At Davis Facial Plastic Surgery, our team exclusively practices plastic and reconstructive surgery on the face and neck. If you are thinking of refining your appearance or reducing the signs of aging, then a facelift might be for you. At our Tampa location, we offer an extensive range of services and procedures to meet the needs of our patients in Pinellas Park and the surrounding areas of Florida. If you want a positive change in your look, we encourage you to explore the options available to you, including surgery.
Facelift surgery used to be a forbidden topic. It was rarely discussed openly, but that attitude has undergone a dramatic change over the past 10 years. Young men and women are now routinely undergoing facelifts and the procedure has become both commonplace and culturally acceptable.
To see if a facelift or neck lift might be the best fit for you, contact our plastic surgery practice today. Our conveniently located Tampa location serves patients throughout the area.
Facelift Surgery – An Overview
The purpose of a facelift surgery is to reduce excess skin and fat, tighten underlying muscle tissue and to reposition the remaining tissue. There are several facelift procedures that a clinic such as Davis Facial Plastic Surgery can use to boost a patient’s appearance, reduce sagging jowls or folds and reduce the signs of aging. By working with each patient as an individual, we can determine the best procedure. That depends on a variety of factors, such as age, post-surgical recovery goals and your personal goals or desired results.
Benefits of a Facelift
Choosing a facelift procedure will have many real and lasting benefits for your appearance. It can greatly refine the skin and reduce signs of aging. It also reduces unwanted facial features, such as “jowling” and “turkey waddles”. If you have tried injectable treatments but do not feel you have met your goals, then a facelift surgery is the next step towards achieving those results.
Facelift Surgery – Available Techniques
Mini facelift or partial facelift – A short-scar, or mini facelift, is based on the principle of a traditional facelift but has an added focus on reducing the potential scarring. In the mini facelift, the surgeon cuts an S-shaped incision in front of and around the ear. This incision is approximately one-third the length of a traditional facelift incision, which reduces the risk of scarring. After cutting the incision, the surgeon will reposition skin and fat tissue in the face, then pull those tissues tight. The benefits over a full facelift are reduced swelling, shorter recovery time and less visible scarring but it may not be helpful for patients who require significant tissue lifting.
Mid facelift– A mid facelift is designed to address the middle portions of the face, such as the cheeks, nose, and lower eyes. The main reason people choose to undergo this procedure is that over time, the cheek pads start to descend into the lower parts of the face due to gravity and aging. By getting a mid-facelift, the patient can fix those cosmetic flaws. After making the incisions, the surgeon will elevate the cheek pads back into their original position, thus fixing nasolabial folds and age lines. This procedure can restore the youthful appearance of the cheeks and reduce or improve tension on the lower eyelids.
Full facelift or deep plane facelift– Both full facelifts and deep plane facelifts are comprehensive treatments for patients seeking dramatic changes. A deep plane facelift will mobilize, elevate and suspend connective tissue (superficial muscular aponeurotic system or SMAS) then re-drape it into a more desirable position. This allows the connective tissues to remain connected and puts the incision behind the ear or under the hairline. To do this right and reduce the risk of complications, the surgeon needs an expert knowledge of plastic surgery, microsurgery, and the nervous system. A full facelift is very similar to the deep plane facelift, except that it does not require the complete elevation of the fat pads and the connective tissues surrounding them. Instead, the surgeon will raise the skin outwards and reposition the patient’s skin, muscle, and fat tissues.
Neck lift – This is a procedure that reduces and re-drapes excess neck skin and muscle tissue for a more youthful or attractive appearance. The neck lift incisions are usually hidden behind the ears or under the chin to hide any scar tissue. During the surgery, the skin, fat, and muscle tissue are shaped and the excess is reduced. A neck lift has a similar recovery timeframe as a facelift surgery.
Facelifts and neck lifts for men– facial surgery can be harder to accomplish on men than on women because of the tougher, bearded skin. That also makes it harder to hide incisions. So it is very important that men select an expert with many years of experience working with both men and women. Dr. Davis has those years of expertise at cosmetic surgery and can design a procedure based upon a man’s specific needs. At our Tampa office, we customize every facelift surgery to hide any resulting scars by taking advantage of existing features such as hair tufts and sideburns so our patients can reduce “turkey waddles” or heavy jowls with as little downtime as possible.
