Rhytidectomy, also known as a facelift, is a plastic surgery procedure in which all the excess fat between the nose and mouth is removed, and the underlying muscles are tightened. This treatment does not stop the aging process.

The right candidates for the Rhytidectomy are those people whose face and neck start to sag, but also have an elastic skin and a strong bone structure.

All surgeries have risks and consequences and the facelift is no exception. If this treatment is performed by a highly qualified specialist, the risks will be reduced. But all the patients are not completely predictable because all of them have different anatomy, physical reactions, and healing abilities.

Some of the risks are: hematoma, injury to nerves that control all the muscles of the face, infections and reaction to the anesthesia. All of these consequences could be reduced by following all the surgeon's indications.

The first step in the facelift is to evaluate the face of the patient and then the doctors will determine the conditions that may cause any problem during the surgery. The doctor will explain the entire process and techniques that will be used in the surgery.

Before surgery, you will have to follow guidelines for an appropriate diet to follow. Eating and drinking habits, smoking, and consuming or evading some vitamins and several medications will be modified in order to obtain succesful results from the surgery.

Rhytidectomy always takes several hours depending on the procedure. Most of the time, doctors divide the surgery in two separated sessions. Usually, it takes three or more weeks to completely recover from the intervention.