Rhytidectomy (Facelift) As one ages, the skin of one’s face and neck loosens and, gradually, we begin to see wrinkling around the eyelids, face and neck. These changes are the result of the aging process (loss of facial volume), heredity and gravity. These changes can be accelerated by skin abuse, overexposure to sun, alcohol, smoking, and poor nutrition. Cosmetic facial surgery can minimize many of these problems. The term “facelift” is really a misnomer as the operation combines lifting of the face and neck all in one procedure. In some patients, liposuction under the chin and/or muscle tightening in the neck may be performed in conjunction with a facelift to improve the sagging fat or folds under the chin. A facelift can be combined with eyelid and forehead surgery, if needed. The incision for the facelift operation begins in the temple hair above and infront of the ear. It extends down just infront of the ear, around the earlobe, up behind the ear, and then backward into the hair of the scalp. Through this incision, the skin is elevated out into the temples, cheeks and neck. The connective tissues are repositioned and the excess skin is removed. Sometimes fat is removed and/or the muscles under the chin are tied up so there may be a small incision under the chin to help with the correction. Then the skin edges are secured with appropriate suture material. The facelift operation usually takes between 3 to 4 hours. When completed, a bulky dressing is applied. The patient is monitored in recovery for about 1 to 2 hours. Dr. Joseph requires that the patient stay the first night after surgery in an aftercare facility or arrange for a registered nurse to monitor the patient for the first 24 hours. The facelift operation is performed at Brighton Medical Corporation, an Accredited out-patient surgical center. Most patients are given a light intravenous sedation during surgery. If needed, general anesthesia can be administered. Surgical fees, pre-operative and post-operative instructions are given at the time of the consultation, and the patient is responsible for reading these instructions thoroughly prior to surgery.

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