As each birthday passes, everyone begins to notice gray hairs and wrinkles that were not around last year.  Face lifts, or rhytidecomy, are becoming more viable options for many people who dislike their signs of aging.  It is common with advancing age to notice sagging skin and small blood vessels called spider veins or telangiectasia under the skin.  Face lifts or laser skin resurfacing treatments can help these conditions.  Some signs of aging can be very much improved by treatments that your cosmetic surgeon can provide.  Patients who suffer from a condition called hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia might also see great improvement after they undergo some aesthetic procedures for treatment of telangiectasia.  Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia is characterized by the presence of multiple abnormalities in the blood vessels and the presence of spider veins on the surface of the skin.

Rhytidectomy Procedure

The exact procedure that will be completed will be discussed with you during your initial consult with your plastic surgeon.  He will be able to explain the risks and benefits, show you before and after pictures of other patients who have undergone similar procedures and also discuss with you other procedures to help enhance your appearance.  Some options include SMAS surgery, short scar facelifts , and mid plane facelifts. 

Risks of Rhytidectomy Surgery

Depending on the exact procedure and the type of anesthesia used, the risks of each procedure will vary.  Some common complications of aesthetic procedures include:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Swelling and bruising
• Nerve damage
• Facial asymmetry
• Skin loss
• Anesthetic risks

Recovery After a Rhytidectomy

Your surgeon will be able to give you a better idea on the amount of time your recovery will take depending on which procedure you decide to have.  After most face lifts or dermal procedures, patients are able to return to many of their everyday activities after a week or two.  Some activities, like bending at the waist or lifting heavy objects will be limited for a longer amount of time. 

Facelift Costs

The cost will be determined by the number of treatments that you opt to have.  Laser rejuvenation might cost several hundred dollars a treatment.  A facelift can cost as much as fifteen thousand dollars, depending on the extent of the surgery and the surgeon.  These details will be discussed with you prior to surgery. 

Consult with a Professional

Once you decide to have a cosmetic procedure, your surgeon will work with you to decide which treatments will work best to suit your needs.  He will also explain to you the risks of each procedure as well as the expected outcomes.