Rhytidectomy – General Info

Patients who are considering a facelift (rhytidectomy procedure) often need to acquire more information before they can make the decision to have the procedure or not. If you still need more information about the facelift, please read our information below, which will give you all the general information you need to know about the facelift procedure at the Dr Lanzer Clinic.

What Is a Facelift?

A facelift, also known under the name rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure focussed on reducing visible signs of ageing on the face and neck; this includes common ageing signs such as sagging appearance in the middle of the face, creases below the lower eyelids, creases between the nose and corners of the mouth, a lack of fullness in the face, excess fat in certain areas of the face, and the loss of skin tone.

How Is a Traditional Rhytidectomy Procedure Executed?

During a rhytidectomy, you will be given certain medications to ensure your comfort during the procedure. To this end, patients often get the choice between an intravenous anaesthetic or general anaesthetic, although the surgeon may recommend a specific type of anaesthetic depending on your situation.

To start the procedure, the surgeon will make an incision in the hairline at the temples. The incision is then continued around the ears towards the lower scalp. Once the incision is made, the surgeon can start to sculpt or redistribute fat and tissues on the face, jowls and the neck. The incision also allows the surgeon to make changes to the deeper layers of the face and lift the facial muscles.

In some cases, the surgeon may need to make an additional incision right underneath the chin; this incision gives the cosmetic surgeon better access to the neck and allows him to further improve the aesthetics of this treatment area.

How Is a Limited Rhytidectomy Executed?

A limited rhytidectomy is executed by making shorter incisions between the temples and around the ear. In addition to this, the surgeon can also make a small incision within the lower eyelids or just underneath the upper lip; this to get better access to the areas that require lifting.

How Is a Neck Lift Performed?

Nowadays, the neck lift is considered as a separate procedure, so this technique is often an addition to your regular rhytidectomy procedure. During a neck lift, the surgeon usually makes an incision in the front of the ear lobe and follows the back of the ear. For a neck lift, the incision will also end in the lower part of the scalp.

Are the Incisions Visible After the Rhytidectomy Procedure?

The incisions from a rhytidectomy are only slightly visible after a rhytidectomy. An experienced surgeon will make sure that the incisions are either hidden by your hairline, or by the natural contours of your face and ears.

Why Do Some People Age More Rapidly Than Others?

Even though ageing is inevitable, some people may age faster than others. Premature signs of ageing may be caused by numerous things; this includes genetics, lifestyle choices such as smoking, and excessive stress over a long period. While some premature causes of ageing cannot be prevented, living a healthy lifestyle can make you look younger for longer.

Is the Facelift Performed with Other Cosmetic Surgery Procedures?

A rhytidectomy can be performed on its own, or in combination with other cosmetic surgery procedures. The brow lift is a procedure that is executed to correct a sagging or deeply furrowed brow, while blepharoplasty rejuvenates the eye area. The addition of these procedures to a rhytidectomy depends heavily on the aesthetic goals of the patient and will be determined by the surgeon before the rhytidectomy takes place.

What Are Realistic Expectations for Rhytidectomy Patients?

Patients who want to have a rhytidectomy should have realistic expectations regarding their surgery. Within this framework, the patient must be aware that a facelift does not change the fundamental appearance of the face, nor can a facelift stop the ageing process after the procedure.

The results from a rhytidectomy can only be obtained through a surgical procedure. Even though there are non-surgical procedures that may rejuvenate your skin, muscles underneath the skin can only be lifted through surgery.

What Should I Consider During The Rhytidectomy Procedure Recovery?

While you recover from your rhytidectomy, you may have to wear a special bandage; this bandage will be placed around the face by the cosmetic surgeon or a member of his surgical team. The bandage has a specific purpose and should not be removed by the patient, since the bandage will minimise some of the swelling and bruising the patient can experience after a surgical procedure.

In some cases, the surgeon needs to implement thin cannulas (tubes) in the treatment area. These tubes are necessary to remove any excess blood or fluid that have accumulated during the procedure. The surgeon will provide you with more information on how to take care of these drains once you leave the clinic.

Patients will receive other instructions from their cosmetic surgeon as well, which need to be followed accurately during their recovery. In most cases, the patient will need to apply or take certain medications to aid healing, prevent infection, or reduce discomfort that may result from surgery.

To ensure you know what to do after your rhytidectomy, it is important to ask your surgeon some important questions; this includes questions about medications, dressings and bandages, your follow-up appointment, physical activity and when you will be able to wear makeup again.

More Information about the Rhytidectomy Procedure

Do you require more information about the rhytidectomy? Or do you want to know your eligibility for the procedure? Feel free to contact the receptionists at the Dr Lanzer Clinic to book an appointment. Patients can also request more information by contacting our clinic, since our experienced team is more than qualified to reply to questions pertaining to rhytidectomy procedures. Therefore, be sure to contact our team if you are left with any questions after reading this article.