Face and Neck Lift

Introduction

Face lifts and neck lifts are common procedures that can help combat the signs of aging. In essence, the muscles and soft tissue of your face are repositioned and the skin is then redraped such that the tell-tale signs of the procedures are limited.

Ideal Candidates

Face and neck lifts are performed when injectable fillers no longer have the desired effect on signs of aging. Generally, this is over the age of 40, though you may elect to have these procedures earlier. Neck lifts are often performed in conjunction with a face lift, but either procedure may be done independently depending on your aging pattern.

How It’s Done

Prior to your procedure, you will be asked to take two weeks of vitamins to improve your immune system and hasten your post-op healing. Both face lifts and neck lifts are performed under both sedation and general anesthesia. Face lifts require an overnight stay in our recovery suite with medical supervision.

There are several types of face lifts that are commonly performed:

Weekend lifts are a type of mini-face lift known for a quick return to work. The lift is performed on the neck and lower face, rather than the entire face. The procedure combines liposuction of the neck, small incisions, and muscle restructuring to achieve the desired result. This is not a good solution for everyone, but may be perfect if you are between the ages of 35 and 50 and still have a fair amount of facial fullness.

Thread Lifts and Contour Lifts use a special kind of barbed suture on the underside of the skin which are attached to the top of the head to lift the skin. This can be used in a small segment of the population; however, when indicated can achieve good results.

Our preferred face lift technique involves vertical positioning of the superficial Muscaloaponeurotic System, or SMAS. This is a modification of the traditional full face lift. In addition, it is a 3-dimensional face lift that repositions the skin, the muscle and adds volume. At our center, this provides the best and most long-lasting results.

During all facial procedures, we take special precautions to ensure that you achieve the youthful look that we desire. We take great care to ensure that no tell-tale signs of a face lift are left. Our center is known for creating a natural look, such your face will not appear pulled or wind-blown, there are no creases, and the incisions lie in natural spaces. The goal is to move the underlying facial structures to their natural position, allowing the skin to drape naturally over the repositioned tissue.

Recovery

A jaw bra, a supportive garment to help contour the neck, is generally worn for about a week after surgery to help the healing process. Most patients find that two to three weeks off work is best for face lift procedures, depending on the type of face lift performed. For neck lifts, only two to three days off work may be necessary. After about two weeks, you will be able to go out without noticeable bruising or swelling. Final results will be apparent in one to two months.

Face and neck lifts generally last ten to fifteen years. Avoiding skin damage from the sun, alcohol, and smoking can prolong the effects of your face lift.

Patients should avoid strenuous physical activity for one to two months following their procedure. By taking the correct precautions after your procedure, you can ensure the longest-lasting results.

At our practice, we perform many face and neck lift techniques, but all are proven and not “the newest thing”. We do not take shortcuts during lifts; these are complex procedures and we are constantly reviewing our processes to ensure that you get the best possible care.