Could a Facelift Be Your New Beginning?
If you’ve been thinking about having a facelift surgery, you might already know what your motivation is. Even if you haven’t pinpointed your one real reason for having this surgery, it does exist and it drives you to book a consultation, plan ahead for the procedure, and cash in your sick days for a proper recovery. More often than not, the men and women seeking facelift surgery are looking for a new beginning, in one way or another.
What Can a Facelift Do to Help?
A facelift procedure is a surgery performed in order to restore a youthful appearance to the face. It can correct unwanted effects of aging, such as drooping and wrinkled skin, fat deposits around the chin and jaw, and loosened facial muscles. All of these effects can contribute to a tired, older-looking face that may make you look worn down to those around you. Facelift surgery can help rejuvenate your appearance by alleviating the saggy, lax look from the lower part of the face.
Facelift surgery, or rhytidectomy, begins with incisions placed around the hairline and ears, as determined by your plastic surgeon. With the incisions in place, your surgeon will redistribute the fat deposits collected around your chin and jaw to other areas of the face that have lost volume; any excess fat will be removed, sometimes using liposuction for best results. The muscles of the face are then lifted and tightened, followed by the skin. With the skin now adjusted to a firmer position, the excess is trimmed away and the incisions are sutured closed. The result is a more well-defined profile and more youthful look.
New Beginning #1 – A New Job or Promotion
Today’s workforce is a competitive place to be, especially with so few jobs available to those with years of experience and qualifications. Pink slips abound as companies cut back on unneeded employees, sometimes bringing in younger workers to fill the empty spots. In other cases, promotions are going to younger employees, whom management perceived to be younger with more energy and a longer career ahead of them. As a middle-aged worker with the right qualifications, getting passed over in favor of someone who looks younger can be quite a blow to your self-esteem and even your commitment to your job.
Facelifts are on the rise in recent years, with male and female patients alike citing their desire to stay competitive at work as a major motivator. By improving the way you look and feel, your self-confidence is naturally bolstered. Upper-level management takes notice of confidence and the qualities that come with it. While a facelift alone can’t get you a new job or help you climb the corporate ladder, it can certainly trigger changes in you that can help. Starting a new beginning in your career could be just the boost you need.
New Beginning #2 – A Special Occasion to Debut the New You
Many patients see an upcoming event or special occasion as the perfect reason to get a facelift. From 20-year high school reunions to awards banquets to a child’s wedding, the special events that qualify as a facelift motivator are diverse in purpose. Still, each of them share three things in common: the event is a life milestone with heavy meaning to the patient, the event will likely involve taking many pictures, and the event will include many other people, some of whom the patient hasn’t seen in a long time. Looking your best at big events like these doesn’t just mean getting a haircut and a new outfit anymore. When you reach the point where your facial features don’t look like you anymore, it’s time to start a new beginning with a facelift.
Bear in mind that planning a surgery in time for a special event can be a delicate business. Do yourself a favor and book your facelift out far enough to allow for a full and proper recovery. With enough time to rest and relax, you’ll certainly look like the youthful you for those friends, family, and photos. Follow your surgeon’s instructions carefully to ensure that the smoothest recovery and best results are achieved with your facelift.
New Beginning #3 – The End of One Era, Start of the Next
Another popular reason that patients seek facelift surgery really is a beginning of a new phase of life: divorce. Men and women often find themselves stuck in a rut after ending a relationship with their partner, even if it was mutual and amicable in nature. Whether you’re planning to reenter the dating scene or just spending more time caring for you, facelift surgery can give your self-confidence and self-image a boost. When you look in the mirror and go out into the world, you will have this confidence with you. Achieving this feeling is a good way to begin any major transition. It may also be a good way to psychologically mark a change in yourself.
New Beginning #4 – The Recommitment to Caring for Yourself First
Finally, the best reason of all for a facelift surgery is yourself. While a new career, special event, or ended relationship can be significant, the root of each of these motivators is a desire to better yourself. You don’t always need the bigger reasons to spend the time and money investing in how you look and feel. Many patients reach the decision for a facelift just by realizing that they would feel better if they addressed their aging concerns.
