Face and neck lift (rhytidectomy)
Plastic surgery called rhytidectomy is aimed at correction of face and neck aging defects. This procedure helps to remove wrinkles, skin sagging and restore the facial contour. After rhytidectomy patients look 10 to 15 years younger. Facelift (circular lifting) is a very popular type of rhytidectomy. The main difference between these two procedures is that rhytidectomy is intended to correct not only face but neck as well.
Procedure of face and neck lifting:
Surgery includes several steps. It starts with making cuts in different places. First incision is made in the temporal area along the front ear part, second one is made under the earlobe towards the hairline. If a patient also desires to reduce the chin then a surgeon makes a cut under it.
When all incisions have been made the surgeon detaches skin from other tissues. After that skin is lifted using special tools and excess skin is removed. The doctor also examines fat deposits under the skin and removes excessive fat.
After completion of all manipulations the edges of tissues are closed evenly, muscles are lifted and all cuts are sutured with self-absorbable threads. In a week these threads will come off on their own. Scars and cicatricial formations will be almost invisible afterwards. A face-lift bandages are applied.
Preparation to face and neck lift surgery:
Rhytidectomy is a complex surgery done under general anesthesia. So the preoperative preparation should include patient inspection by the doctor in charge, general clinical examination (biochemical blood and urine test, blood and urine are investigated for infections and viruses, ECG, X-ray examination). Also the blood clotting ability and Rh factor are determined. A surgeon discusses the purposes and desired results of the upcoming surgery with a patient.
In addition to undergoing medical examination a patient should stop smoking and consuming alcohol. Taking of drugs which can affect blood clotting (aspirin, acetylsalicylic acid, etc.) and hormonal medicines should be ceased.
No eating and drinking is allowed 8 hours before the procedure. The intestines are purged using enema a few hours prior to surgery.
Procedure/surgery duration: 2 hours
Anesthesia: general
Postoperative period:
After plastic surgery a patient is transferred to a ward to regain consciousness after anesthesia. A patient stays at the clinic for 3 days observed by doctors. During this period swelling and small bruising can occur. Soon they will subside on their own. A patient may feel discomfort at sutures. A doctor can prescribe painkillers if necessary. As soon as pain is gone taking of painkillers should be ceased.
In two days after surgery the main bandage will be removed. If ordinary threads are used for surgery they will be removed in about one week after plastic surgery. They are removed not all together but one by one. Thus, the risk of scar tissue formation is reduced. As soon as all sutures have been removed a patient can get back to his or her normal way of living. Nevertheless, a patient should avoid intense sport activities, visiting sauna and solarium. A doctor can prescribe physiotherapy procedures to speed up recovery.
Healing is a gradual process. So the final effect of plastic surgery will become visible in about a half year. To the end of this period the postoperative scars will become totally invisible.
