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Facelift Surgery (Rhytidectomy)

As much as we would like to avoid it, facial aging is an inevitable part of life. And while appropriate health precautions (i.e. wearing sunscreen, not smoking, and a good skin care regimen) may slow its gradual progression, sagging in the midface, deepening creases beneath the eyes and alongside the mouth, jowling and loose skin of the neck are common characteristics of aging. These traits will develop due to the gradual loss of muscle tone and skin elasticity causing, many of us to appear older and more tired than we actually feel. Luckily, there are multiple safe and reliable surgical options available to reverse the signs of aging and restore a more youthful, rested appearance.

Surgical facial rejuvenation or facelift surgery (rhytidectomy) procedures are as varied as are facial types. We all age a little differently, so procedures can be custom designed by a qualified plastic surgeon to address your individual needs. During your initial consultation, experienced Baltimore facelift surgeon Dr. Janet Woodyard will assess your particular areas of concern and determine which type of facelift will best address your specific needs. Options include short scar facelifts or mini-lifts, endoscopic-assisted and deep plane mid-facelifts, lower face and necklifts, scarless necklifts and lipocontouring of the neck, as well as the traditional full facelift.

Full Facelift

During a traditional full facelift procedure, Dr. Woodyard will lift and tighten facial and neck muscles and remove excess skin to achieve a lifted, smoother face and neck. The scars are well-hidden inside and around the ears and may extend into or along the hairline behind the ears or above the ears. This procedure provides maximal correction and is indicated for patients with moderate to severe facial skin laxity and advanced signs of aging.

Short Scar or Mini–Facelift

Short scar or mini-lift procedures are designed to correct less severe signs of aging - in particular, deepening nasolabial folds (creases alongside the mouth) and jowling (sagging along the jawline). This procedure, sometimes referred to as a lower facelift, can be combined with neck lipocontouring and/or scarless neck lifting for improved correction with minimal scars.

Mid- Facelift / Deep Plane Facelift

Sagging of the cheeks and of the junction of the cheek and lower eyelid is often one of the earliest signs of aging. As this process progresses, the nasolabial folds become heavier and more prominent. Sagging soft tissues of the cheek can be lifted and re-suspended through this type of lift, which is often performed through incisions within the lower eyelid (usually combined with a lower blepharoplasty), temporal hairline, and/or inside the mouth. A non-surgical alternative is the periodic injection of fat or fillers to restore the loss of volume in this area that aging takes away. This restoration of lost volume can also restore fullness to the cheeks and cheekbone area, raise the cheek/eyelid junction, and also soften the creases alongside the mouth (nasolabial folds) without surgical scars.

Neck Lift

The contour of the neck can be markedly rejuvenated with a necklift. Frequently combined with liposuction, necklifts can be performed through an incision around the earlobes and behind the ears to lift and remove excess, sagging skin. This is also part of the traditional, full facelift. The muscles can also be tightened through an incision beneath the chin. For less severe aging of the neck, the muscles can be lifted and the loose skin re-draped and tightened with the iGuide System. Dr. Woodyard is one of the first cosmetic surgeons in the Baltimore, Maryland region performing the new, minimally invasive necklift using the revolutionary Implicitguide Surgical Suture System (iGuide). The iGuide System produces a lasting, natural-looking neck contour that can match the results of traditional surgery without the tell-tale scarring and with remarkably quick recovery time.

Additional Procedures

A browlift and/or eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is sometimes performed at the same time as a facelift for the ultimate rejuvenation of the entire face. But changes as a result of gravity are not the only reasons that our face shows signs of aging. Our faces become thinner as we get older and this loss of volume markedly contributes to an "aged" appearance. Restoring fullness with fat injection at the time of a facelift can promote a more complete and balanced rejuvenation. Injectable fillers can also effectively erase the years and better yet, can be performed in the office in a matter of minutes.

There is no "one size fits all" in facial rejuvenation surgery. The best approach is a personalized approach. To learn more about facelift surgery and whether or not it is right for you, be sure to have your questions ready for Baltimore Facelift Surgeon Dr. Janet Woodyard. She will be happy to discuss your specific concerns and develop a personalized treatment plan during your consultation.

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