FACELIFT

A Facelift is also known as a Cheek-Neck Lift or a Lower Facelift. The goal of a Facelift is to address the jawline and the neck, elevating these tissues to their natural positions. A facelift cannot stop aging, but it can help your face look its best and give you a more youthful appearance. As we age, the skin begins to loosen on our face and neck. The bones shrink slightly. and gravity begins to pull tissues downward into jowls. The smile lines deepen and loose skin begins to “hang” under the chin and neck area.

Loss of volume in the form of fat in the face can further make it look drawn and deflated.

About the Procedure

A facelift today produces a more natural look than ever. It is not unusual for a person to look 10 years younger after a facelift. Techniques used in facelift surgery have been refined to make patients look refreshed and rested, not "lifted." These newer techniques have reduced pain after surgery and quickened the healing process. It is not unusual to inject fat to certain parts of the face at the same time the facelift is performed to enhance and restore the face to a more youthful appearance. Skin type, ethnic background, degree of skin elasticity, bone structure, as well as a realistic attitude are factors that are discussed prior to surgery. Incisions are planned carefully and "hidden" in front of and behind the ears so that the scars are not obvious. Through these incisions, the skin of the face and neck is lifted away and the underlying muscles are tightened with sutures. Excess skin is trimmed and the incisions are carefully closed with special suturing techniques.

A fibrin tissue glue is sprayed under the skin of the face and neck before the incisions are closed. This "glue" cuts down on bleeding, minimizes bruising and speeds up the healing process.

Most patients experience very little pain after a facelift. With the use of the fibrin glue, swelling and bruising are minimal.

Recuperation times vary, but most individuals are healed well enough to appear in public within 7 to 10 days. The patient is instructed to keep their head elevated for a week. The face and neck will feel tight for about 6 weeks with some numbness that may last several weeks. Occasionally, a pulled look can last for a couple of weeks, but, with our technique, is never permanent. The results of a facelift, generally, will last 7 to 10 years, after which it can be repeated to obtain a more youthful look once again.