Rhytidectomy in New York is the medical term used to refer to a general face lift procedure. It is defined as the surgical procedure performed on the mid section, lower face and the neck areas, and which is designed to enhance one’s physical appearance. After a successful face lift procedure, sagging skin on the face, jowls, and neck as well as unsightly wrinkles and lines would disappear, leaving one with a smooth, youthful face.
Face lift surgery remains one of the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures performed throughout the world today. Here is a basic outline of how the procedure is performed, assuming you have a qualified and board-certified surgeon working on your face.
Anesthesia is administered
This is always the first step on any surgical procedure because no incisions can be made when a patient is fully awake. When it comes to rhytidectomy, some doctors would prefer to have general anesthesia used, while others would prefer combining local anesthesia, IV sedation and mild sedatives. Your anesthetist and surgeon would be in a good position to advice on the best type of anesthesia to use based on your condition as an individual.
Incisions are made
The next step that follows is making of the incisions which basically start from the temple area just behind the hairline, towards the front part of the ear, all round the ear lobe before going back up to the scalp where the first incision was made. Your surgeon would take utmost care when making the incisions so that they would fall under a natural skin fold so they will not be visible.
Actual process of repositioning and tightening the muscles and connective tissue
Once the skin has been slit open, the surgeon will pull out the skin so as to gain direct access to underlying connective tissues and muscles. The surgeon would reposition the muscles and tauten the connective tissues. Once they are re-positioned, they would be secured in place with the use of tissue glue and/or sutures. It is at this point that excess fat can be extracted or repositioned as well to allow the muscles and connective tissues fall in their new positions perfectly.
Trimming excess skin
The moment the underlying tissues are tightened, there would be loose skin left hanging, meaning it would also need to be trimmed off. Again, utmost care would need to be taken so that the facial features would not be altered in the process.
Closing of incisions
With the use of sterilized staples, fine sutures and tissue glue, your surgeon would then be able to close all incisions for the healing process to start immediately.
Dressing
After incisions are closed, the incisions would be fully draped in sterilized bandages which should remain in place for a period of 1-2 days to facilitate healing and reduce pain and swelling. In case a drainage tube was put in place to drain off excess fluid, it would also be removed alongside the bandages in a day or two after the procedure. The sutures would remain for a week or so before they are removed as well. Rhytidectomy New York is a procedure that takes at least 1-3 hours if there are no other procedures being performed together.