Each facelift should be a uniquely customized design that accounts for many factors. Through your consultation with a credentialed facial plastic surgeon in New York, you can create the one of a kind facelift surgery that suits your facial features, delivers your desired results, and changes your appearance in a positive way.

The Facelift Procedure

Facelift surgery, or rhytidectomy, is an anti-aging procedure designed to correct sagging skin, weak tissue and muscle in order to create a more youthful appearance. During a facelift surgery, changes will be concentrated to the lower portion of the face, where aging and gravity tend to leave the most noticeable marks.

A facelift procedure begins with the placement of incisions to give the surgeon access to the tissues that need to be corrected. With a traditional facelift, these incisions are made along the hairline, continuing in front of and behind the ears, then extending to the lower scalp. The incisions for a limited facelift approach are placed in the same locations but do not extend as long. All of the incisions used to perform a facelift surgery will be well-hidden in your natural facial creases.

Once the incisions are in place, your surgeon will work to redistribute or remove excess fat that has accumulated along the jaw and under the chin. He may use liposuction techniques to remove small pockets of excess fat cells if needed. The lower facial muscles are then lifted and tightened, followed by the excision and tightening of the skin. If the chin is a specific problem area, an additional incision may be made just beneath it to target these concerns. To learn more about facelift, visit medlineplus.gov

Evaluating Each Unique Face

Many prospective facelift patients have preconceived notions about what makes them eligible for a facelift surgery. The truth is that every face is different, so there is no set guideline for how old you should be, how many wrinkles you must have, or whether you have grandchildren or not. Facelift patients now range in age from their early 30s to well beyond their 60s, and the average age is getting younger and younger every year. Beyond that, patients are men and women alike, with a wide variety of ethnic roots and facial characteristics. To design a facelift surgery for each and every one of these unique patients, a facial plastic surgeon must evaluate them individually.

During your facelift consultation, your facial plastic surgeon will spend some time getting to know you, learning about what signs of aging frustrate you the most, and discovering what desired results you have for your facelift surgery. Building on this, he or she will examine your facial features, facial structure, skin laxity, and other factors to create recommendations. A skilled facial plastic surgeon will customize his or her surgical techniques and approach to fit the needs of the patient, rather than the other way around. The surgeon understands how important it is to provide natural-looking results that work with the patient’s features rather than against them.

Customizing the Male Facelift

More and more men are discovering the benefits of the facelift procedure and how it can help them to achieve the youthful look they want. Nothing about a facelift makes it strictly feminine, so men will experience the same caliber of results as female patients. Likewise, they will be evaluated during a consultation in much the same way, with only a few exceptions.

The male face is different in some slight ways, sometimes necessitating a shift in the surgeon’s approach to accommodate them. For example, skin on the male face tends to be thicker and can be more challenging when the time comes to place the incisions. A male facelift must also take into consideration the natural hairline of the side burns and beard, taking extra care not to distort these areas when tightening the skin. During a male facelift consultation, these slight differences will be discussed, along with the facial plastic surgeon’s plan to address them. While none of these differences will make any male patient ineligible for facelift surgery, they should always be considered when designing a customized male facelift procedure.

Customize Your Facelift Surgery With the Right Surgeon

Choosing the right facial plastic surgeon to perform your facelift procedure will both maximize your results and minimize your risks as a patient. 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 about The Optimal Age for Facelift Surgery

In the facial plastic surgery industry, there truly is no “magic age” when a facelift is most effective or achieves the best results. Facelift surgery has been helping patients in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and up for many decades, advancing with every passing year to offer more specialized and customizable results where needed. Despite all of this, research conducted by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reveals that there might be a “golden” timeframe where facelifts can deliver the best results for the long-term.

Facelifts and Maintenance Facelifts

Facelift surgery is designed to address the drooping, wrinkled skin that comes with exposure to time and gravity. Other factors can also contribute to how early and how quickly this damage becomes evident, including heredity and genetics, sun damage, and other environmental exposure. Today, many younger patients in their 30s are wandering into facial plastic surgery clinics in search of their “first facelift,” the foundation surgery that will turn back the clock and help them age gracefully for years to come.

Traditional facelift surgery in New York begins with incisions that are made at the hairline, continuing in front of and behind the ears, then extending to the lower scalp. Your facial plastic surgeon will then redistribute fat from the lower face and neck to other areas or remove the excess with liposuction techniques. The muscles will then be lifted and tightened to provide firmer support to the lower portion of the face. Finally, the skin is repositioned and the excess trimmed away before the incisions are closed.

Most facelifts will deliver results that last over a decade, with many patients seeking a secondary or maintenance facelift within eight to 12 years (on average). A maintenance facelift may include many of the same techniques and steps, but will likely be conducted more delicately so as not to overcorrect the lower portion of the face. Discuss your options for first and subsequent facelift surgeries with your facial plastic surgeon for the best advice tailored to your unique needs.

