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.

Preoperative appearance	Skin elevation	Muscle tightening
Excess skin excision	Intraoperative closure	Postoperative appearance

Actual patient photographs available at time of consult.

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