What is a face lift?
A face lift (rhytidectomy or rhytidoplasty) is a cosmetic surgery procedure designed to reduce the signs of the aging by tightening the muscles beneath the skin of the neck, tightening the sagging skin itself, removing excess skin and other tissue, and rejuvenating the overall appearance of the face to create a more youthful appearance.
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Am I a candidate for a face lift?
A face lift, also called rhytidectomy or rhytidoplasty, may be an option if your skin is starting to sag around your jaw, your cheeks, and the sides of your face; if you have developed jowls; or if you feel that your face looks old. If your skin is sagging only on the forehead or eyebrows, a brow lift might be best for you. There are also several procedures that treat different problem areas on the face. Full face lifts are generally saved for more mature individuals.
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When is the usual age for getting a face lift?
There is no "usual age" for a face lift. The age people get a face lift ranges from 30 to 80. Face lifts often produce more significant results in older people who need extensive lifting and tightening than in younger people who need less rejuvenation. A brow lift is an option for younger patients concerned about horizontal lines on the forehead and sagging or "hooded" eyebrows. People in their late 20s or early 30s often decide to have a brow lift instead of rhytidectomy surgery. Discuss your options with your surgeon to determine what procedure or procedures are best for you.
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What is a typical face lift consultation like?
At your consultation, your surgeon will discuss your goals with you, and he or she will explain what can be achieved realistically. Bring photos of yourself at an earlier age. This can help your surgeon choose which plastic surgery procedure will produce a more natural result that retains your facial characteristics. You should discuss the goals and general result you would like to achieve with your surgeon. Remember, no two people get the same face lift.
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How is a face lift performed?
A face lift operation is usually performed under local anesthesia with a sedative that makes you relaxed and drowsy. However, some face lifts may be done under general anesthesia, where you are asleep, especially if you are having more than one cosmetic procedure performed at the same time.
A face lift takes 3-6 hours to perform, depending on the extent of the procedure or if other surgeries are to be performed. Most incisions are placed as inconspicuously as possible above the hairline. In a full face lift, the incisions usually begin above the hairline at the temples, continue down in the natural crease in front of the ear and then run below and behind the ear into the lower scalp. If a neck lift is being performed, a small incision is placed inconspicuously underneath the chin. The skin is lifted and underlying muscle and fascia are tightened. Then the skin itself is pulled back, trimmed and sutured into place. Other types of face lifts involve different placements of the incisions.
What are the different techniques for performing a face lift?
There are many different techniques for face lifts. Some simply rearrange the skin and others remove underlying fat and rearrange the muscles and tissues of the face. Your cosmetic surgeon will examine your face to determine which rhytidectomy techniques will give you the results you want. For more information about the different types of face lift procedures, see the overview section.
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What should I expect postoperatively?
Pain is usually not severe after a face lift, but you will have a headache and feel like your face is bloated and sore. Your surgeon will prescribe a pain reliever. You may feel a degree of numbness around the incisions and in other parts of your face that will normally go away within a few months. You will probably be told to use cold compresses on your face several times a day and sleep with your head elevated for several days after your face lift surgery.
Bruising and swelling are normal. Swelling will begin to disappear within a few days, but will take several weeks to completely resolve. Most people return to work after about ten days. By that time, bruising can be disguised with cosmetics.
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Sutures are usually removed at a follow-up visit with your surgeon several days after your procedure. Surgical staples may be removed after 7 to10 days. Removal is usually not too uncomfortable.
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Will there be scarring after rhytidectomy? If so, where will the scars be located?
Some scarring will occur with a face lift, but it is usually hidden in the hairline, behind the ears or under the jaw line. Your doctor should talk with you about rhytidectomy techniques used to minimize scarring.
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Is there a lot of swelling involved with a face lift?
You can expect considerable swelling for about 3 days after undergoing rhytidoplasty. Your face may look quite normal immediately after face lift surgery but will begin to swell within a day or two. Follow your surgeon’s instructions about using cold compresses and sleeping with your head elevated to help minimize swelling.
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How long should I expect to be out of work?
You can expect to resume your regular activities after about 3 weeks. Swelling can be quite pronounced following a face lift and you may have extensive bruising.
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When will I be able to see the face lift surgery results?
You will probably see most of the results of your face lift within 2 to 3 weeks, when the bulk of the swelling goes down.
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What are the risks of a face lift?
There are risks to every type of surgery. The risks of a face lift include a chance of infection, excessive bleeding, permanent numbness from nerve damage and hyperpigmentation (permanent discolorations) caused by the bruising. There may be asymmetry and/or unsatisfactory results. A face lift performed by an unskilled surgeon can result in your skin being pulled too tight.
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How long do the effects of a face lift last?
This varies from person to person, but normally a face lift will last about 10 years. Of course, for the length of time it lasts, you will look younger. Having a face lift does not halt the effects of aging. Generally, you can go about 10 to 12 years before you might want additional rejuvenation procedures.
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