Facelift – rhytidectomy
Overview
Eventually, under the influence of ageing, gravity, daily stress and exposure
to the sun all people get wrinkles, skin sagging and tissue flabbiness on
cheeks and neck. Facial wrinkles are also caused by different emotions that
we express using same muscles time and again.
Currently virtually all types of wrinkles can be treated in both surgical and
non-surgical ways.
Facial lift in one of the most popular surgical procedures aimed at improving
the face line and features. It is generally known that the better you look the
better you feel. Today many people decide to undergo a facelift to look
younger and more attractive, to be more successful in their lives. RomiTal is
a leading aesthetic medicine center in Ukraine offering modern techniques and
professional care in facelift surgeries.
What is facelift?
Face lift, also called rhytidectomy is a cosmetic surgery that eliminates some
ageing signs and allows general rejuvenation of appearance by removing excess
fat, tightening underlying muscles, and redraping the skin of your face and
neck. With a facelift it is possible to eliminate cheeks descent, decrease
nasolabial folds and restore normal contour of the neck and chin.
What can be achieved by a facelift?
A facelift cannot stop ageing but it can help your face look its best at every
stage of your life. For example, this surgery can reduce loosening of the
facial skin, creasing around the nose and mouth, remove fat build-up around
the neck, eliminate the fold on the neck called the “turkey-gobbler” and
generally speaking give you a more youthful look.
Facelift does not eliminate nasolabial folds, baggy lower eyelids; fine
wrinkles over the upper lip, in the outer eye corners and on the forehead.
Other procedures are required for these purposes: anti-wrinkle injections,
blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), skin polishing, and forehead lift. These
procedures can be performed simultaneously with face and neck lift.
Most frequent candidates for facelift are men and women between 40 and 55
years, but the treatment can be effective in both younger and older age.
Cautions and limitations
You must be in good health (no chill or other diseases in this period). If you
smoke, you should stop smoking at least 2 weeks before the surgery and abstain
from smoking for at least 2-3 weeks after it. Otherwise there is a risk of
wound healing disturbance because smoking significantly reduces blood supply
to skin vessels.
Make sure your doctor knows if you have such medical conditions as
uncontrolled high blood pressure, blood clotting problems or the tendency to
form excessive scars. Quit taking aspirin and aspirin products at least two
weeks before surgery.
Before the surgery
Before the surgery you should undergo a thorough examination, have blood and
urine tests made, fluorography of thorax organs, electrocardiogram. The
surgeon will evaluate your face, its bone structure and skin condition to
create an individual surgery plan.
If you take any drugs you need to discuss this with the doctor during
preliminary consultation. You should also discuss with your surgeon your
expectations from the surgery. There are many factors that can have influence
on the outcome and it’s best to be realistic about what you want to achieve
and fully understand limitations of the procedure.
It is necessary to thoroughly wash your head two days before the surgery.
The surgery
Rhytidectomy can be performed under a local anesthesia combined with a
sedative, or a general anesthesia. The surgery can be made in an outpatient
setting, or on inpatient basis with hospitalization for a day or two. A
facelift usually takes 4-5 hours or somewhat longer if more than one
procedure is performed.
Techniques for each surgery may vary but general rules in most cases are
the same. Incisions are made near the ear, circling it and giving access to
the skin and underlying tissue. If the neck needs work, a small incision may
also be made under the chin. The skin is raised outward and the surgeon
repositions and tightens the underlying muscle and connective tissue. Some fat
may be removed, as well as excess skin. The skin is stretched upwards and
backwards and the areas sutured. Stitches secure the layers of tissue and
close the incisions; metal clips may be used on the scalp. Following the
surgery, the surgeon will apply a dressing to protect the entire area where
the incisions have been made.
What can be expected after the surgery?
Swelling, bruising and numbness, especially in the ears and cheeks area are
usually observed right after the surgery. These symptoms will disappear
gradually in a few days or, in some cases, weeks. You may use cold compresses
to reduce swelling. You should also keep your head elevated when lying down
and limit facial movements, as they can cause additional discomfort. If you
experience slight pain in the first days following the surgery, you may take
pain medications prescribed by your surgeon.
If you've had a drainage tube inserted, it will be removed one or two days
after the surgery. Bandages, when used, are usually removed after 1-5 days.
You must be prepared to the fact, that when the bandages are removed, you face
will be bruised, pale and puffy, not the beautiful picture you wanted to see.
Be patient and remember that the final result will only be visible in a few
weeks.
All sutures and staples are usually removed within five to ten days following
the surgery. It is strongly recommended to avoid strenuous activities for at
least six weeks and sunbathing for at least four weeks. Sedentary work may be
resumed in about two weeks, when many surgery signs should have subsided.
For the first week be especially gentle with your face and hair until they
start to adjust to a new state and position. Scars from your surgery remain,
but they are hidden in your hair and natural creases of your face and ears.
With time they will fade out and will be hardly visible.
When the healing is completed, your face will finally look rejuvenated and
fresh. Remember though, that a facelift will not stop your ageing, it will
just postpone it. With the new face, looking 5-10 years younger you will be
influenced by the same factors and will keep ageing, however not as fast.
You may need another surgery in about 10-15 years if you want to keep your
face from ageing.
If you have more questions about a facelift surgery, feel free to
contact us.
|