Over time, the effects of gravity, sun exposure, heredity, and the basic stress of living are revealed in the face. Children and young adults have smooth, round faces due to fatty tissue that is evenly distributed throughout the contours of the face. As you age, the skin begins to lose elasticity and fits more loosely. These folds become prominent, especially around the chin, jaw line, and along the neck.
Dr. Bryan Neuwirth performs rhytidectomies, or facelifts, to enhance your appearance and correct these conditions. The incisions are placed within the hairline starting at the temples, running adjacent to the natural skin fold in front of the ear, continuing around the bottom of the lobe, and finally behind the ear and into the hairline. Each incision is strategically placed. This is followed by separating the facial skin from underlying fat and muscles, eliminating excess fat to contour, tightening facial and neck muscles, and then pulling the skin back and removing the excess components. The result is a lifted facial structure and smoother, tighter skin. The procedure is often performed in conjunction with additional cosmetic surgeries such as blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), brow lift, chin augmentation, and/or liposuction. These procedures can be performed any time after signs of aging appear in order to attain a more youthful appearance.
To better understand your overall health, we will evaluate your medical history prior to surgery. Once Dr. Neuwirth has determined that you are a candidate for the procedure he will then discuss the surgery and benefits in detail. Our objective is to create a natural appearance that is pleasing to you. Photographs and computer imaging can be performed to determine the amount of improvement after surgery.
During your consultation you will be provided with a cosmetic estimate that will be honored for up to 6 months. At this time we can provide you with preoperative instructions that may include the elimination of specific drugs containing aspirin several weeks before surgery to minimize excess bleeding and bruising. A final consultation is typically scheduled to sign consent forms and take preoperative pictures. At this time we encourage each patient to have any final questions answered by Dr. Neuwirth or a staff member.
A rhytidectomy can be performed under IV sedation or general anesthesia in our state-of-the-art surgical facility. These options will be discussed in detail with you. Premedication is administered for relaxation. Incisions are made inside the hairline at the temple, running in front of the ear then around the earlobe and behind the ear, ending in the hair of the scalp. The loose skin is separated from underlying tissue and is pulled up and back. Excess skin is removed. Sagging muscles and connective tissues are tightened. In some cases, fatty deposits are removed from beneath the chin and neck. Small sutures are used to close the incisions. The procedure may take up to five hours depending on whether any other procedures are performed at the same time.
It is mandatory that you have a responsible adult to drive you to and from your surgery and stay the first 24 hours with you. Typically a follow-up appointment is scheduled within the first 24 to 48 hours and repeated throughout the first year after the procedure. Bandages are applied to the area of surgery and are removed within a few days. Pain is moderate and controlled with oral medications. Your sutures are removed within the first 14 days. In order to minimize scarring, the doctor may remove the sutures in stages. Scarring fades quickly. Swelling and discoloration decrease within two weeks. Tightness in your face will be present for several weeks and there may be slight changes in your hair pattern around the incision.
It is recommended that you avoid the sun for several weeks after surgery. Healing is gradual so you will not notice results for up to six months. Improvement varies, depending on your initial condition. In most cases, a single procedure achieves the desired results. Most patients who have had facelifts are pleased with their new, more youthful appearance.