Also known as a facelift, rhytidectomy is a surgical procedure that addresses the effects of aging by making a patient look younger, through “lifting” parts of the face. Board-certified doctors are the ones that perform facelifts, as it is a complex process that requires a careful and learned approach.

Over time, the face loses its muscle tone and skin elasticity. Cheeks begin to sag, which distorts the jaw line and forms jowls. Skin on the neck can also loosen, giving the impression of a gobbling turkey. Rhytidectomy corrects those effects by rejuvenating the face as well as the neck, if necessary.

Prior to surgery, the patient receives local anesthesia on the face and general anesthesia or sedative via an IV line. The surgeon makes an incisions starting from the temple area and around the ear. The skin is then raised to allow the muscles and tissue underneath to be tightened. While some skin and fat may be removed, the former is re-draped over the face and the incision sutured.


Usually, rhytidectomy takes several hours to complete. Some patients stay overnight in the hospital to recover, while others can go home on the same day of the procedure. Plastic surgeons work toward achieving natural-looking results, making patients look years younger and bringing back that youthful glow that is desired by many.