TESTS AND PROCEDURES

Facelift (Rhytidectomy)

March 15, 2019

Facelift (Rhytidectomy)

Side view of woman's head showing incision for rhytidectomy (facelift).

A facelift (rhytidectomy) is a type of cosmetic surgery. It tightens and lifts loose, sagging skin in the face. It also helps reduce lines and wrinkles in the face. You may choose to have the surgery to improve your appearance. Discuss your treatment goals with your healthcare provider. He or she can tell you more about what to expect.

Preparing for surgery

Prepare for the surgery as you have been told. In addition:

  • Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you take. This includes herbs and other supplements. It also includes any blood thinners, such as warfarin, clopidogrel, or daily aspirin. You may need to stop taking some or all of them before surgery.

  • Tell your healthcare provider if you smoke. Smoking can affect healing after the surgery. For better results, your healthcare provider may ask you to stop smoking in the weeks before and after the surgery.

  • Don't eat or drink during the 8 hours before your surgery, or as directed by your surgeon. This includes coffee, water, gum, and mints. (If you have been instructed to take medicines, take them with a small sip of water.)

  • Do not smoke before surgery. Your healthcare provider may choose to delay the operation if you are smoking. 

The day of surgery

The surgery takes about 2 to 6 hours. You may go home the same day. Or you may stay overnight.

Before surgery begins

  • An IV line is put into a vein in your arm or hand. This line supplies fluids and medicines.

  • You’ll be given medicine to keep you free of pain during the surgery. You may have general anesthesia, which puts you into a state like deep sleep during the surgery. (A tube may be inserted into your throat to help you breathe.) Or you may have sedation, which makes you relaxed and sleepy. With sedation, local anesthesia will be injected to numb the areas being worked on. The anesthesiologist will discuss your options with you.

During the surgery

  • The healthcare provider makes an incision on one side of the face. In most cases, this starts near the hairline at the temple. It travels along the front of the ear, and then behind it. It ends in the scalp. The same incision is made on the other side of the face, and often under your chin.

  • Shorter incisions, or incisions in different locations may also be used.

  • The skin is lifted to expose the fat and muscle layers beneath.

  • Excess fat may be removed or repositioned for smoother contouring. The deeper muscle and tissue layers may be tightened and lifted with stitches (sutures).

  • The skin is pulled back down. Any excess skin is then removed.

  • The incisions are closed with stitches, staples, or surgical glue.

  • A small tube (drain) may be placed near the incision. This removes fluid that can build up after the surgery.

  • Additional procedures may be done at the same time for fat filling, recontouring, or soft tissue augmentation if you choose.

After the surgery

You’re taken to a recovery room to wake up from the anesthesia. You may feel sleepy and nauseated. If a breathing tube was used, your throat may be sore at first. If needed, you’ll be given pain medicine to relieve any discomfort. Your face may be bandaged. And you may need to wear a compression garment around your head. An ice pack or cold compress may also be applied to your face. These steps help reduce bruising and swelling. You may go home the same day. Or you may be moved to a room to stay overnight. When it’s time to go home, have an adult family member or friend ready to drive you.

Recovering at home

For the next few weeks, expect to have some pain, bruising, and swelling. Your healthcare provider will tell you when you can return to your normal routine. Once at home, follow all the instructions you’ve been given. Be sure to:

  • Take all prescribed medicines exactly as directed.

  • Apply an ice pack or cold compress to your face as directed.

  • Care for your incisions as instructed. This includes keeping your bandages and incisions dry when bathing or showering.

  • Wear your compression garment as directed.

  • For 10 days after surgery, always keep your head higher than your heart. For example, don’t stoop down to tie your shoes.

  • Walk at least a few times a day, but don’t push yourself too hard.

  • Don't lift anything heavy or do strenuous activities.

  • Don't drive until your healthcare provider says it’s OK. Don't drive while taking medicines that make you drowsy or sleepy.

When to call your healthcare provider

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following:

  • Chest pain or trouble breathing (call 911)

  • Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your healthcare provider

  • Symptoms of infection at an incision site, such as increased redness or swelling, warmth, worsening pain, or foul-smelling drainage

  • Increased pain or rapid swelling on one side of the face

  • Rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat

  • Pain, swelling, redness, or warmth in your leg, calf, or thigh

Follow-up

You’ll have follow-up visits with your healthcare provider. These are needed to check how well you’re healing. These also allow your healthcare provider to monitor the results of your procedure. If you have a drain, it may be removed about 2 days after surgery. If your stitches need to be removed, this is done about 5 to 7 days after surgery. Staples at the hairline are often removed 7 to 10 days after surgery.

Risks and complications

Risks and possible complications include:

  • Bleeding

  • Infection

  • Facial nerve injury, causing partial paralysis of the face (usually temporary)

  • Blood clots

  • Poor incision healing

  • Hair loss near the incision sites

  • Changes in sensation, such as numbness or pain

  • Skin discoloration

  • Death of skin tissue, or of fatty tissue in the skin

  • Abnormal collection of fluid under the skin

  • Not happy with cosmetic results

  • Risks of anesthesia. The anesthesiologist will discuss these with you.

Updated:  

March 15, 2019

Reviewed By:  

Fraser, Marianne, MSN, RN,Lickstein, David, MD