A face lift, or rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure used to reduce facial wrinkles, eliminate telltale signs of aging, and improve the overall appearance of the face and jaw area. Face lift surgery can help reverse the harmful effects of time, stress, and the elements. Face lift prices may dissuade some people from even considering the surgery; however, many excellent financing options exist to help rhytidectomy patients manage the cost of plastic surgery.

Face Lift Candidates
Rhytidectomy can be an effective way to improve appearance and boost self-confidence, but it is not for everyone. Patients whose skin is still relatively supple, and who are in good overall health, achieve the best results. Some patients might find that they can attain their goals with a less invasive procedure, such as a chemical peel or microdermabrasion. Others may be happier with their results if they combine face lift surgery with other procedures, such as a neck lift or forehead lift (also called “brow lift”). Patients who understand both the possibilities of a face lift and its limitations tend to be more pleased with their results.

Face Lift Risks, Benefits, and Side Effects
Face lift is a common and typically successful procedure, but, like any surgery, it is not without its risks. Before making an informed decision about whether to undergo rhytidectomy, you must weigh the benefits of face lift surgery against its risks and potential side effects. While face lift surgery can turn back the clock, correct sagging skin, tighten facial muscles, and improve your facial contour, it can also cause nerve damage, visible scarring, swelling, bruising, and pain.

Types of Face Lift Surgery
Mini face lift, lower face lift, mid face lift … with so many options, choosing the right type of face lift surgery depends on more than just your wallet. It is important to consider the specific areas that you want to target for improvement, how long you want to spend recovering from treatment, and what your expectations are for your post- face lift appearance.

Lower (Standard) Face Lift
Mid Face Lift
Mini “Weekend” Face Lift
Thread Face Lift

Preparing for Face Lift Surgery
Adequately preparing for face lift surgery can keep you relaxed and healthy before, during, and after the procedure. Preparation begins at your pre-surgery consultation. Two weeks before surgery is a key time to stop smoking, stop taking certain medications, and start following your surgeon’s pre-surgery instructions. Getting ready for recovery — by mentally preparing for the downtime and making arrangements for transportation and after-care — is also essential to a successful rhytidectomy.

The Face Lift Procedure
Read about the details of the face lift procedure, including anesthesia, locations of incisions, and what facial structures are altered to produce your new look. Though approaches vary depending on the surgeon and the patient’s needs, face lift surgery has some universal characteristics that make the surgery safer and more intricate than ever before.

Face Lift Recovery and Results
Face lift is a serious surgical procedure that can help patients look younger by removing facial wrinkles and tightening loose facial skin and muscles. During the face lift procedure, excess skin and fat are trimmed away through incisions that separate the skin from the underlying tissue.

After surgery, the head and face will be loosely bandaged to help reduce swelling and bruising. A drainage tube may be inserted behind the patient’s ear to prevent blood and fluid from collecting under the skin. Pain medication is usually used to make the patient feel as comfortable as possible following surgery.

During the face lift recovery, patients should allow for adequate healing time and expect some postoperative swelling, numbness, and skin discoloration for about two weeks. All incisions and dressings should be kept dry until the surgeon indicates that showering or bathing is okay. For the first few days, the head should be kept elevated and immobile in order to minimize swelling. Most stitches will be removed in about five days, and the initial face lift results will be apparent soon afterward.

Face Lift Surgery for Men
Face lift surgery isn’t just for women anymore! Men are now turning to rhytidectomy to erase the signs of aging and achieve a younger, rejuvenated look.