FACELIFT:
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, addresses the lower two-thirds of the face to maintain a naturally beautiful face, neck, and jawline. While it does not stop the aging process itself, it does reset the starting point for natural aging. Depending on the patient’s skin quality, a facelift may last anywhere from five to ten years.
Is a Facelift Right for Me?
It may be confusing if you are looking to find the best surgeon to perform your procedure, as there can be a wide range of accreditations and certifications that represent certain benchmarks of education and experience in the field. However, The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is the only board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) to certify surgeons in plastic and reconstructive surgery.
In order to become certified with the American Board of Plastic Surgery, a physician must:
- Have graduated from an accredited Medical School
- Completed at least 5 years of surgical training following medical school, with a minimum of 2 years of plastic surgery residency training
- Pass comprehensive oral and written exams
Dr. Nitta is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with the ABPS. In addition, she also has her board certification in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, providing her with additional knowledge and expertise to apply to her practice.
The Procedure
Incisions are hidden in the natural creases around the ear and into the hairline. The skin and fat are lifted and the underlying muscle is tightened, while excess skin and fat are removed. The length of the incision will vary depending on the patient’s needs. The details of the procedure will be customized to the individual, in addition to standard differences for male and female patients.
Recovery
We keep all of our patients overnight at the surgery center. All male patients will have drains, whereas female patients rarely need them. The reason for this is that males have proportionately more blood vessels in their face, and therefore, tend to bleed a little more. The next morning, all dressings and drains are removed and you may return home. Another large dressing will then be placed, which will remain on for four days. On the fourth day, the dressing is removed, and Dr. Nitta will remove the stitches around the ear. You will then be placed into a “face bra.” This stays on for another week, at which time the remaining sutures in your hair are removed. Your face will be swollen with some bruising, but that will resolve itself in about two weeks. The majority of the visible puffiness will be gone within a month, but your face will remain mildly swollen for several months as it heals. Most patients are happily seen in public with makeup after two weeks.
Dr. Nitta is not only Board-Certified in Plastic Surgery, she also is Board-Certified in Otolaryngology/ Head and Neck surgery, providing her with the additional expertise and experience to provide a great healing experience and beautiful results.
For more information about having a facelift in Newport Beach, call our office at (949) 722-6644 to schedule a consultation with Double-Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Katharine C. Nitta today!
