The rhytidectomy, or facelift, has been one of the most comprehensive facial plastic surgeries available for decades, and it is still the gold standard for restoring youth and rejuvenating the facial aesthetics. People with sagging skin, jowls, loose neck skin, and wrinkles can look years younger and slow down the rate of aging with a facelift, creating natural-looking rejuvenation that lasts for years. Dr. Michael L. Schwartz, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, is pleased to offer this classic and highly effective procedure at Palm Beach Face to patients in the West Palm Beach area.
What is a Facelift?
While many people believe that a facelift merely involves tightening and removing unwanted skin, there is actually a lot more that goes on underneath the surface during the procedure. A traditional facelift is known as a deep plane facelift, and it involves addressing loose skin in the mid and lower face and the neck, while also tightening the underlying facial tissues. By addressing the skin, facial fat, and underlying tissues, the deep plane facelift yields long-lasting, natural-looking results for patients with moderate to severe sagging skin.
Benefits of a Facelift
Many people are concerned about the invasive nature of facelift surgery and choose less-invasive procedures, but none of these options can approach the kind of comprehensive results a facelift can provide. Patients who choose a facelift with an experienced facial plastic surgeon can look forward to tighter, smoother skin and an overall more youthful appearance. The procedure also helps patients look more rested and will help to slow down the aging process. A facelift procedure does require some recovery time, but patients will get a lot of value out of the procedure, due to the fact that it is comprehensive and produces dramatic results that last for years. Most patients find that they have increased confidence and self-esteem after the procedure and may feel more empowered in social and work settings.
Best Candidates for Facelift Surgery
Although facelift surgery can be an ideal option for people with moderate to severe sagging skin, it is not the right option for everyone. The best candidates for facelift surgery are men and women with significant signs of aging, such as jowling and loose skin on the midface, lower face, and neck. Patients need to be in good health, be nonsmokers (or willing to quit), and have realistic expectations for the results of the procedure.
People with minor sagging skin may be a better candidate for a minimally-invasive or non-invasive treatment, rather than a facelift. Choosing one of these procedures can even help younger patients postpone surgical intervention. Some medications and medical conditions may make patients ineligible for the procedure, but Dr. Schwartz can suggest alternatives for patients who should not undergo elective surgery. Candidacy is highly individual and will be determined during the initial facelift consultation.
Your Facelift Consultation at Palm Beach Face
The facelift procedure is customized to each individual patient during an in-person consultation with Dr. Schwartz in West Palm Beach. During the consultation, Dr. Schwartz will go over your medical history and ask you questions about your lifestyle to ensure that you are healthy enough to undergo surgery safely. Dr. Schwartz will ask you about your goals and go over your expectations for the surgery. He will also evaluate your facial aging and make treatment recommendations, whether that involves a facelift procedure or not.
This is your opportunity to get to know Dr. Schwartz and learn more about your options before you make a decision about your treatment plan. You’ll also have a chance to ask questions about the facelift procedure and address any concerns you may have. Once you have all the information you need and Dr. Schwartz has determined your candidacy, you can schedule your procedure for a convenient date.
The Facelift Procedure
A facelift procedure begins with anesthesia to ensure patients are safe and comfortable throughout the surgery. Typically, general anesthesia or IV sedation is used, as the procedure is fairly invasive.
Once anesthesia has been administered, Dr. Schwartz will make the incisions. Deep plane facelift incisions are camouflaged within the hairline to avoid visible scarring. Through these incisions, Dr. Schwartz can access the deeper layers of tissue. Working layer by layer, he carefully lifts, tightens, and repositions the different layers of the face. This involves tightening the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) layer, removing or repositioning facial fat, and trimming and tightening excess sagging skin. Once all the layers have been rejuvenated, Dr. Schwartz closes the incisions and places dressings. A deep plane facelift takes an average of four hours to complete.
Recovery and Downtime
One of the tradeoffs of undergoing facelift surgery is the downtime involved. While modern techniques have reduced recovery times, patients will still typically need to take about two weeks off from work to heal. Swelling and bruising are normal and should be expected. Many patients are surprised to find that the discomfort involved with facelift recovery is typically minor and can be controlled with prescribed medications.
