Face Lift (Rhytidectomy)
Face lift surgery lifts and firms sagging facial tissues to restore a more naturally youthful facial appearance. It is often said that having a facelift works to “turn back the clock,” helping a patient look like a younger version of him or herself. By removing excess, sagging skin, smoothing deep folds, and lifting and tightening the deep facial tissues, a face lift can help a patient look younger and have a fresher appearance. This common procedure is flexible and capable of catering to individual needs, often paired well with eyelid surgery or brow lift.
RECOVERY
The recovery process is surprisingly quick for most patients. At first, you may experience swelling, numbness, bruising, and a feeling of tightness or tension in the face and neck, and will be at their peak about 2 days after surgery. Most of these usually resolve within three to six weeks, but should be difficult to notice after about 10 to 14 days. Sensation typically returns to normal within a few months. Scars become less red, raised, lumpy or itchy in time. Patients typically return to normal daily activities after about 2 weeks (strenuous exercise will need to wait about 4 weeks) following a standard face lift, and these time frames are normally even shorter after a mini face lift. It’s especially important to keep your face protected from the sun. You will be more vulnerable to sunburn for several weeks after surgery, plus staying out of the sun will help scars heal as inconspicuously as possible, so apply sunscreen regularly.