Face Lift (Rhytidectomy) Overview

Everyone eventually starts to show signs of aging. Regardless of how many expensive creams you use or how well you look after yourself, your body and your face will begin to show the years. This can be an issue if you want to look as young as you feel.

You might be bothered that you have a youthful personality but it is not ultimately reflected in your appearance. In this case, a face lift could be just the right thing for you.

Face lift surgery or rhytidectomy is a popular cosmetic surgery procedure that rejuvenates a person’s face. It can be a fairly extensive procedure or quite simple depending on your anatomy and desired outcome. Over the years, your skin becomes thinner and slacker, the fat deposits in your face increase and your skin begins to sag over them.

You also develop wrinkles. There are various procedures that target limited parts of your face however a face lift can help make your entire face look younger.

The cost of a face lift can be very expensive, especially in developed countries. As a result, more and more medical tourists are choosing to travel overseas for treatment because the cost of a face lift abroad is so much more affordable.

For European patients, the cost of a face lift in Cyprus is more favorable than Western countries, such as France and the UK. They can combine this with the holiday they have always desired.

US patients are choosing plastic surgery in Mexico, not just because of the country's renowned, board certified plastic surgeons, but the country is home to the world's most beautiful beaches. One of the most popular plastic surgery treatments abroad is face lift in Mexico.

A Good Candidate for Face Lift (Rhytidectomy)

People have been having face lifts for years now and each individual has various reasons for undergoing this surgery. Some people feel young but think they look old, others are bothered by the signs of aging developing on their face while others simply want to refresh their tired look. A face lift or rhytidectomy can really help to take years off a person’s face.

During the face lift procedure, loose facial muscles are tightened and excess skin and fat is removed. To be a good candidate for a face lift, you need to be healthy enough to undergo surgery.

If you have any conditions that may cause complications during the surgery or during your face lift recovery, plastic surgeons will not consider you a good candidate. This is the same for any illnesses you might have.

A face lift is usually carried out on patients over 40 years of age. Both men and women can be good candidates for a face lift. Younger patients don’t usually have enough signs of aging on their face to justify such extensive surgery. Other treatment methods are generally recommended to them.

You need to be a well-balanced individual to be a good candidate for a face lift. The surgeon will discuss your reasons for surgery with you and talk to you about what it is you want to achieve by having a face lift.

Even though a face lift can shape the contours of your face and make you look much younger, it won’t necessarily change you or your life. If you have other issues while preparing for a face lift, these will need to be dealt with before you have surgery.

Signs of Aging on your Face that Make you a Good Candidate for a Face Lift:

-Loose and sagging facial skin

-Fat deposits

-Creases around the eyes (particularly lower eyelids)

-Creases along the nose and mouth (laugh lines)

-Excess skin under the chin and around the jaw

There are various types of face lifts available and some are much more extensive than others. You need to have realistic expectations of the results of your face lift so you are not disappointed later. It may be that you require other procedures as well as a face lift. An eyelid lift or nose surgery can often be carried out at the same time.

Types of Face Lift (Rhytidectomy)

Today, there are different types of face lifts available to you. Each procedure contains small modifications – depending on your own facial structure and what your desired outcome is. Some types of face lifts are more complicated than others and face lift risks and side effects of these increases greatly.

Be sure to talk to your plastic surgeon about any issues or questions you may have.

SMAS Face Lift: The Superficial Musculo Aponeurotic System (SMAS) refers to the muscle system under the facial skin. This type of face lift is called the SMAS face lift because the muscle system is manipulated during the surgery. A large incision is made along the hairline from temple to temple and loose muscles are tightened.

Excess skin and fat is eradicated before the incision is stitched back up. This type of face lift results in a larger scar than other types and the face lift recovery is longer. However, the results last longer.

Deep Plane Face Lift: Similar to the SMAS face lift but focuses on the mid-face structures and nasolabial folds. Sagging in the malar pad is corrected using a slightly smaller incision (incision does not span temple to temple).

The main advantage of this type of face lift is that it lasts 10-15 years but a significant disadvantage is the increased chance of nerve damage occurring.

Short Scar Face Lift: This type of facelift is also known as the minimal-incision face lift because it uses minimal incisions. The surgeon has less access to the superficial muscle tissue which means the face liftis less extensive.

To be a good candidate for this face lift, a small amount of work needs to be performed, especially in the lower part of your face. Recovery time is fairly short.

Endoscopic Face Lift: This type of face lift is suitable for younger patients and it focuses on correcting sagging in the cheek area. The endoscopic face lift is carried out using a small camera called an endoscope which is connected to a screen for visualization.

Small incisions are made in order to access and manipulate the tissue beneath. This may be the best type of face lift for you if you are concerned about scarring.

Face Lift (Rhytidectomy) Procedure

The face lift procedure is designed to combat the signs of aging that people begin to show as they get older. This type of cosmetic surgery is very popular among both men and women who want to look younger. To be a good candidate for a face lift (rhytidectomy), you need to fit certain criteria.

The preparation you do before your surgery will ensure that your facelift procedure is carried out without any issues. There are many different types of face lifts available and some of them are more complicated than others.

Your surgery will take place in an outpatient clinic. You won’t have to stay overnight but you will be monitored for a few hours to make sure there is no reaction to the anesthetic.

