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7 Questions to Ask Your Facelift Surgeon

A facelift may smooth sagging skin and tighten the tissue underneath the skin to give your face a fresh look. If you desire a more permanent improvement to the features of your face, a facelift may produce the beautiful glow that boosts your confidence and lifts your spirits. If you have questions about something as important as facelift surgery, don’t be afraid to ask your surgeon what you desire to know.

Dr. Philip Miller is your Manhattan, New York, and New Orleans, Louisiana, expert on all types of  facelift surgery especially deep plane facelift surgery.   He is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who will answer every question you have about this procedure. The following seven questions are frequently asked by people who choose to undergo facelift surgery. When you schedule your consultation with Dr. Miller, have your questions ready so you are prepared to move forward if you decide a facelift is the right choice for you.

before and after results of a facelift performed in NYC, NY

1. Am I a good candidate for a facelift?

Facelift surgery is not a procedure you should decide to schedule on the spot. You should do your homework, research your options, and choose a surgeon who specializes in facial plastic surgery. Dr. Miller will provide you with a comprehensive consultation to determine if you are a good candidate for a facelift. There is no “perfect” age for a facelift – when you look in the mirror and see skin laxity, creases, and facial hollowing that indicate you need a change, that is when you need to schedule your consultation. Dr. Miller can help you determine if facelift surgery or another procedure is the best option.

2. How often do you perform this procedure?

Dr. Miller has focused on facial procedures for over two decades. That means all of his time goes into treatments for the face, while a general plastic surgeon might divide time between the face and body procedures. His double board-certification and expertise in facial plastic surgery are also a guarantee that you will receive the best attention for your needs.

3. What type of facelift will work best for me?

facelift surgery results in NYC

There are several options with facelift surgery, so during your consultation with Dr. Miller, you will learn about the different types of surgery that meet your needs. Based on the results you desire, you may choose the traditional facelift, or a procedure like the micro or mini facelift that are less invasive and a good option for earlier signs of aging. No matter which facelift you choose, Dr. Miller’s NatraLook consultation process will ensure you build trust with your surgeon and receive professional, expert advice from one of the country’s leading experts on facial plastic surgery.

Doctor Miller routinely performs the preferred deep plane facelift as it gives the most natural redraping of descended tissue and restores depleted volume.   

Deep Plane Facelift

Dr. Miller performs the deep plane facelift to restore sagging midface tissue and volume depletion.  The deep plane is different than the traditional facelift as it extends the flap further toward the upper midface so that sagging tissue in the cheek and jowl region can be rejuvenated.  Not all patients require a deep plane lift, but for those that do, no other surgery can compare.  

Traditional Facelift

Dr. Miller performs the traditional facelift procedure by making intricate incisions on your hairline, in front of your ears, and behind your ears near the lower part of your scalp line. Based on your desired look, Dr. Miller will redistribute fat  through these incisions, and may also use liposuction to remove additional fat. Don’t worry – the incisions are concealed so visible scarring is minimal afterward. Your incisions  will be closed with sutures, and based on the complexity of your facelift, you may have drains in place that can be removed in a couple of days. You will follow up with Dr. Miller in 5-10 days for suture removal. To learn more about a traditional facelift, please visit medlineplus.gov.

Mini Facelift

The mini facelift is another effective option that targets earlier signs of aging. This technique is designed to target specific areas of the face at the onset of wrinkling or sagging. Dr. Miller will make his incisions at the front of the ear, but not behind the ear. The procedure does not require general anesthesia; you will receive a local anesthetic and be done in about 90 minutes.

facelift surgery results in Manhattan, NY

4. Where and how will you perform my procedure?

Dr. Miller performs all facelift procedures in the surgical suite of his Manhattan office. The surgery suite is accredited and adheres to the strict standards set forth by the Joint Commission.

Surgery, whether minor or major, will require local (focused on a specific region) or general (surgery while you are asleep) anesthesia. Depending on the type of facelift you are scheduled for will determine the type of anesthesia used, and will be discussed during your consultation. Traditional and mini facelifts – both designed to give you a fresh new look, are performed differently, and are tailored to your precise needs and goals. Dr. Miller performs a variety of facelift techniques, to ensure your results are beautifully natural and distinctly you.

5. What happens after surgery? What will my recovery look like?

Your recovery is a process of resting and healing to ensure you see the best results. If you had general anesthesia, you may remain in our surgical suite for a short period to allow the effects of general anesthesia to wear off before you leave. A local anesthetic may produce numbness but will wear off soon after the procedure is complete. Make sure you have a ride home after your surgery with a friend or family member who can stay with you for the first 24 hours of your recovery if possible. 

