In recent years, a remarkable procedure, rhytidectomy or facelift, has been developed to correct these conditions and give people the youthful appearance they desire. This procedure involves the tightening of facial and neck skin and muscles and the removal of excess skin. Often a rhytidectomy is done in conjunction with other facial cosmetic surgeries such as brow and forehead lift, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), chin augmentation, liposuction, and rhinoplasty (surgery of the nose). A facelift can be performed any time after signs of aging appear.

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Before Surgery
Prior to surgery, a medical history is taken in order to evaluate your general health. A careful examination is also conducted. Dr. Edds will discuss with the patient how the face should look and what results can realistically be expected. The goal of surgery is to produce a pleasing, natural appearance. Photographs are taken before and after in order to determine the amount of improvement. The type of anesthesia to be used, the procedure, and possible risks and complications are also discussed by Dr. Edds.

Preoperative instructions may include the elimination of certain drugs containing aspirin for several weeks before surgery in order to minimize the possibility of excess bleeding. Antibiotics will be prescribed to prevent infection. You will be instructed to shampoo your hair the night before and morning of surgery with an antibacterial soap.

The Procedure
The surgery can be performed in our fully accredited outpatient surgical facility or a hospital, depending upon Dr. Edds' and your preference. It can be done under general anesthesia or under local IV sedation. Premedication is usually administered to relax you.

In the basic procedure, Dr. Edds works on one side of the face at a time. Incisions are made inside the hairline at the temple, running in front of the ear then around the earlobe and behind the ear, ending in the hair of the scalp. Loose skin is separated from underlying tissue and is pulled up and back and excess skin is removed. Connective tissue and sagging muscles are tightened, and in some cases, fat deposits are removed from beneath the chin and neck. This may necessitate an additional small incision under the chin. Tiny sutures are used to close the incisions. A rhytidectomy may take from three to five hours or more depending on whether other procedures are done at the same time.

Following Surgery
After surgery bandages are applied to the area and are removed the following day. Pain connected with the surgery is minimal to moderate and is controlled with oral medication. Dr. Edds determines when sutures are removed. This may be done in stages in order to minimize scarring. Scars from the incisions fade significantly with time and are, for the most part, inconspicuous because they are made within natural creases. Swelling and discoloration disappear in a week or two. Swelling can be reduced by keeping the head in a slightly elevated position when reclining. A tightness or numbness of the treated area may be present for a while, and there may be slight changes in the normal hair pattern around the incision. A limited amount of blood collection under the skin may occur temporarily but does not affect the overall results.

For several weeks after surgery, you are advised to avoid the sun as much as possible and to wear sunscreen when going outdoors. Healing is gradual and final results may not be apparent for several weeks. The amount of improvement varies, depending on the initial condition and the extent of surgery. In most cases, a single procedure achieves the desired results while in some cases, additional procedures may be indicated. Most patients who have had a facelift are delighted with their more attractive, rested appearance.

Each year thousands of rhytidectomies are successfully performed. Complications connected with this surgery are rare; however, there are certain inherent risks connected with every surgical procedure which should be discussed with Dr. Edds prior to surgery. You can minimize complications by carefully following directions given by Dr. Edds.

If you are interested in learning more about this procedure, please call our office at (270) 926-9033 and we will be happy to answer questions about the procedure itself or about procedure cost and financing.