Cosmetic Plastic Surgery In Toronto: Face/Neck Lift (Rhytidectomy)
As we age, many of us notice a decline in the number of compliments we receive, and we become aware that our attractiveness to the opposite sex is also fading. When we’re younger, our youthful vitality shows in our faces, but as genetics, stress and our lifestyle choices take a toll, our features lose their lustre.
There is hope for those who want their appearance to be more in line with how they feel. If the signs of aging in your face have you worried, a Face and/or Neck Lift may be right for you.
Facelift (Rhytidectomy)
A Rhytidectomy, more commonly known as a Facelift, is among Dr. Born’s favourite procedures and comprises a significant part of his practice. A Facelift improves the visible signs of aging, such as:
Creases below the lower eyelids
Smile lines that extend from the nose to the corners of the mouth
Displaced fat deposits
Lost muscle tone and volume in the lower face which leads to jowls
The goal is to restore a youthful, relaxed appearance by reshaping and adding volume to the face, without a “wind tunnel” look, or any obvious signs of surgical enhancement.
The best results are achieved through three basic steps:
Micro-Fat grafting – adds volume back to the key areas of the patient's face like the jaw line, the hollows below the eyes, and the brow/temple region.
Contouring and tightening the deep tissues of the face, including the muscles of the neck.
Re-draping the skin in a way that allows healing with minimal scarring or distortion to the ears or hairline – making the Face Lift undetectable.
Preparation As with all surgeries performed by Dr. Born, patients are prescribed supplements to take before and after the surgery, to help prepare and recover faster and without complications.
Procedure length The procedure takes several hours and is done while you’re asleep. You stay overnight in the clinic and go home the following day.
A Neck Lift is also known as Cervicoplasty (a removal of excess skin), or Platysmaplasty (alteration of neck muscles), depending on what is being done. A Neck Lift improves the visible signs of aging below the chin and jaw line, such as:
Excess skin also known as the “turkey waddle”
Excess fat deposits that can cause a “double chin”
Lost muscle tone in the neck
As with a Face Lift, the goal is to restore a youthful, relaxed appearance by reshaping and adding volume to the face, without any obvious signs of surgical enhancement.
The best results are achieved through three basic steps:
Micro-Fat grafting – adds volume back to the key areas of the patient's face like the jaw line.
Contouring and tightening the deep tissues of the face and neck, including the muscles.
Re-draping the skin in a way that allows healing with minimal scarring or distortion to the ears or hairline – making the Neck Lift undetectable.
Preparation As with all surgeries performed by Dr. Born, patients are prescribed supplements to take before and after the surgery, to help prepare and recover faster and without complications.
Procedure length The procedure takes two to three hours and is done while you’re asleep, or under sedation. You may stay overnight in the clinic or go home later the same day.
Specific Risks of a Face/Neck Lift
Pain
Bruising lasting longer than three weeks
Firmness along the incision- this is normal for the first few months
Asymmetry (this is normal and expected) in most persons there is pre-existing asymmetry which is corrected as much as possible
Scar behind the ear can become thick and painful requiring steroid injections to diminish it
Not enough correction- the neck is the most common and may need a minor re-tightening one year after surgery
Reaction to the permanent sutures
Injury to nerves for sensation
Injury to nerves for facial muscles
Bleeding after surgery – requiring re-operation
Skin discoloration
Scarring as a result of poor blood supply to the skin flaps- increased risk with smoking
There are some general risks intrinsic to all surgical procedures; please take a moment to review them.
Recovery Patients can return to normal activities a week after surgery. Small stitches are removed after three days and the remaining stitches are removed on the seventh day after the surgery. There will be some swelling for three to five days and bruising generally dissipates less than a week following surgery. There may be residual bruising for up to three weeks. We provide camouflage make-up consultation and Skin Care Lines to ease your transition through the recovery period. We suggest that patients who regularly colour their hair do so one week prior to surgery, as hair coloring should be postponed for at least four weeks following this procedure.
The final result of Face/Neck Lift surgery can be seen after the swelling completely dissipates. Patients look youthful, refreshed, and in the case of Neck Lifts, as if they have lost weight. Patients in their forties generally enjoy results that can last up to 10 years. Keep in mind that the same factors which caused the initial facial aging will resume after surgery, but lifestyle changes that include limiting sun exposure, exercise and quitting smoking can lengthen the benefits of your surgery.
It is important to note that each surgery is tailored to meet the unique needs and features of individual patients.
What other patients want Many patients combine Face/Neck Lift surgery with other facial rejuvenating procedures such as Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery), Brow Lift, and Chin or Cheek Augmentation to achieve an overall restoration of their appearance.
Interested in returning to a more youthful, invigorated appearance that is closer to how you feel? Book your consultation with Dr. Born today.
