Technically known as Rhytidectomy, a facelift is a surgical procedure to improve visible signs of aging in the face and neck such as sagging in the midface, deep creases below the lower eyelids, deep creases between the nose and mouth, fat that has fallen or is displaced, loss of muscle tone in the lower face that may create jowls, loose skin and excess fatty deposits under the chin and jaw. These visible signs of aging can be corrected by a facelift. It restores a more youthful and rested appearance with uplifted contours and improved tone in facial skin and underlying muscle.

Other surgeries that may serve as adjunct to facelift surgery are: blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) and brow or forehead lift. These other procedures help with the overall goal of facial rejuvenation.

As a restorative surgery, a facelift will not and cannot change your fundamental appearance. Moreover, the aging process will continue as soon as your surgery is over. A facelift will and cannot stop aging. Having a facelift doesn't stop the clock. Your face will continue to age with time, and you may want to repeat the procedure one or more times-perhaps five or ten years down the line. But in another sense, the effects of even one facelift are lasting; years later, you'll continue to look better than if you'd never had a facelift at all.

Compared to non-surgical rejuvenation treatments, only surgical facelifts can achieve the desired results. Other treatments will only help to delay the time when a facelift becomes absolutely necessary and compliment the results of surgery.

As with any other cosmetic surgical procedure, there are also risks involved. Unfavorable scarring, bleeding (hematoma), infection, poor wound healing, anesthesia risks, correctable hair loss at the incisions, facial nerve injury with weakness, facial asymmetry, skin loss, numbness or other changes in skin sensation, fat necrosis, fluid accumulation, skin contour irregularities, and skin discoloration are the possible complications of facelift surgery.

The procedure is done under general or local anesthesia. A traditional facelift incision often begins in the hairline at the temples, continues around the ear and ends in the lower scalp. This allows access to tighten underlying tissue, remove excess fat and reduce sagging skin.

Swelling and bruising are expected and should subside within 2-4 weeks. Final results may be apparent in 1-2 months. Incision lines will continue to refine and fade for 1 year. The scars from the incision lines are mostly hidden within the hairline and within normal lines of the face and neck, making it inconspicuous once it matures. There is an associated 7 to 14 day downtime.

The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure. Another surgery may be necessary.

The decision to have a facelift is extremely personal and you'll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable.