A cosmetic surgery, the facelift procedure is performed as a means of restoring a youthful appearance to the face of the man or woman undergoing the treatment. This surgery is responsible for shaping the lower part of the face, often with the removal of excess skin on the face.

The correct term for the facelift procedure is a rhytidectomy. The procedure is often combined with other cosmetic surgeries in order to give the patient the best in results.

What happens during the facelift surgery?

The facelift surgery is typically a day procedure. The patient can generally go home once they have recovered from the anaesthetic that was used. The procedure itself may last between two and five hours, based upon the severity of the work being done and on whether several other procedures are being done simultaneously.

According to the experts at One Face Plastic Surgery Adelaide, each surgeon has his or her own signature style when it comes to performing the procedure. Traditionally, the surgeon will make a small incision in front of the ear and extend it up and into the hairline and behind the ear. This may sound quite severe however your surgeon will make every effort to minimise the potential for unsightly scarring.

The skin will be gently lifted off of the deeper facial muscles and will be lifted up. Excess skin will be removed so that the results will be much more youthful.

A neck lift or brow lift, along with eyelid surgeries may also be performed. The incisions will be closed with small sutures. Some patients may have drains set in place behind their ears in order to safely remove any excess fluids from the recovering area.

Recovering from facelift surgery 

Prior to surgery, the plastic surgeon will need to have access to a complete medical history for the patient. This is so that any potential complications can be addressed before they are allowed to become an issue. Concerns that can potentially impact the recovery could include the following.

• High blood pressure
• Blood clotting issues
• Prescription and over-the-counter medications
• Smoking, drug or alcohol use
• Allergies

Complications stemming from a facelift surgery are rare. Generally speaking, cosmetic procedures are considered to be safe when they are carried out by professionals who are experienced and qualified to do so. Any surgery can come with some risk, however.

The potential complications and risks seen with facelift surgery could include the following.

• Bruising and bleeding
• Complications from the anaesthesia
• Temporary damage to the facial nerves that control muscles
• Infection
• Numbness, this often improves within days or weeks
• Scarring

Any inflammation or redness after surgery should be reported to your doctor. Excessive pain and fever could be indicative of an infection that needs to be treated.

Is the facelift procedure worth it?

The facelift aims to create a more youthful appearance with smoother skin. There are some potential disadvantages to this procedure, however. The first being that the results will not be lifelong. This is because we continue to age, even after surgical procedures.

If the procedure is not performed by a skilled plastic surgeon, too much skin may be removed. The result will be a pulled back and pinched or startled patient appearance.

In order to achieve the best in results, the patient may require additional procedures. These could include a neck lift, liposuction, brow lift, as well as cheek or chin implants.

By and large, both men and women who undergo the procedure find that they are satisfied with the results that they see in the mirror.