What is a facelift?

A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure to improve visible signs of aging in the face and neck such as creases below the lower eyelids, sagging facial skin, & loss of muscle tone around the chin area.

What are the benefits of a facelift procedure?

Benefits of a facelift include: tightening of facial muscles, repairing loose or sagging skin, & improved facial contour.

How long before I can resume normal activities after my facelift?

You should be up and about in a day or two, but plan on taking it easy for the first week after your face lift surgery. You will need to avoid strenuous activity for the first two weeks. Some bruising may persist for two or three weeks.

Can I expect permanent results from a facelift?

The results of a face lift are intended to be permanent, but as with all plastic surgery procedures, the results are subject to the normal aging process.

What is the basic procedure of Facelift?

There are many techniques & ways to perform a facelift. Generally, a facelift consists of two main steps. The first step is the tightening & repositioning of the SMAS & the second step is the tightening of the skin."SMAS" is an acronym for Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System. It refers to an area of musculature of the face. The amount and how the SMAS is repositioned & the skin is tightened depends on the face lift technique. A face lift done under local anesthesia has very mild tightening of SMAS & skin because it is performed under light anesthesia. This type of face lift is commonly referred to as "weekend lift" or "lifestyle lift." It has a faster recovery time, but results tend to not be as significant. It is also common to combine a neck lift with a face lift. With a neck lift, you can remove some fat, tighten muscle & tighten skin on the neck.

Is there a common technique for facelift procedures?

Answer for "What is the basic procedure of Facelift?" Describes the most common face lift procedure.

Are there significant risks associated with facelift surgery?

Risks are usually rare. Most common risks include: hematoma (bleeding) (occurs in approximately 1-4% of patients), permanent nerve damage (occurs in approximately 1% of patients).