FACELIFT
(Rhytidectomy)
| Procedure: | Improving sagging facial skin, jowls, and loose neck skin by removing excess fat, tightening muscles, redraping skin. Most often done on men and women over 40. |
| Length: | Several hours. |
| Anesthesia: | Local with sedation, or general. |
| In/Outpatient: | Usually outpatient. Some patients may require short inpatient stay. |
| Side Effects: | Temporary bruising, swelling, numbness and tenderness of skin; tight feeling, dry skin. For men, permanent need to shave behind ears, where beard-growing skin is repositioned. |
| Risks: | Injury to the nerves that control facial muscles or feeling (usually temporary but may be permanent). Infection, bleeding. Poor healing; excessive scarring. Asymmetry or change in hairline. |
| Recovery: | Back to work: 10 to 14 days. More strenuous activity : 2 weeks or more. Bruising: 2 to 3 weeks. Must limit exposure to sun for several months. |
| Duration of Results: |
Usually 5 to 10 years. |
Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
