Facelift

Maybe you’ve spent years basking in the sun without the proper protection, or you’ve enjoyed a life filled with laughter. While these things are what makes life grand, the result of a satisfactory life can leave you with unsatisfactory consequences. When you look in the mirror, you may notice loose skin or folds around your face and neck.

Modern cosmetic surgery makes it possible to eliminate the telltale signs of aging, shedding years, even decades off your facial features. One effective way to reduce the appearance of aging is with a facelift. Also called a rhytidectomy, a facelift is a surgical procedure designed to improve appearance and boost your self-confidence.

What it won’t do

It is important to note that a facelift does not remove deep wrinkle lines; these require skin resurfacing techniques. Your forehead and eyelids also will not be tightened with facelift surgery.

What it can do

A facelift can give you a more refreshed, rejuvenated appearance without the surgical or “wind blown” look sometimes seen with facelifts. Friends may ask if there is something new you did, like a new haircut or that you look more rested. At the same time as facelift surgery, Dr. Joseph can correct other consequences of aging in your face and neck.

How it works

The most common surgical practice in a facelift procedure is to tighten the skin and underlying muscle of your neck and face. Plastic Surgeon Dr. Joseph will make an incision in the natural creases to the front of and inside your ear. This incision will extend into your scalp and behind your ear on your hairline. Making the incision in the natural creases helps hide scarring after surgery.

Dr. Joseph will then separate your skin and facial muscles from your deeper facial tissue. In some instances, the skin will be removed. In others, the skin and muscles are tightened and reshaped. After the tightening or removal of excess skin, the skin is re-draped and sutured or stapled in place.

The operation will be performed under either a local or general anesthetic – meaning you can opt to be awake or asleep during the procedure. Often times, you will not need to stay in the hospital overnight. Neck liposuction is also often performed in conjunction with a facelift.

Am I a good candidate?

A facelift can produce amazing results, but it isn’t for everyone. You are a good candidate if you:

• Have skin that is still relatively supple
• Are in good overall health
• Have realistic expectations
• Fully understand the risks and limitations

If you are interested in enhancing your appearance with a facelift and you live in the Orlando or Winter Park area of Florida, please contact our plastic surgery office today.