Face Lift Overview
Understanding Facial Aging
Facial aging is multifactorial. Facial aging can be broken down into three basic problems: ptosis (falling or sagging of tissues), atrophy (decreased volume and loss of tissue), and decreased skin quality.
The face lift portion of a facial rejuvenation serves to move the facial soft tissues back into a higher and more aesthetically pleasing location thereby treating jowls and improving facial contour.
Cost
The cost of a facelift surgery varies from patient to patient depending on their individual needs. We’ll assess your facial features and develop a surgical plan based on your unique aesthetic goals. Once we have established the proper technique to perform the procedure, we’ll then discuss the price associated with it.
Typical Timing/Age
Over 50 years old.
Guide To Facial Procedures and Treatments
What I Wish I Knew
The Facelift Procedure
Drs. Butler, Leveque, and Patterson perform most facelifts in four layers (two on each side). The deep layer is called the “SMAS” it is a stronger, more supportive layer than the skin and its movement can be more vertical in nature, typically parallel to the smile muscle of the face (zygomaticus major). The most superficial layer is the skin.
Using the SMAS layer to “lift” the face leaves the skin free to do its job as a “covering” layer, not a supporting/lifting layer. Drs. Butler, Leveque, and Patterson believe this technique prevents creating a flattened, tight, windblown appearance, reduces wound-healing complications, and improves scar quality – since there is less stress on the skin layer.
Preparation
Patients should have well-controlled blood pressure, be at a stable weight, and should not be using any nicotine-containing products.
Positioning
After a facelift, you should sleep with your neck extended (head tilted back) for 2 weeks. This means no pillows. You may roll up a small towel and place it behind your neck (not your head).
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a good candidate?
What type of scarring should I expect?
Are there any areas of the face that a facelift might not help?
- A brow lift can resolve wrinkles and sag in the forehead area
- Blepharoplasty can correct eyelid sagging and under-eye bags
- Neck lift rejuvenates the neck area
- Dermal fillers can eliminate or greatly minimize the nasolabial folds (the deep folds surrounding the nose and mouth.)
- Botox can smooth away lines in the forehead and eye area, and it can help preserve the results of surgical procedures.
How much time off of work do I need?
Should I have a neck lift done at the same time?
Face Lift Breakdown
Goal
To improve the appearance of the face and jawline to rejuvenate one’s youthful appearance.
Facility
Office/Clinic, Surgery Center or Hospital
Anesthesia
Local anesthesia in the office/clinic; or general anesthesia at a surgery center or hospital.
Hospital stay
This is out-patient surgery and no hospital stay is required.
Assistance
You will be able to walk around, feed, and bathe yourself. Depending on your pain medication requirements, you may not be able to drive or care for others. You will not be allowed to drive until you can quickly move your head without pain.
Walking
You are encouraged to walk around as much as possible to help reduce the risk of DVT and thromboembolism.
Showering
Most patients shower 1-2 days after surgery.
Exercise
Do not lift anything heavier than the Sunday paper for 2 weeks after surgery. Light exercise such as jogging at 3 weeks. No restrictions after 6 weeks.
Sex
Wait 2 weeks because you don’t want to increase your blood pressure during the early healing period.
Work
Light office work and casual social events by 10 days. Wait 6 weeks before any major events. 3 months before any important photographs.
Swelling
Swelling is usually worst around 3 days and then subsides. May take about 9 months for the numbness and firm sensation to go away. 9-12 months for “full” healing.
Risks & Complications
Hematoma, contour irregularities, infection, prolonged swelling, delayed wound healing poor scarring, hairline irregularity, nerve injury, need for revision, complications related to anesthesia.
The Face and Neck Lift Process
During a facelift, your doctor will tighten your facial skin and underlying tissue to smooth out wrinkles and correct deep creases. An adjoining neck lift enhances the definition of your jawline and improves the contour of your chin.
Planning Your Face and Neck Lift Surgery
The first step in planning your face and neck lift surgery is a consultation with Dr. Butler, Dr. Leveque, or Dr. Patterson. The timing of the surgery can be important since there is some recovery time involved. Discuss your lifestyle and obligations with your doctor to determine the best way to achieve a peaceful surgery and an optimum recovery.
