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Facelift

In addition to the natural aging process, the effects of sun exposure, smoking, genetics, stress, and other factors can cause the skin and tissues of the face to weaken and stretch. This can lead to visible signs of aging in facial areas and the accumulation of fat pockets, especially under the chin. A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is a procedure designed to reduce or eliminate facial wrinkles, sagging skin, and excess fat in the lower two-thirds of the face and the upper neck area.

Dr. Robert Taylor, our board-certified Rogers plastic surgeon, performs advanced facelift techniques with natural-looking results to improve these aesthetic concerns for a refreshed and rejuvenated appearance. Notably, Dr. Taylor completed a craniofacial surgical fellowship at the International Craniofacial Institute in Dallas, TX, granting him an enhanced understanding of the structures of the face and skull. He currently serves as the Director of the Cleft and Craniofacial Center of NWA, where he helps patients with complex head and neck abnormalities—including traumatic injuries and birth defects—enhance their self-confidence and improve their quality of life. Our entire team is dedicated to helping patients achieve their goals in a safe and affirming environment, and we encourage you to contact us today with any questions you may have.

Facelift Quick Facts

  • Procedure: Approximately 3 to 4 hours
  • Sedation: General or local anesthesia
  • Recovery: About 2 to 4 weeks
  • Principle benefits: A more youthful appearance with tauter skin & less wrinkles
  • Surgeon’s experience: Over 25 years

What Are the Benefits of a Facelift?

Women and men interested in reversing signs of aging to achieve a more rested, youthful appearance can benefit in many ways from facelift surgery, including:

  • Improving progressive signs of aging in the lower two-thirds of the face
  • Correcting sagging skin and tissues along the jawline and neck areas
  • Reducing folds, lines, and wrinkles around the mouth
  • Diminishing excess fat under the chin
  • Achieving long-term results that typically last a decade or more
  • A natural-looking outcome that preserves natural facial characteristics

Depending on the cosmetic areas of concern, our plastic surgeon will be able to determine if facelift surgery, or an alternative procedure, will be the best treatment for your aesthetic goals.

What Happens During the Facelift Consultation?

During your initial consultation, one of our plastic surgeons will examine the texture, thickness, and elasticity of your facial skin. They will also analyze the severity of wrinkles and folds. All of these factors, including your underlying tissues and bone structure, will help determine an individualized surgical plan.

If you have additional cosmetic concerns, our doctor may discuss other facial procedures for more comprehensive improvement. For example, a facelift is commonly combined with eyelid surgery, brow lift surgery, rhinoplasty (nose reshaping), or skin treatments to create a more youthful and refreshed look. Please see our “Procedures that Complement Facelift Surgery” section below for more information.

What Does Facelift Surgery Involve?

Our plastic surgeon performs facelift procedures in our fully accredited, state-of-the-art on-site surgery center in Fayetteville, AR. Before your surgery, general anesthesia is administered, so you are completely comfortable throughout the procedure. For your safety, we closely monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, and the amount of oxygen in your blood to ensure stability during surgery.

During the facelift procedure, small incisions are usually placed along the hairline and around the ears, to carefully tighten facial tissues and trim/remove excess fat before strategically redraping the skin to complete the procedure. Depending on the surgical technique used and specific goals of the patient, facelift surgery generally takes about three to four hours to complete.

After your facelift is complete, you will be taken to a recovery area. Bandages will be wrapped around your face at the incision sites. In some cases, small tubes are used to drain fluid buildup beneath the skin. Most patients feel minimal discomfort after their facelift. Our plastic surgeon performs facelifts as outpatient procedures, meaning patients can return home a few hours after surgery.

What Can I Expect During Facelift Surgery Recovery?

The surgical dressings and drains will most likely be removed the day after surgery during the first follow-up appointment. Symptoms such as swelling, bruising, stiffness, and soreness are to be expected for about the first week post-surgery, but can typically be managed with oral medication taken as prescribed. When resting or sleeping, your head should be elevated with a firm cushion rather than a regular pillow to avoid putting pressure on the sutures around the ears. After around seven days, the sutures are removed, and many patients are able to return to work. Typically, patients may resume their regular activities and exercise routines after about four weeks. The final results of your facelift procedure usually settle about two to three months after surgery.

How Long Will Facelift Results Last?

Although the aging process is unavoidable, facelift results are often enjoyed by patients for 10 years or often longer. To help prolong the results, our doctor recommends practicing good skin care with products containing high-quality ingredients, limiting sun exposure, wearing sunscreen, eating a healthy diet, getting adequate rest, and refraining from smoking. Additionally, non-surgical rejuvenation, such as BOTOX® Cosmetic and other injectables, can help to smooth fine lines and wrinkles that can appear again over time.

Procedures that Complement Facelift Surgery

Facelift surgery may be combined with other surgical and/or non-surgical facial procedures for a more significant improvement. Some of the most common additional procedures may include eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) to refresh droopy or puffy eyes, brow lift surgery to reposition eyebrows and smooth forehead creases, rhinoplasty to reshape the nose and balance facial features, dermal fillers to restore volume in the face and lips, and many other options. Our plastic surgeon will be able to create a more comprehensive plan after an initial consultation and thorough evaluation on an individual basis.

If you would like more information about facelift surgery or if you are ready to schedule a consultation, please contact Taylor Plastic Surgery today.

Medical Resources:

ASPS: Facelift Surgery
RealSelf: Facelift Surgery: The Ultimate Guide

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