Exceptional Facelift Surgery

Your face can say a lot about you — whether you are happy, sad, angry, or even tired. Your face can also reveal how old you are. Harsh environmental factors such as the ultraviolet rays of the sun, as well as the stresses of everyday life, can leave your skin looking wrinkly and dull and older than it truly is. Fortunately, Forma Plastic Surgery can help turn the clock back with facelift surgery. Our surgeons can remarkably improve some of the most visible facial signs of aging through facelift surgery, such as deep creases near the nose and mouth, fat deposits near the neck, and saggy skin near the jaw line. The result is a lively, more youthful appearance and improved self-confidence.

Before Facelift Surgery

If you are interested in facelift surgery the first step is to meet with our surgeons for an initial consultation. During the consultation, our surgeons will determine if patients are qualified candidates for facelift surgery. The best candidates are people between age 40 and 80 who have began to show signs of aging but have not lost elasticity in their skin. Facelift surgery candidates should also have strong facial bone structure and good overall health.

Once a patient is determined to be a good candidate for a facelift, our surgeons will discuss the entire procedure in detail and evaluate the patient's facial structure and surgical goals to determine which facelift technique is the most suitable. Our surgeons will also discuss what the surgery can and cannot correct and make sure the patient maintains reasonable expectations. All patients should be prepared to discuss their full medical history with their surgeon and will be given the chance to ask questions or discuss any concerns they may have about the facelift procedure. Contact Forma Plastic Surgery to schedule a free consultation for facelift surgery.

Preparation for Facelift Surgery

Patients should begin preparing for facelift surgery at least four weeks before their scheduled procedure. Patients should refrain from smoking as well as taking aspirin or other blood-thinning medication at this time. Some patients are prescribed medication by our surgeons to take before their facelift surgery. The day before the procedure, patients should wash their hair thoroughly and get plenty of rest. They should also arrange for someone to accompany them to our practice and drive them home after their surgery. Following these pre-operative instructions, as well as any other instructions given to them by our surgeons, will ensure that patients have a smooth and successful surgery and recovery.

The Facelift Procedure

In performing the facelift procedure, the surgeon creates incisions just above the hairline near the temples. These incisions continue in front of the ear and down to the lower scalp. The incisions are created this way to minimize the appearance of scarring. The surgeon then separates the skin from the underlying fat and muscles. Depending on the patient's goals and the facelift techniques used, the surgeon may suction out fat and/or tighten the muscles for improved facial contour. Next, the surgeon pulls the facial skin back and removes any excess skin. Finally, the incisions are sutured and the face is bandaged to reduce bruising and swelling. The entire procedure is performed under general anesthesia and takes approximately two to four hours.

For the ultimate makeover, Forma Plastic Surgery can combine facelift surgery with other cosmetic procedures such as rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, or a brow lift. We also offer non-surgical aesthetic treatments such as BOTOX® Cosmetic Restylane and/or Perlane® injections, fat transfer, laser skin resurfacing, and medical-grade chemical peels to help turn back the hands of time. Contact us to schedule an appointment.

Facelift Surgery Results

Facelift surgery provides patients with a younger and more refreshed appearance that they can enjoy for a long time. Facial wrinkles and saggy skin seem to disappear following the surgery. However, the recovery process takes much time and patience, and full positive results from facelift surgery may not be noticeable or weeks to come.

The Healing Process

After their facelift surgery is complete, patients should return home and get plenty of rest. The surgeon advises patients to keep the head elevated to reduce swelling, and to refrain from getting the bandages and incisions wet. Stitches can be removed approximately five days after surgery, and patients can normally return to work after ten days.

Patients should expect swelling, bruising, skin discoloration, and numbing for the first few weeks after facelift surgery. Strenuous physical activity should be avoided at all costs during this time. In addition, alcohol consumption, steam rooms, and saunas should be avoided for several months. Patients should follow these and other additional post-operative care instructions provided by the surgeons to ensure a quick recovery.