Facelift Surgery Melbourne (Rhytidectomy Surgery)
A facelift (rhytidectomy) can focus on areas of the face that show skin laxity or sagging, as well as reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Facelift (rhytidectomy) procedures are personalised and tailored to the needs of each patient, in an approach that aligns with realistic expectations.
Your initial consultation with Dr Morris Ritz
You will find out if you are a suitable candidate, plan a personalised procedure and ask any questions you have. With Dr Ritz, you will discuss the results you want to achieve.
To determine your suitability for surgery, you’ll need to discuss your current health, health history, and lifestyle (such as if your work includes strenuous exercise or if you are a smoker). While discussing health factors, you will need to mention any medications or supplements you are currently taking. Certain health conditions and lifestyle factors can be contraindications to surgery or can require that you take some preparation steps to help prevent certain complications from occurring.
A facelift (rhytidectomy) can be performed with a variety of different techniques, so you’ll discuss what you want to achieve with the procedure and your specific concerns. Dr Ritz will assess the condition of your facial skin and your personal features, which will help to assess your suitability for surgery and determine the most suitable approach to use for the procedure. To make sure that you feel prepared to undergo your procedure, he will provide some personalised recovery advice, such as how much time you may need to take off work.
Another important aspect of your consultation will be to discuss the potential complications of the procedure. All surgeries carry the risk of some complications occurring, but these can typically be minimised by being performed by an experienced plastic surgeon, ensuring that the patient is suitable for surgery and following recovery instructions.
The details of your procedure plan will then help to estimate the costs of your surgery. When you have finished your consultation, you will be able to speak to Personal Assistant Georgie to discuss the costs of your surgery, and the booking process.
Facelift (rhytidectomy) surgery candidates
Making sure that you are a suitable candidate for a facelift (rhytidectomy) will help to prevent complications and ensure that you have chosen an appropriate procedure for the results you want to achieve.
You will be assessed for your suitability during your initial consultation at our Melbourne location. As we mentioned above, you’ll need to discuss some health factors, lifestyle factors and your expectations for the results of your surgery. Sometimes, you may be able to make some adjustments to prepare for surgery that may help your suitability, such as quitting smoking or switching certain medications (usually blood thinning medications, as they can raise the risks of complications occurring).
Suitable facelift (rhytidectomy) candidates will want to address skin laxity or excess skin on areas of the face. Candidates will need to be in good general health and not experiencing severe health conditions that may be contraindications to undergoing surgery. Ideally, candidates will be non-smokers or able to quit before and after surgery, to help prevent complications. We will want to ensure that candidates have realistic expectations for a facelift (rhytidectomy), and that goals align with what the procedure can achieve. Suitable candidates will understand what recovery will involve and are able to accommodate their recovery, such as by taking time off work, avoiding strenuous exercise and following other essential post-procedure steps.
You’ll have a thorough assessment during your consultation, which will include assessing your facial features and the amount of skin laxity you may have.
During the procedure
You will have a better understanding of how your facelift (rhytidectomy) procedure will be performed and what to expect on the day of your surgery after your consultation. We usually require rhytidectomy patients to be admitted to the hospital about two hours before surgery. Before going into the operating theatre, you will see Dr Ritz again to go over what will be involved during your surgery. He will then draw pre-operative markings as a guide for the procedure. Since a facelift (rhytidectomy) needs to be performed under general anaesthesia, you will also have a discussion with your anaesthetist.
To perform the procedure, Dr Ritz will make the incisions as planned, allowing access to the areas of the face that will be addressed. He will then adjust the tissues of the face as needed, which can include removing excess skin or creating a lifting effect. The procedure is tailored to your individual preferences. Suturing the incision sites closed and placing drains will complete the procedure, before you are monitored in the recovery room as you wake from the anaesthetic.
You will usually be required to stay in the hospital overnight so that your progress can be monitored. After about 24 hours, your drains should be removed, and you are typically able to return home to complete your recovery. Dr Ritz may wrap a bandage and dressing around your face and head to help control swelling.
Facelift (rhytidectomy) recovery
Dr Ritz will prepare you for what will be involved during your recovery process, by explaining the process and providing recovery instructions during your consultation.
