What is a facelift?

As we age, we develop creases in our foreheads, mouths, and all around our faces. A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that tightens facial muscles, removes fat, and trims excess skin in order to reverse signs of aging. After surgery your facial features will be more prominent, your skin will be tighter, you will have fewer wrinkles, and your eyes will be more open. You’ll still be you, but a much younger-looking you.

Candidates for facelift surgery in Austin, TX, and Scottsdale, AZ

Ideal candidates for a facelift have some facial sagging and want to correct one or more issues in the middle and lower areas of the face. Additionally, patients should be in good overall health, have some degree of remaining skin elasticity, and have realistic surgical expectations.

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Why choose Austin Cosmetic Surgery?

When considering facial surgery, choosing the right surgeon is crucial. Dr. Michelle Cabret performs advanced facelift surgeries, and has  called a “4D facelift,” in which the facial tissues are repositioned, and the skin enhanced with a CO2 laser. Our comprehensive approach involves addressing all aspects of the facial structure, including the muscular layer of the face, repositioning the fat pads, skin and even enhancing skin tone and texture with the CO2 laser for a beautiful, elegant, natural-looking outcome – a beautiful you, looking your best.

At what age should I consider a facelift?

There are a few guidelines involved with getting a facelift. Age is not one of them. People often make the mistake of thinking that they must wait for a certain point to seek treatment for the signs of aging. According to statistics, many of the patients who undergo facelift surgery are in their forties or fifties. To be a good candidate for a facelift is to be healthy and have realistic expectations, not to have reached a certain age. If you’re considering having a facelift, contact our office for a private consultation.

What is the facelift procedure like?

Following your private consultation, we will schedule your procedure. A facelift is an outpatient procedure in which patients can choose to be under sedation or general anesthesia. During the procedure, your surgeon will place small, hidden incisions along the hairline and facial contours. Skin, tissue, and muscles are then lifted and tightened, returning the tissues to their youthful position. Next, we remove any excess skin. Finally, the incisions are closed with stitches or surgical glue. The entire procedure takes about two hours.

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What to expect at your facelift consultation

Before making a final decision, we will engage in an in-depth conversation with you about your personal aesthetic goals. We will review your medical history and perform a thorough physical examination to determine if you are healthy enough for the procedure. Using digital photography and computer imaging, we will craft a strategy that is tailored to your own unique features and proportions.

How long is facelift surgery?

Facelift surgery is performed on an outpatient basis. Patients typically receive general anesthesia for this rejuvenating procedure and can expect the surgery to last at least a few hours. The time it takes to complete a facelift is determined by the extent of improvement being sought. Some patients combine their facelift with other procedures, such as a blepharoplasty (eyelid lift) or a brow lift. Because each treatment plan is customized on a case by case basis, we discuss the expected surgery time with patients individually.

Are facelift results long lasting?

The facelift procedure is popular among adults from their forties to their eighties. This is because the repositioning of facial tissue creates a long-lasting level of facial rejuvenation. The effects of age will recur at some point, but the face looks younger than it would if the facelift had not been performed. Some patients never need to repeat their facelift and are able to maintain beautiful youthfulness using nonsurgical approaches such as injectables or periodic skin resurfacing, or other aesthetic treatment.

Risks of a facelift

As with any surgical procedure, there are some risks associated with a facelift. These potential risks include:

  • Allergic reaction to the anesthesia
  • Bleeding
  • Bruising
  • Infection
  • Nerve injury
  • Skin blistering
  • Swelling or discoloration
  • Temporary or permanent loss of sensation in the face
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FAQs

What is recovery like?

Will I have scarring after a facelift?

When can I resume normal activity?

When will I enjoy the results of a facelift?

Will my facelift results look natural?

What is recovery like?

After the procedure, it’s common for patients to experience some discomfort for 1-3 days. If needed, patients can take some pain medication to aid in recovery. One week later patients can have the stitches removed from incision sites. Temporary side effects, including swelling, numbness, bruising, and stiffness, resolve within a few weeks. In addition, as time passes, the scars heal and become less noticeable.

Will I have scarring after a facelift?

Scars are the natural result of incisions. Facelift incisions are made in inconspicuous areas around the ears, so the scars that form from healing are not visible. When it is necessary to make incisions in front of the ears, those nicks are very small. Once they heal, they are not immediately recognizable as scars. Patients may improve their scarring by implementing a scar treatment program using a special cream or other product beginning about 4 weeks after surgery.

When can I resume normal activity?

The first week after a facelift should be dedicated to rest. It is necessary to avoid high-intensity activities, but also important to maintain optimal circulation. Walking helps to avoid complications such as blood clots and poor wound healing. Patients may begin to gradually move more often and with greater intensity after seven to ten days but should not resume any form of strenuous exercise until we have conducted a follow-up visit and cleared them for activity. Once clearance is provided, patients should resume exercise slowly. Every person is different, but it is important to remember that the body needs extra time to heal. If you become tired when you begin to exercise again, stop. Your body is still recovering from the physiological impact of surgery.

When will I enjoy the results of a facelift?

Initial results will appear around a month after surgery. Over the next year, patients will continue to see improvement in their appearance. Facelift results will not last forever, however, the effects last many years, with the face looking more youthful than it would if the surgery had not been performed.

Will my facelift results look natural?

The way that facelift surgery is performed today is more advanced than previous techniques. Surgeons do not focus only on the skin and superficial tissue that has become lax, they address the underlying structural changes that have led to jowls, deep creases, and the elongation of the face. The repositioning of subcutaneous tissue and muscle results in natural, beautiful rejuvenation that lasts many years.

Schedule a consultation

Our internationally recognized facial rejuvenation experts can help you look and feel your best. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation. We proudly serve the communities of Austin, Lakeway, Bee Cave, Barton Creek, and Spicewood. Dr. Cabret is also honored to serve patients in and beyond Scottsdale, AZ.

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