Facelift

Benefits of a Facelift

Facelift Surgery is designed to reduce signs of facial aging for a more youthful and natural-looking appearance.We suggest that, if you desire complete rejuvenation of the face, there is no surgical substitute for a facelift. The facelift procedure combats the effects of aging on all fronts – it removes excess fat, tightens muscles, and smoothes out the skin.

The facelift is a procedure that is used to eliminate sagging skin on the face, jowls, and neck, resulting in a younger, fresher appearance. In addition, other procedures can be performed at the same time as facelift to address specific problem areas. Some popular procedures used to complement a facelift include blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), rhinoplasty (nose surgery), and forehead lift.

Most facelift candidates are men and women over the age of 40. As long as you are in good health, though, you may be a facelift candidate at any adult age (even if you are in your seventies or eighties). Plastic surgeon Fredric Newman names facelift as one of his favorite procedures for good reason – the results can be truly astounding! This is especially true when you trust your care to the right surgeon. Dr. Newman has provided some helpful tips to consider when looking for a facelift surgeon.

Facelift Surgery

Some of our facial plastic surgery patients do not need or want a full facelift and opt for a mid-facelift, also known as a mini facelift. Depending on the level of work needed, a facelift can take anywhere from two hours on up. Dr. Newman may choose to perform larger procedures in two separate sessions.

The facelift operation begins with an incision. The primary incision usually begins near the temple, extends down past the front of the ear, and winds behind the earlobe and down to the lower scalp. An additional incision can be made under the chin if the surgeon intends to operate on the neck as well.

Dr. Newman then pulls the skin away from the underlying fat and muscle. If needed, fat is removed from the neck and chin. Then, he tightens the muscles and membrane. The skin is pulled towards the back of the head and the excess is trimmed. These steps give the facial structure more pleasing contours. Finally, Dr. Newman closes the incisions with stitches and may secure the scalp with metal clips.

After Your Facelift Surgery

Immediately after facelift surgery, Dr. Newman may insert a thin tube into the skin behind the ear to drain blood from the area. This is typically removed within one to two days after surgery. The head may also be loosely wrapped in bandages to reduce swelling and bruising, and these are usually removed sometime in the first week. Keeping the head elevated for a few days after surgery helps minimize these effects as well.

After the procedure, you may experience temporary symptoms such as tenderness, redness, swelling, and bruising of the skin, although discomfort after a facelift is usually minimal. Any pain can be relieved through medication prescribed by the surgeon. You are likely to experience some numbness in the skin; this fades in the following few weeks or, in rare cases, months. Dr. Newman will recommend that you relax and limit your movement for the first few days after facelift surgery.

In order to check on your healing, Dr. Newman will schedule a few post-operative appointments at our Darien, Connecticut plastic surgery center. Most facelift patients are able to return to work and resume normal activities in 10 to 14 days. Though most of the stitches come out after five days or so, the stitches or clips above the hairline may remain in a few days longer.

Getting Back to Normal

Facelift surgery can leave your face bruised and puffy. This can distort features, stiffen movement, and cause temporary depression. However, in a few weeks, the results of the procedure have usually met the patient’s expectations. If necessary, the surgeon can provide makeup to hide bruising that may remain slightly longer.

You should be on your feet in a few days, but it is a good idea to avoid strenuous activity, such as sexual intercourse and physically taxing work, for at least a few weeks. The skin of the face and scalp will be tender and numb, so be particularly careful with these areas. It is also best to avoid consuming alcohol and sitting in steam baths or saunas for at least a few months.

Consultations

Only an evaluation by an experienced surgeon can tell you whether this procedure is right for you. Dr. Newman can determine whether you are a good candidate for a facelift and possibly recommend other procedures to complement your treatment. To learn more, we invite you to schedule a consultation by calling our office or completing the form below. You can also learn more about facelift surgery by exploring our facelift FAQ.