Face lift, also referred to rhytidectomy or cervicofacial rhytidectomy, is one of the most commonly performed facial plastic surgery procedures. It is a surgery intended to reverse the signs of aging, which can result in remarkable improvement in your overall facial appearance.
The inevitable natural aging process results in increased facial wrinkles and sagging skin, particularly along the jawline and upper neck. Together, these changes can make you look years older than you actually are. Face lift surgery can counter these changes and create dramatic improvements in the middle of the face, along the jawline, and across the upper neck and chin. The end result is that you look naturally younger and well-rested.
Good candidates for the face lift include healthy men and women who are bothered by sagging, loose skin along the lower face and the upper neck. Patients may also have unwanted jowling along the jawline. The facelift does not improve deep smile lines known as nasolabial folds. These are better treated with a midface lift and/or volume enhancement with filler injections.
Using incisions hidden along the hairline and border of the ear, face lift surgery can effectively rejuvenate your face and restore that once youthful look. Although the term “face lift” implies lifting the entire face, the surgery actually targets the lower two-thirds of the face (below the eyes) and the upper neck. During the surgery, which can be done under a general or “twilight” anesthetic, excess skin along the cheek and neck is meticulously removed. The face and neck are then recontoured to provide a more youthful appearance. The surgery typically takes four to six hours to complete. If you have signs of extensive sun damage (finer wrinkles), additional procedures such as laser resurfacing may be recommended. Face lift is also commonly performed in conjunction with browlift and blepharoplasty for complete facial rejuvenation.
In patients who have previously undergone a face lift or those who require only limited enhancement, a “mini lift” may be more appropriate (see below). This is a minimally invasive version of the standard face lift procedure that allows much quicker recovery while still providing significant improvement.
While the facelift is typically performed in an outpatient surgery center, some face lift patients are observed overnight in the hospital for one day. Most patients demonstrate mild bruising and swelling during the first few days, which begins to subside after the first week. While patients typically experience discomfort rather than pain after the facelift, low-dose medication will be prescribed to control any pain or discomfort that occurs. The stitches are removed within five to six days.
A dramatic improvement is often seen once the bandages are removed at the one week postoperative visit. Healing continues for several weeks as the shape of your face begins to see even more refinement. Most patients are presentable in public after seven to ten days, at which time work can be resumed. Make-up can be worn at this time to help conceal any remaining bruising. Patients who are not bothered by the bandages may be able to return to work sooner.
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Q - What is a face lift?
The facelift, also referred to as rhytidectomy or cervicofacial rhytidectomy, is a plastic surgery procedure designed to rejuvenate the lower face and upper neck, providing a more youthful and rested appearance. It’s important to note that a traditional or standard facelift rejuvenates only the lower one-third of the face whereas a ‘full facelift’ would include a brow lift, blepharoplasty and midface lift in addition to a lower facelift in order to rejuvenate the brow, eyelids, midface and lower face.
Q - Are there any limitations to what a face lift can achieve?
Because a traditional or standard facelift targets the lower one-third of the face and the upper neck, patients should not expect the facelift to impact the forehead and brow position, the appearance of the eyelids, or the midface area. These areas may be better treated with a browlift, blepharoplasty, and/or midface lift. In addition, the facelift will not correct deep smile lines termed nasolabial folds which are better treated with a midface lift and/or volume enhancement with filler injections.
Q - Where is the face lift procedure performed?
Dr. Hilinski usually performs the facelift in an outpatient surgery center, although some facelift patients elect to remain overnight in the hospital or a recovery facility.
Q - What type of anesthesia is used for the face lift?
Patients may elect to have either deep sedation (twilight anesthesia) or general anesthesia for the facelift surgery.
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ABOUT THE MINI LIFT
Ever give your face and neck a little tug while looking in the mirror? Like what you see? If so, you may want to consider a “Mini Lift” procedure by Dr. Hilinski.
The “Mini Lift”, also referred to as a mini facelift or an S-lift, is an alternative to the traditional, more formal face and neck lift procedure. Many patients seeking a more rejuvenated look do require a formal face and neck lift in order to achieve their desired results. These patients usually have more advanced signs of aging that require more extensive work, including surgery in the operating room under a general or twilight anesthesia. Some patients, however, do not necessarily need or want a formal face and/or neck lift procedure. In addition, some patients do not wish to undergo a deep anesthetic. The “Mini Lift” is an office-based procedure done under local anesthesia that is an alternative answer for these patients still seeking a more youthful look.
The “Mini Lift” can rejuvenate the lower face and upper neck to provide a more youthful and rested appearance. The best candidates include healthy men and women who are bothered by sagging, loose skin along the lower face and upper neck and sometimes unwanted jowling along the jawline. The procedure is intended to target early jowling, an aging lower face and excess sagging along the neckline (see diagram below).
 These common problem areas combine to give the overall appearance of unwanted premature aging.
A “Mini Lift” can help rejuvenate the lower face and upper neck by resuspending or lifting the soft tissue layers of the face and neck. Incisions are hidden in the hair and within the creases around the ear. The lower face and upper neck skin is then lifted in layers and repositioned into a more youthful contour. The surgery typically takes three to four hours to complete. Because the “Mini Lift” can be done in a minimally invasive fashion (compared to a formal face and neck lift), patients can opt to have the procedure done in the office under local anesthesia. Some patients elect to have additional oral sedative medication to further relax them. Because the “Mini Lift” is done without using a hospital operating room and anesthesiologist, cost savings to the patient can be substantial.
Patients are able to go home shortly after the procedure with a light bandage wrap. Bruising and swelling are fairly limited to the first few days following the procedure. There is generally more discomfort than pain associated with the mini facelift and this is well-controlled with low-dose prescription medication. Sutures are removed within five to six days, at which time a lighter, removable bandage is applied. Within 7-10 days, patients are typically presentable in public. Make-up can be worn at this point to help camouflage any remaining bruising. Patients are usually able to return to work within five to ten days, and often sooner for patients not bothered by the bandages.
Click here to view our San Diego Mini Lift Gallery
Q - What is a mini facelift?
The mini facelift, also known as an S-lift, is a plastic surgery procedure designed to rejuvenate the lower face and upper neck in order to provide a more youthful and rested appearance. The mini facelift is ideal for patients who do not have advanced signs of aging and/or do not wish to undergo a more extensive formal lower facelift.
Q - Are there any limitations to what a mini facelift can achieve?
The mini facelift targets the lower face and upper neck and will not affect the forehead and brow position, the eyelids, or the midface area. Other procedures like a browlift, blepharoplasty or midface lift can better treat these areas.
Q - Where is the mini facelift procedure performed?
The mini facelift is an office-based procedure.
Q - What type of anesthesia is used for the mini facelift?
The mini facelift is performed with local anesthesia with or without oral sedation.
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Dr. Hilinski's office in San Diego, CA is conveniently located near the following:
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