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Your face is one of the first areas of your body that begins to age. From sun exposure to wrinkles and lines, women and men struggle with losing their youthful appearance. A facelift can combat the aging process and rejuvenate your look.
What Is a Facelift?
A facelift is designed to address signs of natural aging, such as loss of volume in the cheeks, loose skin, and excess fat in the chin area. This procedure has been used for decades and is still one of the most popular plastic surgeries in the country.
Our plastic surgeon has his technique for the facelift and other cosmetic surgeries. He excises loose skin in every facelift while also tightening the SMAS (Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System), which involves the underlying muscles in your face. Some plastic surgeons perform SMAS tightening as a secondary procedure, but Dr. Young includes it in every facelift.
Candidates for Facelifts
The best patients for a facelift have significant skin looseness, volume loss, and deep lines and wrinkles. Most men and women will qualify for some form of face surgery, depending on their specific concerns, but in general, facelift candidates should meet these criteria:
- You’re healthy overall, without medical conditions that impact your healing abilities following surgery.
- You’re a nonsmoker or willing to quit before the procedure(s).
- You have realistic expectations for what a facelift or other face plastic surgery can accomplish.
- You have the time available to recover completely.
- You’re prepared for recovery and willing to follow all post-operative instructions.
To find out if you are a candidate for facelift surgery, please schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Levi Young for an in-depth, one-on-one review of your goals.
Facelift Procedure
Before your procedure begins, medication will be administered to you to relieve any possible discomfort. The options include intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. Dr. Young will then make the incision along the hairline, and fat will be sculpted in the face, the underlying tissue will be adjusted, and the muscles will be lifted. The skin is then repositioned, and any excess skin is trimmed away. After your surgery, the incisions will be closed with sutures.
Facelift Recovery and Results
1-2 weeks
Low activity
Facelift recovery is the most common concern. You’ll have a bandage around your face to help with swelling and bruising. You may have small drains to help the healing process as well.
The facelift is an invasive plastic surgery, and you will need to take time away from work (typically 1-2 weeks). Over-the-counter pain medications can help reduce discomfort, and Dr. Young may prescribe additional medications or topical ointments to aid your recovery.
You’ll return to our office in Leawood for several follow-up appointments to ensure you’re healing correctly.
Facelift surgery can take years off of your appearance. Dr. Young utilizes advanced techniques that can help reduce the risks of scarring while producing the most natural-looking results. However, the care you take of your body and skin during and after your recovery period will play a direct role in the final appearance of your facelift.
You must keep your incisions clean, avoid tobacco and alcohol use, and refrain from taking medications or supplements that can thin the blood while you recover. These steps will reduce your risks of developing complications and help ensure the most pleasing results.
A full facelift may produce results for up to 15 years. Less invasive options, such as the mini-facelift, may produce results for up to six. While long-lasting, facelift surgery is not permanent.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is a Facelift Painful?
Facelift surgery is performed under general anesthesia. You will not feel anything during your procedure.
Recovery from facelift may include some swelling, bruising, and soreness, but these things are temporary and can often be addressed with over-the-counter analgesics. We will discuss pain mitigation and options for dealing with temporary discomfort to help ensure you are fully prepared for your recovery period.
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Can I Combine a Facelift With Another Procedure?
Facelift surgery is often combined with other facial procedures such as forehead lift and eyelid lift. Facelift focuses on the mid and lower portions of the face, often extending to the jaw and neck, but it does not address issues like drooping eyebrows, bags underneath the eyes, or forehead creases. For full facial rejuvenation, a combination of procedures is often the most effective option.
During your initial consultation, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Levi Young will listen to your concerns, discuss all of your options, and help you determine which procedures will be best in helping you reach your goals.
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“I am an artist. My artistic ability is an asset in the operating room, enabling me to visualize and create the best aesthetic results.”
With years of expertise in cosmetic surgery, Dr. Young prioritizes patients’ well-being and satisfaction. Whether you are considering a subtle enhancement or a transformative procedure, you can trust Advanced Cosmetic Surgery to deliver exceptional care and results tailored to your personal needs and cosmetic goals.
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Are you ready to embark on your journey to radiant beauty? Contact our dedicated team today to schedule your consultation and begin your cosmetic transformation.
You can contact our staff at Advanced Cosmetic Surgery to schedule a consultation, schedule an appointment, or ask any questions you have! We are here to assist you on every step of your cosmetic journey.
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