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

Depending upon each patient and each surgeon, procedures and techniques will vary greatly, but on the whole you can expect the following:Facelift surgery generally takes between two and four hours, though it may take longer when combined with other procedures and more extensive procedures may require two separate sessions. The surgery can take place in a surgical center, hospital 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. 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 usually includes a loose wrapping around the head which can minimize swelling and bruising. 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 repeat facelifts every five years, please don't hesitate to contact us - we will answer your questions!

About the facelift procedureMore face lift informationfree face lifting exercisesdeep planar facelift healing timeCollegen5 Face Liftradio waves in face lift proceduresface lift typesface lift and lumpiness2 incision faceliftFace Lift - $5499S faceliftface lift without stitchesDemi-lift face liftnew face liftcosmetic surgery face liftsThermoplasty face liftplastic surgery face liftFace Lift Exercisefacelift healing remediescosmetic surgery face liftsmall scar face liftface liftAurora face liftbandaged facelift patientdeep plane faceliftfacelift collegenover the hill face liftbook acupucture faceliftkelp face liftlower facelift

Return to Top