Facelift

The best candidates for facelift surgery are adults who are in good general health, do not smoke, and who understand what a facelift can accomplish as well as what it cannot. Our unique facelift protocol helps adults achieve natural-looking results that make the face appear approximately 10 years younger. There is no ideal age at which a facelift makes sense. Contrary to common belief, it can be extremely advantageous to undergo this procedure during one’s forties or fifties. At this age, the skin still has some elasticity and firmness to support optimal results.

We understand that it is a big decision to have a facelift. When you visit us, you can expect a thorough consultation in which you discuss your concerns and what you wish to achieve. An examination of your skin and facial structure enables our surgeon to develop a treatment recommendation just for you.

Facelift surgery is an outpatient procedure that is performed under general anesthesia. This puts you into a deep sleep state after which you will remember very little, if anything, about your procedure day. Incisions are made in the pre-determined location discussed with you before your surgery. This may be at the hairline in the temples, extending downward around the ear and ending at the lower scalp behind each ear. Incisions provide necessary access to sculpt and redistribute fat across the lower and mid-face. Deeper layers of muscle may also be repositioned and secured near the cheekbones. After re-draping loose skin over the uplifted contours of fat and muscle, Dr. Sweeney trims excess and closes incisions with staples or stitches.

The facelift may be combined with a neck lift, incurring an incision just below the chin. This lifting technique reduces the fat that has accumulated under the chin, as well as loose neck skin and sagging jowls.

Recovery after a facelift may vary quite a bit from one person to another. Generally, the first week is devoted to rest. Patients need not be on bed rest but are advised to focus on managing comfort and allowing their bodies to devote energy to healing. It is beneficial to have some help around the house and, though you should move around to avoid blood clots, movement should be slow and careful. No jumping, running, bouncing, or exercise until you have fully recovered.

During the first week of recovery, do not expect to see the positive results of your procedure. You will have bruises. These may be around the eyes or ears and on the neck, depending on your incisions. You will be uncomfortable to some degree, but your prescription pain medication will help reduce the soreness and tenderness you may feel. You will be swollen, possibly more so on one side of the face. This is normal. You may come to see us about one week after your procedure.

Many patients can stop taking prescription pain medication after their first week of recovery. At this time, physical activity around the house can increase slightly. Light exercise like walking can resume, but nothing more strenuous than that. Bruising and swelling may still be noticeable, so you may not be ready to return to work or social activities. During this phase of recovery, you will still be sleeping with your head elevated and maybe using cold compresses as needed.

After two weeks of recovery, you should be ready to return to work, so long as you are not required to perform strenuous activities. Labor-intensive jobs will need more time off to avoid preventable complications. While mild bruising and swelling may continue, makeup can be used as needed. At this time, you may feel tingling or other sensations in your skin. This is a normal part of tissue repair and should dissipate over time.

By one-month post-op, you can expect more of your activity restrictions to be lifted. You may be able to resume more strenuous exercise at this point, taking care to pay close attention to your body’s needs. At this point, you should not need makeup to cover bruising any longer, though you may continue to see isolated swelling. By 8-weeks, most of your side effects should be resolved and you will be enjoying your refreshed, youthful face.

In general, surgery carries risks for:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Fluid or blood accumulation beneath the skin
• Unfavorable scarring
• Nerve or skin damage
• Persistent pain
• Prolonged swelling
• Skin discoloration or other irregularities

Plastic surgery carries risks such as unsatisfactory cosmetic outcomes due to asymmetry or poor incision healing. All surgical risks are discussed with patients during their consultation.