Surgery Plastic Surgery Facial Procedures Traditional Face Lift Step-by-Step By Natalie Kita Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by William Truswell, MD on November 15, 2019 facebook linkedin William Truswell, MD, is board-certified in otolaryngology and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. He is president of the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Learn about our Medical Review Board William Truswell, MD Updated on January 22, 2020 Print Have you ever wondered how they do a face lift? Learn the exact steps involved in what is technically known as a rhytidectomy. 1 Anesthesia Is Administered Morsa Images / Getty Images The first step in facelift surgery is the administering of anesthesia. Some surgeons prefer the use of general anesthesia, while others believe that a combination of local anesthetic, mild sedatives, and a light intravenous sedation is sufficient for patient comfort. Be sure to discuss your anesthesia options and concerns with your surgeon. 2 Surgeon Makes Incisions The surgeon makes the incision up behind d the earth near the top of the ear, then back into the hair for variable distances. Most often the incision goes over the edge of the tarsus, the fly of skin and cartilage in front of the ear canal rather than entirely in front of the ear. Care is taken to position the incision in a natural skin crease so it is camouflaged from view. Very frequently a small incision is made on the crease beneath the chin to do liposuction and tighten the muscle bands there. 3 Muscle and Connective Tissue Are Repositioned and Tightened The surgeon pulls the skin outward to gain access to the underlying muscle and connective tissue. He or she then repositions and tightens the tissue, securing it in its new position with sutures and/or tissue glue. Some fat may also be removed or repositioned at this point. 4 Excess Skin Is Trimmed Away After the tightening of underlying tissues, the excess skin is trimmed away. Care must be taken to cut precisely so as not to ultimately alter the patient's features or facial proportions, or to leave the patient with the dreaded "wind-blown" look. 5 Incisions Are Closed The surgeon will use fine sutures, staples, and possibly more tissue glue to close the incisions and promote healing. 6 Healing Begins With the Application of Dressings The patient's face will be wrapped in sterile surgical gauze, completely covering the incision sites. These bandages will remain in place for at least 1-2 days. In some cases, a drainage tube may have been inserted during surgery as well. In these instances, the drains will usually be removed along with the bandages, 1-2 days following the surgery. Sutures are generally removed after one week, and healing of the incisions is usually visibly complete in 2-3 weeks. 7 After Care Instructions Are Given Your surgeon will prescribe pain medication for you and instruct you to keep your head elevated when lying down and to avoid strenuous activity. You should expect some bruising and swelling, though some patients find that cold compresses help to minimize swelling. Recovery from face lift surgery usually takes about one to three weeks. Gallery of Traditional SMAS, Deep Plane, and 3D Facelifts Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit