Face Lift

What is a Face lift?

A Face lift, also called Rhytidectomy, smoothes and redrapes the loose skin of the face and neck, tightens underlying muscle tissues and removes excess fat.

How is it done?

Face lift surgery may last between 2 and 4 hours.  It is normally performed under general anesthesia which means you will sleep through the surgery.  In some cases it can be performed under a local anesthesia with sedation.  Most face lift procedures involve a series of incisions in the hairline of the forehead, down in front of the ears, around the ear lobe and behind the ear finishing in the hairline of the scalp.  The surgeon can then peel the skin away from the muscles of the face, pull it up and back, trim away the excess skin and stitch it into place.  An additional incision under the chin may be required. After surgery, you will have bandages around your head and face.  There may also be some small tubes inserted beneath the skin to facilitate drainage.

Why is it done?

Face lift surgery is performed to correct signs of aging, poor diet or heredity, such as deep creases around the nose and mouth, wrinkles or sagging skin on the face and neck.

Risks & complications

The outcome of a face lift is never completely predictable. Complications are infrequent and usually minor. However, as with any surgery, there are risks, including the possibility of:

-  Blood loss and possible transfusion, blood clots in the legs (Deep Vein Thrombosis or DVT) and chest (Pulmonary Embolism), chest infection and reactions to anesthesia
-  Hematoma (a collection of blood under the skin requiring removal by a surgeon in the operating room)
-  Infection
-  Injury to the nerves that control facial muscles (usually temporary but may be permanent and require reconstruction).
-  Visible scars, especially in front of the ears where they are most visible

Risks can be reduced by following the surgeon's instructions before and after surgery

Alternatives

Improvement of skin wrinkles and removal of fatty deposits may be attempted using chemical face peels, liposuction or laser skin resurfacing.  A separate brow lift may be needed to reduce wrinkling in the forehead and sagging in the eyebrows. A separate eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) may be needed and can be performed simultaneously.

Candidate eligibility

The best candidates for face lift surgery are healthy adults whose face and neck have begun to sag but whose skin still has some elasticity and whose bone structure is strong and well defined.   The surgeon will make the final determination of each patient’s eligibility for the procedure after an examination and consultation with the patient.