What is Facelift Surgery?

Facelift, medically known as rhytidectomy, is a popular plastic surgery procedure which helps to reduce wrinkles, lines, and other signs of facial aging, while restoring a more youthful appearance to the face and jaw.

In this surgery, the surgeon will remove extra fat and skin from the face, and tighten the underlying facial muscles.

For safe and effective facelift surgery outcomes, the patient should choose a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon. Prudent plastic surgeon Dr. Jacob Bloom provides facelift to patients in Chicago, IL, and surrounding communities.

Ideal Candidates

Facelift surgery is a suitable procedure for people who are displeased with the appearance of loose skin and drooping facial muscles, or those with visible signs of aging which make them appear older and tired.

Candidates with some level of elasticity and suppleness remaining in the skin can attain beautiful outcomes from a facelift. In addition, the candidate should have a strong facial bone structure for support and to obtain excellent results.

Procedure

In facelift cosmetic surgery, the surgeon lifts the skin off the face to tighten the underlying tissue and muscles. The skin is pulled tautly over the face after the underlying tissue and muscles are tightened. Facelift surgery is typically performed using general anesthesia or intravenous sedation and local anesthesia.

The surgeon starts the procedure by placing an incision in the temple region. This incision encircles the ear, and the facial muscles and tissue are tightened through this incision. After the tightening process is complete, the surgeon re-drapes the skin over the face and seals the incisions with sutures.

An experienced plastic surgeon will ensure that these incisions are placed in discreet locations so that any future scarring remains inconspicuous. Facelift surgery may be spread across many hours depending on the extent of the procedure.

Surgical Techniques

The surgeon will determine an appropriate technique for the neck lift surgery according to the patient’s requirement and the extent of the surgery involved.

Endoscopic Facelift

This facelift technique involves inserting a camera through the incisions. This allows the surgeon to see the underlying facial structure on a screen and perform the surgery in a targeted way. The surgery usually involves placing three tiny incisions and removing the excess tissue while tightening the underlying muscles.

Cutaneous Facelift

This is an older technique which involves only the excision of excess facial skin. The surgeon will place a long incision inconspicuously along the hairline. They will then delicately lift the skin and suture it firmly at a higher position. The risks are reduced in a cutaneous facelift as this procedure does not cause muscular structure changes.

SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) Facelift

SMAS facelift is a more sought-after procedure at present at it produces more complete outcomes. In this surgery, the excess skin and removed and the underlying muscles are tightened as well. The SMAS technique offers more sustainable and natural looking outcomes.

Recovery

In general, the patient requires around one week of downtime following facelift surgery. However, they should take gentle walks around their home and perform light activities to maintain blood flow.

The patient should avoid vigorous activities for nearly a month. A majority of patients can resume their routine or return to work in around one week to ten days. Accomplished cosmetic surgeon Dr. Jacob Bloom receives patients from Chicago, IL, and other suburbs and neighborhoods in this region of the country for a facelift surgery.