What is a Facelift?

A Face Lift (Rhytidectomy) removes excess skin and rearranges the fat and muscles on the face to give a youthful appearance. It corrects the effects of aging such as jowls, nasolabial lines (deep lines from the nose to the mouth), and minimal to moderate neck laxity. Some patients having facelift surgery may require additional neck treatment like a neck lift, neck liposuction, or repair of the neck muscle (platysmaplasty). A face lift does not change the quality of the skin itself, it only redrapes the tissues to give younger looking contours. A separate chemical peel or laser resurfacing would be required to simultaneously change skin quality.

What is the right age to undergo Facelift?

Usually 45 and over, however it may be performed as early as the 30's depending on the patient's needs.

Surgical Technique

The incision is made in front of the ear, and then extends behind the ear alongside the earlobe. The skin, fat, and muscle are separated, lifted and then re-draped to a more youthful-appearing position. Often times, the fat and muscle are sutured in place to prevent premature descent. Extra care is taken in suturing the incision to minimize the scar, rendering it virtually invisible after the initial healing period.

Recovery and Downtime

Face lift surgery is performed on an outpatient or inpatient basis under local anaesthesia (with sedation) or general anaesthesia, and usually takes 2 to 4 hours. Stitches are removed in 7 to 10 days. Most patients return to work after 2 weeks. For patients interested in traveling to Hyderabad, face lift surgery would require a 2 week stay.

Before-After Photo gallery:

A middle-aged lady with loss of facial fat ('skeletonized' look) and lower facial sagging, neck bands, and upper eyelid hooding. She underwent a facelift surgery (Skin+SMAS application, Mentoplasty, Platysmaplasty), Blepharoplasty, and Fat transfer to the face.

The lower face and jaw line shows significant improvement.





Note that the scar is well hidden around the ear, making it aesthetically pleasing.