skin is then removed and the facelift incisions closed.
 My most popular SMAS facelift is the minimally invasive, short incision SMAS facelift that has all the benefits of more invasive facelifts (traditional, mid-face, deep plane, cheek lift and subperiosteal facelifts) but with these added benefits:
very small incisions and no incisions extend or are placed within the hair.
minimal tissue dissection = less bruising and swelling = rapid recovery ( several days instead of weeks or months with the more invasive type facelifts mentioned)
can be performed in 90 minutes or less, with or without general anesthesia
no incisions within the hair = no hair loss
excess fat can be removed from the face and neck
excess skin removed from the face and neck
cheeks, chin and jaw line can be augmented with dermal fillers (I prefer Restylane Lyft) or facial implants
most patients fly back home to parts all over the world in as little as 3 days post-op
I combine facial shaping with every facelift procedure.  When jowls are present, these should be done in concert and not alone or separately in order to create a naturally, more attractive face. Following my beauty principles, women look the most feminine, youthful and attractive with heart shaped faces.  Heart shaped faces have cheeks that are full and round in the front.  Cheek augmentation, for cheeks that are flat or concave in the front, with a dermal filler or using cheek implants for a permanent enhancement will create full, round cheeks that will feminize the entire face.
 If the chin is weak, this creates an imbalance making the nose appear larger, the mid face top heavy and the lower face look short that de-emphasizes the lips and allows early formation of a double chin.  Chin augmentation using a chin implant will add projection to the chin creating harmony and balance to the lower face.  I have found placement of a silastic chin implant, through a small curved incision under the chin (also allows excess skin removal) to be very safe, quick and highly effective.
Hope this helps.

I would like to ask if someone with a decreased kidney function, an eGFR of 55 would be a candidate for a lower face lift?

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Everything you need to know about Lower Facelift

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I would like to ask if someone with a decreased kidney function, an eGFR of 55 would be a candidate for a lower face lift?

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about Lower Facelift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.