A facelift, also known as rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure designed to address visible signs of aging in the face and neck.

These signs can include:

• The skin of the face becoming lax and sagging
• Deepening of fold lines between the nose and mouth corners
• Loss or displacement of facial fat
• Formation of jowls in the cheeks and jawline
• Presence of loose skin and excess fat in the neck, often referred to as a "double chin" or "turkey neck"
• Aging-related changes in facial contours, influenced by factors like skin thinning, loss of facial fat, gravity, sun exposure, smoking, heredity, and stress.

To achieve the most natural outcome, Dr. Supasid begins with each individual's unique appearance rather than unrealistic beauty standards. He values facial harmony, enhancing the cheeks, jawline, and neck while maintaining a sense of facial harmony. Through a consideration of natural proportions, the aim is not to transform into someone else, but to become the enhanced and comfortable version of yourself. A deep plane (under the SMAS layer) facelift offers a natural looking and long lasting outcome. It is important to note that while the deep plane facelift offers many advantages, it is also a more complex procedure and might require a longer recovery period compared to less invasive techniques.

In combination with a facelift, other procedures such as brow lifts and eyelid surgery may be performed to rejuvenate the eyes. Recommendations for replacing lost volume may include fat transfer or fillers. Skin treatments like IPL, dermabrasion, chemical peels, or laser therapy might also be offered to improve skin quality and texture.

It's essential to note that a facelift is not a transformative surgery and cannot halt the aging process. It is solely a restorative procedure. While minimally invasive rejuvenation treatments cannot achieve the same results as a facelift, they can potentially delay the need for a facelift and complement its outcomes.

Candidates:

Facelift surgery is a highly individualized procedure. You should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else's desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image.

Who is a good candidate for facelift surgery?
In general, good candidates for a facelift include:

• Healthy individuals who do not have medical conditions that impair healing
• Nonsmokers
• Individuals with a positive outlook and realistic expectations

Risks and safety:

Facelift risks, while rare, include:

• Anesthesia risks
• Bleeding
• Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
• Facial nerve injury with weakness
• Fluid accumulation
• Infection
• Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
• Persistent pain
• Poor wound healing and skin loss
• Prolonged swelling
• Skin irregularities and discoloration
• Sutures may spontaneously surface through the skin, become visible or produce irritation that require removal
• Temporary or permanent hair loss at the incisions
• Unfavorable scarring
• Unsatisfactory results may include asymmetry, unsatisfactory surgical scar location and unacceptable visible deformities at the ends of the incisions

These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It is important that you address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.

Preparation: 

In preparing for a facelift, you may be asked to:

• Get lab testing or a medical evaluation
• Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
• Apply certain products to the facial skin preoperatively
• Stop smoking
• Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding and bruising

You should arrange for a friend or family member to drive you to and from surgery and to stay with you at least the first night following surgery.

Recovery:

Following completion of a facelift, a bandage might be placed around your face to minimize swelling and bruising. Small tubes may be present to draw off any excess blood or fluid.

You will be given specific instructions on how to care for the surgical site and drains, medications to apply or take orally, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health and when to follow up with your plastic surgeon.