Facelift

About This Procedure

Doctors consider facelift surgery to be the gold standard in facial rejuvenation. This plastic surgery technique addresses a range of visible signs of aging in the mid and lower facial areas. The plastic surgeons at Franciscan Health have helped hundreds of patients regain a youthful appearance with facelift surgery (rhytidectomy).

Performed by a highly trained and skilled plastic surgeon, a facelift can take years off a person’s facial appearance. Your surgeon may recommend combining a facelift with a neck lift, which targets loose skin, fat and tissue on the neck.

What is facial rejuvenation with a facelift?

Facial rejuvenation with a facelift is a highly individualized treatment. Your plastic surgeon will work closely with you to plan treatment for the most satisfying, natural-looking results. Depending on your aesthetic concerns and desired outcome, your surgeon may recommend combining a facelift with another cosmetic surgery procedure such as:

• Neck lift
• Eyelid surgery
• Botox®
• Laser skin care

About the facelift procedure

You'll have facelift surgery on an outpatient basis, meaning you'll go home the same day. Most people receive the procedure under general anesthesia (while you'e asleep). During a facelift:

1. Your plastic surgeon makes several incisions to eliminate excess skin and access the underlying facial tissues. A traditional facelift involves incisions in the hairline at the temples, down to the earlobes and around the ears.
2. The surgeon tightens tissues and muscles in the middle and lower facial areas and eliminates excess, saggy skin.
3. The surgeon tightens skin over your facial bones and other structures. The result is a smoother, younger-looking appearance.
4. Once the surgery is complete, the surgeon closes incisions using sutures and dresses the treatment area with bandages.

Recovery from facelift surgery

The initial recovery period typically lasts one week. Common side effects include bruising, swelling, soreness and discoloration in the treatment area(s). These symptoms should subside a few days after surgery. Your surgeon can prescribe medication to relieve discomfort.

You'll need to rest as much as possible after surgery, keeping your head elevated. Plan to avoid strenuous activities such as exercise for a while after surgery. You should expect to attend follow-up appointments with your plastic surgeon so the doctor can monitor your healing.

Who is a candidate for a facelift?

Ideal facelift candidates have:

• Sagging in the midface
• Lines around the mouth and nose ("marionette lines")
• Displaced fat and muscle tone loss
• Creases and wrinkles on and around the lower eyelids