Procedure name:
Facelift - Phytidectomy

Anticipated result of the procedure:
As people age, the effects of gravity, exposure to the sun and the stress of daily life can be seen in their faces. Deep creases form between the nose and mouth, the jaw line grows slack and jowls form, folds and fat deposits appear around the neck. A facelift can "set back the clock" by removing excess fat, tightening underlying muscles and redraping the skin of your face and neck.

Procedure Description:
The technique chosen for your surgery depends on your features, your surgeon’s preferences and your desired results. Typically, the incision is hidden in the natural contour of the ear, and then extends around the earlobe and back into the hairline. If the neck needs work, a small incision may also be made under the chin. Working through these incisions, your plastic surgeon will free the facial skin from its underlying tissues and pull it upward and back. Fat may be trimmed or suctioned from around the neck and chin to improve the contour. Deeper facial support structures are mobilized and secured in a more youthful position. The excess skin is then removed. Stitches secure the layers of tissue and close the incisions; metal clips may be used on the scalp.

Length:
4 - 5 hours

Anesthesia:
General anesthesia

In/Outpatient:
Outpatient procedure

Temporary Side Effects:
Temporary bruising, swelling, numbness and tenderness of skin; tight feeling, dry skin.

Recovery:
Back to work in 14 days. More strenuous activity after 2 weeks or more. Bruising lasting 2 to 3 weeks. Must limit exposure to sun for several months. Makeup may be used after one week to help hide bruising.

Duration of Results:
A number of factors, including heredity and your lifestyle, play a role in how long the results of your facelift will last. Even though the aging process continues, patients are usually happy with their appearance for many years following a facelift.

Risks:
Complications that can occur include hematoma (a collection of blood under the skin that must be removed by the surgeon), injury to the nerves that control facial muscles (usually temporary), and infection. Poor healing of the skin is most likely to affect smokers, and active smokers are not candidates for this procedure.

• Alternatives:
• Brow lift/Forehead Lift
• Eyelid Surgery (blepharoplasty)
• Nose Surgery
• Facial Peels
• Laser Resurfacing

Top Duke specialists:
Jeffrey R. Marcus, MD
Michael Robert Zenn, MD
L. Scott Levin, MD
Detlev Erdmann, MD

FAQS

Can facelift plastic surgery be done without scars?
The scars from facelift plastic surgery usually fade and are barely perceptible. In some patients, especially younger ones, endoscopic surgery can be used to lift the eyebrows and remove frown lines. This endoscopic surgery can be done with tiny scars. However, if there is excessive skin, it must be removed for the best results through standard facelift incisions. If scars are thick, they may be noticeable.

Can I have other plastic surgery procedures of the face done at the same time as a facelift?
Yes, very often patients have their eyes or their brow done at the same time. If the surgery is warranted, the final result is uniform and balanced and there is only one recovery period. Some patients ask that their nose be touched up, because as we age, the tip of the nose can start to sag as well. Other patients find that they have lost volume in their lips as they've gotten older and request a fat transfer to bulk up their lips for a more youthful, pouty appearance. Additional procedures should not exceed two hours to keep the length of the entire procedure safe.