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A facelift is a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to minimize skin laxity, tighten loose muscles, reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles, and rejuvenate the face. Facelift surgery, whether performed using the full or mini facelift technique, can be an effective procedure on its own, or it can be combined with other surgical or non-surgical treatments to achieve comprehensive facial rejuvenation. In many cases, a facelift can also be referred to as a “neck lift” since its full power is typically seen remarkably well in the face and neck when performed skillfully and comprehensively at Chrysalis Cosmetics.
Our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Charles Perry, employs the latest approaches, and he can help you determine if facelift surgery is right for your needs and desired outcome. If so, Dr. Perry will create a customized treatment plan designed to achieve your goals with results that look both beautiful and natural.
A mini facelift is ideal for those just beginning to show the signs of aging. It can refine the results of a full facelift or be performed on its own. This technique utilizes tiny incisions and is sometimes referred to as “the weekend” facelift because recovery is so quick. The mini facelift is especially useful for those with moderate laxity in the skin of the lower face, as well as those wishing for increased jawline definition.
Facelift surgery remains one of the most popular cosmetic procedures for many reasons. The benefits can vary from person to person, but in general patients can expect to see some of the following improvements:
The procedure can be customized to your specifications, so other benefits may apply. Additionally, if you add other surgical or non-surgical techniques, these collectively can provide more comprehensive aesthetic enhancement. Facelift or mini facelift surgery is often combined with HALO® laser resurfacing, nano fat transfer, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or injectable products such as BOTOX® Cosmetic. These treatments address other common signs of aging that facelift alone cannot combat. Thread lifts of the neck can also be performed at the same time as a facelift.
The ideal candidate for facelift surgery is healthy, mentally stable, and has skin laxity in the neck and mid- to lower face. If your skin laxity is mild to moderate, you may be an ideal candidate for a mini facelift. For either procedure, it is best to be at a stable weight, have good skin elasticity, and strong bone structure.
Facelift or mini facelift is not recommended for:
**Disclaimer: If you are a smoker, you MUST DISCONTINUE smoking a minimum of 4 weeks BEFORE & AFTER SURGERY. A nicotine test will be administered.**
Fees for facelift surgery are not covered by health insurance and include surgical and facility fees, anesthesia fees, and more. If complications arise, you may incur additional fees.
Facelift surgery results do not last forever. The results of a traditional facelift generally last seven to 10 years and the results of mini facelift, five to seven years.
Skin elasticity, skin type, bone structure, ethnic background, and other factors all affect the results of facelift surgery. It is impossible to predict the exact results of facelift surgery, and it is possible that the results will be disappointing or different than you expected.
If you have very short hair, you might want to let it grow out before the surgery to aid in concealing incisions.
Facelift surgery is generally performed as an outpatient procedure, so you should be able to return home the same day as the operation. Swelling, bruising, and some minor discomfort are to be expected, and we will provide prescription medication to manage your pain. Most patients take between one to two weeks off from work to heal, and you should keep your head elevated at all times to speed recovery. That means when you’re sleeping you should use a couple of pillows or more as needed to keep your head lifted and comfortable. Strenuous exercise should be avoided for at least one month, although gentle activity can be resumed after about two weeks. We will provide follow-up care at several stages in the healing process to ensure you are on a path to success. Swelling will continue for some months, although you may not notice these effects after the first three or four weeks.
The results of a full facelift may last anywhere from 7 to 10 years. A mini facelift may produce outcomes that last from 5 to 7 years. With that in mind, here is an interesting thing to note about the potential longevity of facelift results: in essence, you should always look younger than you would have looked had you never undergone this procedure. Naturally, the aging process will continue and your initial results from facelift surgery will not last forever; but, in a way, facelift surgery “resets” the clock, restarting the aging process from a different point in time. Patients can help maintain the results of facelift or mini facelift surgery for as long as possible by sticking to a healthy diet, keeping their weight steady, regularly applying strong sun protection, and establishing an effective daily skin care routine.
Facelift scars are often easily concealable since the incisions are typically made in areas that are inconspicuous, such as behind the ear and within the hairline. In addition, Dr. Perry has performed this procedure many times and utilizes very meticulous incision and suturing techniques to minimize the prominence of residual scarring as much as possible.
The following list serves as an introduction to some of the risks of facelift surgery. You will have further discussion of the surgery’s risks during your pre-surgery consultations with Dr. Perry. The risks of mini facelift are generally milder when compared to traditional facelift, as the procedure is less invasive; however, in all cases you must be prepared for the possibility that complications can arise.
Facelift and mini facelift are considered to be very safe surgeries. However, bleeding episodes or hematoma (fluid accumulation under the skin) can occur and might require a return trip to the hospital.
Hair loss may be temporary or permanent.
This is usually temporary but can be permanent.
