Americans spent more than $1 billion on facelift and facial surgery in 2005, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Facelift (rhytidectomy) is a major procedure to treat severe facial skin laxity and sagging. The procedure often provides a benefit for more than ten years.

There are many variations of facelift surgery. You should ask your doctor about facelift variations, which may include the deep plane lift or composite lift, SMAS lift, subperiosteal lift, skin lift, mid facelift, and feather or thread lift.

Facelift plastic surgery may be performed by making an incision at the temples behind the hairline. The incision typically extends downward, along the natural creases in the skin, in front or on the edge of the ear, in the crease of the ear lobe, and behind the ear. Making the incision in the natural creases helps hide scarring after surgery. The surgeon then separates the skin and muscles of the face from the deeper facial tissues.
In some cases the skin is removed, in others the skin and muscle tissues are reshaped. The underlying muscle may be tightened with the skin, or separately. After the tightening or removal of excess skin, the skin is re-draped and sutured or stapled in place.

Facelift patients normally undergo general anaesthesia. Time in surgery is approximately 90 to 120 minutes. In some cases, drainage tubes are left in place under certain areas of the skin for several days to reduce post-surgical swelling. Depending upon the extent of the procedure, a facelift may be performed under local anaesthesia — while you are numbed and sedated, but awake, or a light general anaesthetic, where you are lightly sleeping. You should discuss anaesthesia options with your plastic surgeon and the anaesthesiologist.

After surgery, patients may experience moderate swelling of the eyelids and other facial areas. Immediately after surgery a large fluffy dressing is usually applied. Typically within one day after surgery it is removed and may be replaced with an elastic wrap. There is normally some discomfort following facelift surgery, which can be managed with medications. Strenuous activity should be avoided until the swelling has subsided. This can take four to six weeks; however, within two weeks the swelling should be reduced enough to engage in some social activities. Many patients prefer to delay significant social activities for four weeks after surgery. The skin may feel dry and feel rough for a few months.

Smoking reduces blood flow to areas of the facial skin, so you shouldn't smoke a month before and a month after surgery. Stopping smoking will help the healing process. One in ten smokers will experience skin death at the incision site if they continue to smoke after surgery.(The Right Surgeon strongly advises all clients against carrying out the procedure, unless fully committed to the no smoking requirement).

The treatment plan for a facelift patient may include other plastic surgery procedures and minimally invasive procedures to provide a full facial rejuvenation benefit. The facelift in and of itself involves improvements to the jaw line, cheeks, and nasiofold area, but not necessarily the neck, brow, forehead, and eyelids. During the consultation with a plastic surgeon, he or she will evaluate the face to develop a comprehensive treatment plan. During the face lift procedure, the plastic surgeon may perform a procedure to improve the appearance of the eyelids, called blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery). Blepharoplasty may also be performed after recovery from the facelift. A forehead lift (brow lift) may also be performed during the facelift or after the recovery period. The endoscopic brow lift procedure may be an alternative brow lift approach that is less invasive than the traditional brow lift. You may consider a neck-lift to improve the appearance of your neck and provide a more balanced youthful appearance.

A facelift is meant for folds and creases of laxity and to improve the appearance of intrinsic wrinkle lines.

A facelift is meant for folds and creases of laxity and not meant to improve the appearance of wrinkle lines. Wrinkle lines may be improved after plastic surgery by skin resurfacing techniques, such as laser skin resurfacing, chemical peels, or microdermabrasion. Wrinkles may further improve with the use of injectables such as collagen or Botox. Loss of volume and folds including nasolabial folds may be treated with injectables such as restylane to produce a fully satisfactory outcome. These solutions may not completely eliminate the signs of aging including sagging, laxity, volume loss, and folds. Successful strategies often include a combination of procedures and treatments, such as blepharoplasty, to achieve facial rejuvenation.

Aging can create the appearance of sagging lax facial skin. Creases can appear and deepen in certain places, especially between the nose and mouth. Aging, gravity, sun exposure, and stress contribute to these processes. Facelift surgery (rhytidectomy) can refresh your appearance in all of these areas by reducing sagging and laxity in the facial area

The best facelift candidates are patients whose skin appears to be lax or sagging. A strong jaw line or well-defined bone structure may also help improve the results of a facelift. Patients in their 40s, 50s, and 60s are the most common facelift patients, but others in their 70s and 80s have had successful surgeries as well. Alternatively, younger patients may want to consider less-invasive skin lifts or mini facelifts.

