Face Lift Plastic Surgery, also known as Rhytidectomy
What You Need to Know About Facelifts
View the Glassman Plastic Surgery Photo Gallery for Facelifts
Over time, the long-term effects of gravity, exposure to sun, dry air, and general stress takes its toll on an individual’s face and neckline. Jowls can develop under the jawline with folds and fat deposits. Sometimes creases begin to form between the nose and the mouth.
Over time, the long-term effects of gravity, exposure to sun, dry air, and general stress takes its toll on an individual’s face and neckline. Jowls can develop under the jawline with folds and fat deposits. Sometimes creases begin to form between the nose and the mouth.
A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, can considerably reduce these signs of aging by removing excess fat, tightening the underlying muscles, and redraping the skin around the neck and face. Facelifts or rhytidectomies can be done alone, or frequently performed in conjunction with another procedure such as a browlift, eyelid surgery, or nose reshaping. If your problem areas are limited to the neck, a more conservative procedure, known as a “necklift” will be recommended. In some cases, a facelift or rhytidectomy can reduce the outward signs of aging by ten or fifteen years.
Traditional Facelift
After Surgery
During the pre-operative facelift surgery consultation, Dr. Glassman will perform a history and physical examination. During your physical examination, your facial bone structure, underlying skin structure, skin thickness, texture, and elasticity as well as the extent of facial wrinkles and folds will be assessed. This information will be used to formulate a surgical plan and the goals of the facelift or rhytidectomy procedure will be discussed. Generally, a facelift or rhytidectomy is a very versatile procedure, and Dr. Glassman will explain the technique that he or she feels most comfortable with and that offers the lowest risk. Our plastic surgeon will select the surgical technique that he feels will obtain the best outcome for you based on your discussions regarding the facelift/ rhytidectomy outcome you wish to achieve.
The facelift plastic surgery procedure continues to evolve. Over the years, the rhytidectomy procedure has changed from simple skin lifting to more complex deeper plane lifting techniques.
Today’s Facelift Plastic Surgery Procedures
Today, many different facelift techniques exist, with outcomes that are consistently reliable and durable. The facelift procedure usually involves incisions in front of and behind the ear. The incisions may extend into the scalp. Once the rhytidectomy incisions are made, various degrees of undermining of the skin are performed, and the deeper layers of the face are ‘lifted’. Muscle tightening as well as liposuction of the neck and jowls may be performed, and excess skin is either removed or repositioned. The results are a reversal of the effects of gravity and tightening of soft tissues of the face to restore a more youthful contour to the face.
Necklift before
Necklift after
Your facelift/rhytidectomy may be performed in an accredited hospital, free-standing ambulatory center in Jacksonville, or office-based surgical suite.
Medications
Medications are administered for your comfort during the facelift/rhytidectomy procedure. You and Dr. Glassman will have decided in advance what type of anesthesia is to be used – either intravenous sedation (twilight) or general anesthesia. For your safety during and after the operation, various monitors are used to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.
Post-Op
When your facelift surgery is completed, you will be taken into a recovery area. A bandage may be wrapped around your face. Sometimes small tubes will be inserted beneath the skin to drain away fluid that might otherwise accumulate. There is surprisingly very little discomfort experienced after facelift/rhytidectomy surgery. However, any discomfort you may experience will be controlled with pain medication as needed.
You may be permitted to go home after a few hours, although some patients may stay overnight in a hospital or surgical facility.
It is important to realize that the amount of time it takes to recover from rhytidectomy surgery varies greatly between individuals. Elevation of the head is extremely helpful in reducing the initial facelift post-operative swelling. Dr. Glassman may also advise you to use ice packs intermittently.
You should avoid Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications for the first few days after your plastic surgery. Smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke should be avoided to prevent delays in the healing process.
Once the dressings and drains are removed, puffiness and discoloration may be more pronounced in some portions of the face than others. Do not be alarmed by any unevenness or temporary asymmetry – this is normal. Most swelling is usually noted in the first 24 to 48 hours, and most bruising resolves within two weeks. Concealing makeup is usually permitted after the first week. You may experience numbness to the face post-operatively, which usually resolves within several months Some patients find that mild swelling persists for many weeks. Most stitches are removed within a week of the surgery. Straining, bending, and lifting should be avoided during the early post-operative period as these activities may predispose you to bleeding.
Dr. Glassman will give you specific instructions following your facelift/rhytidectomy that may include caring for the dressings and incisions, directions for your analgesics and other medications, specific concerns to look for, and when to follow up in the office to monitor your healing process. It may take several months for the swelling to fully resolve, and up to six months for the incision scars to fully fade. Avoidance of factors that could reduce the benefits of the surgery, such as excessive unprotected sun exposure and cigarette use, is vital.
The results of your facelift may be subtle or dramatic, depending on your appearance prior to the surgery as well as the specific goals that you and your plastic surgeon have established. Since the healing process is gradual, you should expect to wait several weeks for an accurate picture of your “new look”. Additional minor changes or settling may occur over several months following your Facelift surgery.
For more information about facelifts, please contact the Glassman Plastic Surgery office today. We’ll set up a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Glassman where he can address your questions and concerns.
More Information About Face Lift Cosmetic Surgery
Here are some helpful links to help you plan for and learn more about face lift surgery:
Face Lift Surgery from American Society of Plastic Surgeons Web Site
Face Lift Surgery from The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Web Site
