Facelift

(Rhytidectomy)

A facelift (the technical term is rhytidectomy) can restore much of the firmness of a person's facial tissue that aging takes away. For both men and women, the procedure can be successful in reducing creases around the nose and mouth, slack skin at the jaw, or fat deposits in the neck, if the patient's skin still has elasticity.

Dr. Sheng performs facelifts using general anesthesia. You'll be asleep throughout the procedure.

The technique varies considerably, since no two faces are alike. Usually, the surgeon will make incisions beginning behind the hairline at the temples, downward near the front of the ear, ending behind the earlobe. Additional work on the neck might require the surgeon to make incisions below the chin. The skin is separated from underlying tissue, the facial muscles are tightened if necessary, the skin is pulled back toward the hairline and ears, and excess skin is removed. The incision is then closed with stitches or, along the scalp, metal clips. Sometimes a small tube may be placed temporarily in the skin behind the ear to drain fluids that might accumulate in the days immediately following surgery.

You're likely to experience a little discomfort for a couple of days, but you'll be up and about in 24 to 48 hours. Bandages might need to be used for one to five days. Stitches are typically removed after five to ten days. You'll need to be slightly careful about touching your face and hair for the first week or two, and the doctor will advise you to avoid strenuous exercise.

The swelling and bruising that accompanies any surgery will be part of your facelift healing process, but you'll soon look and feel much better. Scars from the incisions will take longer to fade to thin white lines, but their location should make them hardly visible.

This has been only a general overview of facelift surgery. To find out more, you should talk over the specifics of your case with Dr. Sheng. Simply call his office at (310) 288-0269 to make an appointment. He will be happy to take the time to make sure you are fully informed.

Copyright © 2003 Francis C. Sheng, M.D. All rights reserved.