While the chance of poor healing can be reduced by not smoking and carefully following post-surgical instructions, it is impossible to predict.
In some cases, this may be corrected with further surgery.
As no face is perfectly balanced, absolute symmetry is not to be expected after facelift surgery. In some cases, there will be marked asymmetry, which can make you disappointed with the results of your surgery.
Depending on each patient’s unique anatomical characteristics and ultimate goals for enhancement, there are alternatives to facelift surgery that can be considered for those who may not need or desire this particular procedure to achieve effective rejuvenation. While facelift surgery can produce the longest results and provide the most significant outcomes for this specific facial region, there are certainly other options that can be explored.
Non-surgical treatments such as injectable dermal fillers can provide temporary reduction of facial wrinkles and fine lines, while laser skin resurfacing and light-based therapies may also serve as good options to diminish signs of aging and refresh the skin’s appearance. In some cases, patients may benefit more from a facial plastic surgery procedure that addresses concerns located in the upper face rather than the mid- to lower facial region, depending on their individual priorities.
Dr. Perry encourages all patients to ask questions and to be forthcoming about their wishes, goals, and expectations during the initial consultation. He will be happy to discuss all of your options with you and make a recommendation as to whether facelift, mini facelift, or another procedure is the most ideal treatment.
We tailor every treatment plan to your individual needs and goals, and as such, you may find that the price of a facelift can vary from person to person. In general, the estimated price range for this procedure, which covers a number of different approaches—including a mini facelift, a full facelift, a full facelift with laser treatment for eyelids or treatment for the brows—is often between $13,000 to $22,000. Again, the total price estimate will be based on the specific techniques that will be chosen for your customized treatment plan. It is our practice to provide the total anticipated cost in a surgical quote so that you have the information you need to make the best decision for you. Furthermore, we offer a broad selection of payment and plastic surgery financing options to help you bring the price of the treatment plan into your budget. Questions? We’re here to help you every step of the way.
Dr. Perry has prepared this comprehensive list of instructions to make your facelift experience as smooth as possible. We recommend that you read them over as soon as your surgery day is scheduled, then print them out and bring them with you on your surgery day.
Facelift Instructions (printer-friendly)
A certain degree of neck “lifting” is typically included as part of a standard, full facelift surgery. This can make the skin smoother and less elastic in the upper region of the neck. Some patients may not require much neck lifting depending on their needs and goals. During your initial consultation with Dr. Perry, he will examine the face and neck areas and talk with you about what can ultimately be done to achieve your expectations and produce the best possible aesthetic results.
Advanced age is generally not a factor when it comes to determining a patient’s candidacy for facelift surgery. Dr. Perry has performed this procedure for individuals in upper age brackets with very successful results. Rather than age, Dr. Perry focuses on a person’s overall health, medical history, treatment goals and expectations, and risk factors when assessing his or her candidacy for this treatment.
Although the overall goals of facelift surgery are typically quite similar whether the patient is female or male, there are a few distinctions regarding the surgical approach. This is due to the natural differences between male and female anatomies, as well as differences in expectations and treatment goals. For example: men typically like the results to reveal more defined facial contours, such as a jawline that appears sharper. By contrast, while many women also desire enhanced definition among facial contours, female patients often prefer an effect that is softer and not quite as sharp. Another distinction between women and men who undergo facelift surgery may involve the exact placement of the incisions necessary to perform the procedure. Some male patients may be experiencing hair recession in areas where incisions are usually placed; therefore, a recommendation that the incisions be placed elsewhere (yet still in a discreet location) could be made in order to reduce the potential for prominently visible scarring. Ultimately, the important thing to remember is that facelift surgery from Dr. Perry is completely customized to each patient’s needs, goals, and anatomical characteristics to produce successful rejuvenation and the most natural outcomes possible.
Temporary swelling is an unavoidable side effect of facelift surgery; however, there are some things patients can do to control it in the days and weeks following the procedure. During recovery, keeping your head in an elevated position as much as possible can help to mitigate the accumulation of fluid in the treated areas. Additionally, even a few dietary adjustments can be effective to control swelling. Foods and drinks that contain high levels of salt, which can worsen inflammation, should be avoided or minimized; however, a diet rich with vitamins, antioxidants, and proteins can help. Good options for many patients include leafy greens and plenty of fruits & vegetables. Dr. Perry and our team will provide you with a guideline for recovery that can assist you and give you tips on how to make the process smoother and more comfortable.
While exercises that require excessive strain should be avoided for several weeks after facelift surgery, many patients are ready to begin some types of exercise routines about three weeks following the procedure. It is very important that the treatment areas are given a sufficient amount of time to heal. Dr. Perry will talk more with you about the recovery process and provide more specific recommendations once you have been examined.
To schedule a consultation or learn more about traditional or mini facelift, please contact our practice.
*Individual Results May Vary