Facelift
What is a facelift?
A facelift a surgical procedure referred to medically as a rhytidectomy. It involves removing excess skin, as well as repositioning and treatment to underlying tissue to reduce signs of aging and recreate youthful contours of the face and neck.
What does a facelift improve?
Aging causes skin to lose its elasticity and begin to sag around the face and neck, leading to the wrinkles, loose jowls and hollow cheeks that leave a person looking fatigued and worn out.
A facelift can:
- Tighten sagging skin.
- Reduce fold lines under the eyes and around the nose and mouth.
- Address jowls.
- Eliminate or lessen the appearance of a double chin.
How is the procedure performed?
Each procedure is individualized according to a patient's specific needs, but a facelift is generally an outpatient procedure that requires anesthesia. It often involves an incision by one's hairline, beginning at the temples and extending around the ear and ending at the lower portion of the scalp. Sometimes, the procedure is conducted with a limited incision, and sometimes, it involves an incision under the chin as well.
Skin, fat and tissue are repositioned. Sometimes facial implants, skin resurfacing and fillers are part of the process as well. Skin is then draped over the freshened contours of the face, excess skin is trimmed and incisions are closed with sutures or skin adhesives.
What are the risks?
- Anesthesia risks
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Hair loss at incisions
- Nerve injury
- Undesirable scarring
- Pain and/or swelling
- Facial asymmetry
- Blood clotting issues
- Poor wound healing
What can be expected after the surgery?
Will I have bandages/drainage tubes?
Your face will be loosely bandaged and there likely will be tubes to help drain fluid.
How soon return to work?
All cases are different, but most patients can return to work within 14 days of surgery.
How soon achieved results?
Every patient heals at his or her own rate, but achieved results and feeling back-to-normal usually occur within two or three months.
Is a facelift covered by insurance?
A facelift is a cosmetic surgery and is not covered by insurance companies.