Facelift (Rhytidectomy)

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Douglas M. Senderoff, MD, FACS specializes in facelifts.

Sir Isaac Newton was the first scientist to study gravity. There is a popular story that Newton was sitting under an apple tree, an apple fell on his head, and he suddenly thought of the Universal Law of Gravitation. Einstein later came along and redefined gravity. Both Newton’s and Einstein’s theories are rather complicated but the basic idea applies to you and as you age you too will understand the concept of gravity as it affects your appearance.

A face lift, technically called a rhytidectomy, is an operation performed  to remove wrinkles and tighten the skin of your face and neck.  An incision is made near the hair line and skin is pulled back and excess tissue is removed. The procedure can literally diminish the effects of gravity leaving the patient looking remarkably younger and fresher (approximately 7-10 years younger).

About Your Facelift Consultation
During the preliminary consultation with your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Douglas M. Senderoff, MD, FACS he will examine the structure of your face, skin texture, color, and elasticity. Photographs will be taken preoperatively. Individual risks will also be discussed, especially those related to medical situations such as high blood pressure, a tendency to scar, smoking, and potential for bleeding. Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Douglas M. Senderoff, MD, FACS will take a thorough medical history, as well as assess your physical and emotional state regarding the facelift surgery. Because a realistic attitude is crucial to the success of the surgery, the surgical procedure and realistic expectations will be discussed. You are encouraged to ask questions.

Understanding the Facelift Surgery
The incision is made in the area of the temple hair, just above and in front of the ear. The incision will continue around the earlobe, circling the ear before returning to the point of origin in the scalp. The skin is raised outward prior to repositioning and tightening the underlying muscle and connective tissue. Some fat may be removed, as well as excess skin. For men, the incision is aligned to accommodate the natural beard lines. In all cases, the incision is placed where it will fall in a natural crease of the skin for camouflage.

After trimming the excess skin, the incision is closed with fine sutures (stitches) and/or metal clips. Depending on the extent of the surgery, the process can take from two to four hours. When the procedure is performed with a combination of mild sedatives, local anesthesia, and a mild intravenous anesthesia, the patient will experience little (if any) discomfort. Some patients may undergo general anesthesia for facelifts. Following the surgery, the surgeon will apply a dressing to protect the entire area where the incisions have been made.

A good candidate for a facelift:

* has sagging skin in the face and neck
* has skin that still has some elasticity
* is in good health
* maintains a stable weight (at least 6 months)
* has a strong bone structure
* has realistic expectations

Can I have Other Facial Procedures at the Same Time
Facelift patients often have other facial rejuvenation procedures simultaneously with their facelift. These procedures may include, a brow lift, a neck lift or eyelid surgery.

What Should I Expect After Facelift Surgery

After your surgery, a small, thin drainage tube may be temporarily placed under the skin behind the ear to drain any blood that might collect there. Your head will be wrapped loosely in bandages to minimize bruising and swelling. Usually there is not much discomfort after surgery. Pain medication is usually prescribed for 3 or 4 days.

You should keep your head elevated on two pillows (or at a 30 degree angle) for several days after surgery to keep the swelling down. The drainage tube will be removed 1 to 2 days after surgery if one was inserted. Bandages are usually removed after 1 to 5 days. The face will look pale, bruised, and puffy, but in 4 to 6 weeks it should return to normal.

Most of the stitches will be removed in 5 days. The stitches or metal clips in the hairline could be left in a few days longer since the scalp takes longer to heal.

The Bottom Line About Facelift
What can you really expect from having a face life? Expect that your facelift will turn back the clock approximately 10 years. The aging process will continue, however, despite the best surgical efforts. The results of your facelift may be dramatic or subtle, depending on how you looked before surgery. Since the healing process is gradual, you should expect to wait at least several weeks to fully realize your results. Additional minor changes, or settling, may occur over several months. After surgery, you will have appeared to successfully defied gravity.

Books About Facelifts
Asken, Saul. "Cervicofacial Rhytidectomy." In Cosmetic Surgery of the Skin: Principles and Techniques, ed. William P. Coleman. St. Louis: Mosby, 1997.
Tardy Jr., M. Eugene, and Mark Lingensmith."Face-Lift Surgery: Principles and Variations." In Roenigk and Roenigk's Dermatologic Surgery: Principles and Practice, ed. Randall K. Roenigk and Henry H. Roenigk. New York: Marcel Dekker, 1996.

Organizations
American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. 930 N. Meacham Road, PO Box 4014, Schaumburg, IL 60168-4014. (847) 330-9830. http://www.asds-net.org
American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. 44 E. Algonquin Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60005. (847) 228-9900. http://www.plasticsurgery.org

Facelift FAQs
Pain Level: Mild to moderate discomfort. 1-4 days of pain medication
Swelling and bruising: 2 weeks or more
Bandages: Changed in 1-2 days (drains and sutures removed first 2-5 days)
Work: Return after 1-3 weeks after a facelift
Exercise: Wait 2-3 weeks after your facelift
Sun protection: Six months with SPF 15 or higher
Final result: Seen after 1-4 months, the result will last about 10 years
Anesthesia: General or IV Sedation
Location: Hospital, Surgical Center or Office
Surgery time: 2-4 hours.

If you have any questions about facelift surgery (a skin-only facelift or a deep plane facelift, or neck lift) or any other plastic surgery procedures please feel free to contact Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Douglas M. Senderoff, MD, FACS at his Manhattan or Westchester, New York offices.

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461 Park Avenue South
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New York, New York 10016
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info@drsenderoff.com

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