If you have noticed sagging skin and muscles around the lower portion of your face, you could be a good candidate for facelift surgery. You should also be in good overall physical health, not smoke, and have realistic expectations about what plastic surgery can do for you. If you’re not sure, consult with a credentialed plastic surgeon experienced in facelift surgeries to be evaluated. This could be the new beginning you’ve been waiting for.
Schedule Your New Beginning with a Facelift Specialist
Any new beginning can’t get very far if your procedure doesn’t go smoothly. Get the best results from a facelift procedure with a low rate of risks when you plan your surgery with a reputable, specialist facial plastic surgeon. Dr. Philip Miller has specialized exclusively in facial plastic surgery, offering over 20 years of experience and knowledge to his patients. A recognized expert in facial rejuvenation procedures, Dr. Miller has been frequently invited to share his specific techniques with his peers at various national facial plastic surgery meetings. He has been voted among the Best Doctors in America each year since 2007 and has also been named a Top Doctor of New York. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Miller, contact his office located at 60 East 56th Street, Third Floor in New York City, by calling (646) 791-3025.
Next, learn How to Pick the Perfect Time for a Facelift
Weight Loss After Facelift: All You Need To Know
The results of your facelift can be affected by weight you lose after your surgery. The good news is there are ways to lose weight safely and effectively after a facelift, without compromising your results.
Can weight loss affect my facelift results?
Yes. Losing significant weight results in a pattern distribution of weight loss throughout the body, including the face. Facial volume is necessary for proper skin support. If you suddenly drop 20 pounds or more in just a few months after facelift surgery, the weight loss may translate into lost facial volume, and skin laxity may develop. As a result, you may find yourself with an aged appearance in the mid-face and cheek areas.
Additionally, making dramatic changes in weight between consultation and surgery date may significantly change the surgical plan your plastic surgeon created for you. Surgeons generally advise patients to achieve their goal weight as closely as possible before undergoing many types of aesthetic surgery.
How much weight can I lose safely to preserve my facelift?
Most doctors recommend losing weight slowly and at a healthy pace. Losing 1-2 pounds per week is ideal for safe and lasting results. This slow steady rate ensures skin has time to conform over the new contour to maintain a firm, youthful appearance.
Should I lose weight before or after facelift?
Surgeons typically recommend losing weight before a facelift. Since a facelift involves the redistribution and removal of fat cells, and facial fat is necessary for a more youthful appearance, it is best to lose weight slowly and steadily to allow skin elasticity to bounce back naturally before surgery.
Most surgeons also advise patients to get within 10 pounds of their ideal weight before surgery. Doing so will produce the best facelift results.
Learn more about facelift surgery here.
Philip J. Miller, MD, FACS, can guide you on your facelift journey. During your consultation, be open and honest about your weight loss goals so he can recommend the best approach for your specific case. This ensures that your surgical and weight loss goals are all safely met.
It is possible to manage weight loss before and after facelift surgery, especially with the help of an expert facial plastic surgeon. Dr. Miller specializes exclusively in facial plastic surgery and has over 20 years of experience performing procedures like a facelift. In addition to the standard facelift, Dr. Miller can perform a deep plane facelift, the Miller lift (liquid facelift), or a MicroLift.
To learn more about weight loss and facelift surgery, contact Dr. Miller’s Manhattan, New York, or New Orleans, Louisiana office to schedule an appointment.
Cosmetic Procedures for Getting Rid of Turkey Neck
From Jack Lalanne to Facial Yoga
The late health guru Jack Lalanne, for example, was big on daily exercises to keep the facial muscles strong and the skin tight. Jack was a true pioneer and expert in healthy living who developed his own personal facial exercise routine that kept his profile relatively sag- and wrinkle-free well into his 90s. But not even Jack Lalanne was able to win the battle against the forces of gravity and age and stay a healthy looking 70-something indefinitely.
Modern health and fitness experts can be heard these days singing the praises of “hydration” as the proverbial fountain of youth. They recommend a body fat ratio of 14 to 24 percent for women and 6 to 17 percent for men, which means for most of us a radical change in diet is in order and lots of aerobic exercise and hours spent training in the gym or health club.
New Age types, on the other hand, are big adherents of Facial Yoga, a series of targeted exercises which are supposed to ward off neck and facial drooping. Many yoga aficionados do, in fact, look great as they age but there is no real evidence that facial yoga is effective.
