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.

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. The surgery can be performed in a hospital, surgical center, or office. Outpatient procedures are more common and typically involve some combination of local anesthesia, mild sedative, and/or mild intravenous anesthesia, though inpatient procedure requiring a night or more in the hospital may be required, particularly when using general anesthesia or with patients with conditions requiring extra post-operative care.

Incisions are most often placed in the hairline, then pass in front of and behind the ears. Removal of fatty deposits beneath the skin and tightening of sagging muscles may be required before the skin is then lifted up, the excess removed, and sutured into place. A dressing is usually applied following surgery to protect the entire area where the incisions have been made. This dressing may involve loosely wrapping the head in bandages to minimize bruising and swelling. In order to drain any blood that can form and collect, a small tube may be temporarily placed beneath the skin behind the ear.

If you have any questions at all about facelift healing time, please don't hesitate to contact us - we will answer your questions!

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