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Facelift Surgery

Hereditary factors, personal lifestyle choices, and sun exposure all contribute to the aging process and subsequent changes in our facial appearance. As we age, important structural facial fat is lost and descends in our face. This, together with the loss of elastic support in our skin can causes excessive wrinkling and sagging skin. This can create a tired or drawn-out facial appearance. Combined with the very fine lines from excessive sun exposure, the aging process becomes revealed. Dr. Hoefflin is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who specializes in facelift surgery (also known as rhytidectomy). Facelift is one of the most commonly requested procedures he performs on patients who travel from all over the world desiring natural, youthful results. Known for his surgical artistry, Dr. Hoefflin believes that true facial beauty can be achieved by bringing out the unique features of each individual patient.

Early signs of facial aging may include excessive forehead folds, eyebrow drooping, upper eyelid hooding, fat herniation in the lower eyelid, loss of fullness and definition in the mid-cheek region, loss of normal jawline contour, excessive nasolabial folds, and obvious skin wrinkling in front of the ear. In addition, vertical muscle banding and generalized loose skin can be found throughout the neck.

The facelift surgery is often performed in combination with other complimentary facial rejuvenation procedures, including brow lifts, neck lifts, eyelid lifts, and laser skin resurfacing to enhance your overall aesthetic result. Chin or Cheek augmentation using soft silicone or silastic implants can further create a soft, natural, and youthful appearance. Likewise, any contour imperfections can be improved through facial fat grafting.

Prior to your surgery, Dr. Hoefflin recommends that you meet with our aestheticians to evaluate and prepare for your skin for optimal results. Dr. Hoefflin has instituted a “Ten steps toward more beautiful skin” program for his patients.

When is the right time to consider a facelift

The time to consider facelift is when the aging process becomes noticeable and bothersome to you. The average age of patients presenting for facelifts is typically in their forties and fifties. The facelift does not “stop the clock,” but can turn back the hands of time. After the facelift, most patients look seven to ten or more years younger. The aging process continues, but you will always look several years younger than you would have without facelift surgery. The better you take care of yourself, the longer the results will last.

What to expect after surgery

After your facelift, you will be discharged home with light facial dressings. A small suction drain may be placed. Head elevation for two to three days is encouraged to minimize any swelling. Your bandages and drains are removed in our office after twenty-four hours, which allows you to then shower.

Our facelift patients are surprisingly free of discomfort due to Dr. Hoefflin’s long-acting local anesthetic nerve blocks and gentle dissection. Slight post-operative discomfort is easily controlled with oral medication. Sutures are gradually removed within the first seven to ten days. Facelift patients may shower after several days. Antibiotics are typically administered for seven days. Minor swelling and bruising can be concealed with special camouflage makeup after 7 days.

Your facelift healing is a gradual and predictable process. Please read Dr. Hoefflin’s rapid recovery program to minimize any swelling or bruising. After about two weeks you may apply gentle makeup, making you feel more comfortable. After two weeks you will look and feel confident enough to go out with friends again. Your face will feel completely “normal” in about ten to twelve weeks. Direct sun should be avoided for several weeks. Most patients are delighted with their new beautiful and youthful appearance.

How long will the results last?

Facelift patients generally enjoy long-lasting results. The aging process continues, but you will always look several years younger than you would have without the surgery. The better you take care of yourself, the longer the results will last. You’re lifestyle decisions, skin type, hereditary factors and sun exposure all play vital roles in the aging process. While individual results may vary, the results of facelift surgery typically lasts 10 years. Some facelift patients are so pleased with the results that they will have the surgery repeated; others are satisfied with one procedure their whole life.

To learn more about facelift, please contact a board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Hoefflin to schedule your facelift complimentary consultation.

Facelift Faq's

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A facelift, also known as rhtyidectomy, is a plastic surgery procedure designed to restore the lower one third of the face and neckline to a more attractive and youthful appearance. The goals of facelift surgery are removal of excessive skin folds and large wrinkles, elevation of the soft tissues to a more youthful level and creation of a more natural neck contour. During the procedure, the underlying tissues and muscles are tightened, while excess fat is removed. Facial fat grafting is often performed to enhance volume restoration.

The surgery is performed on both men and women, and frequently combined with other complimentary procedures, including a forehead lift, eyelid lift, necklift, facial fat grafting, cheek implants, and laser skin resurfacing to enhance the overall aesthetic result.

Ideal facelift candidates are patients who are in good health, non-smokers, who demonstrate good skin elasticity. Importantly, patients should have realistic expectations about both the benefits and potential risks of facelift surgery.

The time to consider a Facelift is when the aging process becomes noticeable and bothersome to you. For some unusual patients, this happens in their 20′s. For others, this could be as late as 70′s. The “average” age of facelift patients are typically in their 40′s and 50′s. Different facelift techniques and approaches are utilized, depending upon individual anatomy and requirements.

Your initial consultation with Dr. Hoefflin is an opportunity for you to discuss your desired aesthetic goals. It is helpful to bring a list of questions and concerns that can be specifically addressed. Commonly discussed facial rejuvenation topics include forehead lifts, necklifts, eyelid lifts, laser skin resurfacing, cheek and chin implants, facial liposuction and fat grafting.

During your consultation, customized literature that discusses each specific procedure will be provided. Additionally, digital photographs of similar patients will be reviewed. Dr. Hoefflin believes digital photography can be a valuable tool in understanding the benefits and limitations of facelift surgery.

