Facelift (Rhytidectomy)

As we age, our skin reacts to the effects of sun, gravity and the stresses of daily life. Some of the most visible signs of aging appear in the face. There may come a day when you look in the mirror and what you see on the outside doesn’t reflect how you feel on the inside.

A facelift, or rhytidectomy, can’t stop the aging process, but can reduce the most visible signs of aging by tightening underlying structures, smoothing loose skin, and removing excess fat. The result is that facial features are redefined, leaving the face looking smoother and firmer.

How it Works
Facelifts are commonly done in conjunction with other procedures such as a forehead lift or laser assisted eyelid surgery. The forehead lift, which only requires two small incisions, improves frown and expression lines and provides better positioning and shape for the brows.

There is no hair loss and minimal scars. Eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty corrects the excess skin and puffiness of the upper and lower lids. These procedures can also be combined with laser skin resurfacing techniques to improve the texture of the skin and restore a more youthful appearance.

Most facelifts are performed under local anesthesia with intravenous sedation. However, for some patients general anesthesia is the best choice. You will be given medications to make sure you are comfortable during the procedure.

Incisions usually begin above the hairline at the temples, extend in a natural line in front of the ear (or just inside the cartilage at the front of the ear), and continue behind the earlobe to the lower scalp. If the neck needs work, a small incision may also be made under the chin.


After Treatment
Following surgery, you will be wrapped in a comfortable dressing with cool compresses placed over your eyes for comfort and to minimize swelling. Following surgery, you should rest comfortably with your head elevated and cool compresses over the affected surgical areas. Discomfort should be minimal, although there will be numbness in the facial area that will diminish over a period of a few weeks.

During the first weeks after surgery you may begin to use make-up. This may usually be done anytime after your first post-operative visit.

As the incisions heal and the scars mature, most will be inconspicuous. The overall healing process takes many months as the final surgical changes completely soften to their normal state.

Is a Facelift for you?
Facelifts can correct deep lines, the loss of a well-defined jawline, wrinkles in the cheeks and loose skin, wrinkles and excess fat in the neck. The best candidates are people with good skin and a well defined bone structure. Though most people opt for this procedure in their 40’s, it can be done on patients of any age and produce good results for people in their 60s, 70s and 80s. As with any surgical procedure, patients should be physically and emotionally healthy and have realistic expectations of surgery.

If you suffer from high blood pressure, blood clotting problems or a tendency to form excessive scars, a facelift may not be right for you.

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