Procedures

Face Lift

Medical Term: Rhytidectomy

Who is a Candidate?

• A person who has experienced a loss of skin elasticity and muscle tone of the face and neck from aging or weight loss
• Someone with facial or neck wrinkles, or jowls
• A person with a tired facial appearance

Goal of Surgery:

• To provide the patient with a more youthful, healthy appearance
• Improve skin tone
• Improve neck line
• Restore youthful facial contours and proportions

Procedure Description:

• The operation is done on an outpatient basis, usually under general anesthesia. Some patients will spend the night in an overnight nursing care facility
• Incisions are hidden in the hairline and behind the ear
• The skin is then separated from the fat and muscle below. Fat may be trimmed or suctioned from around the neck and chin to improve the contour. The underlying tissues are then tightened, the skin is pulled back, and the excess is removed. Stitches secure the layers of tissue and close the incisions

Postoperative Course:

• The patient goes home with a dressing which is worn for 24 hours, and then is removed in the office or by a house-call if preferred
• Discomfort is controlled with oral pain medications
• Swelling and bruising is evident for about 1-2 weeks
• Patients may return to work in approximately 1-2 weeks

Other Options:

• Brow lift
• Eyelid surgery
• Laser resurfacing, chemical peel, or dermabrasion
• Nose reshaping

For More Information

Link to The American Society of Plastic Surgeons
For more information, please contact me.