|
A facelift
(rhytidectomy), one of the
procedures more commonly performed by Dr.
Weeter for facial rejuvenation. It is used to improve
a sagging jaw line, falling cheeks and a blunted neckline
and to smooth the skin. New and improved techniques
relocate the deeper facial tissues to restore a more
youthful foundation, and then redrape the skin with
little tension after removing any excesses of skin or
underlying fatty tissue. This procedure is designed
to give a more natural and longer lasting result.
A facelift (rhytidectomy) is the surgical
procedure that lifts, re-drapes, and re-contours, smoothes,
and decreases wrinkles in the face, predominantly the
cheeks and in the neck. When the neck tissues are lifted,
they are brought back into the facial areas for a more
youthful look. While the majority of patients benefit
from correction of the entire facelift, some patients
may be good candidates for a regional correction. Operations
for regional correction include the midface
lift or submental (area beneath the chin and
jaw plus the upper neck) liposuction with a muscle sling
support and limited skin tightening, which some call
a neck lift.
Short scar, mini-lifts, and Contour Thread lifts are other variations of facial rejuvenation surgery that may be desired by some
patients.
FACELIFT AT A GLANCE
 |
Before
and After
Facelift (rhytidectomy)
(click on any
photo to enlarge) |
| •
|
A facelift is designed
to remove major folds or wrinkles on the face and
neck, which naturally occur with time and aging.
|
| • |
Areas that are targeted for improvement
by a facelift are the nasolabial folds (the folds
between the nose and mouth), cheekbones, the jowls,
the mid-face and the neck. |
| • |
It is recommended that smoking be
stopped for the 2 weeks before the procedure and
until 2 weeks after the procedure, as this is a
major operation. |
INTENDED RESULTS
When a facelift is performed on a suitable candidate,
it should rejuvenate the facial appearance and eliminate
the major folds and wrinkles that are of the patients
concern. The neck and jaw-line will appear to have a
more youthful definition and appearance.
 |
Before
and After
Facelift (rhytidectomy)
(click on any
photo to enlarge) |
THE PROCEDURE
Your facelift procedure will be done in the safety of
an accredited surgery facility or hospital, under local
anesthesia or general anesthesia. There are several
variations of the facelift procedure, and each require
different incisions, and different amounts of surgical,
and recovery time.
Facelift:
There are different types of the facelift procedure.
Some patients do not need deep level correction, and
some patients need the foundation level repositioned,
which can be extensive. All facelifts start with the
incisions hidden around the temple and then they follow
the natural lines in front of the ear and are partially
hidden in the contours of the ear. Some patient’s
incisions are limited to the temporal scalp and beneath
the lower eyelashes. The incision then continues behind
the ear and up into the hairline behind the ear.
 |
Before
and After
Facelift (rhytidectomy)
(click on any
photo to enlarge) |
A facelift addresses the areas midfacial
and the lower face and neck. Often, another incision
is made under the chin in the natural skin fold. This
allows fat removal and tightening of the platysma muscle
in the neck (the muscle that causes banding). The procedure
that will best address your concerns will be determined
at your consultation.
Mini-facelift:
This type facelift is designed for the younger patient
that sees a general loosening of the facial muscles,
but has no major folds or wrinkles. This procedure may
not address neck problems or jowls as well as a more complete facelift. It is intended to
recontour and tighten the cheeks, and bring them to
a more youthful appearance, between the midfacial area
and the lower face and neckline. The incisions are similar
to that of a regular facelift, and can be hidden around
the temple and follow the natural lines in front of
the ear and be partially hidden in the contours of the
ear. Some patient’s incisions are limited to the
temporal scalp and beneath the lower eyelashes. Contour Thread facial rejuvenation is another technique that may lift and re-contour areas with no
surgical incisions or very short incisions.
RECOVERY AND HEALING
| •
|
You
may shower and gently wash your hair the day after
surgery. |
| • |
Swelling and bruising will occur.
The more extensive the patients facelift, the more
extensive the swelling. |
| • |
The mini-facelift and similar less invasive procedures will have minimal
swelling or bruising. |
| • |
A facelift with substantial deep
layer recontouring will most likely be free of bruising
within 2 weeks, but may take up to 3 months for
all the swelling to subside. Some patients may return
to the workplace 2 weeks after surgery. Around 2
to 6 weeks, you may feel more comfortable with social
and business contacts. |
| • |
Post-operative pain is usually minimal
and can be easily controlled with oral pain medications.
|
| • |
Stitches are removed around the 5th
day after surgery. Stitches behind the ear, and
other stitches or surgical staples in the hairline
can be removed within 1 to 2 weeks. |
| • |
Some makeup can be used on intact
skin reasonably soon to hide bruising, and can be
used over the incisions after the stitches are removed
and fully healed. |
| • |
Light exercises can be done about
2 weeks after your procedure and increased to most
activities by 6 weeks. |
OPTIONS
| •
|
A
facelift can be combined with several other procedures
including Botox,
in order to achieve an aesthically pleasing result.
|
| • |
A facelift is
commonly paired with blepharoplasty
(eyelid surgery) since the aging process is
usually apparent in this region. It can also be
done along with a forehead
lift to elevate the eyebrows and remove deep
creases. |
| • |
Fine wrinkles,
particularly those around the mouth, may require
additional treatment, such as laser
skin resurfacing. You can discuss this with
Dr. Weeter during your consultation.
|
| NOTE: The specific risks
and the suitability of this procedure for you may be determined only at
the time of consultation. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. |
| |
|
