According to the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, an estimated 1.4 million surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures are performed each year in the United States. One of the procedures that more people are turning to is rhytidectomy, which offers the chance to look younger. But what is rhytidectomy? Modern Surgical Arts of Denver can tell you more about this popular procedure.
What Is Rhytidectomy? The Facelift Basics
Rhytidectomy is the technical term for a facelift. What is a facelift? It’s a common cosmetic surgery performed to reduce signs of aging in the face and neck.
You should remember that “facelift” is a general term for a range of surgical procedures that aim to improve the way your face looks. A surgeon might use multiple techniques during a facelift, such as repositioning fat and tightening skin. A facelift procedure can be a good choice for people who have:
- Sagging or relaxed skin on their face
- Jowls (drooping skin on the cheeks or jaws)
- A double chin
- Inadequate facial fat
Although a rhytidectomy cannot stop the aging process, it can help you get a more youthful look through a procedure that offers lasting results. There are many types of facelifts, however, so it is important to know which procedure can provide the results you’re counting on.
In general, surgical facelifts will readjust the way your skin, facial muscles, and even facial fat look so that you can get the more youthful appearance you may have tried and failed to achieve through less invasive cosmetic treatments.
One of the options that can offer the most dramatic results is a deep plane facelift. During this surgery, we will lift the muscular layer of your face, including your skin and fat, as one unit. A deep plane facelift can be the right choice if you have been searching for a way to treat many areas of your face with one procedure.
Facelift Benefits: What Can You Expect?
A facelift procedure can help you lose jowls that may be warping your profile. If you see drooping skin that affects your jawline, a facelift can help you get the sleeker and more toned look you want.
Another of the many facelift benefits that you can look forward to is the chance to get tighter skin. Skin naturally starts to sag as you get older. As the production of collagen (a protein that keeps your skin firm) drops, you can see your skin droop. A facelift will restore more youthful-looking, tighter skin.
You can also get rid of unwanted deep wrinkles and folds. Loss of facial fat because of aging, as well as the lack of collagen, can lead to the development of deep creases. By readjusting fat pockets and tightening your skin, a facelift can smooth out wrinkles and transform your appearance. You should not have to wait long for the results of your facelift surgery. As soon as you recover from the procedure and your face heals, you can enjoy your rejuvenated look.
What Is Facelift Surgery Like? How to Prepare and What to Expect
If you think you can get the results you want from a rhytidectomy, turn to us for a consultation. Not everyone is an ideal candidate for this procedure, so we always have a thorough consultation to ensure that you can benefit from a facelift.
What kind of information will we need? We want to know about your medical history, whether you take medications, and whether you have had previous surgeries. You should tell us any other information that might affect the surgery. We will also need you to get bloodwork done to ensure you are healthy enough for surgery.
If everything looks good, we can schedule the surgery and help you prepare for it. To do this, you will want to avoid anti-inflammatory medications and supplements for a little while. If you smoke, you need to stop before the procedure. You also need to avoid drinking alcohol for at least a week before you come to your appointment.
The length of the procedure will depend on the type of facelift surgery. You will receive anesthesia, however, so having someone with you to take you home is necessary.
Recovering From a Facelift Procedure
After surgery, we will take you to a recovery room so that we can monitor you as you wake. Once we ensure that you are stable, you can go home. We will always provide clear instructions on how to change the bandages you may have and how to care for the sutures we’ve put in place.
Most people can return to their regular activities in about two to three weeks, but your healing time will be unique. Make sure to avoid strenuous activities as you recover and to get plenty of rest. Don’t smoke — it can slow the healing process — and always follow all of our aftercare instructions. It is normal for recovery to take a bit longer, especially with a deep plane facelift, but if you have questions, we are always here.
Get the Results You Want
If you would like to get rid of some of those folds and creases or deal with that bit of sagging skin on your face, consider a facelift. This surgery can provide the dramatic results you want. At Modern Surgical Arts of Denver in Denver, CO, we offer quality cosmetic procedures like facelifts. Don’t spend another day worried about sagging skin, wrinkles, or missing facial fat. Reach out to us today to get started.
