Facelift New York

Types of Facelifts in Manhattan

Traditional Facelift

There are a few options for rhytidectomy in NYC, including a traditional facelift, also known as a limited facelift or an "Awake Facelift." During a traditional facelift, incisions are made at the hairline and continue in front of and behind the ears and extend to the lower scalp. Awake facelift incisions are placed in the same location but do not extend as long.

Fat can be redistributed from your face and neck through these incisions. Liposuction may be used for the removal of excess fat. Muscles are lifted and tightened, as is the skin. Extra incisions may be made under your chin to target that area. All incisions are well hidden in the natural creases of your face.

Incisions made during facelift surgery are closed with sutures. Drainage tubes may be inserted but can be removed in 1 to 2 days. Sutures are removed between 5 and 10 days.

Mini Facelift

The Mini Facelift is defined by the shorter length of the incision. Since the procedure targets only those areas of the face that are just beginning to wrinkle and sag, the incision is often confined to the front of the ear rather than running around and behind it. The Mini Facelift is a minor outpatient procedure that requires only local anesthesia and can be done in 90 minutes or less with the patient.

Thread Lift

Deep Plane Facelift

Unlike the traditional facelift, the deep plane facelift (Deep Plane Rhytidectomy) involves a deeper plane of dissection, allowing the surgeon access to the underlying muscle and soft tissue layer just below the skin. This includes the malar fat pads which begin to droop and flatten with age. During the procedure, the surgeon is constantly focused on the mid-face area including, the nose and upper lip to correct any issues caused by aging.

To learn more about facelifts, visit medlineplus.gov.

Facelift Surgery in New York City: The Exact Details

Benefits of Facelift Procedure

Facelifts are one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures in New York. What makes this procedure so popular are the long-lasting, natural-looking results that restore your youth, such as:

• Well-defined jawline
• Improved facial contour
• Diminished appearance of lines and wrinkles around the mouth and nose

To ensure every patient achieves their desired results, Dr. Miller offers the NatraLook® Experience. This collaborative process allows you to create a unified vision of your expected results with Dr. Miller prior to your procedure, enhancing your Aesthetic Confidence™.

Before and After Facelift Results

*Individual patient results can vary

What to Expect From A Facelift in NYC

From the moment you wake up from the general anesthesia and open your eyes after your facelift surgery, you may not know quite what to expect. No matter what age you are, expect to still be the same "you," but the way you used to look, years ago, before the onset of facial lines, wrinkles, and maybe a sagging neckline. However, patience is not only a virtue, but it’s also the one virtue that will get you through the first few hours, days, and weeks after surgery.

Post Surgery

If you had a traditional facelift procedure done in New York City, odds are the doctor recommended general anesthesia to ensure the best outcome. It’s normal to experience chills and nausea immediately after waking up. The discomfort may persist for an hour or so. Be prepared to feel groggy and out of sorts until the anesthesia wears off. If you had outpatient surgery, be sure to have a safe ride home from our New York City surgery office.

Heading Home

When you do get home, your face may be wrapped up in thick bandages. There may have been one or more drainage tubes attached to make sure the blood drains properly, and your face most likely will feel tight and sore from the procedure.

The Recovery Process

Expect to see varying degrees of swelling and bruising one to three days after surgery. Don’t be alarmed. It’s normal for swelling and bruising to occur in and around incision areas and, in most post-op circumstances, it doesn’t indicate a problem or concern. However, you should call your rhytidectomy surgeon right away if the swelling and bruising worsen significantly. Keep in mind also that your surgeon will be keeping close tabs on your recovery and scheduling follow-up visits.
A measure of pain and/or discomfort is to be expected after any surgery, including facelift surgery. You may have been prescribed painkillers. Many patients, however, say their recovery was so problem-free that they didn’t need pain medication.

Best Ways to Take Care

Avoid medicines or food that may cause blood thinning as this will increase your risk of post-surgery bleeding. These include aspirin and garlic. Most importantly, try to stay active during your in-home recovery to keep the blood circulating. This will help to minimize the risk of developing blood clots in the legs and it will make sure that your incision areas are receiving fresh, well-oxygenated blood to promote the natural healing process. Of course, you will still need to rest and avoid overexerting yourself.

