Face Lift

Face lift surgery is designed to improve the contour of the face and neck, and to give the patient a more rested and youthful appearance. There are different types of facelifts that plastic surgeons often label as ‘mini’ or ‘traditional,’ or they may utilize a branded facelift procedure. During a consultation at Indiana Plastic Surgery, we can discuss which facelift method will give you the best aesthetic result.

Who’s a Candidate for Facelift Surgery?

You may be a candidate for a facelift if you have experienced a loss of skin elasticity and muscle tone around your face and neck. Those who may benefit most from a facelift exhibit conditions such as:

•     Sagging jowls
•     Deep creases from the base of the nose to corners of the mouth
•     Facial wrinkles/folds
•     Neck wrinkles/folds

As with all cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, it is important that candidates have realistic expectations for surgery, are non-smokers, and are in good general health.

Your Facelift Procedure

Facelift surgery at Indiana plastic surgery is typically done on an outpatient basis. It can be performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation, and the surgery requires about two to three hours.

A facelift works by removing excess fat and tightening underlying tissues of the lower face. The surgery typically begins with an incision above the hairline at the temples, traveling in front of the ear and extending behind the earlobe to the lower scalp. To address problems in the neck tissue, a second incision may be made under the chin. Next, the doctor will separate the skin from the underlying tissues, sculpt and re-drape tissues of the face, jowls and neck. Finally, the muscles are lifted and the excess skin is trimmed. The incisions are then closed and held with sutures.

What to Expect After Surgery

Patients typically require between two and three weeks to recover. During this time is it a good idea to keep your head elevated and make sure you get plenty of rest. You should expect some numbness, bruising and swelling early in your recovery, symptoms which should begin to diminish over the course of the first week. The stitches placed during surgery will be removed during a follow-up appointment. Be sure to ask your surgeon or aesthetician for advice on how to apply make-up in order to conceal the effects of surgery as you heal from your facelift.

Please contact us at (219) 513-2100 or (866) 613-2100, or fill out the email contact form on our website in order to receive more information about the benefits, costs and risks of face lift surgery. We at Indiana Plastic Surgery know that making the decision to improve your appearance can feel overwhelming, and we are committed to supporting you through the process. At our state-of-the-art plastic surgery facilities in Munster and Valparaiso, we regularly meet with local Indiana residents as well as those traveling from Chicago, Ft. Wayne, Portage, South Bend and even Indianapolis.