Facelift

Your facelift in Indianapolis is performed under IV sedation or general anesthesia, ensuring you sleep peacefully as Dr. Hamilton rejuvenates your appearance. After surgery, you can take prescription and over-the-counter pain medications to help offset any mild discomfort or soreness in the treated areas.

In addition to your consultation and surgery date, Dr. Hamilton will schedule you for several follow-up sessions to monitor your incisions and ensure that your recovery is progressing properly.

Patients will begin to see the initial results of their facelift right after surgery, but it will take some time for the full effects to become visible. This is because swelling will interfere with the visibility of your results for several weeks. Most patients will be able to appreciate their final results approximately 3 to 6 months after surgery.

There is no single best age for a facelift, as the optimal timing depends on the patient’s degree of aging and skin laxity. Generally, if you begin to notice signs of aging on your face, you may benefit from a facelift. Beyond that, there are both advantages and disadvantages to receiving the treatment early in the aging process or later. The advantage of doing it when you’re younger is that it will hold up better. The disadvantage is that the results aren’t quite as dramatic. Conversely, patients who wait a little longer may achieve more dramatic results but might not last as long. Therefore, we usually tell patients that the right time for a facelift is when they see signs of aging that they are ready to address and when Dr. Hamilton agrees that they are a good candidate.

The traditional facelift targets the mid-face, lower face, and neck, typically requiring incisions above the hairline at the temples, which extend in front of and behind the ears. A mini facelift is a less extensive version of a full facelift. The incisions made during a mini facelift are shorter than those used in a traditional facelift. It focuses on tightening the lower face rather than the mid-face and neck. While the benefits are not as widespread or dramatic, a mini facelift allows patients to enjoy a shorter recovery period, reduced scarring, and a lower treatment cost.

Yes. Dr. Hamilton performs a wide range of transformative procedures to help you regain your vitality and confidence. After your private consultation in Indianapolis, he can craft a one-of-a-kind combination treatment plan for you.

The main side effects you will notice are swelling, discoloration, and numbness.

• Swelling

Swelling will vary both from patient to patient and from side to side. Swelling may actually increase the first three to four days before subsiding. Most of your swelling should resolve over the first two to three weeks. You can expect, however, to experience minor fluctuations in the remaining swelling over the next two to three months. To minimize swelling, follow these steps: keep your head elevated as much as possible for the first two weeks, avoid bending over or heavy lifting for the first three weeks, and limit prolonged sun exposure for the first two to three months.

• Bruising

Bruising will vary, just like swelling, from person to person and from side to side. Most bruising and discoloration should resolve over the first two weeks. With Dr. Hamilton’s permission, makeup can be applied 10 to 14 days after surgery.

• Numbness

Following surgery, most of your face will be numb. This is normal and will subside over the coming weeks to months. Unusual sensations, pins and needles, and occasionally mild discomfort may occur as these nerves regenerate over time.

Other possible risks with a facelift include the following:

• Infection
• Asymmetry
• Poor reactions to anesthesia
• Fluid retention
• Nerve damage

To minimize visible scarring, Dr. Hamilton makes every effort to conceal incisions in inconspicuous locations, such as inside the hairline and behind the ears. Nonetheless, some scarring is unavoidable with a facelift. Immediately after surgery, incision lines will be more noticeable. As healing progresses over 6 to 12 months, most facelift scars fade and become difficult to detect. After two weeks, you will be given a scar gel to apply to your incisions. Applying sunscreen daily will help scars heal flat and blend with your natural skin tone. Furthermore, you can apply makeup in the middle stages of facelift recovery to conceal any scarring as you heal.

Patients are usually cleared to resume light aerobic exercise after two weeks. Heavy lifting should be avoided until three weeks after surgery, and contact sports or strenuous head trauma should be avoided until four weeks after surgery.

Choosing the best surgeon for you takes patience and resourcefulness. You should evaluate each surgeon’s training, credentials, awards, results, and testimonials. Additionally, meeting with your potential doctor in person is essential to establish a rapport and ensure that your goals for your appearance are properly understood. Dr. Hamilton in Indianapolis is double-board-certified and has dedicated his career to delivering nuanced, natural-looking facial transformations. He is happy to meet with you for a private consultation, during which he can address all your questions and concerns with the utmost precision and care.