The Final Results

At the end of your recovery period, expect to be amazed by how well your incisions have healed and how much younger you look – not to mention the positive comments and compliments you’re likely to receive from your family, friends, and co-workers. The expectation is the mother of all questions about facelift surgery. Your plastic surgeon of choice is best qualified to answer them.

Reliable Pre- and Post-Op Instructions

Please read and familiarize yourself with these instructions both BEFORE and AFTER rhytidectomy surgery. By following them carefully you will assist in obtaining the best possible result. If questions arise, do not hesitate to contact Dr. Miller or the office in New York City to discuss your questions at any time. Take this list with you to the hospital and begin observing these directions on the day of your surgery.

Patient Testimonials

What is an SMAS Facelift?

When you’re considering a facelift procedure, the chances are high you’ll hear the term “SMAS.” This type of facelift surgery is the most commonly used approach today, given the benefits that it can provide as an anti-aging strategy. Facelift surgery can correct drooping, sagging skin, excess fat deposits, and laxity present in the lower face. When performed by a board-certified facial plastic surgeon, a facelift can take up to 10 years off your appearance. The SMAS technique accounts for much of this success.

What Does SMAS Mean?

SMAS is an abbreviation for Submuscular Aponeurotic System, which is a layer of tissue covering the deeper structures of the cheek area. The SMAS is linked to the superficial muscle that covers the lower face and neck, or plastysma. The traditional facelift technique involves the repositioning of the SMAS together with the overlaying skin. Doing so can reverse loosened jowls, the neck, and other aspects of the face. Patients can experience many benefits from the SMAS facelift technique.

How Does SMAS Benefit Facelift Patients?

By involving the lifting of the SMAS, your facial plastic surgeon works from beneath the skin’s surface to reinforce its support structure. The SMAS connects the outer skin and tissue to the deeper layers below, so tightening and lifting it can benefit the entire face. SMAS techniques create a more pleasing look for facelift patients who want to appear younger. The cheeks may be lifted and the contour of the mid and lower face will be more refined following this procedure.

Facelift Surgery FAQ's

Q: What is the authentic difference between laser resurfacing and a facelift?

A: A facelift will lift sagging skin and muscle while removing excess fat. Laser surfacing will correct fine wrinkles or lines on the skin’s surface but it will not tighten skin or correct sagging of the neck. Some patients may require both.

To learn more about a facelift and other cosmetic procedures, visit www.plasticsurgery.org.

Q: How long does a facelift procedure take?

A: Generally, a facelift procedure takes about 2-4 hours, but it may take longer if other cosmetic procedures are done at the same time. Dr. Miller will discuss the specific expectations for your surgery at your consultation.

Q: Does the facelift surgery cover parts of the neck as well?

A: Traditional facelift surgery will correct the lower portion of the face including the cheeks, jowls, and the neck. Unless a brow lift is performed, it will not improve the upper portion of the face, such as the position of the eyebrows, wrinkling between the eyebrows, or excess skin of the upper or lower eyelids or lower eyelid bags.
The procedure will do little for the smile lines and cannot improve wrinkles around the mouth.

Q: Will I be in pain after the facelift surgery?

A: Typically, patients do not feel much pain following surgery. If anything, they tend to describe a mild discomfort, mainly in the back part of the neck, which usually clears up within a day. Pain or discomfort can also be relieved with oral medication.

Q: How long does a facelift last?

A: Although your skin will continue to age after you have a facelift, the results of your facelift can last up to 10 years. You can extend those results by using daily sun protection and using medical-grade skincare products at home to support skin health.

Q: Do I have to shave my head for facelift surgery?

A: No. In fact, many patients undergoing rhytidectomy choose to grow their natural hair out beforehand in order to better hide scars and stitches during the healing period.

Contact the Best New York Plastic Surgeon to Schedule a Facelift

Dr. Miller is a board-certified plastic surgeon considered a top-rated expert in his field. In 2019, Dr. Miller won the Castle Connolly Top Doctor Award, a prestigious award for outstanding physicians who were nominated by their peers, screened by researchers, and deemed the best in their specialty. Not only is Dr. Miller highly qualified, but he also utilizes the NatraLook Process to make sure his patients' results are rewarding in both physical and emotional ways. For more information on the facelift procedure, please contact Dr. Miller at his Manhattan New York plastic surgery clinic.