Facelift - Aesthetic facial surgery
WHAT IS A FACELIFT?
The rhytidectomy, commonly known as a facelift, is without a doubt one of the procedures most requested of surgeons like Prof. Dini, who has worked in the aesthetic surgery field for many years. This surgical technique consists of “lifting” and repositioning the skin and underlying structures (fascia and muscles) which, due to natural ageing and loss of tissue elasticity, tend to droop.
WHO IS THIS PROCEDURE FOR?
Although there is no age limit for facelifts, most people who choose this type of operation are men and women over the age of 40 who want a more youthful looking face without altering their features. The procedure can also be done successfully on patients between the ages of 70 and 80 who want to reduce wrinkles and droopiness in their face and neck.
WHAT DOES THE PRE-OPERATIVE VISIT ENTAIL?
During the pre-operative visit, in addition to checking whether this type of procedure is appropriate, the professor will evaluate the patient’s overall health to make sure he/she does not suffer from cardiac, coagulation or scarring issues, for example. It is also important to control the patient's blood pressure as excessively high pressure could jeopardise the results of the operation. Smokers who wish to get a facelift must stop smoking for at least 2 weeks prior to the procedure as smoking slows blood flow and delays the healing process due to insufficient blood supply to the skin cells.
HOW IS A FACELIFT DONE?
During a surgical facelift, the skin and underlying structures are lifted and repositioned via small incisions made behind the ears or in the hair. Depending on the area being operated on, it will be a forehead, brow, face or neck lift. However, in none of these cases will the scars be visible, as they will be hidden behind the ears or in the hair. As it is a very customised operation, facelifts can take from a minimum of an hour and a half to a maximum of 4 hours. Facelifts are surgical procedures that are done under local anaesthesia with sedation or under general anaesthesia, as outpatient surgery or with a 1 or 2 night stay. It is minimally painful.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT IN POST-OPERATIVE RECOVERY?
In the 48 hours following the operation, Prof. Dini recommends that his patient remains sedated, with head raised, on bed rest. The area that was operated may appear swollen for the first 2-5 days. The swelling will gradually go down and even after just 3-7 days, the patient can go back to a normal life, carefully avoiding all strenuous activity. The stitches will be removed after a week and even after the first three weeks, the results of the procedure will be visibly noticeable. The final aesthetic results will be seen after about six months.