Facelift surgery can make you look younger and fresher by improving the appearance of the face. A facelift, like any cosmetic plastic surgery, may also boost your self-confidence and improve the way others interact with you, but that is not the purpose of the procedure. A healthy facelift procedure is designed to make you "look good for your age" and provide a rejuvenated facial appearance.

Some degree of facial rejuvenation will be permanent, improving laxity and sagging of the face, but some wrinkles may not be resolved with surgery. Particularly, more superficial wrinkles are less likely to be improved by the facelift procedure. (Results will vary with age, race, sex, weight, type of skin, previous exposure to sun, and other factors).

From deep plane lifts to feather lifts, almost any variation and extent of surgery is available to meet the needs of your facial-improvement goals. This article can help you find the best treatment for your condition.

Facial implants are inserted into areas of the face to restore a more balanced and youthful appearance. Facial implants can strengthen a weak jaw line or accentuate your cheekbones. They are often used in concert with facelift plastic surgery.

The best facial implant candidates are patients whose skin has loosened around the face, with the surrounding skin retaining enough elasticity to be repositioned successfully. A weakened jaw line, or the appearance of reduced bone structure, can be improved with facial implants. Implants may also work in other areas of the face. A consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon is the best way to decide if you are a good candidate for facial implants.

Facial implants are most often performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon. Surgery may be performed in an office surgical suite, outpatient surgery centre, or hospital.

Time in surgery is about 30 minutes to one hour. The procedure may be performed under local anaesthesia (awake, but sedated) or general anaesthesia (asleep). You can discuss the appropriate type of anaesthesia with your doctor and the anaesthesiologist.

Typically, you can return home the same day, though sometimes an overnight stay at the hospital is needed.

The facial implant procedure varies depending on the type of implant. The most common facial implants are chin, cheek, or jaw implants. You may need more than one type of implant to achieve the results you're looking for.

During a cheek implant, an incision will be made under the lower eyelid or on either side of the upper lip. The surgeon will create a pocket for the implant to fit into, then insert the implant through the incision. A bandage will be applied to reduce swelling and discomfort.

Moving your mouth, eyes, and lips may be difficult during recovery. The doctor will instruct you to limit activity and set dietary guidelines.

During a chin implant, an incision will be made under the chin or along the lower lip on the inside of the mouth. The surgeon will form a pocket for the implant to fit into, then insert the implant through the incision. Tape across the chin will be applied to reduce swelling and discomfort. The stitches will be removed within seven days.

Moving your mouth may be difficult for up to a week. Your chin and neck may be black and blue. The doctor will instruct you to limit activity, set a dietary plan, and give you dental hygiene guidelines. Stitches will be removed within seven days. If the incision is made inside the mouth, the stitches will dissolve.

During a jaw implant, an incision will be made on either side of the lower lip. The surgeon will form a pocket for the implant to fit into, then insert the implant into the lower jaw through the incision. Tape across the chin will be applied to reduce swelling and discomfort.

Moving your mouth may be difficult for about seven days. Movement will improve during the next few months. Your jaw may be black and blue. The doctor will instruct you to limit activity, set a dietary regimen, and give you dental hygiene guidelines. Stitches will dissolve in about seven days. After surgery, the jaw will continue to swell for up to 48 hours. There may be a low level of swelling for several months after the procedure.

As with any surgery, there is a risk of complications related to infection or reaction to anaesthesia. In extreme cases, infection will require removal and reinsertion of the implant. You can avoid most complications by selecting a qualified, experienced plastic surgeon and by following pre- and post-operative instructions. With proper precautions by the surgical team, complications are typically minimized or prevented.
Swelling and bruising often occur after the procedure and will subside within several days. Scarring may also occur, which can be treated with other procedures. Bleeding can produce excessive bruising or at worst, a blood clot, which requires physician intervention and results in a longer recovery time. Nerve damage is a rare complication, but it can occur. When it does occur, nerve damage can be temporary, resolving itself after about six months. The results of facial implant plastic surgery may not be fully evident for several months.

Facial implant surgery is one of the many cosmetic-surgery remedies to improve faces affected by aging or genetic issues. Temporary, less invasive alternatives include Botox, fat fillers, collagen and Restylane.

You may want to incorporate facial implants with other plastic surgery procedures. For example, facial implant surgery can enhance the results of a facelift. It may also be performed at the same time as a forehead lift or eyelid surgery. Successful strategies often include a combination treatment plan developed with a surgeon and other healthcare professionals, customized for each individual.