Facelift

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KEY POINTS

• A facelift is surgery to tighten loose skin, make you look younger, smooth the skin, or restore the shape of your face.
• Ask your provider how long it will take to recover and how to take care of yourself at home.
• Make sure you know what symptoms or problems you should watch for and what to do if you have them.

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What is a facelift?

A facelift is a type of cosmetic surgery to change how your face looks. When a facelift is done, face and neck skin are removed and the tissues under the skin are tightened.

The medical term for this procedure is rhytidectomy.

When is it used?

Some possible reasons for getting a facelift are:

• Tightening loose skin
• Restoring a normal facial shape
• Smoothing the skin on your face
• Making your face look younger

Having a facelift does not stop the aging process. Your face will continue to age. Results depend on your age, skin elasticity, and your future exposure to sun and cigarette smoke. You are most likely to have good results from a facelift if your bone structure is strong and well-defined and your skin has some elasticity.

A facelift can be done by itself, or along with other procedures such as eyelid surgery or nose reshaping.

How do I prepare for this procedure?

• Tell your healthcare provider about your health and any problems that you have. Tell your provider if you have any food or medicine allergies.
• Make plans for your care and recovery after you have the procedure. Find someone to give you a ride home after the procedure. Allow for time to rest and try to find other people to help with your day-to-day tasks while you recover.
• Follow your provider's instructions about not smoking before and after the procedure. Smokers may have more breathing problems during the procedure and heal more slowly. It is best to quit 6 to 8 weeks before surgery.
• You may or may not need to take your regular medicines the day of the procedure. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines and supplements that you take. Some products may increase your risk of side effects. Ask your healthcare provider if you need to avoid taking any medicine or supplements before the procedure.
• Tell your healthcare provider if you have any food, medicine, or other allergies such as latex.
• If your hair is very short, you might want to let it grow out before surgery, so that it's long enough to hide the scars while they heal.
• Your healthcare provider will tell you when to stop eating and drinking before the procedure. This helps to keep you from vomiting during the procedure.
• Follow any instructions your healthcare provider may give you.
• Ask any questions you have before the procedure. You should understand what your healthcare provider is going to do. You have the right to make decisions about your healthcare and to give permission for any tests or procedures.

What happens during the procedure?

A facelift may be done in a surgery center or in a hospital. You will be given a local or general anesthetic before the procedure to keep you from feeling pain. Local anesthesia numbs part of your body while you stay awake. You may be given medicine with the local anesthetic to help you relax. General anesthesia relaxes your muscles and you will be asleep.

Facelift surgery typically lasts 2 to 5 hours. Your healthcare provider will make a cut from your temple, around your earlobe, to the back of your neck. The cuts are made in the natural creases and lines of the skin to hide scars. The skin is separated from muscle and fat and pulled upwards. Excess skin is then cut away. Muscles are tightened and fat is removed or placed in areas, such as the cheeks, that need more volume. Your provider will close cuts on the face with stitches. Metal clips may be used to close cuts on the scalp.

What happens after the procedure?

Your face will be swollen for a while. Your facial movements may be slightly stiff and you may have some bruising and swelling for 2 or 3 weeks. To keep the swelling down, keep your head up by sitting in a chair or propped up in bed and keep as still as possible for a couple of days after surgery.

Pain is usually minor and can be controlled with medicine.

Avoid steam baths and saunas for the first 2 months after surgery.

During the healing process, the skin on your face or neck may feel numb. This usually goes away in a few weeks or months.

Follow your healthcare provider's instructions. Ask your provider:

• How long it will take to recover
• If there are activities you should avoid and when you can return to your normal activities
• How to take care of yourself at home
• What symptoms or problems you should watch for and what to do if you have them

Make sure you know when you should come back for a checkup. Keep all appointments for provider visits or tests.

What are the risks of this procedure?

Every procedure or treatment has risks. Some possible risks of this procedure include:

• You may have problems with anesthesia.
• You may have infection or bleeding.
• Nerves that control your facial muscles may be injured during the surgery.

Ask your healthcare provider how these risks apply to you. Be sure to discuss any other questions or concerns that you may have.