Facial Rejuvenation Through Facelift Surgery

Overview

It’s extremely common for the skin on the face to gradually loosen and sag over time, creating wrinkles, jowls, and droopiness beneath the eyes. A face lift, also called a rhytidectomy, is a plastic surgery procedure that can remove or reposition fat, tighten muscles, and reshape the skin of the face to restore a smooth, youthful appearance.

Summary

Procedure time

3 to 6 hours

Overnight stay

Outpatient / One Night

Anesthetic

General anesthesia or IV sedation

Recovery time

4-6 weeks

Types of Face Lift

Modern Face Lift

Modern face lift surgery is radically different from older procedures that would only deal with the skin by stretching and tightening the face. Today, we consider the aging process and facial structures, and then address the underlying muscle and skin structures, adhering to the natural contours of the face.

Traditional Face Lift

During a traditional face lift, an incision is made near the hairline at the temples, continues around the ear, and ends in the lower scalp. Once the incision is made, the muscles and deeper skin are lifted and repositioned, excess fat and skin are removed, and the skin is redraped to reveal new facial contours.

Limited Incision

A less-invasive alternative to a traditional face lift, a limited incision face lift is often referred to as a “mini face lift.” Best suited for younger patients and procedures not involving the neck or jowls, a limited incision face lift tightens and lifts surface-level facial tissues with shorter and shallower incisions.

Am I a

Candidate for Face Lift Surgery?

Most face lift patients are between the ages of 40 and 70; however, our surgeons have experience performing the procedure on both older and younger patients. An ideal candidate for a facelift is a person in good physical and psychological health wanting to resolve one or more of the following concerns:

Loose/sagging facial skin
Surface wrinkles
Sagging jowls
Droopy eyes
Double chin
Laugh lines

Consultation

The Plastic Surgery Center offers face lift consultations at all of our locations. During the consultation, your surgeon will thoroughly evaluate your goals, facial bone structure, and skin condition (texture, elasticity, wrinkles, and folds). Your surgeon will then take your age and any additional risks into consideration before determining whether you’re a good candidate for a face lift. Oftentimes, your surgeon will discuss other facial procedures that can be performed to improve your results and maintain facial balance.

What to Expect

During the procedure, your surgeon will make incisions in the hairline above the ears, along the natural creases of the face and around the ears. Next, they will lift and reposition the skin and underlying tissues to create a more youthful appearance. After the procedure, the incisions are closed with sutures and the patient is typically required to wear bandages to help support the newly repositioned skin and tissues.

Patients interested in a less extensive procedure may be eligible for a limited incision procedure resulting in minimal scarring. A limited face lift is performed under local anesthesia and uses shorter incisions at the temples, continuing around the ear and possibly within the lower eyelids or under the upper lip.

After face lift surgery, a bandage will be applied to the face and head, and drainage tubes may be inserted at the incision sites. The drainage tubes are typically removed the day after surgery. Patients often experience a sensation of tightness or tension in the face and neck, bruising, and swelling. This discomfort can be relieved with pain medication and usually subsides within several days to a week. Stitches are usually removed at your one-week follow-up visit, and most patients are able to return to work or other non-strenuous activities within two weeks.

Recovery &
Results

Face lift results can take up to six months to develop fully; however, most bruising and swelling are gone within three weeks. A face lift is generally expected to last about ten years, but the longevity of a face lift will depend on many factors, including:

Condition of the skin
Age of the person
Diet
Lifestyle habits

Overall, the better care you take of yourself, the longer the results will last. To maximize both recovery and results, closely follow your surgeon’s directions and attend follow-up appointments. You may also want to consult our aesthetician about good facial care following your procedure.

Our

Face Lift Surgeons

Our board-certified surgeons have extensive training in face lift procedures. Using cutting-edge techniques and aesthetic artistry, they consistently deliver natural-looking results that patients love.

PHYSICIAN

Tzvi Small

MD, FACS

PHYSICIAN

Peter Andrawes

Our

Rhinoplasty
Surgeons

Our board-certified rhinoplasty surgeons are dedicated to every patient’s safety and satisfaction. We use our rigorous training, world-class techniques, and exceptional attention to detail to create a personalized treatment plan and resolve any cosmetic and functional concerns.

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Physician

Andrew Elkwood

MD, FACS

Physician

Deborah Yu

MD, FACS

Physician

Hakan Usal

MD, FACS

Financing & Insurance

If a facelift procedure is deemed medically necessary (i.e. to correct a functional issue, such as drooping skin that is obstructing vision) it may be covered by insurance. We will work with you and your health insurer to obtain the approvals for your covered surgical procedures. If you are interested in learning more about our cosmetic options, please contact us today at 833-615-2621.

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Our Process

Schedule a Consultation

During your consultation, our expert surgeons will listen and work with you to fully understand the look you wish to achieve.

Explore
Your Options

We will review and explain all of your cosmetic options and identify which procedure is right for you.

Start Your Transformation

Our friendly and compassionate staff and physicians will guide you through the entire process, answer all of your questions and alleviate any concerns.