Facelift

Facelift, also known by the medical term of rhytidectomy, is an operation designed to counteract the effects of aging and gravity. The skin starts losing its elasticity and begins to sag as early as the mid-thirties in many people and continues to sag and lose elasticity as time and the aging process continues. The effects of gravity, sun exposure and stress all contribute to this problem. Creases form in the forehead and mid-face region, smile lines deepen and jowls become more prominent and the skin around the neck sags and many times, forms fatty deposits.

A facelift, in essence pushes back the clock and improves the most prominent signs of aging by removing excess skin and tightening muscles below the skin and removing fat if necessary. A facelift can be done alone or in conjunction with other procedures, such as eyelid surgery, forehead lift or even liposuction. A facelift does not stop the aging process, but simply turns the clock back somewhat. Patients should have reasonable expectations prior to undergoing a facelift, the clock can’t be turned back indefinitely.

This in office procedure takes 3 to 4 hours to be performed and can be done under local anesthesia, but is usually done in a combination of local and twilight anesthesia where the patient is made sleepy and extremely comfortable, but still is awake. Incisions are made within the hairline, in front of the ear and behind the ear, and are placed in such a way that when they heal they fall into the natural lines of the face. Sutures disolve and staples are removed after 14 days. Bandages are placed immediately after surgery but removed the following day and at that time the patient is allowed to bathe normally and wash their hair. The patient can expect bruising and edema to last for 2 weeks, after which time any remaining bruising can easily be covered by make-up. There usually isn’t much discomfort or pain after this type of surgery; however, pain medication is usually prescribed and taken if needed.

Any type of surgery carries a risk; however, complications are infrequent and usually minor. Possible complications include hematoma, a collection of blood which may or may not have to be removed by the surgeon. Infection, reaction to anesthesia or injury to the nerves that control facial muscles, which are usually temporary, can also occur. Poor healing and scarring is also a possibility, especially in smokers. In general, however, most complications are minor and reversible.

In conclusion, a facelift is an operation that carries a very high rate of satisfaction by our patients. While the clock is not turned back permanently, the improvements made can be striking. Years later you will continue to look better than if you had never had a facelift at all!