Face Lift

What Is a Face-Lift?

A face-lift, or rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to create a more youthful appearance by addressing sagging and folds of skin on the cheeks, jawline, and other areas of the face. The procedure involves pulling back a flap of skin on each side of the face, altering the underlying tissues, and removing excess skin to restore facial contour. A neck lift (platysmaplasty) is often performed alongside a face-lift to reduce fat deposits and sagging skin in the neck area.

Why It's Done

As you age, the appearance and shape of your face change due to decreased skin elasticity and shifts in fat deposits. A face-lift can address age-related changes such as:

• Sagging cheeks
• Excess skin at the lower jawline (jowls)
• Deepening folds from the nose to the mouth corners
• Sagging skin and excess fat in the neck (if a neck lift is included)

Note that a face-lift does not treat superficial wrinkles, sun damage, creases around the nose and upper lip, or skin color irregularities.

How You Prepare

Before your face-lift, you will have a consultation with a plastic surgeon to discuss:

• Medical History and Exam: Prepare to discuss your past and current medical conditions, previous surgeries, history of smoking, and drug or alcohol use. The surgeon will conduct a physical exam and may request additional records or specialist consultations if needed.
• Medication Review: Provide details of all medications you are taking, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements, and vitamins.
• Facial Exam: The surgeon will take photos of your face from various angles, assess your bone structure, facial shape, fat distribution, and skin quality to determine the best surgical approach.
• Expectations: Discuss your expectations with the surgeon to understand the likely outcomes of the procedure and what it will not address.

Before the Face-Lift

Follow these pre-operative instructions:

• Medication Directions: Follow instructions on stopping any blood-thinning medications or supplements at least two weeks prior to surgery. Consult your doctor about safe medications or dosage adjustments.
• Face and Hair Hygiene: Wash your face and hair with a germicidal soap on the morning of the surgery.
• Avoid Eating: Do not eat anything after midnight the night before your surgery, but you may drink water and take approved medications.
• Post-Surgery Help: Arrange for someone to drive you home and stay with you the first night after the procedure, especially if the surgery is done on an outpatient basis.