Facelift

Rejuvenating the face and neck can boost self-esteem and return your facial appearance to a more rested and less sad or tired look. Facelifts have changed over the years to be less invasive and more natural in appearance. The minimally invasive “mini-facelift” has become the mainstay for facial rejuvenation with a less drastic appearance and minimal incisions. Reducing the jowl area and the loose skin under the chin and neck, downtime is reduced to 1-2 weeks rather than the traditional 2-4 weeks and the result is a more natural look.

The Facelift Procedure

A general anesthetic will be administered prior to the start of the procedure so that pain is minimized. Then, incisions are made based on the technique chosen. For a traditional facelift, incisions are made at the temples from the beginning of your hairline, around the ears, and to the lower scalp region. A shorter limited incision begins from your hairline and wraps around your ear. If you want to get a neck lift along with a facelift, then an incision will also be made at the bottom of your chin.

The underlying tissue and fat are redistributed and repositioned by the surgeon and re-draping of the skin is done over uplifted facial contours.

The incisions are hidden in the ear with a limited incision behind the earlobe. Surgery time is 2 hours and the procedure is performed under a light general anesthetic in a fully accredited surgery center. The procedure is an outpatient procedure. Men are also taking advantage of looking rejuvenated and more youthful without the tight pulled look.

Some patients may require more contouring and rejuvenation of the neck and cheek area, and the traditional facelifts are still an option. Scars are minimized to hide them in the hair and in the ear while refining the lower face and the neck. Surgery time is usually 4 hours under a light general anesthetic and the procedure may or may not require an overnight stay. Downtime is usually 2 weeks and then make-up can hide any bruising, but 4 weeks of recovery time is customary.

Preparing for A Facelift

Before undergoing facelift surgery, it’s imperative that you first schedule a consultation with Dr. Place. During this time, she will ask you about your complete medical history and perform an initial examination of your facial contours and skin quality. You will then be free to discuss your expectations from the procedure. You will also be provided with pre-operative instructions that will require you to avoid smoking, drinking, and taking certain medications such as aspirin and herbal supplements 2 weeks before the facelift.

Good Candidates For A Facelift Surgery?

If you’ve been considering a facelift surgery but aren’t sure if it’s a good decision for you, see if you meet these requirements:

• Do you possess excess sagging skin in the facial region?
• Is the region from the side of your nose to the corner of your mouth full of deepened folds?
• Does your lower jawline have excess skin?
• Are you a healthy individual who doesn’t have any medical conditions or chronic illness that could impact the outcome of the procedure?
• Do you have realistic expectations?
• Are you generally optimistic about what results you can expect from the procedure?

If these resonate with you, then you’re an ideal candidate for a facelift!

Recovery and Results

Some swelling and bruising are normal after a facelift and bandages will help to keep these in check. As soon as the bandages come off, you will notice a change in your facial appearance and can expect the results to last for nearly 10 years.