Dr. Blake Raggio, Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon
Facelift FAQs: What You Need to Know of volume (or lack thereof) associated with the aging process. Therefore, many surgeons, I included, often recommend facial volumization with fat grafting to “fill” the hollowed areas and augment the effects of the facelift.
In last week’s article we discussed the ins and outs of the “Liquid Facelift” using dermal fillers, a non-surgical cosmetic procedure which has recently gained attention as a viable alternative to a traditional surgical Facelift. That said, as effective as a “liquid facelift” can be at rejuvenating the face, there should be no mistake about it that for many people looking to reverse the signs of aging, the surgical Facelift remains the gold standard for delivering predictable, natural, and durable (long-lasting) results. Before you decide if a Facelift is right for you, however, several questions need to be asked to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure, which we will address below. Without further ado, let’s discuss the Facelift. What is a “Facelift”? In short, the term “Facelift,” traditionally known as a Rhytidectomy, describes the surgical procedure wherein the soft tissues of the face, cheek, and/or neck are repositioned in a manner that restores a more youthful appearance those structures affected by the aging process. Once these underlying tissues are tightened and resuspended (aka, “lifted”), the excess face and neck skin is excised, the combination of which creates a more rejuvenated appearance to the face. The procedure is typically performed in an operating room setting, takes 4-6 hours, with social downtime lasting anywhere from 1-3 weeks depending on several factors including your underlying health and soft tissue quality. Costs vary considerably ($6000 and up) and will be based upon your surgeon’s experience and preferred technique, the operative setting and required anesthesia, the need for other combined procedures, amongst other variables. What are the different types of “Facelift”? The facelift has undergone many iterations since its initial description wherein a large skin excision was performed without any repositioning of the underlying structures, creating the unsightly “pulled” or “windswept” associated with such antiquated procedures. Thankfully, we now better understand the anatomy of aging and the role various structures have on the facial aging process, including the importance of the suspensory ligaments of the face and the distribution of the facial fat compartments. To this effect several types of Facelifts exist The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
You should also know that other procedures routinely combined with the facelift include the following: browlift, blepharoplasty (eyelid lift), surgical lip lift, chin augmentation, and a chemical peel. The point is that you should work closely with your surgeon to create a customized facial rejuvenation plan.
today, but most fall under the category of “mini-lifts” versus “SMAS-lifts.” For simplicity, you should understand that a “mini-lift” tends to rely on suture suspension of deeper tissues, whereas the “SMAS-lift” typically involve some type of dissection and/or release of the deeper structures which in theory allows for a more comprehensive repositioning of the underlying tissues. Whether one option is superior remains controversial, however, most Facelift surgeons would agree that the more durable (longer-lasting), powerful, and natural results would be associated with the “SMAS-lift.” The “mini-lift” has its advantages, however, as the procedure tends to be more affordable, can be performed under local anesthesia, has less associated downtime given the minimal dissection.
Who is a good candidate for a surgical Facelift? The average age for a Facelift surgery patient hovers around 50 years of age. That said, anybody of any age who suffers from increased skin laxity, facial volume loss, poorly defined facial contours, and deepened hollows/folds (e.g., jowls, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, platysmal bands), would benefit from a facelift and/or Necklift. Ultimately, a detailed assessment of your underlying anatomy is required to determine if a facelift surgery matches up with your aesthetic goals and expectations. How can I learn more about a Facelift? If you are interested in learning more about a Facelift, I suggest consulting with a surgeon experienced in facial rejuvenation surgery. This will ensure that you receive a comprehensive assessment and treatment plan. As a fellowship-trained Facial Plastic Surgeon with core training in Head and Neck Surgery, I always encourage patients to understand the nuances of their proposed treatments before deciding on their plan of action, as often-times, multiple treatment options exist.
As always, choose a surgeon whom you trust. There is nothing more important than the relationship you have with your doctor.
Ultimately, every patient is different, and every surgeon is different; so, find someone whom you are confident will deliver results consistent with your expectations.
In Good Health,
What is the “Lift and Fill” Facelift? The term, “lift and fill,” refers to a Facelift combined with a facial volumizing procedure (i.e., facial fat grafting). As alluded to above, we now appreciate the importance
Dr. Blake Raggio Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon Alabama Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 334.373.3611 (office) www.ALplasticsurgery.com
R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
September 2021
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