Facelift in Weston, Florida
Aging can take many forms, and some of the most prominent signs of aging are found in the face. As we age, our skin produces less collagen and elastin and becomes thin, leading to lines and wrinkles. As the facial tissues lose elasticity and fat volume, the face begins to sag.
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a popular facial rejuvenation procedure designed to lift and smooth your facial tissues. Drooping skin is corrected and wrinkles are reduced to erase years from your appearance and enhance your facial contours.
Am I a Good Candidate for Facelift Surgery?
- Sagging and relaxation of the facial skin
- Deepening of fold lines around the nose and mouth
- Drooping cheeks
- Jowls along the cheeks and jawline
- Loss or displacement of fat in the face
Preparing for Facelift Surgery
What Is a Facelift Consultation Like?
Dr. Messa seeks to provide comprehensive care for each of his patients. In order to do this, Dr. Messa and his team will customize the consultation to fit your individual needs.
During your facelift consultation, you will:
- Meet the patient care coordinator, who will provide you with more information about the procedure
- Meet and become familiar with the Western Cosmetic Surgery Center team
- Undergo an examination by Dr. Messa
- Discuss your medical history, concerns, and goals with Dr. Messa, and he will ensure you have realistic expectations of what facelift surgery can do and that you are healthy enough for surgery
What Should I Do Before My Facelift Surgery?
To support an effective procedure and recovery, it is important to take some time to prepare for your procedure.
In the time leading up to your procedure, you may be asked to:
- Undergo a medical evaluation
- Take or adjust certain medications
- Apply skin treatments or products
- Stop smoking
- Avoid taking drugs that can increase bleeding
Maintaining your nutritional and physical health both before and after the procedure can help to enhance and maintain your results.
How Much Does a Facelift Cost?
Achieving natural, beautiful facelift results requires the skill and dedication of your surgeon, and the cost of your facelift may reflect this.
The cost of each procedure is decided on a patient-by-patient basis because many factors can affect the price. Surgical fees, facility fees, anesthesia fees, and location can all impact the final price of your procedure.
At Weston Cosmetic Surgery Center, we offer financing options with CareCredit®, Alphaeon Credit®, and Lending USA™.
Would you like to learn more about your options for facelift surgery? Call Dr. Messa at 954-659-7760 or 877-250-8117 to set up a consultation.
What Are the Different Types of Facelifts?
Traditional Facelift
The traditional facelift focuses on improving signs of aging in the lower two thirds of the face, from the cheeks to the jawline and the neck.
Incisions are made in the hairline that extend from the temples down along the natural curvature of the ear in front to the earlobe and then along the crease behind the ear. The underlying muscles are adjusted through the incisions, and fat may be redistributed to restore fullness.
Skin is redraped to highlight the new facial contours, and excess skin is removed. The lifting and repositioning of the skin, muscle, and fat is performed in two layers.
Mini Facelift
The mini facelift focuses on improving signs of aging around the mouth, in the cheeks, and along the jawline.
Limited incisions are made in front of the ear to the earlobe. The skin and muscles are adjusted, and the skin is redraped similar to the traditional facelift.
While the mini facelift addresses the deep tissue layers to provide long-lasting correction, it doesn’t address sagging in the neck. For this reason, patients with pronounced jowls and loose neck skin may not be ideal candidates for the mini facelift.
What Is Recovery Like After a Facelift?
It is common to experience some bruising and swelling following facelift surgery. Surgical bandages may be used to aid in healing and reduce swelling and bruising. Your facial skin may initially appear overly taut, and you may feel tightness that should subside within the first 24 to 48 hours.
During the first week following your procedure, you should rest with your head in an elevated position to improve circulation and minimize swelling. Facelift patients often return to work and most of their regular activities within two weeks depending on their job and which facelift technique they underwent. However, patients must avoid strenuous physical activities for at least four weeks following surgery. Your surgeon will advise you on when you can resume your regular exercise routine. Most major swelling should subside within six weeks, but minor swelling may last four to six months.
When Will I See My Facelift Results?
You will be able to see your initial facelift results a few days following the procedure as swelling and bruising begin to subside. Most recovery symptoms should subside after about two weeks, at which time your facelift results will begin to appear more natural. Results continue to develop in the weeks following the procedure. Your youthful, natural-looking results will become apparent around four months after surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What type of anesthesia is used during facelift surgery?
Facelift surgery is performed with the patient under general anesthesia or intravenous sedation to ensure comfort and safety.
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How long does facelift surgery take?
Most facelift surgeries take between two and three hours to perform, and the procedure is followed by a minimum two-hour recovery period at the facility. Facelift surgery is an outpatient procedure, and most patients may return home the same day. However, Dr. Messa prefers to monitor his facelift patients overnight in our facility to ensure you receive the optimal post-operative care.
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How old do I have to be to undergo facelift surgery?
There is no minimum age required to undergo a facelift. If you have begun to experience the effects of aging and require surgical improvement, you should consider a facelift. Most patients who receive facelifts are between 40 and 60 years of age. However, in healthy individuals, a facelift can be performed on someone older.
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Which facelift option is best for me?
The facelift technique that will best fit your needs is based on your severity of skin sagging and wrinkles as well as which areas of the face have these signs of aging. The best way to know which facelift option is best for you is to go through a consultation to get advice from your surgeon.
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How long will my facelift results last?
While a facelift can rejuvenate your appearance and provide long-lasting results, your face will continue to age naturally. A facelift offers results that can usually be maintained for a long time with proper skin care and a healthy lifestyle. Most patients achieve facelift results that provide significant improvement for five to seven years.
Follow-up procedures such as skin resurfacing treatments, microdermabrasion treatments, and chemical peel facials can be used to extend the life of your facelift results.
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What is scarring like after a facelift?
Incision scars from a facelift tend to be permanent but are discreet and can often be easily hidden behind the hairline. This can help to ensure natural-looking facelift results. Fading creams may be used if a scar seems especially prominent.
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Will facelift surgery address my sagging neck?
Patients with moderate to severe facial sagging are more likely to experience drooping tissue on the neck as well. If left untreated, a loose neck appearance can negatively impact the quality of your facelift results.
While facelift surgery addresses the lower face and jawline, a neck lift (lower rhytidectomy) may be needed if you have drooping neck tissues. A secondary incision is placed discreetly under the chin. A platysma corset tightens loose neck muscles, and excess skin is removed. Liposuction may be used to eliminate excess fat.
The neck lift is designed to restore a slimmer neck appearance and enhance definition along the jawline. Improving the appearance of a “turkey wattle” neck and “double chin” helps most people achieve the overall facial appearance they desire.
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Can I combine my facelift with other procedures?
Yes. Fat grafting is often combined with facelift surgery to restore youthful volume to the face.
Patients with signs of aging in the upper face who would like to maintain their facial harmony generally opt to undergo a brow lift (forehead lift) and/or eyelid lift surgery (blepharoplasty) with their facelift.
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Can I have a facelift without surgery?
Non-surgical facial rejuvenation with a “liquid facelift” is available for those who do not want to undergo a surgical procedure. A liquid facelift consists of using botulinum toxin injections like BOTOX® Cosmetic and dermal fillers like JUVÉDERM® XC and Restylane® injections to add volume to the face and smooth the skin.
While these non-surgical treatments can improve signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines, the results are not as dramatic or permanent as a surgical facelift, and they cannot address significantly sagging skin.
