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Woollahra Sydney . Wollongong NSW
Understanding Facelift (Rhytidectomy) Surgery
Facelift Surgery, otherwise known as a Meloplasty or Rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure commonly performed on patients who wish to address the appearance of certain facial features.
The visible changes associated with ageing are a net result of anatomical alterations that occur in all layers of the face. This includes bone loss, loss of skin elasticity, and loss of the structure of facial soft tissue. A variety of lifestyle factors, such as being overweight, sun damage, and smoking, can contribute to a loss of skin quality.
Over time, our understanding of the complex facial structure has grown, as have our surgical abilities to reverse them. Dr Jeremy Hunt offers a range of Facelift (Rhytidectomy) procedures. Using techniques such as the Deep Plane Facelift (Rhytidectomy), Dr Hunt avoids unnecessary tightening of the facial skin that is commonly used to typify older methods.
Why Patient Might Consider Facelift (Rhytidectomy) Surgery
There are many reasons why a patient might consider undergoing these procedures such as:
- Addressing loose skin
- Combatting wrinkles and fine lines
- Altering the contours of the face
Types of Face Lifts (Rhytidectomies)
Dr Jeremy Hunt uses a number of techniques to offer several different types of Facelift (Rhytidectomy) procedures depending on your aesthetic goal. Each Facelift (Rhytidectomy) comes with its own set of risks, downtime, and recovery phases. In general, the procedure aims to remove skin and revert the visible signs of the ageing process.
When Facelifts (Rhytidectomy) were first introduced to plastic surgery, an incision was made on the face and neck, and the skin was pulled back. However, this “skin-only” technique wasn’t entirely reliable, and so over time, plastic surgeons were able to develop new techniques by introducing Mini Facelift (Rhytidectomy) procedures, the deep plane Facelift (Rhytidectomy), and a plethora of other Facelift (Rhytidectomy) techniques.
Two of the most common basic Facelift (Rhytidectomy) techniques are explained below:
Mini-Facelift (Rhytidectomy)
The Mini Facelift (Rhytidectomy) is a modified version of Traditional Facelift (Rhytidectomy) Surgery. During your Mini Facelift (Rhytidectomy), your plastic surgeon uses limited incisions with an aim to lift the facial fat pads, tighten the facial muscles in the lower midface, and address jawline contour.
The Mini Facelift (Rhytidectomy) has proved to be a more common cosmetic procedure for younger patients. Candidates for a Mini Facelift (Rhytidectomy) are those who are younger, display minimal photoaging and wrinkles, and have moderate elasticity of their facial tissues.
Facelift (Rhytidectomy) Surgery – How Is It Performed
Facelift (Rhytidectomy) Surgery is performed by following a series of steps. Although a cosmetic surgery, Facelift (Rhytidectomy) surgery is still somewhat invasive, and so requires the use of an appropriate treatment room and anaesthesia.
Step 1 –
Anaesthesia
Prior to your surgery, and assuming that all preoperative checks have been completed, you will be met by an anaesthetist who will optimise a medication regime to help put you at ease throughout your surgery. Facial surgery typically requires the use of general anaesthesia, meaning that you will be put to sleep.
Step 2 –
Incisions
Once you are under anaesthesia, your surgeon will commence your Facelift (Rhytidectomy) Surgery by making multiple small incisions. The depth and size of these incisions vary depending on the degree of outcome that you are expecting and the type of procedure you have decided to undergo.
Traditional incisions begin at the hairline around the temples, continue around the natural contour behind the ear, and sometimes under your chin (if you are having a Platysmaplasty Neck Lift).
Step 3 –
The Lift
Once the incisions are complete, Dr, Hunt will identify the superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS), which is the underlying musculature of the face that is lifted. Going under this SMAS layer is entering the “deep plane” and this is where the SMAS layer, fat pads, and muscle are lifted from. This upward and outwards movement aims to accentuate your jawline, address jowls and deep marionette lines at the corner of the mouth, and deep nasolabial folds that run from the base of the nose down past the corner of the mouth. The cheek fat pad will be elevated on the cheekbone, aiming to achieve increased facial definition.
The tightening is done on the deeper layers of the skin so as to avoid creating an obvious “skin-tight” look. Be mindful that each patient’s results will vary according to their treatment plan.
Step 4 –
Suturing Incisions
Once the skin, and depending on your procedure, the facial muscles have been tightened, Dr Hunt will secure it in place, removing excess skin during the process. A drain may be placed to prevent the build-up of fluid and reduce pressure on the incision sites. The incisions will then be sutured shut.
