Face Lift Surgery
Information provided by ASI - Boca Raton, Florida

In an effort to rejuvenate the appearance of their face, more and more people are turning to facelifts. In fact, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, over the past four years, the number of facelift procedures performed in the United States has increased to over 150,000. While facelift surgery cannot stop the aging process, it may deter and offset some of its effects. Furthermore, facelift surgery offers many patients a way to address the effects of heredity, sun exposure, environmental issues (i.e., pollution), smoking, etc. In some facelift surgery cases it is believed that the person receiving the facelift may appear to be a decade younger than their actual age. Because of these various issues, facelift surgery continues to enjoy widespread and growing popularity.

How is Facelift Surgery Performed?

The traditional technique for performing facelift surgery utilizes an incision that begins in the hairline or sideburn near the temple and continues in front of the ear, around the ear lobe, behind the ear and back into the hairline. Following the precise creation of this surgical incision, the facial/neck muscles and sagging tissues are tightened, excess skin is removed and the remaining skin is repositioned in way that creates a rejuvenated and youthful appearance. In facelift cases where the neck needs specific lifting, a small incision is made under the chin from which the neck muscles and tissues are tightened. Following the lift process stitches are used to close the surgical incision.

Variations on this technique include mini-facelifts and short-scar facelifts. A mini facelift is a procedure in which the dissection is limited. This is a useful technique for younger patients or in patients who have already had a facelift some time ago but want a little tweaking. A short scar procedure is one in which the scar behind the ear does not extend into the hairline. This technique is useful in younger patients who dont have much neck laxity. Other procedures such as Thread Lifts, endoscopic browlifts, eyelid surgery, facial fat grafting, midface lifts and laser resurfacing are often combined with facelifts.

Time or duration of a facelift procedure varies from patient to patient but usually requires two to three hours and may be performed using either IV sedation or general anesthesia.  During the doctor-patient consultation, Dr. Pozner will be able to provide a more specific time frame to the patient.

The surgeons of ASI perfom most facelifts in our Accredited Operating Suite but a Hospital is available if desired. Patients are allowed to return home the same day as their facelift surgery with a caretaker or we will provide care for you in a local hotel room.

Following the initial recovery period, patients may expect a rejuvenated and more youthful appearance.Usually, there is very little pain associated with a facelift and residual swelling typically disappears within a few days. Additionally, most bruises are gone within a few weeks. Patients generally feel a sense of tightness and numbness that should gradually dissipate within several weeks. Following facelift surgery, it is important to follow Dr. Pozner's plan when returning to strenuous activity. This will help avoid placing unnecessary tension on the wound that could lead to additional scarring.

In regards to scarring, facelift surgery scars typically remain pink in color for the first few months before maturing into less visible white scars as time passes. Furthermore, facelift scars are primarily confined to the hairline region and within the natural creases of the skin.

While the immediate effects of a facelift may last for many years, the aging process continues. As a result, it is impossible to predict how long it might be before an individual would consider having a second facelift. As with all forms of plastic surgery, the results of facelift surgery are different for each and every patient. Typically, those patients who look best after a facelift are those who looked best before the procedure. While some patients may have one facelift during the course of their life, other patients may have a second facelift performed seven to fifteen years later.

When considering a facelift it is important to recognize that the texture of the skin on the face will not be modified by the facelift procedure. Facial skin conditions such as fine lines, acne scars, age spots and smoker's creases will quickly return to their original texture and presentation regardless of how tightly the skin is pulled during a facelift. Furthermore, a facelift will not result in bestowing beautiful skin on the recipient unless the patient possessed it prior to a facelift procedure. This being the case, there are solutions. For example, skin treatments such as laser resurfacing or skin tightening lasers such as the Titan or Sciton ST may be used in conjunction with a facelift in an effort to improve the texture of the skin and minimize the appearance of wrinkles, age spots, etc.Keep in mind that a face lift may improve the appearance of wrinkles but it will not remove them entirely from the facial region. Additional facial treatments such as chemical and laser resurfacing, along with Botox and collagen injections may used to help treat laugh lines, wrinkles, furrows and other skin blemishes such as age spots and acne scars

In an effort to minimize any risks associated with facelift surgery, it is important that the patient follow all of the surgeon's instructions - both before and after surgery.

For a more personalized consultation at our Boca Raton, Florida office, contact one of experienced plastic surgeons.