Face Lift (Rhytidectomy)
Who should consider a face lift?
What happens during the procedure?
What is the expected outcome of the procedure?
Initial consultation and testing
Preparing for surgery
Day of surgery
Follow-up care
Who should consider a face lift?
Anyone who has
- Loose skin on the face
- A deep line from the nose to the corner of the mouth
- Sagging jawline and the appearance of a second chin
In a face lift (rhytidectomy), the extra skin is removed and the muscle and fat repositioned in order to rejuvenate the jaw line. The surgery corrects the "jowls" that have developed with the natural descent of these tissues. Some patients also may require a neck lift to address excessive laxity of the neck. This procedure may involve liposuction or repair of the neck muscles for a more extensive lift.
What is the expected outcome of the procedure?
This surgery results in a more defined jaw and neck line and a refreshed appearance.
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Initial consultation and testing
Plan to spend approximately two hours at the Facial Cosmetic Surgery Clinic during your first visit. This will allow you to have a comprehensive discussion with the surgeon.
- This is the time for you to get answers to your questions and for the surgeon to describe the procedures that may be available to you.
- An examination of the face, eyelids, and the surface of the eyes will be performed at this initial visit. This is necessary because so many facial cosmetic surgeries influence eyelid position and its function of protecting the eye. The information gathered during these tests will allow the surgeon to take whatever precautions are necessary to avoid complications that may result from cosmetic surgery of the face, especially in individuals with dry eyes.
- After these tests, your surgeon will be able to give you a clear-cut assessment as to whether this procedure is a good option for you.
- This also is the time to discuss the limitations and potential risks of the procedures. You should be prepared to discuss all major and minor medical conditions and provide a complete list of the medicines you take and their dosages. At this time, your surgeon will review exactly what will happen on the day of surgery.
- This is the time to establish realistic expectations of what the surgery will accomplish.
Please refrain from taking any blood thinners like aspirin, ibuprofen and Vitamin E for 10 days prior to surgery. In addition, there should be no smoking two weeks prior to and two weeks following surgery, as smoking affects blood flow and healing.
Day of surgery
You should plan to spend six hours at the Kellogg Eye Center on the day of surgery. It is performed on an outpatient basis, allowing you to return home the same day. Before going into surgery, your medications and recent health history will be reviewed. A family member or friend can be with you until you are brought to the operating room. As part of your preparation for surgery, you will be given either local or general anesthesia. Normally the full face and neck lift takes approximately 2–4 hours, depending on the extent of the facelift and ancillary procedures that are performed. Before going home, you will be given complete postoperative instructions.
Follow-up care
Depending on the details of your surgical procedure, you will see your doctor either one day or one week after surgery, and then again as needed. Your bandages are removed the first day (although you may be asked to wear a wrap for a week) and your stitches are removed the first week. By two weeks, you can resume normal activities and, by three weeks, you can resume exercise and strenuous activities. Should you have questions or concerns during your recovery period, please call the Facial Cosmetic Surgery Clinic at 734.763.9142.
