Facelift surgery also commonly known as rhytidectomy amongst cosmetic surgeons is a cosmetic surgical procedure that aims at reduction of visible aging signs on the face and neck region, thereby giving your face a younger look. Rhytidectomy is derived from the Greek word ‘rhytis’ meaning wrinkle and ‘ektome’ meaning excision, hence rhytidectomy relates to elimination of wrinkles by surgical excision of the skin. Facelift surgery has been performed as a cosmetic procedure across the globe for about decades now and the advances in techniques used for the same have greatly improved the overall outcome of the surgical procedure.
When should you consider a facelift surgery ?
Facelift surgery is essentially a cosmetic procedure that helps in reduction of wrinkles and sagging skin, thereby giving your face a younger and firmer look. As age advances our skin tends to wrinkle because the elasticity of the skin reduces, also excess fat again and fat reduction can lead to sagging of skin, giving the face an older appearance. A facelift surgery should be considered as a cosmetic surgery of choice primarily in the below mentioned scenarios:
- Wrinkled skin around eyes, lips, chin and nose
- Sagging of skin below the cheeks, corners of your nose and under your chin
- Loosening of skin thereby the fat on the skin appears hanging
- Loss of skin tone
- Deep crease or wrinkles near eyes and the edge of your nose
What are the benefits of a facelift surgery ?
Cosmetic procedures are known to improve the way one physically appears and likewise facelift surgery can greatly improve the self-confidence in individuals who are conscious about their appearance, which in turn will improve their overall personality.
When is a facelift surgery not indicated ?
If you are someone who is either obese or is affected with certain medical conditions like heart diseases, uncontrolled blood pressure and diabetes, it is advised to seek consultation with your consultant surgeon who can suggest if facelift surgery could be an indication for you. Any cosmetic procedure is successful only if you have realistic expectations from it. A facelift surgery can help you in looking younger but cannot change the way your normal face appears. Also, if you do not maintain an adequate weight or have a tendency to lose and gain weight, facelift surgery is not indicated for you.
Is age a factor for a deciding on facelift surgery ?
Facelift surgery is primarily indicated in individuals who are above 4th-5th decade as signs of aging are evident during this age. But, with the advent of newer techniques even younger individuals during their 3rd decade can undergo certain types of facelifts surgeries.
How do you prepare for a facelift surgery ?
Once you have made up your mind to undergo a facelift surgery, it is essential to consult a cosmetic surgeon/plastic surgeon who specializes in facelifts as this procedure demands profession expertise. The consultant surgeon will do a physical examination, history taking, preoperative photographs to compare your face with the postoperative results. As mentioned earlier it is advised to have realistic expectations from the surgery, hence it is essential to consult your doctor about every possible risk, benefit and outcome of the procedure before making a final decision of getting a facelift surgery done.
Does the procedure require anesthesia ?
Yes, the facelifts are usually performed as an outpatient procedure by administration of local anaesthesia and sedation. Certain elaborate facelift surgeries may also require general anaesthesia to be administered.
What are the types of facelifts/ how is the Facelift Surgery performed ?
Facelift surgeries have been successfully performed for over decades, and various techniques are now developed which do not require a major surgical intervention. Depending upon the area of the face and neck which a facelift focuses on, facelift surgeries can be broadly categorised as:
- Mini facelift surgery : This is the simplest of all facelift procedures and is indicated in individuals who have minor skin wrinkles and sagging near the cheek and below the chin. Usually performed in individuals who are in their 3rd and 4th decades. The surgical incisions are located behind the ear and along the hairline to avoid minimal scarring. Once the incisions are placed, the surgeon removes excess skin, muscle and fat from the surgical site and closes the incision.
- Mid facelift surgery : As the name suggests, this procedure focuses on the middle third of the face, primarily the area below the eyes and cheeks. The incisions given here are similar to that of mini facelift except that here they extend a little deep into the skin thereby help in lifting of the muscles of the skin. In a mid facelift grafting of fat or muscle can also be used to enhance the contours of the skin. This type of facelift surgery is also indicated in younger individuals, when signs of aging just start appearing.
- Lower facelift surgery : This technique of facelift focuses on the lower third of the face and mainly the corners of the nose, corner of mouth and jawline. Incisions can be given as per the requirement. Lower facelifts are primarily advised for individuals who have visible signs of aging in the area of the nose, mouth and jaw line thereby improving the contours and giving a firmer look.
