Do you notice the skin discolorations, wrinkles, sagging skin, and fine lines in your face when you look into the mirror? It is only natural for your skin to show signs of aging as you grow older. But if they bother you and affect you psychologically, you can choose to get rid of them through facelift surgery.

Facelift, medically termed rhytidectomy, is a popular cosmetic surgical procedure. In fact, approximately 230,000 facelift surgeries were performed in 2020 despite a pandemic going on. 

While one of the oldest plastic surgery procedures, the approach to facelift has changed tremendously in the last decade. With a better understanding of facial aging and anatomy, facelift surgery creates a younger but natural-looking face by elevating and suspending facial tissue while removing extra skin.

In modern facelift, we avoid the old way of doing facelift which relied primarily and only on pooling the skin resulting in the exaggerated “joker” deformity of the face.

What are the benefits of facelift surgery?

A facelift surgery lets you enjoy the following benefits:

• Removes excess fat
• Lifts loose and sagging skin
• Reduces the appearance of wrinkles and frown lines
• Tightens jowls in the cheek and jaw

Facelift surgery also has the following benefits to your overall well-being:

• It makes you look as young as you feel
• It boosts your self-esteem and self-confidence
• It makes you feel fresh and radiant

Despite the availability of minimally invasive rejuvenation treatments, a facelift is primarily a surgical procedure. Rejuvenation treatments can help delay the need for facelift surgery and enhance its effects, but they cannot give you the same results that only surgery can offer.

Are you a good candidate for a facelift?

You are a good candidate for facelift surgery if:

• You want to get rid of sagging and loose skin
• You have realistic expectations
• You are physically healthy
• You don’t have a medical condition that may interfere with healing
• You are willing to make necessary lifestyle changes to prepare for the surgery
• You understand that the surgery can reverse many signs of aging but cannot stop the aging process

Traditional facelift vs. non-invasive facelift: what is the difference?

Traditional facelift

Traditional facelifts utilize the surgical approach to reposition the sagging skin and muscles on the face and neck. During surgery, the plastic surgeon may pull the skin on the face to remove wrinkles and creases. The excess skin is trimmed away to make your face look tighter and younger.

This kind of facelift is ideal for older patients who:

• Want a more defined jawline
• Want to eliminate sagging and loose skin
• Want to remove wrinkles and frown lines
• Want to get rid of hooded eyes

Non-invasive facelift

This type of facelift is relatively new and doesn’t require surgery. The plastic surgeon only applies fillers and skin injections to increase cheek volume and contour the jawline. You can enjoy the results for up to 1 to 2 years.

Non-surgical facelift is ideal for younger patients who:

• Want to have fuller cheeks
• Want to get rid of facial wrinkles and fine lines
• Want to improve the contour of their jawline

Coral Gables facial plastic surgery consultation

Since facelifts are a very personal procedure, don’t hesitate to ask questions that are causing you anxiety. Discuss your needs and goals with your plastic surgeon during your initial consultation, so he can advise you on the most suitable procedure that can achieve your desired results.

Based on your needs and goals, your surgeon may suggest a combination of procedures that can improve the outcome of a facelift, such as facial implants and wrinkle reduction techniques.

A facelift can also be combined with surgery of the eyelids and/or neck lift in the right patient. Ask your plastic surgeon if this can be a good option for you.

How to prepare for a facelift in Coral Gables?

Once you’ve already decided to undergo a facelift, you may be asked to:

• Undergo any required laboratory and medical tests
• Apply prescribed skin products to your face
• Take prescribed medications or make adjustments to your present medications
• Avoid taking medicines that may increase your risk for bleeding
• Stop smoking a few days leading to the procedure

What to expect during the surgery?

A facelift has 3 general steps:

1. Administration of anesthesia

You will be given anesthesia to make the procedure as comfortable and painless as possible. 

2. Creating the incisions

The length and direction of the incisions depend on what you want to achieve.

• Traditional facelift incisions start from the hairline at the temples, through the area around the ear, and end at the back of the head beneath the hairline. The surgeon will reposition the tissues under the skin, lift the muscles, and trim excess skin.
• Limited incisions are shorter. They start at the temples and continue around the ear. They are performed on patients who need minor lifts only.
• Neck lift incisions begin in front of the earlobe and go around and behind the ears. They are performed on patients who have loose skin on the neck and sagging jowls.

3. Closing the incisions

The surgeon will close the incisions using an absorbable suture or surgical glue. The scarring will be minimal and concealed within the hairline.

What to expect after the surgery?

After your facelift surgery in Coral Gables, your doctor will wrap your wounds with a bandage to help ease the swelling. Your surgeon may also place tubes to drain excess fluids.

Pain and discomfort in the surgical site are expected and normal after the surgery. To help you manage the pain, your plastic surgeon may prescribe pain-relievers.

Before you are allowed to go home, you will be given instructions on:

• how to care for the surgical site
• what symptoms to watch out for
• when to return for a follow-up

Recovery varies from patient to patient and can range from 2 to 4 weeks. You will begin to see the results once the swelling subsides.

Where can you get plastic surgery in Coral Gables, including facelift?

If you want to get rid of the excess skin and sagging facial muscles, Revive Plastic Surgery and Anti-Aging Institute is here to help.

Our Coral Gables facelift expert, Dr. Morad Askari, is a board-certified plastic surgeon with years of experience in plastic, reconstructive, and cosmetic surgery. He has helped many patients feel more confident about themselves through individualized treatment plans and facelift surgeries.

We also offer the procedures and plastic surgeries, including:

• arm contouring
• mommy makeover coral gables
• breast lift coral gables
• breast augmentation coral gables 

And much more! 

Request a virtual consultation with our doctor now. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.