Also known under the name of cervico-facial rejuvenation, facelift or plastic facial surgery, rhytidectomy is a surgical procedure aimed at restoring a look of youth and vitality to the face and neck.
Ageing of the face and neck causes a slackening and reduction of cutaneous and subcutaneous, fibro-fatty and muscular tissues as well as a reduction in the bone structure of the face. This inevitably leads to the appearance of wrinkles, malar pouches (drooping or slackening of the cheekbones), deep furrows (laugh lines), jowls and folds in the neck's platysma muscle (optu-angled neck).
There is no specific age at which to have a rhytidectomy. Each factor and its impact must be taken into account when dealing with the ageing of an individual.
An initial consultation is necessary to determine if a person is a good candidate. After an examination and analysis of the face to determine tissue quality and the degree of ageing, a decision can be made as to procedures. The average age for this type of intervention in North America is 50 years of age.
Rhytidectomy can be performed under local anaesthetic with sedation or under a general anaesthetic. In both cases, the patient remains under the medical surveillance of the anaesthetist or inhalation therapist while Dr. Bernier and assisting nurses concentrate on the surgery. Dr. Bernier's private clinic has an operating room and a recovery room with cutting edge technology and equipment that meet the exacting demands of modern facial plastic surgery.
There are several schools of thought on techniques and methods used in a rhytidectomy. The incisions or scars, for example, may appear similar but in fact, they are not. Close attention to minute detail and meticulousness, delicate handling of tissues, technical skill, knowledge and critical judgement on the part of the surgeon greatly influence the final results.
The time required for facelift surgery varies depending on the individual, the type of surgery (1, 2 or 3) and other surgeries that may be scheduled concurrently such as, facelift (rhytidectomy), eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), browlift (conventional or endoscopic), wrinkle treatment by dermabrasion, injections of fatty tissues, etc.
The incision begins behind the frontal hairline, circles the ear on the inside edge, goes behind the lobe and ends behind the ear. The work is carried out under the skin, putting back in place all the slackened or drooping subjacent tissues (muscles, fibrous tissues, fascia, and fatty tissues).
The incision begins as for the S-Lift, but continues behind the ear to end in the hair at the nape of the neck.
This operation offers optimal results for this age group. Remember that a facelift does not stop normal ageing even though, on a physical level, a person may appear several years younger.
