Rhytidectomy, Facelift Surgery

Facelift, also known as rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to rejuvenate the signs of aging such as sagging and wrinkling of the face and neck. It removes excess fats and tightens muscles beneath the neck skin to produce a youthful improvement of appearance.

There are many styles and techniques of facelift. While some target specific areas, other facelift procedures improve all the areas of the face.
Facelift styles include the traditional lift, superficial muscular Aponeurotic System lift, Neck lift (Platysma), S-lift, Mini Lift (with and without suspension), Suborbicularis Oculi Fat Lift (SOOF), Temporal Lift, Subperiosteal Facelift and Deep Plane Lift.

Also Known As: Rhytidectomy

Benefits of Facelift

Facelift surgery cannot prevent the signs of aging. However, it can offset some of its effects. According to survey, facelift patients appear to be ten years younger than their actual age after the recovery of rhytidectomy.

Facelift surgery can correct the effects of sun exposure, heredity, smoking and environmental issues such as pollution.

The Facelift Procedure

Before the facelift surgery, patients are given medications for relaxation. Facelift procedures are usually performed under general anesthesia, but can also be performed with local anesthesia.

Normally, the doctor will operate on one side of the face at a time. The incision is placed on the natural crease of the skin, which usually starts inside the hairline and continuing inside the ear, around the earlobe and behind the ears.

The skin is then lifted outward while the doctor tightens or repositions the tissues and muscles. Excess fat and skin ma also be removed. The incision is closed with metal clips or fine sutures.

The entire facelift procedure may take two to five hours depending on the extent and complexity of each case.

Recovery After Facelift Procedure

Immediately after the facelift surgery, the patient should be checked into the hospital or have someone to drive them home. It is important that all facelift patients have someone to take care of him or her for the first four days.

During the first week after facelift, there will be bruising and swelling, but can be controlled with oral medication. The bandages are taken off after a day or two. Sutures may be removed gradually to minimize possible scarring.

Facelift healing may take time. Makeup can be used after two weeks following the surgery. Direct sun should be avoided for at least two months. The complete recovery will take ten to twelve weeks.

The Results

Although the facelift surgery will not stop the aging process, it can produce rejuvenating effects. The duration of this surgery will depend on the patient’s age, lifestyle choices, skin type, bone structure, sun exposure and heredity.

Generally, patients in their early thirties enjoy longer results, while patients in their forties may last ten years. Patients in their sixties have shorter results, but can still be visible for five to seven years.

Surgical facility And Cost

The facelift surgery is usually done in an office surgical facility or hospital in an inpatient or outpatient basis.

The costs of facelift procedure will depend on three fees – surgeon’s fee (ranges from $6,000 – $15,000), anesthesia fee ($1000 to $1,300) and facility fee ($500 – $2,000).

Side Effects, Risks, Complications and Contradictions

The most common risks and side effects associated with facelift surgical procedure include allergic reactions to anesthesia and medication, swelling, scarring, hematoma and facial nerve damage.

Although complications from facelift are rare, but it still causes slow recovery, discomfort, abnormal scarring and permanent deformities. Blistering and skin death are the major complications, which are usually experienced by patients who smoke.

Unfortunately, the surgical scars are permanent. The incision, however, placed in a discreet area, wherein it can only be noticeable on very close observations.