Cosmetic Treatments for Turkey Neck
There are several non-surgical treatments touted for their ability to target the neck, including skin peels, topical creams and laser procedures, many of which are simply ineffective. Non-surgical skin tightening treatments may be effective to some degree, particularly in patients with minimal sagging. In addition, Botox can be used to effectively treat neck bands. However, these non-surgical treatments generally do not address excess or lax skin and cannot recreate the neck line that most patients desire.
The meat of the matter regarding the turkey neck is that it is one stubborn age-related effect that is difficult to resolve non-surgically. Traditional neck lift and facelift techniques remove excess skin and fat and tighten the platysma muscle to create a firmer, tighter, more youthful look that will last for many Thanksgivings to come. Neck lift may be performed on its own or combined with a traditional facelift.
Don’t be a turkey this Thanksgiving. Consult with a qualified facial plastic surgeon who can help you decide which procedure is best for your sagging neckline.
Dr. Philip Miller is a board certified facial plastic surgeon with offices located at 60 East 56th, Third Floor, New York, N.Y. Contact our office at (646) 791-3025 for a personal consultation.
Carol Burnett talks about her plastic surgery experience on CNN
In 2011, the comedienne and award-winning actress was a guest on CNN’s Piers Morgan LIVE where she openly discussed getting plastic surgery on her chin. The full hour interview touched on her successful Hollywood career, her family, and plastic surgery, which Burnett didn’t shy away from. “I’ve always wanted a chin,” she admitted.” She then made the decision to have work done after her daughter went to an oral surgeon to correct a jaw problem. One day after about a year post-surgery, Burnett walked into her hotel in New York City where she received a message from actor and film director, Marlon Brando. Once she got him on the phone and asked why he’d called, Brando replied, “So, where’d you get your chin?”
What Is A Chin Augmentation?
Also referred to as genioplasty or a chin implant, chin augmentation in New York is a surgical procedure that places a pre-formed silicone implant around the patient’s existing chin bone in order to enhance its size and shape, achieving a more harmonious and attractive balance in the facial features. As the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery puts it, “a well-defined jawline structure is the cornerstone of a balanced attractive face.” Therefore, correcting a small or weak chin will benefit the proportion of the lower face and improve the contours of the neck and jawline.
When performed by a qualified and experienced board-certified cosmetic surgeon, chin augmentation can provide a permanent solution to improving a recessed or weak chin. A chin augmentation can also be performed on its own, or as a complement to other facial contouring procedures such as a rhinoplasty, neck lift, or facelift.
What Are The Benefits Of Chin Augmentation?
- It is natural-looking – Chin implants are designed to resemble your natural bone structure. The procedure is also performed in a highly personalized manner, enhancing your facial features while ensuring results are apparent without looking too exaggerated.
- It is customizable – Chin implants, just like clothes that are tailor-made for you, are customizable to the patient by offering different looks based on your personal preferences. You can choose from an array of various styles and sizes, and even create new contours by reshaping the chin and jawline in order to accommodate nearly any profile or facial shape.
- Scarring is minimal –The incisions for chin augmentation are usually made below the chin. The incision is small and located in a barely noticeable spot. In some cases, the incision is made inside the mouth.
- It builds self-confidence – Having a weak or underdeveloped chin can affect your self-confidence. If your chin is making you feel self-conscious, a chin augmentation can help you feel better about your appearance and improve your self-esteem.
Would You Like to Achieve Facial Aesthetic Balance?
Do you feel like your facial features lack proportion? A chin augmentation can help you feel more confident in your appearance.
Philip J. Miller, MD, FACS is a double-certified facial plastic surgeon who specializes exclusively in facial plastic surgery and offers over 20 years of experience and knowledge to his patients. Considered one of the country’s leading experts in facial rejuvenation, Dr. Miller has been frequently invited to share his specific techniques with his peers at various national facial plastic surgery meetings. He has been voted among the Best Doctors in America each year since 2007, and has also been named a Top Doctor of New York. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Miller, contact his office located at 60 East 56th Street, Third Floor in New York City, by calling (646) 791-3025.
Preparing For Your Facelift
A facelift is one of the best options to turn back the clock and reduce your perceived age. However, this surgical procedure does require some preparation to ensure a safe and successful process.
