A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that specifically addresses the effects of age and gravity on the face which are manifested as a gradual descent of the cheeks, facial parentheses lines and jowls. The goal of any cosmetic procedure is to restore a more youthful appearance to the face without appearing surgically altered. It is not uncommon to have a facelift combined with other procedures such as a forehead lift, upper and lower blepharoplasty, and neck lift.
Why get a facelift?
As people get older, their facial skin has a tendency to sag and wrinkle. To counteract that process, some people decide to get a facelift.
It is important to know, though, that other lifestyle factors can contribute to aging and sagging skin. Some of those factors are smoking, excessive tanning/sun exposure, large fluctuations in weight and having a poor diet.
Even people who are in great physical condition can have skin that sags and shows wrinkles. This is normally due to genetics. A facelift will dramatically reduce the visible signs of aging in the overwhelming majority of patients.
What happens during a facelift?
Facelift procedures are performed in an operating room, under anesthesia, either with sedation or a general anesthetic. The combination of procedures performed to rejuvenate the facial appearance would have been discussed at the initial consultations.
For example, some patients want to target their lower facial areas like their jowls, jaw, and neck. Others want improvement in the upper and lower eyelids and forehead.
The location of any incisions will depend upon the areas to be addressed and will be placed in such a way that they will be well hidden and inconspicuous. Liposuction is frequently employed to further refine and transition the contours of the face and neck. The surgeon will complete the facelift by using small sutures to close the incisions.
Facelift Results and Recovery
After your facelift, you should expect up to two weeks of necessary downtime. It is important to avoid exercising and strenuous activity for up to 2-3 weeks after your procedure.
The incisions are strategically placed so they fall into the natural topography of the face or along the hairline. These will fade over time and are largely hidden by the hair. Although the results of the facelift will be immediate, it might take some time before your scar is completely healed. The results of the facelift require maintenance, necessitating a good postsurgical skin care regimen and sunscreens. With proper care and management of your surgical sites, you will be happier with the final cosmetic appearance.
Depending on your procedure, results can last from five to ten years.
Potential Risks
All surgical procedures have some risk associated with them; not unlike driving in your car. Every effort will be made to control these risks to ensure the patient’s safety. Some of the potential risks involved in a facelift include bleeding, infection, nerve damage and asymmetry. Dr. Dodde’s meticulous attention to detail and experience assures that these risks are minimized.
Dr. Dodde will answer any questions you might have and discuss potential risks during your consultation.