You will usually require a follow-up appointment about one week after your surgery to monitor the progress of your healing. The amount of time that your recovery will take depends on your individual healing and the complexity of your procedure, which Dr Ritz can explain in further detail.
Your recovery will involve managing swelling, pain or discomfort, taking care of incision sites and supporting your body to heal sufficiently. It’s normal to experience some swelling, bruising and discomfort after facelift (rhytidectomy) surgery, so you will receive a list of instructions on how to manage throughout your recovery.
Post-operative care
After your surgery, you’ll need two to six weeks off from work, depending on the nature of your job. Sedentary jobs may only require two weeks off, while jobs that require exercise or heavy lifting will require longer. You won’t be able to drive for two weeks after your procedure, so please arrange for transportation home from the hospital after your surgery.
Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting will need to be avoided for six weeks. During this time, you should prioritise rest and closely follow instructions for wound care, management of swelling and other instructions that will help post-surgery prevent complications. You’ll be provided with your own list of recovery instructions during your consultation, as the details of your procedure and individual lifestyle factors will need to be considered.
Generally, wound care will involve keeping incision sites clean and dry. A bandage will be worn to help the swelling subside. Still, after this is removed, you can help the swelling subside by sleeping with your head elevated on an extra pillow, and following other personalised instructions. If you have been instructed to change or stop medications or supplements, quit smoking or avoid alcohol, please follow these instructions closely as they can help to prevent associated complications. While your incisions are still healing, you should also prevent excessive heat exposure and swimming pools, saunas or steam rooms. If you have been prescribed pain medication or antibiotics, you will receive instructions on how often to take these.
Once incision sites have healed and swelling and bruising have begun to subside, we recommend protecting your incision sites from excessive sun exposure to help minimise scarring. You will be able to see the results of your procedure once post-surgery swelling has fully subsided. Should you notice anything concerning during your recovery, such as signs of wound infection or experiencing prolonged pain, you should contact our team or seek medical attention. Following your recovery instructions will help to prevent complications like these from occurring.
The costs of a facelift (rhytidectomy) surgery in Melbourne
Your facelift (rhytidectomy) costs will be calculated based on surgeon’s fees, anaesthetist fees, hospital fees, the steps of the procedure and the complexity of the procedure.
Possible complications
Since all surgical procedures can be linked to some complications occurring, you will have a thorough consultation beforehand to discuss the specific complications and your risk level. Dr Ritz will only perform a facelift (rhytidectomy) on candidates who are suitable for surgery and have had a thorough assessment during a consultation. An assessment will involve a discussion of health history, lifestyle factors and surgery expectations. He will also assess the condition of the face to help determine if a facelift (rhytidectomy) would be a suitable procedure.
Initially, after surgery, you can experience swelling, bruising, bleeding from incision sites, and pain or discomfort. Recovery can be managed by following post-operative instructions, which are designed to reduce swelling, manage pain and reduce the chance of complications occurring. A follow-up appointment about one week after your surgery will also help to identify any potential complications and act on them promptly.
Further complications can generally be avoided by choosing a qualified, experienced plastic surgeon to perform the procedure. However, they can still occur, and you will be made aware of the potential complications during your consultation to help you make an informed decision as to whether or not to undergo the procedure. Complications of a facelift (rhytidectomy) can include delayed wound healing, scarring, anaesthesia complications (you will be monitored in hospital after your procedure as you wake from the anaesthesia), infection, skin necrosis, fluid accumulation, prolonged swelling or pain, temporary or permanent changes in sensation (such as numbness), and asymmetrical or unsatisfactory results.
If you have any questions about the potential complications of a facelift (rhytidectomy), please raise these during your consultation or contact our team.
DISCLAIMER
**Individual results will vary based on factors such as genetics, age, diet and exercise. The outcome experienced by one person do not necessarily reflect the outcomes that other people may experience.
All surgery carries risks. These risks include but are not limited to bleeding, infection, scarring, pain, numbness, asymmetry. All surgery requires a recovery period and post operative care. This will be all discussed in further detail during your consultation**
Morris Ritz is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon
AHPRA Registration: MED0001156076