Dr. Hoefflin spends significant time closing all incisions himself. These incisions are performed with meticulously placed plastic surgery sutures, hidden by hair or by natural facial creases. Thus, great care and attention to detail assist in limiting and visible scarring. Nevertheless, the possibility of some scarring should be taken into account by anyone considering facelift surgery.

Various facelift options allow patients to accomplish different aesthetic objectives. Common facelift procedures include the lower facelift, midfacelift, the mini “weekend” facelift, and the endoscopic facelift. During your consultation, Dr. Hoefflin can best guide you in deciding which procedure is appropriate for your situation.

Dr. Hoefflin performs facelift surgery as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with deep sedation, as administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist. The procedure generally takes anywhere from two to four hours. All operations are performed in fully credentialed and state-of-the-art surgical facilities.

Typical facelift incisions are initiated in the hair bearing area just above the ear, inset (for camouflaging purposes) into the ear behind the tragus, curved on the back of the ear, and then inset high into the hairline. Dr. Hoefflin spends significant time closing all incisions himself, allowing the incisions to become quite inconspicuous once they heal.

After the incisions are made, Dr. Hoefflin lifts the loose skin and muscle tissue and gently restructures the sagging tissue and supportive muscle covering layers. Excessive fat is either suctioned or repositioned, and the cheek folds, cheeks, and neck areas are sculptured and recontoured. Once the facial foundation is restructured, the skin is laid back down, any excess is carefully removed, and the incisions are closed with very fine, specialized plastic surgery stitches.

Patients are discharged home or a recovery center with light facial dressings. Dr. Hoefflin typically places small suction drains. Head elevation for two to three days is encouraged to minimize any swelling or bruising. Your head dressings and drains are removed after twenty four hours in our office. Patients may shower after several days. Your healing is a gradual and predictable process. Slight to moderate bruising is common for the first week. All sutures are removed within seven to ten days. Patients may reapply makeup after ten days. Patients typically look and feel confident enough to attend social events after two weeks.

Our patients are surprisingly free of discomfort due to the long acting local anesthetic nerve blocks that are used during surgery. Any residual discomfort is easily controlled with oral pain medication.

Patients can return back to light or non-strenuous workouts after four weeks, with a full return to all activities after six weeks. Any premature participation in strenuous activities can result in a prolonged recovery or unanticipated complications.

Facelifts can dramatically improve one’s facial appearance by removing excess fat and tightening the loose muscles and associated soft tissues. However a facelift will not address subtle facial wrinkles. For patients with noticeable forehead, glabellar, or eye wrinkles (crow’s feet), Botox, chemical peels, or laser skin resurfacing may be indicated.

Dr. Hoefflin uses the latest in endoscopic (camera-assisted) surgery techniques in performing this facelift technique. An endoscopic facelift is a less invasive alternative to a conventional facelift. By placing several small incisions within the hairline, the facial soft tissues are elevated and repositioned to a more youthful and aesthetically pleasing level. This facelift technique is ideal in patients who demonstrate little skin sagging but a more appreciable midfacial soft tissue descent.

Patients generally enjoy long-lasting results after their facial rejuvenation procedures. While the aging process continues, you will still look many years younger than you would have without your procedures. The better you take care of yourself, the longer the results will last. You’re lifestyle decisions, skin type, hereditary factors and sun exposure all play vital roles in the aging process. While individual results may vary, the results of facelift surgery typically last 10 years.

Yes, fat grafting or fat transfer is performed during facelift surgery to improve one’s volume restoration. As we age, we tend to lose or redistribute facial fat in areas such as the midface, cheek, nasolabial fold, corner of the mouth, and temple regions. Fat grafting involves removing fat from unwanted areas of the body (flanks, abdomen, thighs) and re-inserting it to add volume to the midface, cheeks, lips, or nasolabial folds. It can also be used to fill in small facial lines or smooth out facial wrinkles. The result is a more youthful, natural, and artistically contoured facial appearance.

When performed by a qualified surgeon, the risks of serious problems after facelift are rate. Most complications are minor, temporary, and can be easily resolved with conservative time and treatment. Complications may include bleeding, infection, numbness, scarring, and nerve injury. Patients with a history of keloid scarring, radiation, autoimmune or collagen disease, and smokers, are all at an increased risk of complications. You can reduce your risk of complications by closely following your surgeon’s before and after surgery instructions.

Dr. Hoefflin and his staff will supply you with a list of pre-operative instructions, including medications to avoid, in the days and weeks leading up to your facelift. Importantly, These instructions include quitting smoking as it can have deleterious effects on wound healing and your final result.

Aspirin, Motrin, ibuprofen, Advil, and virtually all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents thin the blood and can promote bruising. In addition, anything herbal, red wine, and homeopathic medications can do the same. To minimize bruising, it’s advisable to avoid these products for 10 days before a treatment.

The American Board of Plastic Surgery is the only plastic surgery board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Selecting a surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery provides that your physician has completed the necessary and extensive training to perform plastic surgery and help you achieve your aesthetic goals.

Yes, we offer financing to make facelift procedure more affordable to our patients. To learn more about our financing programs, click here.

You can read more information about our facelift procedures by clicking here. To learn if you are a candidate for a facelift, contact our offices for a complimentary consultation.

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