Rhytidectomy is the medical term for a facelift; it basically means the removal of wrinkles.
It is a much sought-after cosmetic surgery procedure and for good reason.
Fat anywhere in the body can be hidden and clothes can skillfully hide an out of shape body; however, there is little you can do to hide your face unless you choose to wear a veil.
Premature wrinkling, saggy pouches under the eyes, double chin, asymmetry of the face are some of the reasons why people choose this form of cosmetic surgery.
The procedure aims to restore a younger appearance to your face by removing age-related blemishes.
A rhytidectomy procedure is often accompanied by other corrective and restorative cosmetic surgeries such as a nose job.
A person's motivations for surgery will invariably revolve around looking better and feeling self-confident.
It is understood that you cannot stop the ageing process but this repair work can very admirably take care of jowls, slack skin, eye bags, and wrinkles that can extend to the neck.
Your candidature for the procedure is to be decided by the cosmetic surgeon and will depend upon factors such as your age, previous medical history, smoking habits, extent of surgery required, and body weight.
The surgeon will check your face and underlying tissue and bone for amenability to a procedure.
The skin's ability to heal quickly and form scar tissue will be understood by the surgeon.
The facelift procedure is categorized under complete, partial, and neck lift.
The extent of incision, amount of fat removed, and extent of tissue repositioning vary with the type of procedure chosen.
During the consultation the surgeon will fill you in on the best course available to you and the risks associated with the given course of surgery.
The surgeon may recommend facial implants, injections to smoothen wrinkles, and treatment to restore the elasticity of the skin.
The procedures are usually carried out with general anesthesia though a small procedure may be carried out under local anesthesia with some sedatives.
You will learn about the risks with this form of anesthesia.
You will also learn about post-operative care and what you need to do recover fully without inadvertent delay.
If you have been a habitual smoker you can expect your recovery to take longer.
Risks associated with the procedure include damage to facial nerves under the skin, blood clotting, body reacting adversely to anesthesia, and infection.
Ideally, you should have the surgery performed at an accredited cosmetic surgery center; it will be of help if the surgeon's facility is located close to your home.
Post-operative follow-ups will become easier.
The incisions are artfully made so that the scars can be hidden under the hairline and under the natural creases and folds of the skin.
Stitches and metal clips are made use of to hold the stretched skin in place till it can adhere to the tissue and the incisions can heal.
A tube may be placed behind the ear to drain fluids that accumulate due to anesthesia.
A bandage may be placed around the cut area to provide protective cover against bruising.
Inflammation is a natural after-effect.
Placing ice cubes can help keep swelling down.
The cosmetic surgeon may also prescribe pain medication to help you cope with the discomfort.