Facelift or Rhytidectomy is a procedure which will smooth your skin and tighten underlying muscles to give you a fresher younger look. A facelift can be done alone or in conjunction with other facial rejuvenation procedures such as a forehead lift, eyelid surgery or nose reshaping.

A facelift usually takes two to five hours and is performed as an outpatient under sedation. Your cosmetic surgeon will make an incision in the natural contour of your ear that extends around the earlobe and back into the hairline. After separating the skin from muscle and fat underneath, it is then pulled up and back, and the excess skin is removed. The surgeon may also make a small incision hidden underneath your chin. Scars are minimal and gradually fade over

time. There isn't usually any significant discomfort after surgery; if there is, your physician can prescribe medication to alleviate this.

You should plan to take it easy for the first week after surgery, avoiding straining, bending and lifting. Bruising and swelling usually disappear within two weeks. Most patients return to work within a week to ten days and can resume most normal activities within two weeks. Exercise can begin in three to four weeks.

The results of your facelift may be dramatic or subtle, depending on how you look before surgery as well as the specific goals that you and your cosmetic surgeon have established. You should expect to wait several weeks for the optimal results of your facelift.