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Facelift

Introduction

Introduction to Facelift

It’s not possible to stop the aging process altogether; however, fortunately, it is possible to turn back the hands of time with a facelift. This surgery, known technically as rhytidectomy, is the third most popular cosmetic surgery procedure performed worldwide today.

Located in Carmel and Greenwood and led by double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon Mark M. Hamilton, M.D., F.A.C.S., Hamilton Facial Plastic Surgery offers facelifts for patients in and around Indianapolis, Indiana, the Midwest, across the US, and abroad.

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What is a Facelift?

A facelift is a surgical procedure designed to address signs of aging in the face and neck, including wrinkles, sagging skin, and loss of definition along the jawline. It is a comprehensive facial rejuvenation procedure that is often said to “turn back the clock” by making patients appear many years younger. Dr. Hamilton offers both traditional facelifts and mini facelifts, and can help you determine which procedure is best for you based on your facial anatomy and treatment goals.

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Dr. Hamilton Discusses Facelift

Types Of Facelifts

  • Extended Deep Plane Facelift

    Deep Plane Facelift is the most common approach Dr. Hamilton performs. It involves repositioning all the key ligaments for comprehensive rejuvenation of the face and neck. Key ligaments released and repositioned include the cervical, mandibular, masseteric, and zygomatic. This approach is used for those wanting maximal lifting and correction of the cheek and midface, as well as correction of jowling and neck laxity.

  • Extended SMAS Facelift

    While still working in the deep plane to lift the face and neck, this procedure offers a more limited release of the cheek tissues, while still providing for maximal correction of jowling and neck laxity. Because this procedure is less invasive than a standard deep plane facelift, there are typically fewer risks, less swelling, and a quicker recovery.

  • Mini-Facelift

    The mini facelift is designed for patients who have early signs of aging in the face and neck and need and request a less invasive approach. This procedure involves fewer incisions, less deep work, and a quicker recovery. Some patients will elect to have this done under local anesthesia.

  • Non-surgical Facelift

    A non-surgical or “liquid” facelift utilizes dermal fillers and neuromodulators to restore a refreshed and vibrant appearance noninvasively. While it cannot combat sagging skin or reposition the deeper facial layers, the treatment can erase lines, wrinkles, and creases and enhance the youthful volume lost due to the natural aging process.

What Are the Benefits of a Facelift?

When performed with technical mastery and consummate artistry by double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Hamilton in Indianapolis, a facelift comes with the following impressive benefits:

  • Smoothes loose, sagging skin on the face and neck
  • Redefines jawline and neck contours
  • Diminishes jowls and fatty deposits under the chin
  • Reduces wrinkles and folds
  • Creates a more youthful, rejuvenated facial appearance
  • Long-lasting results, often 10 years or longer
  • Can be combined with other procedures like eyelid surgery or brow lift

Who Are the Best Candidates For a Facelift?

The best candidates for facelift surgery are individuals who exhibit early to moderate signs of facial aging, but still have relatively good skin tone and elasticity. Ideal candidates include:

  • Adults in their 40s to 70s who have developed sagging cheeks, jowls, and loose neck skin
  • Individuals concerned about moderate to deep wrinkles and folds around the nose, mouth, and chin
  • Patients with good skin elasticity that can be tightened effectively during surgery
  • Non-smokers or people willing to stop smoking for several weeks before and after surgery
  • Not everyone needs to be an ideal candidate to still get a great result with a facelift.

We have many patients that present in their 80s or have excessive skin laxity who may not be ideal, but can still get a really nice improvement that they will appreciate for years. Our  less than ideal patients often become our most dramatic before and after results!   

Facelift First Step

What’s the First Step?

Your first step with your facelift in Indianapolis will be to meet with Dr. Hamilton and his team for a private, informative consultation. This initial meeting will involve a physical assessment, a thorough medical history review, and an in-depth discussion of your aesthetic goals. Once your customized treatment plan has been created and your surgery date is confirmed, Dr. Hamilton will provide you with preoperative instructions to follow. You may be asked to undergo additional medical testing and discontinue certain medications and supplements that might increase your surgical risks. Additionally, you will need to schedule a responsible adult to accompany you home and assist you for the first 24-48 hours of your recovery.

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What to Expect on the Day of Facelift Surgery

Facelift surgery is performed under local,  IV sedation, or general anesthesia and typically takes two to four hours to perform. During the surgery, excess skin and fatty tissue are removed, underlying muscles and deeper layers are tightened, and the skin is redraped. This helps to improve sagging facial skin, jowls, and loose neck skin. Incisions usually begin above the hairline at the temples and continue in front of and behind the ears. Working through the incisions, Dr. Hamilton lifts the skin and firms the underlying muscle and deeper tissues, working in the deep plane. The skin is then redraped, and any excess skin is removed. A small incision is also made under the chin to allow excess fat, muscle, and glandular tissue from the neck and chin to be trimmed, removed, or tightened.

Recovery Timeline on Facelift

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Recovery

Following your surgery, you will be sent home with a dressing to be worn overnight. Typically, Dr. Hamilton uses a sealant (Tisseel fibrin sealant) at the end of the procedure, precluding the need for drains. This makes for an easier, less uncomfortable first night and quicker healing.

