Facelift

Facelift surgery, or a rhytidectomy, is designed to restore a more youthful appearance by removing major wrinkles and sagging skin. It involves tightening of the facial and neck muscles as well as the removal of any excess skin.

The skin begins to sag as a result of ageing, gravity, sun damage and genetics. We start life with smooth skin and evenly distributed fat. With ageing, the fat repositions and undergoes atrophy, the skin sags and the muscles droop. Jowls develop and the neck loses it’s contour and bands in the neck form. The facelift procedure will tighten the muscles, eliminate the bands in the neck and improve the jawline, neck angle and jowls. The excess skin is removed and this gives a smooth contour. The procedure can be combined with fat transfer, endoscopic forehead lift, blepharoplasty, and chin augmentation when needed.

This procedure will turn back the hands of time. We strive to achieve a natural look and we do not make our patients look like they have been in a wind tunnel.

The Procedure

A facelift is frequently performed in conjunction with blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), forehead lift, chin augmentation, and/or liposuction, to create an overall rejuvenation of the face. The procedure can be repeated as gravity continues its effects after the first surgery.

The procedure is performed in our surgical center (Columbus Surgical Center). A general anesthetic is utilized for your comfort. Anesthesia is provided by Columbus Anesthesia Associates, which is the same group that provides anesthesia for Baptist Memorial Hospital.

The surgeon will make incisions inside the hairline at the temple, in front of the ear, then around the earlobe and behind the ear, ending at the scalp area. Excess skin is removed and sagging muscles and connective tissues are tightened. In some cases, fatty deposits are removed from beneath the chin and neck. Incisions are closed with small sutures.

Post Operative Care

It necessary for someone to drive you to the center and stay with you for the first 24 hours. We make special arrangements for our patients that are from distant areas. We will make arrangements for our patient to have a member of our staff stay with them the first night. There is an additional minimal charge for this service. We will need to see you for the first two days following the procedure to clean the incision lines and apply a clean headwrap. Following this, you will be provided with all the supplies you need to take care of your incision lines. The fine sutures are removed in 7 days and the larger sutures in the hairline are removed in 7-10 days.

To minimize scarring, the doctor may remove the sutures in stages. Scarring fades quickly. Swelling and discoloration decrease within two weeks. Tightness in your face will be present for several weeks and there may be slight changes in your hair pattern around the incision.

We recommend that you avoid the sun for several weeks after surgery.

By following post-operative instructions, you will minimize potential problems.

Recovery: What to Expect

In the weeks following surgery, the facial skin and area around the ear may be numb. There may also be some temporary discoloration as healing begins, which may take a few months to disappear. Occasionally, the facial nerve is bruised during surgery, resulting in temporary loss of function or sensation. However, actual permanent damage to the facial nerve is rare.

Please see segment below of Dr. John E. Griffin with “On the Beat” regarding the Facelift procedure.

FaceLift with “On the Beat” featuring Dr. John E. Griffin and Troy Thompson