FACE LIFT (Rhytidectomy)
Contents
WHAT IS A FACELIFT PROCEDURE AND WHY IS IT PERFORMED?
A rhytidectomy procedure can help men and women (dependent on
skin condition) to overcome the visual effects of gravity, sun
exposure and the signs of ageing in the face and jowl area.
A rhytidectomy is one of the most popular facial cosmetic
procedures and is often performed as a result of a patient feeling
self conscious about his or her ageing facial appearance. This
procedure can be performed singularly or in combination with other
procedures such as browlift surgery or blepharoplasty (eye bag
removal).
The ultimate objective is for the surgeon to create a natural,
youthful, fresh facial and jowl appearance by removing slack skin,
tightening up loose facial muscle and removing unwanted fatty
deposits.
HOW IS A FACELIFT PROCEDURE PERFORMED?
A rhytidectomy procedure involves the surgical refining of
ageing facial features by placing an incision above the hair line
at the temple region, which extends down in front or just inside
the cartilage at the front of the ear, and then runs behind the
earlobe and sometimes up into the hair line on the lower scalp
area.
These incisions allow the surgeon access to the deeper layers in
the face and their fibrous attachments, which are sutured
(stitched) tightly in front and behind the ear, to create a firm
sling under the chin and around the jowl area. Slack skin is then
precisely and meticulously removed, and if necessary, unwanted fat
is also removed from under the chin area with a minor liposuction
technique. The remaining skin is then re-draped over the newly
defined features and carefully sutured back into place with either
absorbable or fine unabsorbable stitches.
This procedure is usually performed under general anaesthetic and
will commonly involve one to two nights stay in hospital. Under
normal conditions a typical rhytidectomy procedure will take
between two and two and a half hours to perform.
WHAT KIND OF MEN AND WOMEN REQUEST THIS
PROCEDURE?
- Men and women who are unhappy with their general ageing
appearance
- Men and women who suffer from premature lines and wrinkles
caused by excessive sun exposure, smoking, loose skin and
hereditary factors
WHAT ARE THE RESULTS LIKE?
This procedure can provide significant results, freeing men and
women from the concern that can be caused by a wrinkled ageing
face. Excess loose and wrinkled skin will be removed and the
profile and general appearance of the remaining underlying tissue
and facial skin will look more smoother and firmer.
This advanced corrective procedure is a very precise and
reasonably lengthy one and should only be performed by a Consultant
Plastic Surgeon who is fully qualified and well experienced to
skillfully perform this type of surgery.
Improved results will take place almost immediately following
surgery, but will be obscured by the inevitable neck and facial
bruising and swelling which typically follows any facial surgery.
It can take up to 14 days for this initial swelling and bruising to
settle to an acceptable appearance. After initial swelling has
settled down, subtle improvements to the contour of the newly
shaped face and neck area will take place for up to six months
following surgery.
HOW WILL YOU FEEL AFTER A FACELIFT PROCEDURE?
Following a rhytidectomy procedure incision areas are often
quite tender for several weeks following surgery.
Analgesic tablets (pain killers) are always provided for any
discomfort and patients are encouraged to stay as upright as
possible during their early recovery stage and to use cold
compresses to help diminish residual swelling. Patients usually
describe the way they feel as ‘tight and uncomfortable’ rather then
experiencing
specific pain.
Every surgeon’s rhytidectomy technique can differ slightly and
facelift wounds can be sutured with either clips, absorbable or
fine unabsorbable sutures, or a combination of all three. Sutures
and clips are normally removed 7–14 days following
surgery.
Any post-operative discomfort tends to diminish rapidly after
clips and sutures are removed. Most surgeons firmly bandage the
face and jaw area for the first 24 hours following surgery to
minimise the development of swelling and to help reduce facial
discomfort.
Following the removal of bandaging, patients are advised to
gently shower and wash their hair on a daily basis and to keep
their surgical wounds as clean as possible.
In the early days following discharge, patients are strongly
advised to avoid any level of activity that will put undue strain
on the newly operated areas, to keep their hands away from their
surgical wounds and to pay meticulous attention to their personal
hygiene.
ARE THERE ANY RISKS INVOLVED IN FACE LIFT SURGERY?
All surgery involves an element of
risk from developing complications. However, cosmetic surgery is
usually undertaken voluntarily and only when a patient is in good
health.
Therefore, the probability of
experiencing complications with this kind of surgery are
substantially lower than for those who undergo surgery for ill
health reasons.
Risks such as bleeding, infection,
delayed healing, alteration in sensitivity and scarring will all be
discussed quite openly at consultation, as well as our scrupulous
efforts to manage and minimise these risks to their lowest possible
potential.
In most cases, the fine incisions and
subsequent scars made during surgery are well hidden in the
hair-line and behind the ear. However, the recovery and appearance
of scars, which generally fade progressively after surgery, are a
highly individual matter. Usually these fine scars mature, soften
and fade to a negligible level although occasionally, patients can
develop firm, raised, discoloured scarring, known as hypertrophic
or keloid
scarring, which may require further
corrective treatment although the results cannot be guaranteed.
It is often reported that altered sensitivity and numbness to
skin around the wound areas are a common side effect for up to 12
months following facelift surgery.
Due to the additional healing and infection risks experienced
with patients who smoke, smokers may be precluded from having a
rhytidectomy until they cease or substantially reduce their daily
cigarette intake.
WHAT NEXT?
The importance of a thorough pre-operative consultation with the
actual Consultant Plastic or Specialist Surgeon
who will perform your operation cannot be over stressed. You
need time to consider all the benefits and risks of
rhytidectomy surgery and the opportunity to reflect on all the
information you are given before making a decision regarding a
potential procedure.
With Vive, each consultation is tailored to an individual’s
needs, but the consultation will always involve a thorough
evaluation of your present and past medical history and a physical
examination of the problem area. The surgeon will take time to
listen to your concerns and take care to ensure that you have a
thorough understanding of what can be done to help, the procedure
itself, the recovery stages and a clear explanation of the risks
involved.
You are positively encouraged to ask any questions that you may
have at your consultation and to view photographs of others who
have had a similar type of surgery to the procedure you are
considering. If you would find it helpful, our advisory team may be
able to arrange for you to speak with a previous patient who is
willing to discuss their experience with you over the
telephone.