Facelift

Procedure:	Improving sagging facial skin, jowls, and loose neck skin by removing excess fat, tightening muscles, redraping skin. Most often done on men and women over 40. Facelift (Rhytidectomy)
Length:	Several hours.
Anesthesia:	Local with sedation or general.
In/outpatient:	Usually outpatient. Some patients may require short inpatient stay.
Side effects:	Temporary bruising, swelling, numbness and tenderness of skin; tight feeling, dry skin. For men, permanent need to shave behind ears, where beard-growing skin is repositioned.
Risks:	Injury to the nerves that control facial muscles or feeling (usually temporary but may be permanent); infection, bleeding; poor healing; excessive scarring; asymmetry or change in hairline.
Recovery:	Back to work: 10 to 14 days. More strenuous activity: 2 weeks or more. Bruising: 2 to 3 weeks. Must limit exposure to sun for several months.
Duration of results:	Usually 5 to 10 years.