- Traditional full facelift surgery: A full facelift is an elaborate procedure which addresses the aging issues with the entire face and neck. The incisions are longer in this procedure as it helps in reducing creases and wrinkles along the forehead, eyes, nose, mouth, jaw and the neck as well. This procedure is mainly indicated in older individuals who are in their 5th and 6th decade.
- Thread facelift surgery: Thread facelift procedure is a modification of a traditional facelift surgery but here instead of a long incision, several tiny incisions are given wherever required to lift the skin and the muscle. This procedure usually does not require the administration of anaesthesia and scarring is also minimal. The procedure utilizes hollow needles through which barbed threads are passed to lift the skin and muscle. Usually indicated in individuals who are in their 3rd or 4th decade.
- Endoscopic facelift surgery: This is also known as key hole surgery as an endoscope (a device with an attached camera) is used to enter and lift the skin and muscle through tiny incisions. This surgery is indicated in individuals who have minimal skin and excess of fat and muscle which is sagging or drooping giving the skin an older look.
- Superficial Musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS): this is an advanced technique wherein the surgery primarily focuses on the underlying muscle and its recontouring giving a sharper and contoured appearance to the face and neck.
- S-Lift: As the name suggests an S shaped incision is given in front of the ear and skin and muscle lift are performed.
- Deep plane Lift: Deep plane lift involves the separation of layers of muscles and separately lifting each one of them, thereby improving the appearance by working on a deeper area of the face. The results are promising in this technique, but this technique also carries the risk of injuring facial nerve and vessels.
- Subperiosteal Lift: This type of face lift procedure focuses, beyond the muscle just above the bones of the face. There are very few trained surgeons who perform subperiosteal lift as it requires expertise and post-operative complications could be more with this procedure.
There are several techniques and types of facelift surgeries, hence it is essential to ask your consulting surgeon which is the suitable procedure for you.
What happens after a facelift surgery ?
After the completion of facelift surgery the surgeon might put a bandage around your face to aid in healing of the tissues. Drainage tubes might also be put to drain out any fluids or blood from the surgical sight. The doctor might ask you to spend a few days in the hospital for close monitoring or you may be allowed to go home in case of minor facelifts. You might experience swelling and bruising of skin after the surgery, but it will take a week or more to become normal. The doctor will advise you to avoid strenuous exercises and change your bandages regularly to avoid infections. The doctor might also ask you for follow up visits to monitor your recovery. You will be advised to use a pillow to keep your head elevated. The doctor will also advise you to wear a sunscreen to avoid sun damage and reduce chances of visible scars It can take from weeks to months for recovering and resuming normal activities depending upon the type of facelift performed.
What are the risks and complications associated with facelift surgery ?
The complications could be related to the anaesthesia administered such as nausea, vomiting, headache and gastric upset. Surgery related complications may include clot formation, bleeding and infection at the site of the surgery. Certain techniques can cause nerve injury or increased scarring. Ask your surgeon about the potential complications before deciding to get a facelift surgery done.
Are the results of a facelift surgery permanent?
No, like any cosmetic surgical procedure he results of facelift are not permanent. If you do not maintain a steady weight or are stressed, your facelift results might be altered. Hence it is very important to have realistic expectations from a facelift procedure. Re- procedures are usually not advised as over intervention of the skin may even distort the skin or give an unnatural appearance to your face.
What is the outcome of a facelift surgery or rhytidectomy ?
Facelifts surgeries are performed routinely in most of the renowned medical setups which have trained surgeons for the same. A facelift surgeon has many benefits if the procedure is successfully performed. Though the healing after the procedure takes long, the results of the procedure last longer if you maintain a healthy lifestyle. Since it is a cosmetic enhancement procedure, it is essential to consult your treating surgeon about the potential outcome of the procedure for you and if it could be a choice of treatment for your needs.
How to find cosmetic surgeons for facelift surgery ?
Now you can find cosmetic surgeons for facelift surgery from different hospitals and destinations on a single platform, Hinfoways. You can avail opinions from multiple cosmetic surgeons, cost estimates for facelift surgery from different hospitals, compare things and then choose a cosmetic surgeon for facelift surgery.
Find and choose a cosmetic surgeon for facelift surgery on Hinfoways. Make an informed choice.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider.