Patients With the Best Long-Term Results

When it comes to having a facelift procedure with staying power, there may just be a “perfect age.” According to recent research, patients who have their first facelift surgery before the age of 50 tend to experience the longest-lasting satisfaction with their surgical results. Compared to patients ranging from 50 to 60 and then over 60 years old, patients under 50 had the highest and most consistent satisfaction rates at their short- and long-term check-ins.  They were also perceived to be better able to care for their results in the long-term, thus preserving their youthful appearance for a longer period of time. Patients in the other groups were less satisfied as time went on and felt the need for a secondary facelift much sooner than their younger counterparts.

What That Means for You

If you’re under 50 and considering a facelift, it’s time to get moving! Your age group on average sees the best results that last the longest, so you’ll get the most for your money by investing in a facelift at this time in your life.

If you’re in the 50 to 60 age group, don’t let these research results discourage you. There are many patients in this age bracket who still experience high rates of satisfaction over the long-term.All this means is that you may need to add a little bit of extra skincare to your daily routine. Wear sunscreen, learn about medical-grade skin care, and consult with professionals who can help you devise a strategy to maintain your facelift results.

If you’re over 60 and having your first facelift, you may experience more sudden age-related changes following your procedure than younger patients would. Still, this is nothing to prevent you from having the surgery that will help you achieve the look you want. Your facial plastic surgeon can guide you through the process and what to expect from your results; even if your results last eight years instead of 12, nothing can take back the 10 years you removed with your facelift surgery! Keep a positive attitude and be involved in your treatment; success will be yours if you know how to plan your facelift right.

Get Started With the Right NYC Facial Plastic Surgeon

If it feels like the perfect time to start planning your own first (or maintenance) facelift surgery, connect with the right facial plastic surgeon. By choosing a credentialed, experienced plastic surgeon, you can maximize the results of your procedure. 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 Fight Tech Neck with Facelifts and Neck Lifts

There’s no such thing as a surgery without risks, even when you’re dealing with cosmetic procedures like a facelift. As with any procedure, these risks should always be taken seriously and that starts with educating yourself about them. Through a consultation with your facial plastic surgeon in New York, you’ll have the chance to talk about the risks most often associated with the facelift procedure. Take the time to understand them and how you can minimize your chances of developing post-operative complications.

Risk #1 – Reaction to Anesthesia

Facelift surgeries are most often performed under general anesthesia, which can carry some mild risks for patients. There is a potential for an adverse reaction to anesthesia, but this is typically very short-lasting in nature. Facelift patients who do react most often experience some nausea and sickness as the drug wears off. The whole process should last only a few hours.

While there’s not much you can do to prevent a mild reaction to the anesthetics used during your facelift, you should communicate any serious concerns you have about it to your surgeon. If you have had a more serious reaction in the past, speak up. You should also disclose all of your current medications, vitamins, supplements, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption to your facial plastic surgeon ahead of time. Any of these could negatively interact with your anesthesia and expose you to more serious risks.

Risk #2 – Bleeding Issues and Hematoma

It is common for facelift patients to experience some bleeding after their procedure, but sometimes this normal side effect becomes more serious. Rarely, excess bleeding may occur after facelift surgery. If untreated, this can lead to a hematoma, a more complicated type of bleeding that occurs beneath the skin.

Avoiding this dangerous post-operative complication begins with an open dialogue between patient and surgeon. You may be at an increased risk of hematoma if you:

• Have high blood pressure or hypertension.
• Use blood thinners.
• Are taking herbal medications.
• Are taking ibuprofen, aspirin, or a similar form of pain medication.
• Smoke.

Talk about your risk factors for bleeding and hematoma with your doctor so you can work together to develop an appropriate surgical plan that will keep you safe and healthy. After your facelift, alert your surgeon if you experience nausea and vomiting at all, as this increases pressure on the incision site and can lead to bleeding complications later. Finally, follow your doctor’s post-operative instructions carefully to be sure you have minimized your risk factors for this complication.

Risk #3 – Post-Operative Infection

An infection is a risk following any surgical procedure and can be caused when bacteria is transferred from the skin’s surface, through the incision, and inside the body. Since you can’t be awake to supervise your own facelift surgery, you want to work with a facial plastic surgeon you trust to take every measure necessary to prevent a potential infection.

Surgeons have many ways to cut down on the risk of infection before, during and after your procedure. First, he may opt to administer a single dose of antibiotics to be proactive against any potential bacteria transfer. The area around your incision sites will be cleaned thoroughly with an antibacterial agent in order to eliminate potential threats. Your surgeon and all those assisting with the procedure should wear proper surgical gloves, masks, and clothing at all times while in the operating room. All of the tools used should be sterilized as well to prevent the passing of infection between patients. Finally, when your facelift is complete and your incisions sutured shut, your face will be bandaged appropriately with clean dressings to protect the area from outside contaminants while it heals.

Choose a surgeon with a proven history of success with his facelift patients and who has also demonstrated a good working knowledge of safe techniques and methods for preventing infection. During your consultation, ask your surgeon directly what steps he will take to clear up any of your worry.

Find the Right Surgeon for Your Facelift

Of course, there are other minor risks associated with the facelift procedure, including nerve damage, healing problems, and scarring. By choosing a credentialed, experienced plastic surgeon, you can minimize all of the risks associated with a facelift procedure. 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.