For patients with significant fat deposits, liposuction may be carried out to shape the contours of the face so they are smoother. If scarring is a particular concern, the plastic surgeon will try to make incisions in the natural creases of your face. These will be stitched up and covered with bandages.

Average Duration of Face Lift (Rhytidectomy): 2-4 hours

Risks and Side Effects of Face Lift (Rhytidectomy)

There are a number of face lift risks and side affects you need to be aware of before having surgery. These may arise during the face lift procedure or during your face lift recovery. Some types of face lifts are much more complicated than others and so have greater risks.

A face lift (rhytidectomy) is a surgical procedure that can leave you feeling and looking amazing. It is safe and the techniques are constantly being refined.

Talk to your plastic surgeon about what you can do while preparing for your face lift(rhytidectomy) to minimize side effects. Be sure to follow his pre and post-operative instructions closely so that you don’t accidentally put yourself at any risks.

Face Lift Risks and Side Effects

-Nerve Damage – the plastic surgeon needs to be very skilled and have plenty of experience with facelifts in order to avoid this.

-Hematoma – collection of blood under the skin

-Seroma – collection of serous fluid under the skin, surgeon may leave small tubes in the incisions to help drain this

-Skin Necrosis – skin death, increases greatly in patients who have been or are smokers, leads to visible scarring

-Infection – risk of any surgical procedure, can be mild or severe

You might simply be unhappy with your face lift results. Maybe there was too much lift or not enough? Perhaps your face looks asymmetrical?

If you require a revision, talk to your plastic surgeon about what it is that you are dissatisfied with. It takes time for your face to adjust to its new look so give yourself plenty of time before making any major decisions.

Recovery from Face Lift (Rhytidectomy)

Your face lift recovery will really depend on which type of face lift (rhytidectomy) you chose and how fast your body naturally recovers. If you had a more extensive face lift procedure then it will take you longer to recover.

A face lift is a great way to refresh your look. It tightens the loose muscles under your face and removes excess skin and fat. It also shapes the contours of your face so that they are smoother.

Your face lift recovery starts as soon as the surgery finishes. You will have to stay in hospital for a few hours to make sure that you have no reactions to the anesthetic. After this you will be able to go home but you will need to get plenty of bed rest for the first couple of days.

It might be a good idea to ask someone to drive you home and stay with you until you can start moving around on your own. You will be scheduled for a checkup a few days into your face lift recovery. At this checkup, the bandages will be removed along with any drainage tubes. Stitches will be removed at a later follow up.

Your plastic surgeon will suggest that you keep your head elevated. Be sure to follow post-operative instructions so that your face lift recovery permits with minimum discomfort.

Pain is something everyone who has plastic surgery experiences. You can usually alleviate it with regular pain medication but talk to your plastic surgeon about prescribing you something stronger if you feel like you need it.

You should be able to start moving around a few days into your face lift recovery and begin light exercise after the first week. Do not do anything too strenuous and be sure to refrain from taking part in any activities that will increase your blood pressure.

Smokers will be required to stop smoking both before their surgery and also during their face lift recovery. This is because smoking slows down the healing process and can often lead to skin demise around your incisions. Alcohol consumption also needs to be avoided during this time.

The first time you see yourself might be difficult. The results of a face lift won’t actually be obvious for a few more weeks.

Be patient, take care of yourself and soon you will be able to see that refreshed face you deserve!

Costs of Face Lift (Rhytidectomy)

The cost of a face lift (rhytidectomy) can be costly. In places such as the United States and United Kingdom, you are expected to pay around $5,000 to $13,500 for the face lift procedure. This can be a very difficult expense to justify if you are not an overly wealthy person.

The reason it is so expensive is because developed countries have very high standards of living and the cost of their goods and services are much higher than anywhere else in the world. An elective surgery such as a face lift can simply exceed a person’s financial plan.

Do your research as to not compromise your body by undergoing low quality treatment.

The cost of a face lift abroad, however, is much less than the exorbitant price range quoted above. In countries such as Mexico, Colombia and Argentina, you will only have to pay $2,000 to $5,000 for this cosmetic surgery procedure.

Bulgaria was a meek plastic surgery destination, however over the last few years it has seen a significant resurgence of interest from medical tourists in Europe and the US.

The cost of plastic surgery in Bulgaria is one of the important factors that attracted many patients to the country's affordable health care and soviet splendor.

Medical patients who want to get the best of an artistic facial surgery choose face lift in Thailand. Bangkok is a hotbed of cosmetic surgeries in Thailand, boasting a wide range of reconstructive and maxillofacial treatments.

Plastic surgery in Pattaya is a thriving industry, popular for its reassignment surgery and vaginoplasty.

Traveling abroad can be a massive amount of savings. If you are traveling to a country without a strong currency the conversion rate will work in your favor. Many hospitals and clinics even offer treatment packages to overseas visitors. These packages can include transport, accommodation and aftercare.

Most places take care of you from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave. They can help you organize entertainment and tours while you are preparing for your face lift or recovering from your face lift.

The cost of a face lift abroad is so much more affordable than you can imagine. Why should you pay more than you have to? Why shouldn’t you put your hard earned money towards enjoying yourself and having a fabulous holiday? Click on any of the clinics offering this surgery and see how much you can save.