Recovering at Home

You will be sent home with dressings in place to protect the incisions and sutures. Drains may also help to drain fluid from the surgical site. Soreness and tightness on your face are normal after surgery.

Facelift surgery of any kind may produce some swelling or bruising. If you experience any unexpected symptoms, do not hesitate to contact Dr. Miller’s office right away. Rest assured that Dr. Miller will also keep in touch with you during your recovery process and through your post-operative appointments.

You may receive a prescription for pain medication prior to your surgery, but many of Dr. Miller’s patients report they did not require the medication as their recovery was more comfortable than expected.

Your recovery time may not be textbook, but most people can return to work and normal activities within a couple of weeks. Excessive activities, such as exercise or heavy lifting are not recommended for about a month after your surgery. During your recovery at home, stay active (but not too active!) to ensure your blood circulation is promoting the healing process. You will be instructed to avoid medications like aspirin or other blood thinners, as these can cause excessive bleeding after your surgery.

One of the most important parts of your recovery is following the instructions provided by Dr. Miller. His guidance will provide you with a step-by-step overview of how to prepare for your surgery, what to expect during and after surgery, and how to recover properly by caring for your incisions. Make sure you keep all of your scheduled follow-up appointments, and in time, you will see the benefits of your surgery with a refreshed, more youthful appearance.

6. What can I expect from my results?

You may be wondering about the results of your facelift – how will I look? Dr. Miller is a double-board certified facial plastic surgeon, the best you can ask for with facelift surgery. You may see as much as 10 years taken off, but one of the best testimonials for facelift surgery are the before and after photos. Dr. Miller’s staff will take before and after photos so you can see the drooping and sagging disappear.

7. What will the cost of my procedure be?

The cost of your surgery varies depending on which facial procedure you choose. The details of the cost will be discussed during your consultation. You must also consider other costs associated with the surgery, which might include a facility fee, the surgeon and anesthesiologist fees, and any postoperative supplies you may need for recovery. Facelift surgery is considered cosmetic and elective (not medically necessary), and would not be covered by your insurance. Remember that the costs vary and are not inexpensive, but if a facelift is not in your range of affordability, Dr. Miller can recommend other procedures that may provide a similar look without the same cost.

Schedule a Facelift Consultation with NYC’s Top Facial Plastic Surgeon

Whether you choose a traditional, mini, micro, or other facelift procedure, Dr. Philip Miller can turn the clock back and give you a new look, a fresh face, and a reason to smile again. Schedule your consultation today.

Top New York Facial Plastic Surgeon Reveals Difference Between Surgical and Liquid Face Lifts

Once upon a time, you didn’t have many options after the signs of facial aging started to appear, other than smearing your face with ineffective cold cream or wearing a chin strap to try to lift up your jowls. Nowadays, though, there are so many choices offered in New York City for reversing signs of aging and rejuvenating your skin that you may be overwhelmed and uncertain of what choice to make.

Dr Miller of Gotham Plastic Surgery New York demonstrates the ponytail microlift with his patient.

You might even feel paralyzed by the number of options available to you — stuck in the “paradox of choice” that we sometimes experience in our abundant world. At Dr. Phillip J. Miller’s Facial Plastic Surgery practice, we want to make sifting through your abundance of choices easy for you. Here are a few questions that can help you decide whether you’re ready for a surgical facelift, or if another option better suits your needs and lifestyle.

Do you want immediate results for your face?

You’ve made up your mind to turn back the clock, but you don’t want to spend weeks to months in recovery from a surgical facelift. A liquid facelift is by far your best option if you want to leave our office looking anywhere from 5-10 years younger, with no recovery time at all. Dr. Miller developed his own variation on a liquid facelift — dubbed the Miller Lift — in which he resculpts and re-contours your face to look more youthful, using only injectable therapies.

Facelift, neck lift, dermabrasion and earlobe repair to enhance the appearance of a female patient by Dr. Miller.

Facelift, neck lift, dermabrasion and earlobe repair to enhance the appearance of a female patient by Dr. Miller.

Dr. Miller may choose from a variety of dermal fillers to find ones with the right consistency, longevity, and composition to reverse the signs of aging on your face. You can use a liquid facelift to:

  • Restore volume to your midface, which lifts up a slightly sagging lower face
  • Build up your cheekbones for greater elegance and more lift, too
  • Fill in hollows under your eyes or on your temples
  • Smooth out and un-do deep creases around your nose and mouth
  • Re-contour your jawline and chin to be sharper and more youthful
  • Smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, including perioral lines
  • Rejuvenate and plump up your lips

Philip Miller, MD, may recommend combining hyaluronic-acid (HA)-based fillers (e.g., Juvéderm® and Restylane®) with collagen stimulators (e.g., Radiesse® and Sculptra®) to give you the best of both worlds. The HA fillers immediately add volume, lift, and add smoothness to your face so that you look visibly younger in less than an hour. The collagen stimulators work over the long-term, in the deeper layers of your dermis, to create more collagen that rebuilds and strengthens your skin from the inside out. Together, they provide a powerhouse of anti-aging benefits.

