Face lift is also referred to as Rhytidectomy

Face lift surgery rejuvenates and improves facial contours and overall appearance through the tightening of facial tissue and muscles, and the repositioning of skin. This helps remove wrinkles and droopiness from the eyes, face and neck, creating a more defined facial structure and overall rejuvenated appearance.
Anyone pursuing face lift surgery should have realistic expectations for surgery.  The results of face lift surgery will vary depending on a number of factors that include:

1. The amount of excess skin around the eyes and neck

2. The patients bone structure (how strong or defined it is)

3. The overall quality of skin tone and suppleness

4. The patients ability to maintain his/her weight

Contrary to what is commonly thought, a face lift will not improve or get rid of the wrinkles on the forehead, the eyelids themselves, or the wrinkles around the mouth.  It can, however, tighten the skin around the eyes and mouth to get rid of the sagging appearance.  Most often, a face lift is combined with laser skin resurfacing to improve the skin’s tone and texture, along with blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) to get rid of excess skin and fat under the eyes and on the eyelids.

The most common types of face lifts include:

1. Standard Face lift – This type of face lift surgery involves small, unnoticeable incisions made at the hairline.  The skin is then tightened around the facial area only. Depending on your unique needs, your surgeon may perform what is called a “skin-only face lift” which excises and tightens just the facial skin, or he may also readjust your fat and muscle to create a younger, more refreshed appearance.

2. S-Lift - Performed since the 1960′s S-Lift face lift method is still very popular today. It has been perfected over the decades and is the tried-and-true face lift technique of  
Dr. Alexander Sinclair MD, as well as other plastic surgeons in the United States and abroad.  This face lift is meant for the lower 2/3 of the face and involves an incision just in front of the ear, disguised by your ear fold.  The S-Lift is a great alternative for patients who don’t need to undergo a full face lift surgery, but just need to target the mouth and jowl area.

3. Mini Face Lift – The mini lift is similar to the S-Lift, but it is often used to zero in on problem areas and is most suitable for younger patients who would like a refresher, but do not require more invasive surgery.  It is especially popular for targeting the nasolabial folds, or the sagging skin around your frown lines.
Please note  There are other face lift variations, but the above explanations can give you a good base understanding of today’s face lift surgery options. During your consultation,
Dr. Alexander Sinclair, will be able to explain each type with you, and help you understand how you can (or cannot) benefit from them.

Time required for face lift:
It usually takes at least 3 hours to perform face lift surgery. Time requirements can depend on the extent of work being done.

Is Face lift an In Patient or Out Patient Procedure?
Outpatient.

What are the Side Effects of Face lift?
Face lift side effects can include temporary discomfort, swelling, bruising, numbness, or tightness of the facial skin.

How Long do Face lift results last?
It usually takes about 4-6 weeks after surgery for the final face lift result to take shape. Face lift results are long-lasting, often up to 10 years or more, but can vary depending on changes related to aging, weight gain and gravity.

What is the recovery time for Face lift?
Day 1-3 Protective wrappings worn for short period, usually removed the day after surgery. Some minor discomfort will be felt temporarily, but can be alleviated with oral pain medication.
Day 14 Sutures are usually removed within about 2 weeks of surgery.
Day 28-42 Swelling and bruising will slowly fade, but should be at presentable levels within several weeks of surgery. Face lift recovery should wind down, and the final look will take shape over about 4-6 weeks. Some minor additional changes may still occur for a few months after that.

Will my insurance company cover Face lift?
Because of the cosmetic nature of a face lift, insurance does not apply.

Is there much discomfort for Face lift?
After a face lift, discomfort and pain is very minimal, and easily controlled with oral medication.

What happens during Face lift surgery?

Step 1 – Anesthesia Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices are intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your surgeon,
Dr. Alexander Sinclair, will recommend the best choice for you.

A variety of other procedures can further enhance the outcome of a face lift. They include:

Facial Implants
Soft tissue augmentation to re-contour the facial structure
Resurfacing techniques to improve the tone and texture of facial skin
Wrinkle reduction by injection

Step 2 – The Incision
Depending on the degree of change you’d like to see, your face lift choices include a traditional face lift, limited incision face lift or a neck lift.
A traditional face lift incision often begins in the hairline at the temples, continues around the ear and ends in the lower scalp.
Fat may be sculpted or redistributed from the face, jowls and neck, and underlying tissue is repositioned, commonly the deeper layers of the face and the muscles are also lifted.
Skin is re-draped over the uplifted contours and excess skin is trimmed away.  A second incision under the chin may be necessary to further improve an aging neck. Sutures or skin adhesives close the incisions.

Traditional Face lift
An alternative to a traditional face lift uses shorter incisions at the temples, continuing around the ear and possibly within the lower eyelids or under the upper lip.

Limited Incision
Sagging jowls, loose neck skin and fat accumulation under the chin may be corrected with a neck lift. The neck lift incision often begins in front of the ear lobe and wraps around behind the ear ending in the lower scalp.

Step 3 – Closing the incisions
Once healed, the incision lines from a face lift are well concealed within the hairline and in the natural contours of the face and ear.

Step 4 – See the results
The visible improvements of a face lift appear as swelling and bruising subside. Your final result should not only restore a more youthful and rested appearance, but also help you feel more confident about yourself.