Face-Lift Procedure – Healthnile.com

Overview

A facelift, also known as rhytidectomy, is a type of cosmetic surgery that gives the face a younger look. Surgeons usually target the lower part of the face, reducing sagging skin and softening deep folds, especially along the jawline and cheeks.

Board-certified plastic surgeons use different techniques based on the patient’s facial anatomy and goals. Common options include the traditional facelift, deep-plane facelift, and short-scar facelift.

Sometimes, surgeons add a neck lift to address loose skin and extra fat under the chin or neck. Although a facelift lifts and tightens skin, it does not treat fine wrinkles or sun damage. Other procedures may help improve the skin’s surface quality.

Key Features:

Elevates and reshapes facial tissues.
Removes excess skin.
Board-certified plastic surgeons usually perform the procedure.

Reasons People Choose This Procedure

People often choose this cosmetic surgery to address signs of facial aging. As skin loses elasticity, jowls and loose skin can form, leading to changes in facial shape. Many seek surgery to reduce deep folds by the nose and mouth and to remove extra skin and fat around the jawline or neck.

Common Goals

Smoother, more youthful look
Reduction in sagging skin around the cheeks and neck
Improvement of jawline definition

Other procedures for facial rejuvenation include Botox, fillers, brow lifts, eyelid surgery, or facial implants. People often choose a surgical option like this when seeking longer-lasting results than non-surgical treatments provide.

Possible Complications

Face-lift surgery can lead to several side effects and risks. Many of these issues are mild or short-term, while others can be more serious and may need added care or even more surgery.

Common Risks and Side Effects

Complication	Can It Be Permanent?	Is Treatment Usually Available?
Bruising/Swelling	No	Yes
Scarring	Rarely	Yes
Facial Nerve Injury	Rarely	Sometimes
Hematoma	No	Yes (may need surgery)
Skin Loss	Rarely	Yes
Hair Loss	Rarely	Sometimes

Bruising and Swelling: Most people experience bruising and swelling for several days or weeks after the surgery. This is usually part of the body’s healing process and fades as time passes. Swelling may make the face look uneven at first.
Scarring: All cuts during a face-lift cause scars. Most scars are hidden along the hairline or by the ear so they are not easily seen. On rare occasions, scars can become raised or thick. Treatments like corticosteroid shots can sometimes improve these scars.
Facial Nerve Problems: Injury to the nerves that control facial movement or feeling is possible, though rare. This can cause numbness, weakness, or trouble moving parts of the face. The problem usually improves within a year. In very rare cases, it can last longer.
Hematomas: Blood can collect underneath the skin and cause swelling, pain, or bruising. Hematomas usually happen within the first day after surgery. Surgeons may need to remove the blood and stop damage to tissue.
Skin Loss: In rare cases, changes in blood flow during surgery can cause the skin to lose its supply and result in loss of skin. Special wound care is needed, and this can sometimes lead to more scarring.
Hair Loss: Temporary or permanent hair loss can happen at or near the incision sites. If hair does not return, surgery that moves skin with healthy hair follicles can sometimes fix it.

Other Possible Complications

Certain medical conditions or habits can raise the risk of complications.

Risk Factor	Description
Bleeding or Infection	As with any major surgery, there is a chance of infection or bleeding.
Reaction to Anesthesia	Some people may have unwanted effects from anesthesia.
Poor Wound Healing	Healing may be delayed in some, especially if certain health issues are present.

Blood-thinning medications (like aspirin, blood thinners, NSAIDs, ginseng, Ginkgo biloba, or fish oil) may cause more bleeding or make it harder for blood to clot.
Chronic health issues such as uncontrolled diabetes or high blood pressure can affect healing and raise the risk of problems.
Smoking slows down healing and increases the likelihood of skin problems or bleeding.
Major weight changes in the future could change the results of the surgery, as shifts in weight may stretch or loosen facial skin.

Most people recover after a few weeks, but bruises, swelling, slow healing, or nerve symptoms may last longer for some. Prompt attention to any unusual symptoms helps prevent further problems.

Getting Ready for Your Face-Lift

Before the procedure, a board-certified plastic surgeon meets with the patient for an in-depth consultation. At the initial visit, the patient discusses their general health, any medical conditions, and past surgeries.

The surgeon reviews past complications or any use of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs. They might also request additional details from a primary healthcare provider to ensure safety for surgery. A medication review is a regular step at this stage.

The patient should make a list of all medicines, including prescriptions, nonprescription drugs, vitamins, herbs, and supplements. The surgeon explains which medicines can be continued and which need to be paused, especially those that thin the blood.

These blood-thinning drugs and supplements usually should stop at least two weeks before surgery to lower the risk of bleeding. During the facial exam, the surgeon photographs the face from a few angles and notes details about the bone and skin. They look at skin quality, fat placement, and face shape.

This helps in deciding the best approach for the procedure. Expectations are set so the patient knows what will and will not change after the face-lift. For example, a face-lift can make the face look younger, but it does not remove fine lines or fix uneven shapes. Some key steps to do before surgery are:

Follow Medication Directions: Ask which medicines to stop and when. Only use medicines your surgeon says are safe.
Wash Up: Clean your hair and face with a germ-fighting soap on the morning of your surgery.
Do Not Eat: Starting from midnight before surgery, avoid eating. Drinking water is usually allowed, and any approved medications can be taken with water.
Plan for Help: Arrange for someone to drive you home and stay with you the first night after surgery.

Step	What to Do
Share medical history.	List all conditions and past surgeries.
List medications.	Include all drugs, supplements, herbal pills.
Prepare for a skin exam.	Photos and skin checks will be taken.
Set clear expectations.	Know what surgery can and cannot change.
Follow pre-surgery rules.	Take recommended steps before surgery day.

For most face-lift surgeries, surgeons use anesthesia, which could be local or general, depending on the procedure. If there are health concerns, the surgeon may ask for more tests or a visit with a medical specialist to make sure anesthesia is safe.

What You Can Expect

Most face-lift procedures take place at a hospital or an outpatient surgery center. Patients usually meet with their surgeon to review their medical history and discuss the steps involved. Surgeons use anesthesia to keep patients comfortable.

This can mean local anesthesia with sedation to numb the face and relax the patient, or general anesthesia so the patient sleeps through the surgery. The best choice depends on the individual’s health and the surgeon’s recommendation.

Steps During the Operation

The face-lift process usually lasts between 3 and 6 hours. The surgeon makes incisions in specific areas based on the planned technique.

Common Incision Types

Type	Description
Traditional face-lift incision	Starts at the temple in the hair, goes around the front of the ear, and ends behind the ear.
Limited incision	Shorter, starting above the ear and wrapping around the front, but not to the lower scalp.
Neck lift incision	Starts by the earlobe, curves behind the ear, continues to the lower scalp, with a small incision under the chin.

The surgeon gently lifts the skin and adjusts the underlying tissues, including the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system), and may tighten the platysma muscle in the neck. Sometimes, the surgeon releases or repositions retaining ligaments to allow the face and neck to appear smoother.

The surgeon then removes or repositions fat and trims any extra skin to create a firmer, more youthful contour. Once the adjustments are complete, the skin is laid back over the new facial structure without tension.

The surgeon carefully closes the incisions with sutures or skin adhesives. Small drainage tubes may be placed behind the ears to remove excess fluid and reduce swelling. Bandages are applied to support the healing tissues and minimize bruising.

Outcomes

A face-lift can help create a smoother, more youthful appearance in the face and neck. You can usually see improvements in areas with sagging or loose skin. Results can last around 10 years, but aging will still continue over time. In some cases, drooping skin may gradually return.