What is a facelift?

The facelift (Rhytidectomy) is a surgical procedure designed to safely, predictably and discretely rejuvenate your face. The facelift will reduce the redundant skin of the lower face and neck, and can also be used to elevate the cheeks. Since the eyelids and face normally age at the same rate, it is common to have eyelid surgery (Blepharoplasty) at the same time as the facelift. The facelift can also be combined with a browlift, when appropriate to maintain facial harmony and a balanced youthful appearance. A facelift can be performed under local, local with sedation or under general anesthesia. Local anesthesia works very well for most patients, when a mini-facelift is desired. Since it is a shorter procedure, and the surgery is more localized, a local anesthetic provides a safe and effective way to comfortably have a facelift. With local only, there is no anesthesia hangover, and you will be awake during the procedure. If this makes you nervous, local with sedation or general anesthesia may be better options. While min-facelifts are shorter and easier, they cannot correct as much as a formal facelift. Formal facelifts not only provide enhanced correction, they also provide longer correction. Since a real facelift takes longer, they are most often performed under anesthesia. You will sleep comfortably through the procedure, and next thing you know, you are awake and rejuvenated. More information on facelifts and mini-facelifts is available on my main webite: www.DrMele.com, and my blog www.SanFranciscoPlasticSurgeryBlog.com. Just click on the links below. Facelift (Rhytidectomy) Information. Facelift (Rhytidectomy) compared to the Mini-Facelift (with before and after pictures). Four part television appearance about Facelifts (Rhytidectomies) from KRON4 s Body Beautiful (before and after pictures are in part 2). Joseph A. Mele, III, MD, FACS Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery Walnut Creek, CA (925) 943-6353 www.DrMele.com www.SanFranciscoPlasticSurgeryBlog.com www.CirugiaPlasticaSanFrancisco.com www.SanFranciscoBreast.com