What is a Rhytidectomy?

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a way to turn back the clock? No, we’re not talking about the fountain of youth, we’re talking about a rhytidectomy — but you may know of it as a facelift. Years of sun damage, the effects of gravity, and diet can take a toll on your skin, causing it to sag and wrinkle. But luckily, this simple and common procedure can help take years off the look of your face.

Am I a Good Candidate?

Between their skin type, desires, and lifestyle, every person is unique. The best candidates for a facelift are those between 40 and 70, don’t smoke, have elastic skin, and show one or more of the below signs of ageing:

• Mid-face sagging.
• Deep creases under the eyes.
• Nasolabial folds.
• Jowls.
• Sagging fat.
• Loose skin and fat under the chin and jaw.

The Procedure

At Florida ENT, a rhytidectomy is an outpatient procedure, meaning you’ll be back home and in your own bed the night of the procedure. We offer patients two types of procedures, a traditional rhytidectomy and a limited-incision rhytidectomy.

• Traditional Rhytidectomy: A traditional rhytidectomy can be thought of as a “full facelift.” During this procedure, your surgeon will make an incision that starts at your temple and travels down behind your earlobe and ends at your hairline. Now, your surgeon will be able to rejuvenate your face by lifting your jowl and neck, redistributing fat, and repositioning facial muscles and tissue.
• Limited-Incision Rhytidectomy: As its name implies, a limited-incision rhytidectomy is less invasive than a traditional. During this procedure, your surgeon will focus mostly on improving and lifting the skin around your eyes and lips, typically by making small incisions near your temple, lower eyelids and occasionally just above or below the lips.

Tips for Recovering from a Rhytidectomy

Depending on the type of surgery you choose, the recovery time can be anywhere between one and several weeks. For the best results, we suggest that patients:

• Rest in bed and do not attempt any strenuous activity.
• Do not exercise or even perform heavy housework until cleared by their doctor.
• For the first two weeks, patients should avoid alcohol, saunas, and steam rooms.

Florida Ear Nose Throat & Facial Plastic Surgery Center. located in Orlando, FL, is an otolaryngology and facial plastics practice committed to providing our patients with the highest quality and personal care, as well as most advanced technology by a Harvard trained, double boarded facial plastic and head and neck surgeon.