Facelift

Question: I’m 57 and my Mom is 76. We’re from Carmel and we would both like facelifts. How would the surgery be different for my Mom than for me? Answer: Age does play a role in facelifts. First off, the more we age, the more that typically needs to be done. A woman in her 50s is much more likely to get away with just having a mini-lift than a woman in her 80s. In addition, how long results last often depends on age. The tissues of a younger patient are more likely to hold the results of surgery for a longer period […]

Question: What is a SMAS facelift? Answer: A facelift provides lifting and tightening to the skin of the lower face and neck. A major part of creating a natural and long lasting result is tightening the deeper muscle layers of the face. The SMAS (Superficial MuscluoAponeurotic System) is this deeper layer as well as its investing fascia. Lifting and tightening this layer is critical to a well done facelift. Finding out if a facelift is right for you as well as which type begins with a consultation with a board certified facial plastic surgeon. […]

Question: I am a 52 year old woman who is interested in getting a facelift.  I’m wondering if a facelift will get rid of the smoker’s lines I have around my mouth? Answer: A facelift is a procedure to lift and tighten the skin and deep facial tissues- improving jowling, facial laxity and redundant skin in the neck. Unfortunately, a facelift is not effective at treating those all too common lines around the mouth (smoker’s lines). Even patients who do not smoke can develop these lines, sometimes fairly deep. To correct those, a resurfacing procedure needs to be performed. This can be either […]

Question: I’m a runner and am physically active almost every day of the week. I’m planning on having a facelift within the next 3 months and was wondering how long until I could run again after the surgery? Answer: There is some downtime with a facelift and most surgeons recommend a period of exercise restriction. That can vary depending on how much work is done. In general, however, it is recommended that you not run or do other aerobic exercise activities for two weeks. See the post-operative facelift instructions for more information on after surgery recuperation. […]

Question: How may I expect to feel after a facelift? Answer: Patients are frequently surprised how little discomfort they have after a facelift. While patients often have complaints of tightness, most rarely consider it painful. This is due to the fact that during a facelift the cutaneous nerves are temporarily cut making things numb. Long term, after several months, sensation can be expected to fully return. While patients can expect some bruising and swelling, patients typically are comfortable returning to most public activities with make-up by 10-14 days. Discomfort after a facelift is fortunately much less than patients expect, making recovery a much more pleasant experience. […]

Question: Is there a particular age when most people start to consider getting a facelift? Answer: Facelift surgery  addresses the extra skin on the neck as well as along the jaw line. It involves muscle tightening, skin removal and occasionally liposuction. There are no set guidelines for the “right time” for a facelift. There is some advantage to doing facelifts at a younger age in that the tissues tend to hold better and longer. That said, I generally tell patients that the right time is when you see changes that you are motivated to improve and I am confident that I can correct those […]

Question: Could you please explain to me the similarities and differences of a facelift and a mini-facelift? Answer: This is a common question, and unfortunately there are no rigid rules when it comes to the differences. That said, both a facelift and a mini-facelift are used to lift skin and tissues of the lower face and neck. Typically a facelift will involve extensive muscle work under the chin and in front of the ears, skin undermining and excision, sometimes liposuction, all from incisions both in front of and behind the ears and extending into the hairline. Mini-lifts typically are approached from more limited incisions, involve […]

Question: After almost a year of investigating different cosmetic procedures, I have finally decided that I would like a facelift. I am planning it during my two week vacation from work. I am also not going to tell anyone except my best friend that I am getting it done. Will the bruising be completely gone by two weeks? Should I take another week’s vacation so that no one can tell that I have had a face lift? Answer: Most patients are able to get back out after 2 weeks following a facelift, but WITH make-up. Although most the swelling and bruising will be […]