Check with your primary care physician to make sure you are healthy enough for surgery if older than 50 years old or if you have medical problems. You can also work with your facial plastic surgeon to address your questions and concerns before your procedure. Finally, there are steps to prepare your skin, face, and body for what lies ahead.
Philip J. Miller, MD, FACS, is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who specializes in procedures to enhance the face and neck. With a variety of techniques at his disposal, Dr. Miller is qualified to customize your facelift to ensure the most natural, beautiful results. His proprietary NatraLook® process is an enriching experience through which you explore and ultimately boost your aesthetic confidence by enhancing your appearance.
1. Prepare Your Body
Any surgery has associated risks, including bleeding and infection. While you can greatly mitigate your risks by working with an experienced facial plastic surgeon like Dr. Miller, there are also steps to take to ensure a low potential for complications.
First, check with your primary care doctor to ensure you are healthy enough for surgery. You may need to address any underlying conditions before undergoing your facelift. If you smoke, Dr. Miller recommends quitting at least two weeks before and after surgery to prevent nicotine-related risks.
2. Prepare Your Medication List
Some medications can increase your risk for bleeding or other complications during and after surgery. You may need to stop some of those medications before surgery, so make sure your surgeon knows about all prescription medications you are taking. Your surgeon will weigh the benefits and risks of remaining on certain medicines and provide you with specific instructions to ensure the safest surgery possible.
3. Lower Your Bleeding Risk
Prescription medications like blood thinners are not the only substances that can increase your bleeding risk during and after surgery. Some over-the-counter medications, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, can also increase your likelihood for complications. Even supplements like vitamin E and fish oil can be a concern. Provide a list of these substances to your surgeon before your facelift and follow all instructions on when to stop taking them.
4. Arrange for Transportation
Since you will have anesthesia for your facelift, you should plan to enlist some help for the first day or two. Arrange for someone to drive you to and from your facelift procedure, since you will not be able to drive after anesthesia. It is also a good idea to have someone stay with you the first 24 to 48 hours after your surgery so you can focus on resting and healing from your procedure.
5. Prepare Meals
Although you might not feel like cooking for the first few days after surgery, it is essential to eat healthy meals during your recovery to support your healing process. Many patients prepare and freeze meals before surgery to make healthy eating as easy as possible. It is also helpful to stock up on fresh produce and other healthy snacks so you can rest comfortably at home with a full fridge and pantry.
6. Arrange for Child and Pet Care
You will have some activity restrictions after a facelift that can make it difficult to care for young children or pets for the first week or two. For example, you will not be able to lift items that weigh more than 10 pounds for a few weeks. We recommend lining up help for those first couple of weeks to ensure everyone is cared for without compromising your recovery process.
7. Prepare for a Comfortable Recovery
While patients are often pleasantly surprised at how little discomfort there is after facelift surgery, you will still want to rest and recover in comfort for the first week or two. You can facilitate your healing process by filling prescriptions before surgery. You can also stock up on movies and reading material, or line up someone to clean your house. Finally, gather a few shirts that button in the front to make it easy to change clothes during your recovery process.
8. Drink Extra Fluids
Hydration offers numerous benefits after surgery, from flushing the anesthesia out of the body to keeping the digestive system running efficiently. To help the healing process, keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Consider having some fresh fruit on-hand, such as limes and lemons, to help make your water taste better so you will drink m
9. Prepare Your Finances
A facelift is considered a cosmetic procedure that is not usually covered by insurance. This means the full cost for your procedure will come out of your pocket. It is important to have a plan for paying for your surgery before you come in for your procedure. We are happy to discuss options with you to ensure your facelift fits with your aesthetic goals and your budget.
10. Know What to Expect
While a facelift is ultimately designed to enhance your appearance, you will experience some side effects after surgery that will keep you from seeing your final result right away. In other words, expect to look worse before you look better. Being prepared mentally and physically for the healing process will help you endure those early days when you aren’t so sure about what you see in the mirror. Rest assured that in time, those results you dreamt about before surgery will become a reality.
Dr. Miller has performed countless facelifts during his two decades of work for many happy patients. If you want to find out if a facelift is right for you, contact Dr. Miller’s Manhattan, New York, or New Orleans, Louisiana, office today.