Facial or Cervical Rhytidoplasty

As the years go by, a person's skin is exposed to different conditions that damage it or cause signs of aging to appear more quickly. One of the main causes is exposure to the sun's rays. Another factor can be attributed to poor skincare due to the lack of use of protective creams for hydration and the use of make-up. Using several products for long periods of time leads to poor oxygenation of the face's tissues or pores, which can cause those dreaded wrinkles to appear. Furthermore, the appearance of spots on the skin and sagging are also issues. All these obvious signs of aging that are concentrated on the face and neck can be taken care of with a facial or cervical rhytidectomy.
The ProcedureFirst and foremost, I, as a specialized plastic surgeon, must evaluate your face and neck by performing an examination during your visit to determine which specific procedure I can use to make your face look better and achieve the most natural result. I start the procedure with incisions on the skin, which, depending on your condition, can be above the hairline near the temples, hidden among your hair and continue in front of both ears, ending just behind the ear lobes toward the back of the scalp. If necessary, the procedure can require an incision just behind the chin in order to work on your neck or on the hairline on top of the forehead to lift your eyebrows. Later on, I separate your skin from fat and any underlying muscles. I remove the fat tissues to improve the outline of the face, then I tighten the muscles, and, finally, I tighten the skin to remove any excess tissue.

Once the procedure is done, I apply stitches or surgical staples. The choice will depend on what better suits the situation based on my experience performing prior facelifts or the amount of tissue that requires tightening. My main objective is to always use the most adequate technique for you. This is an outpatient plastic surgery, and I perform the procedure with general anesthetics.


After the SurgeryOnce the descended tissues are restored, the patient's face will look tense. Therefore, it will be the plastic surgeon's job to make it look natural. The physician will bandage the person's face and the stitches will be removed five days after the procedure. If the eyebrows were lifted, the surgical staples in the forehead will need more time before they can be removed.

As this is a delicate procedure, it's important that you follow the indications that I, as a plastic surgeon, will give you during the first week of the post-operatory process. The most important thing will be that you keep your head a little bit elevated while you sleep to help lower the swelling in your face. I will prescribe analgesics in order to relieve any discomfort produced by the wounds. You will notice swelling and bruising, which is normal, given that the skin on your face was operated on. It will all gradually disappear over the next few days until your face completely recovers. When I give you the go-ahead, you will be able to return to your normal activities. You must avoid exposure to the sun and follow the specific recommendations I give you, so you can return home to recover.

It's important for you to tell me about your lifestyle before the procedure takes place, which medications you're currently taking, and if you have any bad habits, such as smoking, because any detail that is overlooked can increase the risk of infection or cause healing problems. As a certified plastic surgeon, I will give you the peace of mind that you need to feel confident that your facial rejuvenation is in the best hands.