Question:
I hold some weight in my face. Will a skin-only facelift be sufficient or should my muscles also be manipulated?
Answer:
Elevating only the skin will provide a very temporary correction. Appropriate elevation of the layer underlying and supporting the skin, called the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) is necessary for long-term correction.
Question:
Is there a chance that I will experience hair loss at the site of the incisions for my facelift?
Answer:
Hair loss following facelift surgery may result on occasion due to a poor scar. I design my incisions to be nearly invisible when healed, and hidden within the hairlines without hairloss.
Question:
What anesthesia is used for a facelift? Do I have a choice in what is used?
Answer:
A facelift can be performed under local or general anesthesia. Local is a great option and works very well for many patients. During the consultation, we will determine the best option that will have you as comfortable as possible during the procedure. Click here to view a video of a facelift performed under local anesthesia. (Promoting Group, please Link to Joan’s local facelift video) Thank you and I hope this helps.
Question:
I’m a 56-year-old male looking to have a facelift. Is there a chance that after the surgery my sideburns could be relocated to an unnatural position?
Answer:
Hello, this is unlikely. When performing a male facelift, we do our best to ensure everything appears natural and we take this into consideration when incisions are made during surgery. Thank you for the question.
Question:
I’m a 45-year-old female looking to get rid of my marionette lines. Is a facelift the right answer for me?
Answer:
It depends on your individual circumstances. The depth of the lines and the presence of any other issues you would like to correct will dictate the necessity of having a full facelift performed as opposed to addressing the marionette lines only. Perlane and Restylane work very well if you are looking for a noninvasive, temporary fix for these lines. Thank you and I hope this helps.
Question:
I’m a 60-year-old woman who wants to get a facelift but I’m scared of stories I’ve heard where the procedure can cause a windswept and very unnatural look. How do you avoid this?
Answer:
Lifting the face vertically is ideal and will result in the most natural look. Performing a sideways lift may result in a “windblown look”. The degree to which the skin is pulled depends on the circumstances of the patient. Ideally, the skin will not be pulled too tight, as this will result in an unnatural appearance. Thank you for the question.
Question:
I’m a 50-year-old woman who would like to have a facelift before I retire, which will be in about 5 years. I also have puffiness and bags around and under my eyes. I’d like to have it all taken care of at the same time but I’m concerned about the safely of that, especially because the eyes are such a sensitive area. Can blepharoplasty and a facelift be done safely at the same time or do I have to recover from one procedure before having another?
Answer:
A facelift can be performed safely in combination with blepharoplasty, and in fact these two procedures are commonly performed together.Please send any photos to Ana, my patient care coordinator, at ana@spaldingplasticsurgery.com and I would be happy to evaluate them for you. Thank you for the question.
Question:
My cheeks seem to travel right down into my neck. I have lost the definition of a jawline. What type of surgery would you recommend for this problem? A facelift or a neck lift?
Answer:
Based on your description, a facelift sounds most appropriate. A necklift is often performed with a facelift to yield the best results for the patient. For sagging in the neck and jaw area, there are few treatments that may help alleviate the issue besides a neck lift. Here, the neck muscles are tightened and excess fat is removed. Your surgeon may also perform this in combination with liposuction of the neck, which is an additional method for removing excess fat. It is possible to do either of these procedures separately or in combination. Your surgeon will determine what is best for you depending on your individual circumstances. Thank you and I hope this helps.
Question:
I had a facelift 2 years ago. I’m not happy with the results. It looks like I’m surprised all the time. Can you repair this type of problem using corrective surgery procedures?
Answer:
It is possible to correct a poorly performed facelift with a revision. The most common cause for revision procedures however is under-correction, not over-correction, as may be in your case. Excess removal of skin, and/or excess pull can result in an unnatural “surprised” or “windblown” appearance. I would need to see photos to provide you with any advice. Please send any photos to Ana, my patient care coordinator, atana@spaldingplasticsurgery.com and I would be happy to evaluate them for you. Thank you for the question.
Question:
I had a facelift 10 years ago and lately I’ve noticed some wrinkling, dimpling and sagging in my upper cheeks and jaw areas. Is it too soon to get another procedure or should I wait a little longer?
Answer:
It really depends on your individual circumstances. If there are problem areas present, then it is up to you whether or not you would like to have touch up work performed. Facelifts usually last between 5 and 7 years depending on the quality of the collagen of the skin. After 10 years, you would definitely need a revision. During a consultation with a highly experienced board certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, your needs will be assessed and you will have a good idea of how a revision may help you. Thank you and I hope this helps answer your question.
