FACELIFT

A face lift technically known as rhytidectomy can make these signs vanish by removing excess fat, tightening underlying muscles, and repositioning the skin of the face and neck. It can be done alone, or in conjunction with other procedures such as an eyelid surgery, nose reshaping, or forehead lift.

The best candidates for a face lift are:
Men and women over the age of 40 with good bone structure but sagging skin or deep creases around the nose and mouth.

PROCEDURE

This procedure takes about 2 to 6 hours to perform. It may take longer if you choose to have a neck lift as well. For procedures 3 hours or longer, many surgeons advise General anesthesia. Depending upon your facial structure the incisions will be placed as inconspicuously as possible above the hairline.

Some doctors still cut at the hairline so ask your doctor which incisions he prefers.

The incisions usually begin above the hairline, at the temples, continuing in a natural line in front of the ear.
Some doctors can make the incisions with the cartilage just in the front-inside part of the ear, ending behind the earlobe and lower region of the scalp. The skin is separated from the fat and muscle below it. If the neck lift is being performed with the face lift, a small incision is placed inconspicuously underneath the chin and excess fat may removed by either trimming it by hand or by facial liposuction. More than likely, your surgeon will use the facial liposuction technique. The underlying muscle and fascia are tightened and the skin itself is pulled back, trimmed and sutured into place.

Sometimes surgical staples are used within the scalp. The surgeon may place a small drain tube behind your ears for excess fluid and blood drainage.