Rhytidectomy - Facelift

If you have any or some of the underlying conditions, you may want to consider the option.

A facelift can be a solution to all of these problems. However, conditions like sagging eyebrows, excess skin and fatty deposits in the upper and lower eyelids or wrinkles around the mouth cannot be rectified by this surgery. Further information can be provided by your plastic surgeon if you have an interest in other procedures to treat these areas.

In the initial stages of consultation, you may be asked by your plastic surgeon to look in a mirror and point out exactly what you would like to see improved. Specific areas should be discussed, as they may need different approaches and techniques.

You and your plastic surgeon may also discuss additional procedures that can be performed along with a facelift to address all the concerns you have identified. For instance, a facelift is often combined with a other surgeries like forehead lift, eyelid surgery, nose reshaping or chin implants.

Fortunately for patients significant complications from facelifts are infrequent. Year after year multitudes of people, who have undergone liposuction experience no major problems and are pleased with the results. However one should be aware of both the benefits and risks when considering surgery.

By following the advice and instructions of your plastic surgeon, both before and after surgery you can help minimize certain risks.

Some of the potential complications include:

• Collection of blood under the skin which may have to be evacuated
• Temporary weakness of some of the muscles of the face and eye
• Scarring, especially behind the ear
• Anesthesia related

A detailed information booklet will be provided with instructions and precautions for the immediate and early postoperative period. This will also discuss the sequeal of facelifts.

You will be asked to stop smoking well in advance of surgery, in case, you are a smoker. Increased bleeding can be caused by aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs. It is therefore recommended that you avoid taking these medications for a period of time before surgery.

Your surgeon will provide you with additional preoperative instructions as well. In case you have very short hair, you may consider letting it grow long enough to cover your incisions while they heal.

If you are overweight and you have a realistic desire to lose more than 15 pounds, you should discuss this with your surgeon.

The facelift may be performed as a day procedure or a one day admission.

These will not cause any discomfort and will be removed in a day or two. Going home after a few hours may be permitted, although some patients may stay overnight in the hospital for surgical facility.