Face and Neck Lift

Rhytidectomy

Purpose

Age, smoking, sun damage and stress all contribute to the deterioration of our skin, which can cause us to look much older than we feel. Surgery can do nothing to stop the aging process, but the face-lifting procedure can improve our appearance enormously, by removing excess fat, tightening underlying muscles, and repositioning the skin. A facelift will smooth the jawline. While a facelift should make you look younger, it will not raise sagging eyebrows, remove deep lines in the forehead, or change your upper or lower eyelids.

The most suitable candidates for this procedure will be men and women who’s skin has started to lose it’s elasticity, causing the face to sag and become less defined. They will be in their forties, fifties or sixties and will very often have their eye lids tightened and eyebags removed at the same time if these procedures haven’t been undertaken previously.

Procedure

There are number of ways that a facelift is performed. The procedure can be performed using limited scarring where the scars will only appear at the front of the ears; or with more extensive scarring, where the scars are distributed in front of and behind the ears, and extending into the hair bearing area. Limited or short scar facelift has gained popularity in recent years and has added increased safety to the procedure. It can be performed under local anaesthetic in suitable cases, takes less time to perform and patients can possibly go home on the same day. The results are equally good and the cost of the procedure is less when compared to the conventional and extensive facelift. Hospital stay is typically 1 - 2 days and the sutures will be removed at 5-14 days. Facials need to be avoided for 6 weeks after the surgery and a high factor sun block needs to be used.

Results

Most people find that they look about ten years younger after a facelift. The scars of the operation will be permanent although they are generally hidden, usually by your hair.

Risks

General risks associated with any surgical procedure apply. The surgeon will discuss all associated risks with you in detail. There are risks associated with facelifts including hair loss, scarring, and rough skin. Infections after the surgery are rare.