Facelift – The Rhytidectomy Procedure at a Glance
A face lift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic plastic surgery procedure designed to give the face and neck a more youthful appearance by removing loose skin and muscle tissue and, in some cases, excess fat.
Some patients choose to have eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, performed along with the face lift, to give their eyes a youthful look that matches the rest of the face.
Time and the elements, as well as life style choices, result in loose skin and sagging muscles in the face and neck. Fine lines become deep wrinkles, the forehead develops furrows, cheeks sag, the jawline turns to jowls, and the neck develops a double chin or vertical folds.
If you want to correct these effects of aging, and you’re in generally good health, you may be a perfect candidate for a face lift. In a procedure that takes only two to four hours, your face can be transformed and your spirits lifted.
The face lift procedure is performed by a facial plastic surgeon at a facial plastic surgery center. The face lift involves making incisions along the hairline and around the ears, to gently lift the skin from your face. Next, sagging muscles under the skin will be tightened and deposits of excess fat removed. The skin is then pulled gently upward, removing lines and wrinkles, excess skin is removed, and fine sutures are used to close the incisions.
All incisions made in the face lift procedure are carefully placed so that the fine surgical scars are nearly impossible to detect. After about two to three weeks or healing, all that people will notice is a smoother face with a well-defined profile.
Your plastic surgeon will help you set realistic goals and expectations about the outcome of your face lift procedure, based on your skin’s elasticity and other factors. He or she will also explain the details of post-surgical care.
If you think face lift surgery may be right for you, contact the professionals at a Long Island facial plastic surgery center to find out more.