No matter how well you take care of yourself, there are some things you just can’t control. Fine lines and wrinkles and sagging facial skin are a natural result of aging, but that doesn’t mean you have to accept them.
Burt & Will Plastic Surgery and Dermatology in Plainfield, IL, employs innovative techniques and highly skilled experts to provide our clients with natural-looking facelift results without the unflattering “pulled back” look.
What Is Facelift Surgery?
Also called a rhytidectomy, a facelift is a surgical procedure that involves pulling back a flap of skin on each side of the face and removing excess skin. The result is tighter, more youthful-looking skin and improved contours.
When you’re young, your skin stays plump and firm, thanks to small deposits of fat underneath the dermis and peak collagen production. However, collagen production begins to slow down as early as your 20s, and over time, gravity can pull at those important fat pockets, causing facial features to sag.
Eating a healthy diet, protecting skin from the sun, and using quality skin care products can help delay the signs of aging, but no one is immune to these natural changes.
Facelift surgery is a complex solution to skin sagging. However, patients who want to maintain a more youthful appearance may opt for a facelift because of the immediate and long-lasting results.
What to Expect from Facelift Surgery
We perform facelifts on an outpatient basis. Patients must arrange for transportation home because anesthesia and sedation medications are required. These medications keep our patients safe and relaxed during the procedure.
All of our cosmetic surgical treatments begin with a consultation and complete health evaluation to ensure that you’re a good candidate for the procedure. We may do some lab work before we develop a treatment plan, and we will also review all of your current medications.
During the consultation, we will ask about your aesthetic goals and what you are hoping to achieve with a facelift. We will also discuss pre- and post-op instructions, including costs, at this time. There are several different facelift techniques available to patients today, and each offers different advantages.
To develop a treatment plan that will meet your desired results, we will take photos of your face from many angles. Your surgeon will closely examine your facial shape, bone structure, the quality of your skin, and fat distribution in your face. All of these details are important for deciding which type of surgical technique will work best for you.
Expect the procedure to take three to six hours or more if you are having additional procedures done at the same time. You will need to stay at our clinic for a few hours as we monitor your recovery. We recommend patients have someone stay with them at home for at least the first 24 hours after surgery.
Post-Surgical Care
We will discuss all aftercare instructions with you during the consultation and send you home with complete instructions.
For the first few days after a facelift, we recommend that you rest with your head elevated as much as possible and take only the medications we have prescribed. Cool packs can be used to relieve discomfort and minimize swelling.
Results are immediately noticeable, but it may take several months for your new look to settle into place.
Are Facelift Results Permanent?
Facelift surgery is a safe procedure that provides long-lasting results, but the results are not considered permanent. Time, gravity, fluctuations in weight, and environmental factors all affect the skin, and eventually, your facial features may begin to show signs of sagging again.
In most cases, patients can expect to enjoy the results of their surgery for about ten years.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Facelift Surgery?
Most men and women in generally good health are good candidates for a facelift procedure. You are a good candidate for facelift surgery if:
- You don’t smoke or are willing to quit smoking
- Your expectations are realistic
- You understand and can fully comply with the recovery process
- Your skin is sufficiently elastic (flexible)
- The soft tissues of your face and neck are sagging or have deep wrinkles
If you’re not a good candidate for surgery, we can discuss other procedures that might help you achieve a more youthful look. Injectable neurotoxins like Botox, dermal fillers, or skin resurfacing are a few of the options we offer.
Benefits of a Facelift
No two faces are alike, and no two facelifts are exactly alike either. We provide each patient with a customized treatment plan that addresses their individual concerns. The general benefits of facelift surgery include:
- Repairing loose skin so it’s smoother and tighter but still natural
- Tightening weakened facial muscles and underlying facial structures
- Smoothing facial contours
- Slimming the neck and jowls
According to the Cleveland Clinic, more than 131,000 people get a facelift in the U.S. every year, making it one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures available. Facelifts were once seen as surgery for people 60 and older, but today thousands of people under the age of 55 are opting to look younger with the help of facelift surgery.
Are You Ready to Schedule a Facelift Consultation?
If you’re ready to embrace a younger-looking you, facelift surgery may be the right choice. Modern facelift surgical techniques can correct sagging and loose skin and take years off your face without giving you that “windblown” look.
Contact Burt & Will Plastic Surgery and Dermatology in Plainfield, IL, today to learn more about facelifts and all of the cosmetic procedures we offer.