Preparing For Your Face and Neck Lift Surgery
Preparation for a face and neck lift procedure may take as long as a couple of weeks, depending on a patient’s current lifestyle. Your doctor will need to see a complete list of current medications, including herbal supplements, before the surgery. Some of these medications, for example, aspirin may need to be discontinued for a few days to a week prior to the surgery. Patients who smoke are strongly encouraged to stop smoking prior to a face and neck lift procedure.
The Face and Neck Lift Procedure
The facelift procedure typically takes several hours with the neck lift procedure taking 1-2 hours. You will go home the same day as your surgery. The face and neck lift procedure is done by redraping skin in the neck while removing excess skin and tightening muscles in order to improve loose skin.
Face and Neck Lift Recovery
Sutures are normally removed within 4-10 days (unless dissolvable). Most patients return to non-strenuous work 7-10 days following surgery. Swelling, bruising, and soreness are typically gone within 2-3 weeks. Strenuous activities can be resumed at approximately 6-8 weeks postop.
Exercise After Face and Neck Lift Surgery
After a face and neck lift, vigorous exercise should be completely avoided for 4 weeks. Moderate exercise should be avoided for a minimum of 7 days postop.
Bruising
Usually subsides by 1-2 weeks.
Schedule a Consultation
Contact Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery in Pensacola, FL today to schedule a consultation for your facelift. Our expert team can answer any questions you may have about the procedure and can provide you with the beautiful results you are looking for.
Face and Neck Lift Aftercare
- After the dressings are removed, clean suture lines with hydrogen peroxide and a cotton swab once a day until the sutures are removed. Keeping the suture lines clean will make suture removal easier and less uncomfortable.
- Apply a small amount of antibiotic ointment to the suture lines following cleaning.
- Use artificial tears (Refresh, GenTeal, etc.) in your eyes at least four times a day if they feel dry or irritated.
- Use petrolatum (Lacri-Lube, Refresh PM) In your eyes at bedtime for the first few nights if they feel dry or irritated.
- Do not wear contact lenses as long as they feel dry or irritated.
- Continue intermittent cold compresses over the face and neck for at least one week.
- Expect significant bruising and swelling in the face and neck for at least 14 days. Swelling, lumpiness, tightness, and numbness will gradually diminish over the next several months.
- Elevation of your head even while sleeping will help to minimize postoperative swelling and discomfort.
- Avoidance of vigorous activity will help to minimize postoperative swelling and discomfort.
- You can reduce the risk of postoperative bleeding by avoiding blood thinners such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, prescription anticoagulants, or other NSAIDs for about 10 days prior to and several days after the procedure.
- Do not apply make up to the face for the first week.
- Do not shave your face for the first week.
- It is acceptable to shower and wash your hair once the dressings are removed. Use a gentle soap such as Cetaphil.
- Do not resume the use of tretinoin (Retin-A, Renova, etc.) for two weeks postop.
- Use at least SPF 15 sunscreen over the healed incisions if sun exposure is expected for at least two months postop.
- Redevelopment of skin laxity is an unavoidable result of aging and loss of tissue elasticity. Although every effort is made to optimize the outcome of your surgery, please understand that some skin laxity is inevitable.
Related Procedures
Cheek Augmentation
Chin Augmentation
Eyelid Lift
Fat Grafting
Before & After Gallery
Procedures are performed by board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons, Dr. Butler, Dr. Leveque, and Dr. Patterson in Pensacola, FL.
Meet Our Team
At Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery, we understand that the selection of a plastic surgeon is an extremely important decision for any prospective patient. We believe communication, education and individualized patient care are the foundation for creating a strong and trusting patient-physician relationship. Our entire staff is absolutely committed to providing compassionate, personalized, individual attention before, during, and after surgery. We work together to deliver the best possible aesthetic outcomes in a setting that embodies the standards and lifestyle you seek.
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Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery offers a variety of payment options so that your cosmetic surgery will suit your budget. All major credit cards are accepted, and financing plans are available.