What is a Facelift?
A facelift (rhytidectomy) is a surgical procedure that involves removing excess skin, tightening underlying tissues and muscle, and redraping the skin on the face and the neck. Through the years, changes in the face are secondary to aging, hereditary, fluctuations in weight, sun exposure, gravitational effects, personal habits, and exposure to other elements. Facelift surgery is performed as an outpatient, typically under IV (MAC sedation) with local anesthesia.
Who is a Good Candidate for a Facelift (Rhytidectomy)?
A good candidate for a facelift (rhytidectomy) is a patient who presents with aging changes in the face, either from hereditary, exposure to the sun or other elements, or gravitational effects on the face. Patients may notice laxity in their neck or jowls forming with the loss of a distinct jawline.
What are Realistic Expectations?
Realistic expectations would be an improvement in the jawline as well as improvement with neck laxity when a necklift is performed. There should be an improvement in the contour of the neck. Patients at the Mack Center experience a youthful, refreshed appearance that appears very natural.
Where is the Incision for a Facelift Surgery?
The incision for a facelift surgery begins in front of the temple hair, which is just above and in front of the ear. The incision then continues along the ear below the earlobe and behind the ear where it blends into the hairline. During the surgery, the underlying muscle and connective tissue is tightened, and the skin is gently lifted and excised as necessary along the incision line. Following the excision of the excess skin, the incision site is closed with sutures. The surgery typically takes from 2 – 3 hours to perform, and is typically performed under MAC anesthesia (twilight anesthesia), which is a combination of IV sedation with local anesthesia. We find that our patients experience very little discomfort with this procedure. After the surgery, a dressing is applied to the face, and this is typically removed on the first day following surgery.
What Type of Anesthesia is Typically Used For a Facelift Surgery?
At the Mack Center, IV sedation (MAC anesthesia), which is also termed twilight anesthesia, is used where IV sedation is used in combination with local anesthesia. This surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, and the patients at the Mack Center find this to be a very comfortable procedure.
What is the Recovery Time Following Facelift Surgery?
Following facelift surgery, a dressing will be placed on the face, and usually drains will be placed as well. This dressing is removed on the first day following surgery. It is also recommended that the patient keep the head elevated when lying down, and avoid any bending, lifting, or straining. Sutures are typically removed from 7-10 days following surgery. Patients can typically return to work from 1-2 weeks following surgery, depending on the extent of the facelift surgery. Scars are typically not noticeable with time as the scars mature. The scars are typically hidden in natural skin creases on the face. It is very important to have a natural approach to facelift surgery to avoid the stigmata of unnatural facelift surgery. We find that patients at the Mack Center note improved self-confidence with their natural appearance following facelift surgery.
What are the Common Reasons Why a Patient Wants a Facelift?
Patients typically present with volume loss and volume shift in their face in combination with aging and thinning of their skin, along with loss of skin elasticity. Patients also notice the lack of a distinct jawline, and also laxity in their neck region.
Can a Facelift Surgery be Combined with Other Surgery Procedures?
At the Mack Center, many times patients undergoing facelift surgery will also undergo other procedures at the same time, including facial fillers. This will augment and improve the results of the facelift surgery. Patients oftentimes will also undergo eyelid (blepharoplasty) or browlift surgery at the same time as facelift surgery as well.
Will I Look Natural with a Facelift?
It is our goal at the Mack Center to have all of our patients look natural following rejuvenation procedures and surgeries. This particularly applies to facelift surgery, as it is imperative to achieve natural results.
For more information on face lifts, contact Dr. Mack’s office to schedule a consultation today.
Be sure and visit our Before & After gallery for this procedure.