Rhytidectomy

Facelift (Rhytidectomy, Mini-lift)

A facelift cannot stop aging, nor can it turn back the the hands of time.  The goal of surgery is to improve the overall facial appearance with natural looking results.

At your consultation, we will describe the technique we use, the type of anesthesia, any additional surgery, possible complications, and costs of the procedure.  We primarily perform what is known as a mini-lift which accomplishes what a traditional facelift can with less surgery, downtime and bruising.

Many patients decide to have facial liposuction to remove excess fatty deposits in conjunction with a facelift.  If other areas need correction, more than one procedure may be necessary for the best overall result.

The rhytidectomy procedure begins with an incision in the area of the temple hair, just above and in front of the ear, and then continues around the ear lobe, circling the ear before returning to the point of origin in the scalp.  For men, the incision is aligned to accommodate the natural beard lines.  In all cases, the incision is placed where it will fall in a natural crease of the skin for camouflage.  The skin is elevated and underlying muscle and connective tissues are tightened. Some fat may be removed, as well as excess skin.  After trimming the excess skin, the incisions are closed with fine sutures.  Depending on the extent of the surgery, the process can take several hours.  Following the surgery, a dressing is applied to protect the surgical area for one to two days.  Postoperatively, a minor amount of swelling and bruising may occur and will usually resolve in 5-7 days.  Recovery usually takes two weeks, although many patients go back to work after one week.

Risks and complications of rhytidectomy