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.

Facelift Candidacy

While a facelift offers an effective way to improve your facial appearance, generate a more youthful look, and give you the boost of confidence you desire, candidates must meet certain criteria. Your candidacy for a facelift procedure will depend primarily on what you hope to achieve, your general health, skin laxity, and other factors.

What Do You Hope to Achieve?

During a private consultation, Dr. Newman will discuss your concerns and goals to help you decide which procedure will help you achieve the desired results. If you notice minor signs of aging such as fine wrinkles, crows’ feet, or elevens (parallel wrinkles between the eyes), you may be able to achieve satisfying results with an injectable or resurfacing treatment.  However, you may be a candidate for a facelift if you want to address:

• Deep wrinkles, creases, and skin folds
• Jowls and loose skin beneath the chin
• "Turkey neck" (platysmal bands)
• Deeper lines around the eyes, mouth, and nose
• Diminished muscle tone in the facial muscles
• Excess, loose, or sagging skin

Age, Health, and Other Factors

The first step in determining your candidacy is an evaluation of your overall health. Typical facelift candidates are men and women over the age of 40 who do not smoke, are in good health, and wish to reduce moderate to pronounced signs of aging. Two of the most important factors Dr. Newman will consider when determining your candidacy include your goals and your skin elasticity.

Typical facelift candidates are men and women over the age of 40 who do not smoke, are in good health, and wish to reduce moderate to pronounced signs of aging.

Like all facial cosmetic surgery, there are beautiful results that can be achieved, but there are also some limitations. During a consultation, Dr. Newman will clearly explain what can and cannot be accomplished, and what patients should expect from the procedure. Meanwhile, to achieve optimal results, a patient’s skin must have a certain degree of elasticity, which plays a very important role in achieving smooth and taught contours.

The Cost of a Facelift

The cost of a facelift can vary dramatically depending on the complexity of your procedure, your surgeon's fees, and other expenses such as anesthesia and postoperative care. Facelift cost is a very serious consideration, and Dr. Newman can provide you with an estimate for the cost of treatment, as well as financing options that can place the cost of a facelift comfortably within your budget.

Extent of Treatment

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.

You should never compromise your facelift goals in the interest of saving money. 

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

Additional Factors Affecting Cost

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

• Pre- and post-op visits
• Surgical fees
• Anesthesia cost
• Medications such as pain relievers

Many surgeons operate in hospitals or ambulatory surgical centers, and these third-party venues charge facility fees. Dr. Newman has his own fully accredited surgical center. While the cost of maintaining the center does factor in the cost of a facelift, it is significantly more economical than undergoing surgery in a third-party facility.

Weighing Surgeons’ Costs

If you are considering facelift surgery, this is not a time to go bargain hunting. Rather than base 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.  

Financing Options

Because facelift surgery is performed solely for cosmetic reasons, it is not covered by insurance. We feel that treatment cost should never be prohibitive, and that you should never compromise your goals as a cost-cutting measure. Our financing options place the results you desire within your reach. CareCredit® and Comprehensive Finance are low-interest payment options that can break your total treatment cost into manageable monthly payments. We can fully explain these options during a consultation and help you apply, if needed.

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.

Dr. Newman is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the American Board of Surgery, and the National Board of Medical Examiners. 

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?

While these results can be transformative, a facelift cannot stop the aging process. You will continue to look more rejuvenated than you would have otherwise, but it is important to understand that your refined features will continue to increase in laxity over the years. However, you can prolong the results of your facelift by using sun protection, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and abstaining from tobacco use.

Schedule a Consultation

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 at (203) 872-5299 or completing our electronic contact form.