RHYTIDECTOMY OR MELOPLASTY OR FACELIFT

Rhytidoplasty or meloplasty, commonly known as a facelift, is a reparative or plastic surgery of the cheek used to correct mild forms of "drooping" cheeks and to achieve a youthful look by reducing the visible signs of aging like wrinkles on the face.

This cosmetic surgery procedure lifts, tightens and trims excess skin, fat, and/or muscle from your face and neck to provide a natural, more youthful appearance. Today, facelifts are common for people of all ages and in all walks of life as a measure against aging. New techniques help make the facelift last longer, especially when done earlier while the skin has more elasticity.

DETAILS OF THE PROCEDURE

This surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia or deep twilight sleep. An incision is made in front of the ear extending up into the hairline. The incision curves around the bottom of the ear and then behind it, usually ending near the hairline on the back of the neck. After the skin incision is made, the skin is separated from the deeper tissues with a scalpel or scissors (also called undermining) over the cheeks and neck. At this point, the deeper tissues called SMAS - Superficial Musculo-Aponeurotic System (fascial suspension system of the face) can be tightened with sutures, with or without removing some of the excess deeper tissues. The skin is then redraped, and the amount of excess skin to be removed is determined by the surgeon's judgement and experience. The excess skin is then removed, and the skin incisions are closed with sutures and staples.

Facelifts are commonly combined with eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) and other facial procedures like a forehead or brow lift (browplasty), nose reshaping (rhinoplasty), lip lift or augmentation, lip enhancement, suction liposculpture to remove fat (like in the upper neck), removal of skin blemishes, dermabrasion or chemical peel treatment, laser resurfacing of various areas and so on. These surgical combinations can be performed in one or more stages.

AFTER SURGERY

Swelling is normal following a facelift surgery and usually lasts up to 3 weeks and in some occasional cases up to 6-8 weeks. Although you will look presentable in 2-3 weeks after surgery, the average healing time for your facial skin and soft tissue is about three months.

COST OF RHYTIDECTOMY

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