Rhytidectomy is the technical medical name for facelift, but the term is rarely seen outside of educational textbooks and trade publications. Facelifts are so incredibly popular throughout the world and represent the idea which comes to mind when most people think about cosmetic surgery. Facelifts can provide incredible results, which can take years off a person’s apparent age, but can also create scary changes in patients who take their desire for beauty too far.
This article focuses on the risks and complications associated with facelift surgery.
General Risks of Rhytidectomy
There are many risks associated with facelifts. Some of the most common risks and complications include:
Poor results. This may include a face that has not responded well to surgery, in which case the procedure is deemed a failure. This may also include a face which responded too well and is now overly tight and odd looking. In some cases, this condition can be functionally limiting and extremely painful.
Nerve damage, muscle damage or general tissue damage can enact lasting pain, numbness, tingling or weakness in the facial muscles. These effects may be temporary or permanent.
Infection and cross contamination is always possible.
Anesthetic-related risks can present the biggest health concerns for some patients. Most patients suffer serious complications, such as heart attack, stroke or embolism due to anesthetic concerns.
Hematoma formation, continued bleeding or internal bleeding are always possible risks.
External and noticeable scarring is possible in some cases.
Facial asymmetry can occur and is actually quite common, although typically in minor and difficult to notice forms.
Serious complications, such as tissue necrosis, may occur and can be dire.
Lesser Known Facelift Risks
Facial cosmetic surgery is an asset right up until the time it becomes a liability. Some patients simply go too far and have too many procedures until they lose all traces of a natural look. These results can range from humorous to horrific, but we have all seen examples, especially in aging celebrities who will do anything to hold on to those last few years of their career.
Plastic surgery addiction is often demonstrated in patients seeking multiple facelifts and may indicate an underlying emotional dysfunction relating to deeply held, and possibly repressed, body image issues.
Surgeons are always warned to think carefully before providing invasive services to those who may be worse off after the operation. However, in this profit-driven industry, most often it simply comes down to supply and demand and many patients are left with regrets, while doctors have no problem cashing their cheques.
Rhytidectomy is a Serious Medical Procedure
Make sure to understand that facelifts are barbaric operations. While some may be minimally invasive, they all have risks. The full featured open procedures are incredibly invasive and demonstrate considerable risks, due to the time they take to accomplish, the proximity of the wounds, the extent of the damage and the considerable recovery time.
When thinking about undergoing a facelift, be sure to do your homework and learn all you can in advance. Choose a cosmetic surgeon and procedure based on enlightened facts, rather than simple desire.
Most of all, when selecting a surgeon, take your time and be sure to get the best you can afford. Remember, this person will be single-handedly responsible for providing you with a face which will or will not meet your expectations. This is certainly not the time for speculative hopes and dreams.
