What is a rhytidectomy?
Rhytidectomy, also known as facelift surgery, is a surgical procedure which reverses the effects of the aging process on the face by removing excess fat, tightening the facial muscles and redraping the skin of the face and neck.
A facelift can't make time stand still but it can make you look many years younger than you did before.
What is a mini-facelift?
A mini-facelift concentrates solely on the neck and lower third of the face and is best suited to those who don’t require a full lift.
Its shorter recovery time, complete lack of visible scarring, and lower cost has made it an attractive option for many younger patients.
How does it work?
The surgeon makes a vertical incision above the hairline at the temples.
For mini-facelifts the incision finishes at the top of the ears, while for a full facelift it extends behind the earlobe to the lower scalp.
The surgeon then separates the skin from the fat and muscle below.
Fat may be trimmed or suctioned from around the neck and chin to improve the contour.
The surgeon then tightens the underlying muscle and membrane, pulls the skin back, and trims the excess.
Finally, the incisions are secured with stitches.
How long does the procedure take?
Between 90 minutes and two hours for a mini-facelift and between three and four hours for a full lift.
What is mini face lift?
A mini face lift is a shorter procedure that involves a smaller incision and faster healing time.
What happens after surgery?
If a general anaesthetic is used (usually only for full facelifts), you will need to stay in hospital overnight.
A bandage covering the whole treated area must be worn for 24 hours.
Stitches are removed a week to two weeks after surgery and swelling may last for up to a month.
Temporary bruising under the eyes is common and subsides gradually after the first week.
Initially, your face will feel stiff and appear artificially tightened.
This subsides naturally and the process can be accelerated by the application of cold compresses to the affected areas.
How long before I can resume my normal activities?
You will need to rest completely for the first 48 hours and should be careful to avoid sudden head movements.
Normal activity can be resumed about ten days after surgery.