Rhytidectomy, also known as rhytidoplasty or more commonly as a facelift, is the surgical procedure to reduce sagging and wrinkling face and neck skin. This is achieved by redraping the face and neck skin, tightening the underlying muscles, and/or removing fatty deposits. Facelifts can be performed in conjunction with other procedures to further resolve the effects of aging, including forehead lifts, rhinoplasty, or eyelid surgery.

Procedures and techniques will vary greatly among surgeons and from patient to patient, however on the whole you can expect the following:facelift procedures typically take between two and four hours, though more extensive or multiple procedures may take longer or even 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 often placed in the hairline, then pass in front of and behind the ears. Sagging muscles may be tightened and fatty deposits removed before the skin is lifted up, the excess removed, and then sutured into place. Following surgery, the entire area where the incisions have been made is typically protected with a dressing. This may include wrapping the head loosely in bandages, which helps to minimize bruising and swelling. A small drainage tube may be placed behind the ear temporarily in order to drain any blood that can collect there.

If you have any questions at all about face lift procedures, please don't hesitate to contact us - we will answer your questions!

About the facelift procedureMore face lift informationsurgical face lift2 incision faceliftpericutaneous facelifttape face liftAptos face liftingAcupuncture Face lift dr cagleDemi-lift face liftpictures endoscopic face liftface lift typeswebsite facelifts Coventryswelling faceliftface lift around mouth with surgeryshort scar face liftThermo plastic surgery face liftAurora face liftface lift swellingplastic surgery face liftpericutaneous face liftface lift and lumpinessEndoscopic Mid Face Liftdifferent face lifts peels derm abrasionno incision faceliftFace lift endoscopic veritcalface lift years lastsFacelift Surgerythe truth about face liftsface lift without stitchesendoscopic facelift and recovery and lasting effects

Return to Top