Rhytidectomy, or facelift surgery, is the surgical procedure which reduces wrinkling and sagging skin of the face and neck. Facelifts are performed by removing excess fat, redraping the skin of the face and neck, and/or tightening the underlying muscles. Other procedures like forehead lifts, rhinoplasty or eyelid surgery are often performed in conjunction with a facelift to further resolve the effects of aging.

While procedures and techniques will vary from patient to patient and among surgeons, you can generally expect the following:facelift procedures typically last between two and four hours, though more extensive procedures may take longer and multiple procedures may require two separate sessions. Facelift surgery can be performed in an office, surgical center, or hospital. The procedure is most typically done on an outpatient basis while the patient is under some combination of local anesthesia, mild sedative, and/or mild intravenous anesthesia, though some surgeons may choose to hospitalize patients for a night or more, particularly when using general anesthesia or performing the procedure on patients with conditions requiring additional post-operative care.

Incisions are most typically placed within in the hairline and passing in front of and behind the ears. The surgeon may then remove fatty deposits and/or tighten sagging muscles before lifting the skin up, removing the excess, and suturing it into place. Following surgery, the entire area where the incisions have been made is typically protected with a dressing. This usually includes a loose wrapping around the head which can minimize swelling and bruising. A small drainage tube may be placed behind the ear temporarily in order to drain any blood that can collect there.

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