Both gravity and diminished volume result in the facial features of aging. Most patients requesting evaluation for facelift feel that their facial features do not reflect the fact that they still feel youthful and energetic. Face & neck lift procedures are designed to smooth the skin of the face and neck, tighten the underlying tissues and muscle, and remove excess skin.

The Facelift Process

The surgery starts with your anesthesiologist. An injection is made and the patient will temporarily fade out of consciousness. The the next step is an incision made by the surgeon. The surgeon will use this opening to identify the fat and muscle under the skin. The fat must be removed and is done by way of liposuction. With the fat out of the way, the surgeon can pull skin tight over the face. Pulling on the skin will decrease wrinkles and give it a more youthful look. The doctor may need to trim off excess skin that is no longer needed. Everything is sealed back together by stitches or surgical glue. The whole thing usually takes less than 4 hours and can be as short as 1.5 hours. Recovery time varies greatly depending on the extent of the procedure. It can be anywhere from a couple days to weeks.

Facelifts are a relatively low-risk procedure compared to others. Most problems like scarring, infection, or bruising will either go away quickly or can be easily prevented. Your surgeon will be able to give you in-depth directions on how to minimize scarring and get the most out of your procedure. Always listen to the doctor before anyone else.