It is essential to have someone with you the night following surgery. If not possible or if you prefer on-site nursing, we do offer overnight stays. You should remain within thirty miles of the surgery location for the first night.
Dr. Hamilton will rarely use drains for select cases. Care for these drains will be reviewed prior to your discharge from the hospital or surgery center.

It is also important to keep your head elevated in the evening after surgery and for the first two weeks following surgery. This can be achieved by sleeping in a recliner tilted at a 45-degree angle or by placing two pillows under the head. Avoid rolling onto your face. Sleeping on your back for the first two weeks after surgery helps to ensure this.

The healing time for facelift surgery is often shorter than expected, and the results are well worth the wait. Generally, swelling and other side effects should be completely gone after four to six weeks. You should be able to resume most, if not all, normal activities after this period. However, it is important to remember that your healing will continue for the entire first year, so your results may not be finalized for several months.

Applying Makeup to Cover Scars After A Facelift

Restrictions After Surgery

For the first two weeks following your facelift, you should avoid:

  • Exercise
  • Driving
  • Sleeping on your side or face
  • Yawning or widely opening the mouth
  • Hard or chewy foods
  • “Pull-over” clothes, which are any clothing items that require you to raise your arms and hands over your head to put on

For the first three weeks following your facelift, you should avoid:

  • Strenuous exercise
  • Heavy lifting 

Although strenuous exercise is not permitted, you are encouraged to resume light exercise, such as walking, during this period. Light activities can facilitate healing and reduce swelling and other side effects.

For the first four weeks following your facelift, you should avoid:

  • Head-turning activities/exercises
  • Hair coloring
  • Wearing earrings

After these four weeks have passed, you will be able to resume all activities without restrictions, assuming you have progressed through the recovery process as expected. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact our office.

How Much Does a Facelift Cost in Indianapolis, IN?

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Facelift costs in Indianapolis will vary significantly depending on multiple factors. During your consultation, Dr. Hamilton will develop a personalized treatment plan based on your cosmetic goals and unique anatomy. This enables us to give an accurate price for your facelift surgery. You will be given a formal quote at the time of your consultation. Dr. Hamilton seeks to make facial surgery procedures available and affordable for everyone. We accept cash, major credit cards, and personal checks for facelift procedures.

Why Choose Dr. Hamilton?

Facelift procedures are best entrusted to experienced specialists who prioritize patient care and deliver consistently outstanding results. Dr. Mark Hamilton focuses exclusively on facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, bringing a high level of expertise and dedication to every procedure. A respected leader in the field, Dr. Hamilton has authored numerous publications and frequently lectures on advancements in facial plastic surgery. He has been honored by his peers as one of Indianapolis Monthly Magazine’s “Top Docs” for over a decade and recognized by Castle Connolly as one of the nation’s “Top Physicians” in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Patient reviews further reflect the quality of care and satisfaction experienced by those who have chosen his practice.

Facelift FAQ’S

  • Overall the experience was excellent and would recommend Dr Hamilton and his staff to anyone wanting to enhance their looks.

    I am 2.5 weeks post op with a lower facelift and resurfacing. Still have some minor swelling and redness but Dr Hamilton is the best. He has checked on my progress almost daily and kept me informed as to expectations and progress.

    Lori, his medical assistant was awesome to work with prior to the surgery. She patiently answered a thousand questions my husband and I had. Overall the experience was excellent and would recommend Dr Hamilton and his staff to anyone wanting to enhance their looks.

    More reviews – M.S.

  • I have never received such amazing personal attention from a doctor’s staff as I did from Hamilton Facial Plastic Surgery.

    I had a facelift done by Dr. Hamilton and I am extremely happy with the results. I also would like to express how I have been so impressed with the way I was treated during the whole process. I have never received such amazing personal attention from a doctor’s staff as I did from Hamilton Facial Plastic Surgery. Everyone from the doctor to the office staff made this whole experience go so smoothly. Dr. Hamilton personally called to check on me before and after the procedure, he gave me his cell phone number in case I had any problems and they sent flowers after my surgery. I can’t remember any doctor ever going above and beyond that way. I will be recommending Dr. Hamilton to everyone who is considering plastic surgery.

    More reviews – M.S.

  • Dr. Hamilton takes the time to explain everything to you.

    Dr. Hamilton takes the time to explain everything to you. He and his staff are friendly and helpful. They make you feel like you are their priority. He did excellent work with my facelift.

    More reviews – D.D.

  • He’s thorough, kind and professional.

    Dr. Hamilton is very complete. He’s thorough, kind and professional. I felt that what he showed me he would do was understandable, and he answered my questions about what I wanted to know. I had a Mini Facelift, as well as Botox and fillers at the surgical center and everything was wonderful. I told him that when I wake up in the morning and look in the mirror I say, “Good job Dr. Hamilton.” I wound up looking like I feel on the inside. He’s really talented and he’s got a gift. I mean, he is just the best.

    More reviews – R.R.

Schedule Your Consultation

To learn more about facelift procedures or find out if you’re a good candidate, schedule your personalized consultation with Dr. Mark K. Hamilton, a double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon. Dr. Hamilton offers facelifts and a range of cosmetic procedures to help men and women refresh and enhance their appearance. We proudly welcome patients from the Indianapolis area and across the country.

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