Please note that facelifts are not “one size fits all” solutions for patients. Each facelift procedure is customized to match the individual patient’s specific needs and goals, as well as other restrictions, such as time, money and desires. Based on those needs, we will work with our patient to choose the most suitable procedure based on physical makeup, cost requirements and the length of time that they can spare for recovery. Sometimes, a full deep-plane facelift is not the best option. For those cases, we can do a less invasive partial-lift, which will still give results but with less cost and time needed to recover. So if you are concerned that you may not be able to do a deep-level facelift surgery, we can still work with you to accomplish your goals.
Recovery and Aftercare – Post-surgery Process
After the facelift surgery is complete, we wrap the treatment area in supportive dressings, which typically are kept in place for 48 to 72 hours. At Davis Plastic Surgery, we do not usually use drains. If we do, they are used temporarily and are taken care of before the patient leaves the recovery room. In the first 24 hours, we keep in close contact with the patient and will call that night and the next morning to make sure that no complications arise. This is because 90 percent of post-operative complications, such as hematomas (a localized pooling of blood beneath the skin), occur in those first 24 hours after the surgery. This close contact during that critical time helps us keep the complications rate low.
About two to three days after surgery, the patient will return to our office so the dressings can be improved. At this time, we address the incisions and check to make sure that everything is healing properly. Once the dressings are taken away, we can provide the patient with supportive dressings or girdles to wear at night for a period of approximately four to six weeks. These dressings will promote better healing and contour the skin the way the patient desires. Over the next six weeks, we will continue to see the patient weekly or bi-weekly to make sure everything is progressing as planned. To reduce the risk of serious complications we maintain a high level of control over the post-operative care. This means that we may ask our patients to abstain from strenuous activity for up to six weeks and reduce head and neck activity to give the skin and tissues time to heal completely. When our patients follow these instructions, we have the best chance of assuring superb results. If complications do arise, however, Dr. Davis is on hand to fix them.
Revisions and Potential Complications
After six months have passed since the surgery, we can determine whether or not any revisions will be necessary. Dr. Davis’s expertise and artistry in the field of facial plastic surgery and facelift surgery keeps our revision rate very low. However, if Dr. Davis does see that there are elements that need improvement, he will add those touch-ups at no additional cost. These special surgeries are very routine for us. The doctor and the staff at our clinic are very well practiced at every aspect of their work. Using the latest techniques, we can offer quality results. Also, we maintain full control of facial surgery aftercare and recovery and will monitor patients at our Tampa clinic to make sure that the healing and recovery go as planned.
Complications are rare, but possible even at an experienced clinic such as ours. Some of the potential complications include visible scarring, hematomas, abnormal bruising and facial nerve injury. If you are aware of all potential complications, you can make a more informed decision regarding your treatment plan. We can greatly mitigate those risks by providing you with quality care, an experienced doctor and supporting staff, and the use of safe, modern surgical approaches.
How Much Does a Facelift Cost?
Facelift surgery is considered cosmetic surgery, so it is not covered by insurance. Patients are responsible for covering the full costs of the procedure. Dr. Davis accepts cash, credit card and CareCredit® financing options.
Why Choose Davis Facial Plastic Surgery?
When you choose Davis Facial Plastic Surgery, you can rest easy in the hands of a talented team. Our professionals have your best interests at heart by using sound techniques. We also assume full responsibility for your recovery process and will be on hand to answer all of your questions. Post-surgery, we will frequently monitor your healing and recovery for maximum results. During the surgery, we will take every step possible to minimize risks and ensure superior results.
A facelift can have a tangible impact on your life by boosting self-esteem and changing the face you show to the world. It can pay dividends in your social, professional and romantic life. So why choose anyone except Dr. Davis? As a master of facial plastic surgery, with a specialty in head, face and neck reconstruction, you will love the results.
If you live in Pinellas Park and the surrounding areas of Florida and have considered a facelift, contact our plastic surgery practice today. Our Tampa location is open Monday through Friday.
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