Facelift Surgery | Rhytidectomy information

If you are bothered by signs of aging in your face, facelift surgery may be right for you. Technically known as rhytidectomy, a facelift is a surgical procedure to improve visible signs of aging in the face and neck, such as:

• Sagging in the midface
• Deep creases below the lower eyelids
• Deep creases along the nose extending to the corner of the mouth
• Fat that has fallen or is displaced
• Loss of muscle tone in the lower face may create jowls
• Loose skin and excess fatty deposits under the chin and jaw can make even a person of normal weight appear to have a double chin

Rejuvenation procedures typically performed in conjunction with a facelift are brow lift, to correct a sagging or deeply furrowed brow, and eyelid surgery to rejuvenate aging eyes.

What facelifts won't do:

As a restorative surgery, a facelift does not change your fundamental appearance and cannot stop the aging process.

Is it right for me?

A facelift can only be performed surgically; non-surgical rejuvenation treatments cannot achieve the same results, but may help delay the time at which a facelift becomes appropriate and complement the results of surgery. Facelift surgery is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires to to try to fit any sort of ideal image.
Facelift surgery is a good option for you if:

• You are physically healthy
• You do not smoke
• You have a positive outlook and specific, but realistic goals in mind for the improvement of your appearance

Facelifts at a glance

Rhytidectomy surgery was one of the top surgical cosmetic procedures performed in 2009. 103,625 people had facelift surgery in 2009.

Age
13-19	0%
20-39	2%
40-55+	98%
Gender
Males	9%
Females	91%	Preparing for facelift surgery Prior to surgery, you may be asked to: Get lab testing or a medical evaluation Take certain medications or adjust your current medications Stop smoking well in advance of surgery Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding Special instructions you receive will cover: What to do on the night before and morning of surgery The use of anesthesia during your face lift Post-operative care and follow-up Your plastic surgeon will also discuss where your procedure will be performed. A facelift may be performed in an accredited office-based surgical center, outpatient or ambulatory surgical center, or a hospital. Facelift procedure steps What happens during facelift surgery? Step 1 – Anesthesia Medications are administered for your comfort during a facelift procedure. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you. A variety of other procedures can further enhance the outcome of a facelift. They include: Facial implants Soft tissue augmentation to recontour the facial structure Resurfacing techniques to improve the tone and texture of facial skin Wrinkle reduction by injection Step 2 – The incision Depending on the degree of change you’d like to see, your rhytidectomy surgery choices include a traditional facelift, limited incision facelift or a neck lift. A traditional facelift incision often begins in the hairline at the temples, continues around the ear and ends in the lower scalp. Fat may be sculpted or redistributed from the face, jowls and neck. Underlying tissue is repositioned, commonly the deeper layers of the face and the muscles are also lifted. Skin is redraped over the uplifted contours and excess skin is trimmed away. A second incision under the chin may be necessary to further improve an aging neck. Sutures or skin adhesives close the incisions. An alternative to a traditional facelift uses shorter incisions at the temples, continuing around the ear and possibly within the lower eyelids or under the upper lip. Limited Incision Sagging jowls, loose neck skin and fat accumulation under the chin may be corrected with a neck lift. The neck lift incision often begins in front of the ear lobe and wraps around behind the ear ending in the lower scalp. Sagging jowls, loose neck skin and fat accumulation under the chin may be corrected with a neck lift. The neck lift incision often begins in front of the ear lobe and wraps around behind the ear ending in the lower scalp. How much does a facelift cost? Cost is always a consideration in elective surgery. Facelift prices can vary widely. A surgeon’s cost for facelift surgery may vary based on his or her experience as well as geographic office location. Many plastic surgeons offer patient financing plans, so be sure to ask. The cost of facelift surgery may include: Surgeon’s fee Hospital or surgical facility costs Anesthesia fees Prescriptions for medication Post-surgery garments, and Medical tests Your satisfaction involves more than a fee When choosing a plastic surgeon for facelift surgery, remember that the surgeon’s experience and your comfort with him or her are just as important as the final cost of the surgery.