Face Lift (Rhytidoplasty)
This procedure is designed to reduce sagging and wrinkling in the lower face and neck. It does not correct problems around the eyelids, at the corners of the mouth (unless a mid-face lift is used) or the creases at the lips. This operation may be chosen for a couple of reasons: 1. To help prevent the advancement of aging, or 2. It may assist someone who is already wrinkled or whose skin sags to appear younger and fresher. The amount of improvement depends upon the degree of wrinkling and sagging already present. If the wrinkling and sagging is great, then the results can be very dramatic.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
The information presented below is only for informational purposes. Your surgeon will talk to you about details regarding your specific procedure.
Who is an ideal candidate for a Face Lift?
An individual must be in good health and not have any diseases or serious, pre-existing medical conditions. In addition, the individual must have realistic expectations of the outcome of their surgery and be mentally and emotionally stable to undergo any surgical procedure. Communication with your surgeon is very important and you must be able to voice your concerns to your surgeon if they are to understand what your expectations are. Discuss you goals with your surgeon so that you may reach an understanding as to what can realistically be achieved. In addition, you maybe a good candidate it you want get rid of loose sagging skin in the face and neck. So, an "ideal" patient would have elastic skin and great underlying bone structure.
How long does a face lift last?
Face lift surgery does not prevent the aging process. It simply resets the clock for an earlier time. However, there are some factors that will change the longevity of the lift. The condition of the skin is a major contributing factor. Skin that has lost elasticity through age, sun damage, smoking, and weight fluctuation will tend to recoil back to the pre-operative state sooner than more elastic skin. Younger, more elastic skin will maintain the longevity of the face lift. Some patients with severe skin elasticity problems may require an earlier secondary lift to obtain a desired result. Some surgeons over-correct the lift to allow for differences in skin type and skin quality. However, this must be done judiciously to avoid an unnatural result.
How is the procedure performed?
A face lift typically takes anywhere from 2 to 5 hours to perform depending on the amount of work that is required to be done.
Before the surgery begins, your surgeon will mark the incision sites and natural folds while you are upright with a marker. These incisions will follow along the natural lines and creases by the ear and neck, and will depend on the type of lift you will be undergoing.
Anesthesia will be administered and your vitals will be measured prior to your surgeon making the required incisions. First a mixture of Lidocaine (a pain reliever which also hinders autonomic responses such as rapid heart beat and swelling to the injured area) and epinephrine (a vasoconstrictor which narrows the bore of the blood vessels which decreases intra-operative bleeding and hinders the absorption of lidocaine) will be injected into the incision areas or possibly into a nerve cluster for regional anesthetic properties. Your surgeon may also flush the area to be dissected with this mixture as well.
The surgeon will then cut to separate or follow along natural lines of the tissues from your underlying structure, depending upon the type of lift and desired results. This is like separating the skin and muscle from your skull. He or she will then proceed to either take off excess, loose skin, remove excess fat manually or even possibly atrophied muscle. Underlying structures will then be suspended by permanent sutures. The surgeon will then lift your skin to the desired level of lift; possibly insert a drain, and either put in sutures or staples.
Your surgeon will then apply a dressing to your face and head to protect your wounds, keep the tissue in the proper place during recovery and possibly as pressure to help with swelling and prohibit displacement.
Your eyes may feel tight and quite tender as the anesthesia wears off. Your surgeon may prescribe some sort of pain reliever to ease any discomfort that you may feel. Depending on how your body reacts to the anesthesia, you may be emotional or upset or experience cold shivers. This could be the result of the medications that you were given prior to surgery and the cold saline which will have been introduced into your system.
What should I expect post-operatively?
Once the surgery has been completed, you will notice that your face will continue to swell for a couple of days. This is all a part of the natural healing process. It is vitally important for you to take any prescribed antibiotics or medications, as they will keep any infection from developing. Your drain (if applicable) will be removed on either day two or three. You must sleep with your head elevated for 3 weeks and for the first few days.
On one of your post-operative visits, the surgeon may change your bandages or may wait until the end of the week, depending upon the seepage or the extent of work. Your sutures won't be removed until day 5 or 7 and your staples in your scalp (if applicable) will be removed after 10 days post-op. Your scalp takes longer to heal.
Your skin will be numb as your nerves have been partially separated from their source. As a result, the healing process takes time. You must take it easy and try not to do too much, too soon. You should be up and about in the first few days, keep your activities to a minimum. The surgeon will recommend that you do not engage in exercise or strenuous housework for at least 3 weeks. After all, a face lift is a serious surgery so avoid contact sports in the weeks and months ahead.
When will I be able to see the results?
This procedure takes quite a bit of time to begin seeing definition in your face again. Your face will be puffy and slightly swollen for months, so be patient. However you will start to see the results after a few weeks.
What are the risks?
A face lift like any other procedure involves certain risks. These are the possibility of an infection, blood clots, bleeding and or an adverse reaction to anesthesia. Your surgeon will discuss all of the possible complications and risks with you prior to the procedure and will carefully monitor your recovery to ensure that these risks are kept to a minimum.