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Facelift

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Introduction:
Rhytidectomy, also known as a facelift, is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures available; there are over 100,000 facelift patients each year. A facelift consists of surgically tightening facial skin and muscle while removing excess fat to remove wrinkles, deep creases, and sagging on the face and neck. The visible effects of aging, gravity, stress, and exposure to sun can be removed with this surgical procedure.

Prior to Surgery:
A complete medical history and a careful examination with blood tests will be done in the initial preoperative visit to determine the general health of the patient. The surgeon will carefully evaluate the extent of surgery needed and may recommend additional treatments such as eyelid surgery or a forehead lift to achieve the desired result. Photographs may also be taken before and after surgery to evaluate the extent of improvement. Moreover, the surgeon will discuss the procedure, realistic expected results, type of anesthesia to be used, and possible risks of surgery. Preoperative instructions generally include taking certain vitamins and elimination of certain drugs to minimize the possibility of excess bleeding. Antibiotics or shampooing with an antiseptic shampoo may be prescribed for the days prior to surgery in order to prevent infection.

The Operation:
A rhytidectomy usually takes from two to four hours to complete depending on the amount of work needed. Some surgeons prefer to use general anesthesia but local or IV sedation can also be used. Incisions are begun at the temple, going in front and around the ear and the lobe finally ending at the point of origin in the scalp. The skin is raised outward and the underlying muscle and tissue is repositioned. Excess skin and fat are also removed if needed. The incisions are then closed with either fine sutures or metal clips so that shaving is not required. One side of the face is worked on at each time. After Surgery Swelling, bruising, and some pain is common but can be minimized with cold compresses and oral pain medication. Any bandages or drainage tubes, if used, are taken out by about the second day and sutures will be removed after a week. Recovery can take two to three weeks and patients are advised to avoid the sun as much as possible during this time. Scars, which are usually hidden by the hair or within the natural creases of the skin, fade away over time. If needed, make up can be used to cover up areas until scars are healed.

Risks:
Although complications from rhytidectomy are rare, risks are always present in any surgical procedure. Discussing them with the physician and following the directions given can minimize these risks.