Facial Rejuvenation (Facelift)

Description
The Surgical Procedure
What to Expect After Surgery
Resuming Physical Activities
Frequently Asked Questions
Before/After Facelift Photos

What is a Facelift?

The face lift is a surgical procedure to improve your appearance. The improvement is achieved by tightening the skin and facial muscles and, where needed, removing fat. The degree of improvement varies from individual to individual and is influenced by the physical traits of the skin, the amount of sun damage, underlying bone structure and a variety of other factors.

The Surgical Procedure

This operation takes from 3-5 hours depending on what is done. This procedure is usually performed using local anesthesia under intravenous conscious sedation, though sometimes a general anesthetic is advised. You will discuss with Dr. DeWeese which anesthesia option is best for you.

Photographs are as important to the plastic surgeon in the proper care of his patients as X-rays are to physicians in other medical specialties. Therefore, photos will be taken before and after surgery. These photographs become a part of the patient’s confidential medical record.

The cost depends on the extent of the surgery and the complexity of the surgery. The surgery package price includes the surgeon's fee, the anesthesiologist's fee, the hospital and operating room expenses. A general range is from $7,500 to $12,000.

What to Expect After Facelift Surgery

There is some degree of swelling and bruising is usual for most patients, but there is normally very little pain or discomfort. Swelling is resolved in two to three weeks, but some swelling may persist. Most patients are quite "presentable" within two to three weeks.

Resuming Physical Activities

For the first 24 to 48 hours, bed rest is prescribed. Dr. DeWeese requires an overnight stay in the hospital following the procedure to minimize the chance of bleeding after surgery.

For the first week you should plan on resting at home. After the first week, you may be able to move around the house, but not outside except for your doctor's visits. No sports or exercise is allowed. If you feel up to it, you may go out to a movie, for an easy walk, to a casual dinner, etc... You may gradually resume physical activity in the second to third week.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a good age to have a facelift?
A: There is no specific age for having a facelift. The results of a facelift can be subtle or very dramatic depending on the patient’s appearance before surgery. There is a trend towards doing less drastic surgery sooner, you don’t have to live with the aged appearance as long and fewer people will notice you have “had work done.”

Q: Are the incisions visible after facelift surgery?
A: No, if done correctly, all of the incisions associated with facelift surgery can be hidden in normal creases/folds of the face or in the hairline.

Q: How long does a facelift last?
A: The effects of a facelift are permanent. Rhe patient will always look better than if she or he never had a facelift. However, a face lift does not stop time, just sets the hands of the clock back a little. Some patients will reach a stage when they will benefit from a second facelift - typically this is ten or more years after the initial procedure.