Are you beginning to notice the effects of aging on your skin? Many patients who come to us for facelifts report concerns about deep folds along the mouth, a jawline that has become slack, and folds or fat deposits in the face. These telltale signs of aging can be minimized with plastic surgery procedures, including facelifts.
There are several different ways that a facelift can be performed, depending on your specific desired results and concerns. Learn more about the services offered through Plastic and Cosmetic Center of South Texas to determine which procedure will best meet your needs.
What is a Rhytidectomy?
A rhytidectomy, also known more commonly as a facelift, is one of the most well-known types of plastic surgery that are offered by our expert surgeons, as they can be used to restore a round, youthful appearance.
Facelifts are used to correct several prominent signs of aging, including sagging skin. The goal of the procedure is to lift, tighten, and smooth loose skin around the cheeks, jawline, and neck.
It is a long-lasting procedure that can give results for years to come. This makes it an effective treatment option for patients who prefer more permanent results than injectables can provide. In contrast, injections typically last for a few months at a time before additional rounds of treatment are necessary.
At Plastic and Cosmetic Center of South Texas, our board-certified plastic surgeon will be the one to perform your procedure, whether you opt to pursue a mini-facelift or a full facelift. Dr. Thomas Jeneby is a premier plastic surgeon on our team here in the San Antonio area and he is known for providing superior results.
Oftentimes, a rhytidectomy is done in combination with other plastic surgery procedures such as:
- Brow lift
- Eyelid surgery
- Rhinoplasty or nose reshaping
During your initial consultation with our treatment team, you can discuss your aesthetic goals and explore the procedures that can be used to attain them.
Even if you do not opt for one of these additional services, you can still get great results from a facelift to the neck or upper parts of the face. There are several different types of facelifts that you can choose from, including skin lifts, skin and muscle lifts, midface lifts, and ribbon lifts.
Skin Lifts
The first type of rhytidectomy is known as a skin lift. In this procedure, your plastic surgeon will pull the skin upward to minimize the effect of a sagging neck or jowls.
A skin lift procedure can also be done as a “mini-facelift,” in which the area of the lower eyelids is not addressed.
One of the key reasons that many patients opt for a skin lift is the minimal downtime involved in healing. Patients who receive mini-facelifts are often able to return to their activities sooner, with many patients able to return to work within four to five days after their procedure.
When mini facelifts are combined with surgery on the eyelids as well, it is known as a full facelift. These procedures can be done under local anesthesia (oral or IV sedation) or general anesthesia.
Skin and Muscle Lifts
The skin and muscle lift is a longer-lasting procedure that can minimize the effects of aging. During this procedure, the muscle will be sutured upward to the bony areas of the face and sagging skin will be lifted.
You may also hear this procedure referred to by other names such as the “quick lift” or the “swift lift.” By any name, this procedure can be helpful for addressing sagging or loose skin.
Midface Lifts
A midface lift is primarily used to address cheeks that have lost their roundness, leading the profile of the face to appear droopy. For this type of procedure, the cheeks will be lifted vertically toward the eyes. With the cheeks sitting higher on the face, a more plump, youthful appearance can often be achieved.
Ribbon Lifts
We also offer a treatment known as a ribbon lift. A ribbon facelift uses a tacking device near the temples of the face to raise sagging skin.
Benefits of Facelifts
Rhytidectomies offer a lot of unique benefits beyond the appearance of more youthful skin.
Facelifts are an FDA-approved procedure with results that are meant to be long-lasting. The effects of a facelift will typically last for at least five years, though many patients report seeing results well beyond this time frame.
Facelifts can be used to address common complaints such as:
- Loose skin
- A sagging jawline
- Wrinkles
If you notice any of these issues on your face or around your neck, it may be time to consider setting up a consultation for a facelift. We can answer your questions, show you images of the kinds of results that we have achieved for other patients, and offer advice about which type of facelift might be the right fit for your particular needs.
Scheduling a Consultation
If you feel that plastic surgery or rhytidectomy is the right choice for you, then you need to set up your first consultation. Every procedure starts with an initial meeting to discuss your goals for your appearance and to answer any questions you may have about the process.
When you are ready for your initial consultation, contact the Plastic and Cosmetic Center of South Texas to make your appointment with Dr. Thomas Jeneby. As an Ivy League-trained plastic surgeon with a team of expert medical staff, he can develop a comprehensive treatment plan to address your individual aesthetic goals. Call our San Antonio, TX office today to set up your first appointment!
