Our faces can change with the passage of time. Sun exposure, genetics and the inexorable march of gravity can create wrinkles and sagging skin. Cheekbones and jawlines may become less distinct, and creases in the skin may obscure your expressions and hide the vitality you feel inside. Even the neck can develop folds over time, losing its youthful glow.
A great many of these unwanted details can be reversed through a simple procedure known as a facelift, or rhytidectomy.
Performing this procedure effectively requires a wide range of expertise, and considerable understanding of the structures that underlie the human face. I have been performing natural-looking facelift procedures for many years, helped in part by dual board certifications from the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and the American Board of Otolaryngology serving the specialty of Head & Neck Surgery. The goal is simply to turn back the clock, seamlessly and organically.
Choosing a Rhytidectomy
Every facelift procedure is different, so it is important to undergo a close consultation with your cosmetic surgeon. Skin type, age, ethnic background, bone structure, degree of skin elasticity and individual healing are all factors that can influence your facelift procedure, so I make a point to effectively manage your expectations every step of the way. Typical results include a more youthful appearance, greater self-confidence, and a higher degree of comfort moving through life. Your natural beauty should return without an “operated on” appearance.
Facelift Plastic Surgery Explained
Your facelift procedure is simple and safe. I begin by tailoring the length and placement of all incisions based upon your individual aesthetic structures. These incisions are hidden in the temporal hairline and extending slightly behind the ear canal, passing around the earlobe continuing up behind the ear, and back into the hair of the scalp. The skin is gently raised outward before it is repositioned and the underlying muscle and connective tissue are firmly tightened. Some fat and excess skin may be removed as well to accommodate the corrected dimensions of your face. All of my incisions are carefully placed where they will fall into natural creases of the skin for camouflage.
The facelift procedure typically takes about three to four hours to perform under general anesthesia. Following the procedure, a dressing is applied to protect the entire area and promote safe healing. This is an outpatient procedure, and you may go home a few hours after surgery.
After Your Rhytidectomy
Although most patients experience very little pain after facelift plastic surgery, I may prescribe pain medication, an antibiotic and occasionally steroids. Some degree of swelling and bruising is natural, so the use of cold compresses can help to keep swelling down. On some occasions, if a drainage tube is used during the procedure, it will be removed one or two days following the procedure.
Recovery usually takes two to three weeks, though many patients go back to work in two weeks. Please bear in mind that the natural aging process continues after surgery, and that some relaxation of tissues will occur over the first few weeks. Still, the overall effect is lasting and impressive, and you should experience the refreshed confidence that comes with a more youthful, distinct, and natural-looking appearance in the years to come.
If you want to learn more about rhytidectomy, facelift plastic surgery, or cosmetic surgery throughout Beverly Hills and West Los Angeles, please don’t hesitate to contact me today.