 

Your treatment could also include Botox® as part of your liquid rejuvenation. Botox smooths out wrinkles:

  • On your forehead
  • Between your brows
  • At the top of your nose
  • Around your eye corners

Facelift results in New York by Dr. Philip Miller

*Patient results may vary

However, Botox’s benefits don’t stop there. Dr. Miller can also use Botox to relax tensed muscles around your jawline, neck, and mouth to create cosmetic improvements such as:

  • Softer, more feminine jawline
  • Liquid neck lift
  • Nonsurgical lip flip

 

The final component in a Miller Lift is Kybella® — an injectable treatment that melts away unwanted facial fat. Dr. Miller uses Kybella to eliminate double chins and jowls, and tighten the skin along your jawline.

The downside of a liquid facelift is that some of your immediate and dramatic benefits are temporary. You will need periodic touch-ups of both the dermal fillers and Botox (though not of Kybella!), which can range from every 3-4 months for Botox, to up to 24 months for some fillers. We are able to schedule your maintenance checkups and send you reminders so that you always look great, but if you’d rather trade the time savings of a liquid facelift for the ultimately lower cost of more long-term anti-aging solutions, then keep reading.

Are you willing to wait (just a bit) for your facelift? There is an in-between option. non-surgical skin tightening procedure in new york

Non-surgical skin-tightening treatments can dramatically rejuvenate your look over time without incisions or scars. They work by stimulating collagen in the deep layers of your skin, which thickens and strengthens your skin, literally turning back time. Although you may notice a difference in the texture and firmness of your skin directly after your first treatment, your skin gets tighter and more youthful-looking over the next several months as your body produces new collagen and elastin. Dr. Miller offers:

  • Ultherapy® — Ultrasound energy heats the collagen layers of your skin to tighten and firm your neck, jawline, face, and brow
  • Neck-Tite™ — Neck-Tite uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to melt and vacuum away excess fat around your chin and neck to firm and tighten your skin, permanently removing a “turkey neck”

You can combine both Ultherapy and Neck-Tite with elements of a liquid facelift for a more dramatic and instant effect.

Do you want to wow them with the best possible results?

facelift patient in new york

Despite the advantages of anti-aging technologies, if you want the most dramatic, long-lasting rejuvenation possible,nothing can rival a beautifully performed surgical facelift. Dr. Miller performs a deep-plane lift that not only repositions and lifts up your skin, but also the underlying superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS) layer for superior, longer-lasting, and more natural-looking results. Using mini liposuction, he removes any excess fat from your lower face and chin, which causes jowls and drooping. Choose from:

  • Full facelift — entire lower face and neck area tighten, lifted, and recontoured
  • Mini lift — Only lower face and jowls lifted and tightened
  • Micro lift— this slight, skin-only lift mimics the rejuvenating effects and lift of wearing your hair in a tight ponytail

Depending on your needs, Dr. Miller also performs a neck lift, in which he tightens and lifts the neck’s platysma muscle. In most cases, he recommends fat grafting, which removes unwanted fat from an area where you don’t want it (such as your tummy or legs) and injects it into your cheeks, where it integrates with your tissues to create long-lasting volume. You might also benefit from a:

browlift patient results in new york, ny

You won’t see your full results for 2-3 months and may be slightly uncomfortable or a little self-conscious as your facelift heals. You’ll also have slight scars behind your ears. However, Dr. Miller always makes sure to hide the scars in the creases of your skin.  You can also later get laser treatments to minimize their appearance.

 

Your facelift lasts for at least 10 years. That means, even if you don’t do another thing to your face — other than using medical-grade skincare and getting regular chemical peels — you’ll look younger than your peers for a decade or more. So, although the initial investment is larger, you save money and time in the long run. To learn more about facelift, visit medlineplus.gov

Dr. Philip Miller – New York’s Top Facial Plastic Surgeon

Move from considering to choosing by calling our office for a consultation today at 646-791-3025. You can also book an appointment with the online contact form.

Next, read New York’s Top Facial Plastic Surgeon Reveals The Most Popular Face Slimming Procedures.