Rhytidectomy

Facelift surgery, or rhytidectomy, primarily aims to rejuvenate your facial appearance by reducing sagging skin and reshaping the lower half of the face.

What is Rhytidectomy?

Facelift surgery is a procedure to give faces more youthful appearances. This surgical technique is also known as face lift rhytidectomy, which reduces sagging or folds of skin on the cheeks and jawline in addition to changes in the shape of the face.

During facelift surgery, facial tissues are lifted, excess skin is removed, and the skin is draped back over the newly repositioned contours. Even though it is a cosmetic surgery that enhances your face, this surgery does not decrease wrinkles in your skin or damage from sun exposure.

Types of Facial Lift Surgery

Facelift surgery is an individualized surgery type that can be customized according to your needs. There are different types of face lifting surgery, and you can get information about them as follows:

Mini Face Lift

It is ideal for those with minimal signs of aging. A mini facelift surgery targets sagging skin primarily in the lower face and jawline. This less invasive option involves smaller incisions, leading to a quicker recovery while offering subtle rejuvenation.

Standard Face Lift

Standard facelifting surgery provides more comprehensive results. The surgery addresses moderate-to-advanced aging signs across the face and neck. It involves lower face and neck lift surgeries with more extensive tissue manipulation and skin removal. The result is a more noticeable transformation and a longer recovery time.

Deep Plane Face Lift

The deep plane surgical face lift is the most advanced surgery that goes deeper than the traditional facelift. The surgery targets the muscles and tissues beneath the skin. It is particularly effective for severe sagging and deep wrinkles.

Who is the Right Candidate for Facelift Surgery?

Facelift surgery is a complex procedure. Therefore, not everyone can be a good candidate for this surgery. You can check the criteria for this surgery as below:

• You should be in your 40s to 70s with skin that retains some flexibility.
• You should be in good health.
• You should be a non-smoker.
• You should have aging signs such as sagging skin or deep wrinkles.
• You should be ready to follow post-surgery guidelines.

Face Lift Procedure Steps

Facelift surgery should be performed by experienced and qualified surgeons, as the surgery is complex and comprehensive. The surgery may last about five hours, depending on the quickness of the surgeon. You can get some brief information about the surgery steps below:

• During the initial consultation, you will be informed of the possible outcomes and success of the surgery.
• Before the surgery, you will need to avoid certain medications and start fasting. You will be informed about the guidelines for the pre-surgery.
• On the day of surgery, you will be given general anesthesia to ensure that you are comfortable and pain-free throughout the surgery.
• Your surgeon will make incisions that are strategically placed to minimize visible scarring.
• Your surgeon will lift your skin and reposition the underlying tissue.
• In the next step, your surgeon trims away the excess skim to fit the newly enhanced facial contours.
• Lastly, your incisions will be closed with skin adhesives or sutures.
• It may take several months to fully recover. However, most patients recover in 6 weeks. You can see the final results after 6 months.

Post-Operative Instructions for Facelift Surgery

Facelift surgery is not an easy procedure that everyone can handle. If you are patient enough to cooperate with your doctor and follow-up post-surgery instructions, you can accelerate the healing process. The basic guidelines for the recovery period are listed below:

Immediately After Surgery (First 24-48 Hours)

• You should keep your head elevated at all times to minimize swelling.
• You can start taking the prescribed pain medications as directed.

First Week Post-Surgery

• You should maintain head elevation, even while sleeping.
• You should continue caring for your incisions, ensuring cleanliness, and applying any ointments as prescribed.
• You should restrict facial and physical movements to promote healing.

First Month Post-Surgery

• You should refrain from heavy lifting and vigorous exercise.
• You should protect your skin from sun exposure; use hats and sunscreen.
• You should continue to abstain from smoking and alcohol consumption.

Long-Term Care 

• You should regularly protect your face from the sun to maintain results and reduce scar visibility.
• You should maintain a balanced diet and avoid smoking and excessive alcohol.
• You should attend all scheduled appointments, even if you feel fully recovered, for an ongoing assessment of your results.

Advantages and Limitations of Surgical Face Lifts

Facelift surgery has both advantages and limitations, like any procedure. You can check below the advantages and limitations of this procedure.

Advantages:

• You can reduce signs of aging and have a younger facial appearance.
• The results of the surgery are long-lasting.
• You can enhance your self-confidence.
• You can remove sagging skin around your neck and jawline in addition to reducing deep facial wrinkles.

Limitations:

• Recovery time can be longer than your expectations.
• Although typically well-concealed, there is a risk of scarring.
• The surgery can be expensive.
• There are risks such as infection, bleeding, or unsatisfactory results.

Non-surgical Facelift Operations

Facelift surgery may sometimes seem difficult. If you are looking for non-surgical facelift options, you can consult with your doctor. Because only mild or moderate signs of aging can be enhanced with non-surgical options. Therefore, your doctor needs to confirm that you are a good candidate for non-surgical treatment. Some of the non-surgical treatments for facelifts are: laser skin resurfacing, renuvion, form, ultherapy, RF microneedling, dermal fillers, botox, and fat injection.