Facelift

*According to the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Significant weight loss often leaves patients with excess skin in their face and around their neck. Dr. Newman understands how frustrating it can be to be left with a drooping appearance after working so hard to lose weight.

He can tailor your procedure to address the unique issues associated with massive weight loss. Your procedure may require additional fat removal or other surgical treatments to achieve the desired results.

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 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.

Facelift surgery can leave your face bruised and puffy. 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.

Each cosmetic surgery procedure at our Darien practice is customized to your goals so that you can feel confident and proud of your results. 

Post-surgery, you should notice a dramatic reduction in excess skin, wrinkles, and fat deposits throughout your face. Unlike the results produced with many non-surgical treatments, the results of your surgery are typically long-lasting. To keep your skin looking bright, healthy, and tight, though, you should keep away from excessive sun exposure, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and avoid smoking and other habits that cause premature skin aging.

The term “facelift” actually refers to a variety of procedures that can be performed alone or in combination to meet a patient’s unique needs. A mini facelift is intended to lift sagging jowls and provide better definition in the jaw. A brow lift targets the upper third of the face. A mid facelift treats the area surrounding the mouth, nose, and eyes. A full facelift can combine aspects of all of these procedures, including a neck lift to rejuvenate the area between the chin and collar. The more comprehensive your procedure is, the higher the overall cost.

Dr. Newman completely customizes each facelift. A larger treatment area will result in more time spent in the operating room, which in turn increase your surgical costs. Meanwhile, secondary and revisional facelift procedures are more expensive than initial surgeries because they are more complex.

In addition to the extent of the treatment you desire, the cost of a facelift also depends on:

Weighing Surgeons’ Costs

If you are considering facelift surgery, this is not the time to go bargain hunting. Rather than basing your decision on cost alone, you should consider your surgeon’s credentials and experience. Choosing a surgeon who is skilled in facial cosmetic surgery reduces the risk of dissatisfaction with your results. Remember: revisional and secondary surgeries always cost more than the initial procedure.

Dr. Newman has been practicing for decades and has undergone extensive training with some of the most important innovators in his field. He also remains committed to ongoing education in order to master the latest and most effective surgical techniques. Meanwhile, as part of our commitment to exceptional care, facelift patients are assigned their own registered nurse to oversee their recovery in a private and comfortably furnished room.  

Choosing the Right Surgeon

At the Aesthetic Surgery Center, we recommend spending plenty of time researching before choosing a facelift surgeon. If you have decided to pursue facial plastic surgery, you have the power to maximize the likelihood of achieving excellent results by choosing a facelift surgeon with the right credentials and experience. 

Questions to Ask Your Facelift Surgeon

A consultation is a crucial step in evaluating a plastic surgeon. This meeting gives you the opportunity to evaluate the doctor's demeanor, communication skills, and credentials. Key questions to ask your surgeon include:

Are you board certified?

Doctors certified by organizations such as the American Board of Plastic Surgery have completed a rigorous process of testing and peer evaluation. It is important to choose a board-certified surgeon. While board certification is by no means a guarantee of perfection, it certainly denotes experience and a dedication to training, ethics, and continuing education.

How often do you perform facelift surgery?

In addition to being board certified, your cosmetic surgeon should perform facelift surgery frequently. You should also ask to see photos and testimonials by the doctor's patients. This information can provide valuable insight regarding the surgeon's skill and track record.

How often do you have to perform revision surgery?

No surgeon is capable of perfection, but a select few are capable of providing consistently outstanding results. You have every right to ask how often a surgeon must revise his or her own work, and to ask why these revisions were necessary.

Can you explain your approach to facelift surgery?

There is more than one way to perform a facelift, and every patient has different needs. Your doctor should spend time discussing your concerns and goals. He or she should also offer an individualized recommendation with a clear explanation of the treatment plan. While a facelift involves many highly technical aspects, an excellent surgeon can explain his or her approach in simple, accessible terms.

Why Many Patients Choose Dr. Newman

Dr. Newman is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the American Board of Surgery, and the National Board of Medical Examiners. Educated at Yale and trained at Harvard Medical School, he has studied with some of the world’s most accomplished surgeons. He was named among “The Top Plastic Surgeons in America” as featured in Castle Connolly’s guide to America’s Top Doctors®, and is considered an authority and innovator in his field. In fact, he was one of the first surgeons to perform liposuction in the United States, and can incorporate the technique into facelift procedures when necessary.

Dr. Newman has been in practice for more than 30 years and has earned a reputation for impeccable work. Many of his patients travel from out of state and from overseas to benefit from his skill and expertise. 

Facelift FAQ

Dr. Newman has provided answers to some of the most common questions patients ask regarding this procedure:

What are the different types of facelift procedures?

No two facelift procedures are the same, but there are two general types of lifts Dr. Newman performs. A full facelift can address the entire face and neck. It can restore definition to the cheekbones and jawline, and tightens tissues in the neck. A mini facelift, sometimes called a mid facelift, focuses on the cheekbones and jowls. In some cases, liposuction may be incorporated into the procedure to remove fat deposits under the chin. Both procedures can incorporate a brow lift and blepharoplasty for more comprehensive results.

You can prolong the results of your facelift by using sun protection, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and abstaining from tobacco use.

How is the procedure performed?

Your procedure will vary based on your unique needs and the type of facelift you undergo. Once you have been made comfortable with a light, safe level of general anesthesia, Dr. Newman will inject the area with local anesthesia. This approach minimizes the amount of general anesthesia necessary.

Next, he will carefully place incisions in predetermined locations. During a full facelift, he will create incisions in the hairline near the temples, continuing down the crease in front of the ear and extending behind the ear. Dr. Newman may also make a small incision beneath your chin in order to properly address your neck. Through these incisions, he will remove excess tissue, tighten the underlying muscles and other tissues, and reposition your skin for the most natural look. 

Will I experience scarring?

There will be some scarring after the procedure. However, Dr. Newman will carefully place all your incisions as discreetly as possible. He will also provide instructions for caring for your incision sites, such as protecting them from sunlight to help scars fade and remain as inconspicuous as possible. 

Are there risks involved?

All surgeries involve a degree of risk, and a facelift is no exception. There is a risk of infection, nerve damage, and unsatisfactory results. However, you can minimize these risks by trusting your care to a board-certified plastic surgeon. Dr. Newman is board-certified and uses the most advanced technologies and surgical techniques to help prevent these issues and ensure your safety. He performs all surgeries in a private surgical suite that meets today's most stringent safety standards. Swelling and fluid retention can occur after the procedure, but these effects will fade over time. Dr. Newman provides detailed instructions and schedules follow-up visits to ensure a successful recovery.

How long will my recovery take?

Facelift surgery is an outpatient procedure, meaning you can return to your home or hotel the day of surgery. You will typically require one to two weeks of downtime before returning to work. Most activities and light exercise can be resumed about a month after your procedure, but you should wait until your surgeon determines that these actions are safe to resume. Patients are typically able to see the full results of a facelift three to six months after surgery, when the swelling and bruising have faded. 

Are the results permanent?

Although a facelift cannot stop the aging process, the results are transformative. You will always look more rejuvenated and younger than your actual age, but it is important to understand that you may need to revise your results over a long period of time. However, you can prolong the results of your facelift by using sun protection, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and abstaining from tobacco use.