Stitches are removed approximately one week after surgery, and patients with desk jobs should be well enough to return to work around a week later. People who work more strenuous jobs will typically need to wait an additional week or two to return to work. Moderate to strenuous exercise should be avoided for at least the first three weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions about Facelifts
When will I see the results of my facelift surgery?
After a facelift, you will look worse before you look better, due to swelling and bruising that occurs after nearly every surgery. However, you should be able to see the initial results within a few weeks. These will improve further over the next six months, as residual swelling fades.
Are there any limitations to what a deep plane face and neck lift can achieve?
The deep plane face and neck lift does not address the forehead or brow position or the appearance of the eyelids. These are better treated with other procedures such as a brow lift or blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery). Patients who need to address multiple areas of the face might want to discuss a combination procedure with Dr. Schwartz.
Do men get facelifts?
Absolutely. Although the aesthetic goals of the procedure are slightly different for men and women, a rhytidectomy can be extremely effective for any patient, regardless of gender. Many men seek facelift surgery to improve their confidence, compete in the workplace, or return to dating.
Where does the deep plane face and neck lift surgery take place?
Dr. Schwartz performs the deep plane face and neck lift at an outpatient surgical center. Patients can be driven home by a friend or family member the day of the surgery to rest and recover. Although the procedure is in-depth, most patients do not need a hospital stay after a face and neck lift.
Will I have scars after undergoing a deep plane face and neck lift?
All surgeries produce scarring, but plastic surgeons take pains to ensure scars are as well-hidden as possible, so as not to compromise the aesthetic results of the procedure. The incisions for the deep plane face and neck lift are located within the hairline, resulting in well-concealed scars.
Will I experience any pain during or after undergoing a deep plane face and neck lift?
During the surgery itself, anesthesia ensures that patients feel no pain. There can be some minor discomfort after the deep plane face and neck lift, but this discomfort is often much less than patients initially expect. Dr. Schwartz prescribes medications to manage any discomfort during the initial recovery period.
How long do the results last?
The facelift is known for long-lasting results, but these vary depending on the patient’s lifestyle and genetic rate of aging. Patients can expect the results of a facelift to last approximately 5-10 years or more. It is important to keep in mind that although a rhytidectomy can make patients look years younger and slow down the rate of aging, it cannot stop further aging altogether. Most patients only get one facelift in their lifetime, but the results do not last forever. Patients can help to prolong their results by living a healthy lifestyle, avoiding cigarettes, and protecting their facial skin from the sun.
When will I be able to exercise after my deep plane face and neck lift?
Exercise and other strenuous activities may need to be postponed for about three weeks after the deep plane face and neck lift. Dr. Schwartz will determine when it is safe for you to return to your normal exercise routine.
What are the risks of the deep plane face and neck lift?
As with all types of surgery, there are potential risks associated with the deep plane face and neck lift. These may include adverse anesthesia reactions, asymmetry, bleeding, excessive scarring, and infection. Working with an experienced plastic surgeon and following all pre- and post-operative instructions will minimize these risks and help to ensure a safe and successful procedure.
Is the deep plane face and neck lift covered by insurance?
Deep plane face and neck lift procedures performed for cosmetic reasons are generally not covered by insurance, though patients should consult with their own insurance carrier. There may be financing options available, however.
Will the results look natural?
Facelifts have come a long way, and today’s procedures are customized to suit each patient’s unique needs. This high level of customization helps to ensure a natural result, without a tight or pulled look that tends to appear unnatural. A skilled plastic surgeon can create results that look very natural while still dramatically rejuvenating the face.
Expert Rhytidectomy in West Palm Beach
Dr. Michael Schwartz is an experienced double board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in facial plastic surgery and otolaryngology. Dr. Schwartz trained with some of the most renowned surgeons of the 20th century and has over 24 years of experience in the field of plastic surgery. He stays on the cutting edge of modern techniques and is dedicated to providing patients with beautiful, natural results.
If you are interested in learning more about the facelift procedure, call Palm Beach Face in West Palm Beach, FL, to schedule a consultation with Dr. Michael Schwartz. The practice can be reached at 561-228-5888.