Everything You Need to Know about Facelift Surgery in NYC

by BodySculpt NYC Body Sculpt - Plastic Surgery

Facelift surgery or rhytidectomy involves removing excess fat, repositioning muscles and tightening skin to make the face tighter and smoother. Facelift in NYC plastic surgery facilities is provided to counteract the effects of aging and provides both men and women with a youthful appearance. Factors such as aging, sun damage, smoking, heredity, stress, thinning of the skin, loss of facial fat and gravity cause a person’s facial skin and neck to age, sag and develop wrinkles. This procedure is designed to address all visible signs of aging in the face and neck such as mid-face sagging, lower eyelid creases, creases along the nose extending to the corner of the mouth (nasolabial folds), facial fat, jowls, and double chin.

New statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) lists facelift surgery as one of the top five most popular cosmetic surgical procedures in 2016. ASPS reports that about 131,106 facelift procedures were performed by the ASPS member surgeons alone in the same year. This is 4% increase from the year 2015.

Reason for the Increasing Popularity of Facial Procedures

The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) reports that the “selfie” trend is causing an increasing number of people to opt for facial cosmetic procedures. A study conducted by the AAFPRS found that there is an increase in the number of people requesting alterations to their face with people becoming more aware of their looks in social media. Image-based social media sites such as Instagram, Snapchat and the iPhone app Selfie.im, force people to hold a microscope up to their own image and this has made them more self-critical than ever before. The same study reported that video-chat software such as Skype, FaceTime, and other live talk features on digital devices are also a major reason for the uptick in people seeking cosmetic procedures. A former President of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Dr. Malcolm Z. Roth, points out that “People are noticing their jowls, necks, and wrinkles. Facelift, necklift, eyelid tucks, neurotoxins, fillers and laser procedures are being requested by these ‘social’ individuals.”

Various Types of Facelift Techniques

AAAASF-accredited plastic surgery practices in NYC offer various types of facelift surgery to improve the overall appearance of the face and jaw area. Experienced and skilled aesthetic surgeons at this facility perform these procedures using FDA-approved, highly advanced minimally invasive technologies such as BodyTite, Smartlipo Triplex, VASERlipo and Laser Lift and non-invasive technologies such as Kybella.

Facelift - Surgical Options

Short Scar Facelift – Otherwise known as Mini Facelift, it is an ideal procedure for people who show aging in the mid-face and do not have a severe amount of excess skin around their jaw line and neck. The procedure improves the most visible signs of aging. It can be done alone, or in conjunction with other cosmetic surgery procedures.It requires a shorter incision than the traditional procedure; hence there is less scarring and shorter recovery time than the traditional facelift procedure. In fact, short scar facelift may be perfect for people in their 40s and 50s.
Subperiosteal Facelift – This procedure provides a vertical lift to the soft tissues of the face, separating it from the underlying facial bones and elevating it to a more aesthetically pleasing position. It helps correct the deep nasolabial folds and sagging cheeks.
Deep Plane Facelift – This technique lifts not only the jowls and neck area, but also releases the cheek ligaments and elevates the cheek fat pads and muscles. It reduces the nasolabial folds and gives the face a youthful heart shape.
Mid-facelift – This aesthetic surgery helps define the cheekbones and reduce bags under the lower eyelids, thereby restoring a more youthful contour in the mid-face area.

Candidate for Facelift Surgery

The ideal candidate for facelift surgery should have good skin elasticity, a strong bone structure and loose skin on the face or neck. The person should have good overall health and must be free from certain medical conditions. He/ she should be ready to stop smoking at least two months before the procedure, as smoking can delay the healing process. The person must also have a positive outlook and realistic expectations about the outcome.

Preparing before Facelift Surgery

During the initial consultation, the aesthetic surgeon may review your medical history and enquire about your current and past medical conditions, medicines that you take and any surgeries you have had. The doctor will examine the facial skin, facial bone structure and neck to determine your treatment options. You should discuss your expectations such as why you want a face-lift and what you are hoping for in terms of appearance after the procedure.

Before a face-lift, avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements. However, if you are prone to high blood pressure, it is advisable to take blood pressure medication before a face-lift. You need to bathe and wash your hair the night before and the morning of the face-lift. Avoid eating anything after midnight the night prior to the face-lift. Have someone drive you home after surgery and stay with you for at least one to two days.

Recovery and Results

A bandage might be placed around your face to minimize swelling and bruising after the surgery. To drain any excess blood or fluid, a small tube may be placed under the skin behind one or both of your ears. The surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to care for the surgical site and drains, medications to apply or take orally, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health, and when to follow up with your plastic surgeon.

Most people are presentable to the public within 10-14 days; however, it may take 2-3 months for the face to feel back to normal in terms of texture, sensibility and loss of tightness. Following a healthy lifestyle and protecting your skin from the sun’s rays by applying sunscreen, might help you maintain the results for long. The visible improvements of a facelift may appear when the swelling and bruising subside. The outcome of the procedure might be a more youthful and rested appearance, making you feel more confident about yourself.

Choose a Good Surgeon

If you are considering undergoing facelift surgery, then do your research and choose a plastic surgeon who has vast experience in performing facelift surgery. The surgeon can determine whether you are a candidate for the procedure. He/she would evaluate your health condition as well as the elasticity of the skin and discuss the potential outcomes as well as risks or potential complications. Along with that, the surgeon and the patient-friendly staff would offer you finest quality treatments and excellent care throughout the procedure, as well as post-surgery follow-ups.