Facelift (Rhytidectomy) in Scottsdale and Phoenix, AZ
A facelift or rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic surgery procedure used to give a more youthful facial appearance. Excess facial skin is removed and underlying tissues are tightened. It is commonly performed in conjunction with other facial cosmetic surgery procedures including eyelid surgery, chin augmentation, neck liposuction and nose surgery.
There are several different approaches to performing a facelift which take into consideration the type of incision, the invasiveness and the area of the face that is treated. At your initial consultation with Dr. DeVito at her Scottsdale office, your desired results will be discussed and decided based on your input and Dr. Devito’s experience and expertise. Your expectations, age, possible recovery time and areas targeted to treat are some of the many factors taken into consideration before choosing a technique.
Who gets a Facelift?
If you are bothered by signs of aging in your face, then a facelift surgery may be right for you. According to the most recent 2012 statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASPS), facelifts were the fifth most popular aesthetic surgery performed after breast augmentation, liposuction, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), and blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), with over 126,000 procedures performed during 2012 alone.
Some signs of aging which can be addressed by a facelift include: loose or saggy skin in the midface, creases around the eyelids and mouth, loss of muscle tone in the lower face, and excess fat under the chin.
A variety of factors can cause these visible signs of aging to appear sooner or later depending on the individual. Genes, poor diet, smoking, or obesity can make skin problems start sooner or get worse faster. The ideal patient is a healthy, non-smoker with reasonable expectations towards the improvement of some of the issues listed above.
What to expect after a Facelift:
In a study published by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, they discovered that more than five years after facelift surgery, the overwhelming majority of patients still look younger than they did before surgery. The study provided strong evidence that facelift surgery can provide significant long-term aesthetic results.
You are not likely to have much discomfort after surgery. However, you will have some degree of swelling, bruising, tenderness, and numbness for up to two weeks after the surgery. Most of the surgical scars are hidden in the hairline or the natural lines of the face and fade over time. Facelifts are considered to be generally safe procedures, but as in any surgical procedure, there are potential risks involved. These include bleeding, infection, allergic reaction to medication, seroma and hematoma. These risks are rare and can be treated and handled at the facility where you underwent the facelift procedure.
