facelift (rhytidectomy)

A Facelift is the procedure that gives back the freshness to the face, tired by a natural sliding of the epidermis and fat downwards.
It enables a recreation of the face shape, eliminating or reducing the loose skin that conveys to the face a tired, worn out and aged look.
It consists in removing the excess skin that modifies the features by repositioning the face muscles and the fat tissue underneath that can lose volume with time.
A Facelift, more than just reducing the signs of aging of the face and neck, gives back the freshness to the features, slowing down the progressive falling of the tissues.
The surgical technique, perfected over the years, enables a rejuvenation of the face without changing the physiognomy or reducing the natural expression.
An ëinvisibleí procedure is considered a success with a look that seems natural, not as the result of a scalpel.

It is absolutely advised to patients who smoke, that they avoid smoking for at least 30 days. All medicines with acetylsalicylic acid must be suspended for at least 2 weeks, as well as contraceptives.
Complete blood tests are prescribed (particularly coagulation), electrocardiogram and chest x-rays. The photographic documentation must be accurate with all the different perspectives of the face and neck. Antibiotic treatment after the operation is usually required.
The surgery lasts around 3 hours and it is performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation.
The patient is positioned on their back with the head elevated. The tightening of the tissue can be subcutaneous (traditional lifting) or sub-muscular (SMAS) or SOTTOPERIOSTALE
In all cases careful haemostasis is necessary, excess skin is removed, and small fat accumulations can be removed by suction.
The cutaneous incisions are performed inside the scalp and in the PRE-AURICULAR area so that they are practically invisible.

A compressive medication for the first 48 hours is useful.
A lightly compressive bandage for the first 48 hours may be useful.
The effects are the appearance of deep wrinkles on the forehead, the falling of the eyebrows and of the upper-eyelids at the sides. The prescriptions and the preparation before the procedure are identical to those for a CERVICO-facelift.

In this area there could be an accumulation of fat that can be removed by suction through a minimal incision: in other persistent cases instead, also after the cervico-facelift an excess of skin is removed allowing the suture to fall and the consequent scar, in the natural wrinkle under the chin.

For the first 24-48 hours a stay in hospital is required. The position in bed with the head elevated, a light diet, a check-up of possible blood clots by the doctor, and the monitoring of the arterial pressure.
After 48 hours, mild activity is allowed avoiding too much effort. The first suture is removed after 5 days the remaining after 7 to 11 days, shampoo and light make-up are allowed after 6 days.
The initial swelling gradually disappears (in the case of a front lift it is mainly around the eyelid area), some bruising can persist for longer, while small hematoma (a collection of blood under the skin) can be removed or squeezed through the suture during the check-up at the surgery.

Exposure to the sun must be avoided for at least one month.