Please visit our Photo Gallery Page to see examples of Facelifts
FACELIFT GENERAL INFORMATION
Of all cosmetic procedures, the modern facelift has the most available surgical options. The many alternatives to address the aging face are quite useful because our faces age in so many different ways. These are primarily wrinkling, gaunting (hallowing), sag, and many other changes to skin characteristics such as thinning, roughness, and loss of elasticity. As no two faces age the same, even identical twins must be carefully and individually evaluated.
Facelift is a sculpting procedure that can address multiple areas of the face from beneath the eyes to the neck. This procedure corrects many aspects of aging facial skin and addresses problems with layers beneath the skin as well. Incision locations and other details of surgery vary greatly depending upon each patient's needs. Although facelift is now more complex, our advanced knowledge has made it more safe, predictable, and natural in appearance.
The most effective and natural facelift results come from a combination of multiple state-of-the-art techniques that can be customized to each individual. The modern facelift utilizes a variety of surgical tools far from a mere "tightening." In fact, to achieve the most natural results, sculpting or shaping more accurately describes the techniques used most often in combination with suspension, plumping, and/or resurfacing. Dr. Hubbard is double board certified in facial cosmetic surgery with over 15 years of experience in facelift procedures. Dr. Hubbard and his team of professionals offer the latest in facial rejuvenation surgery in his state-of-the-art surgical facility equipped with multiple lasers, video endoscopic equipment, and fully accredited operating suites through AAAHC.
Because safety is always our first priority in surgery, there are a variety of measures that can be done to make facelift a very safe procedure. First of all, surgery in an accredited facility is extremely important and accreditation through AAAHC is optimal, as it requires 100% compliance. At Hubbard Plastic Surgery, a sequential compression device is also used in every facelift procedure. This device significantly decreases blood clot formation. Smokers requesting facelifts are placed on hold since study after study demonstrates smoking's negative effect on the skin and the healing process. Quitting before surgery remarkably improves healing. A thorough medical evaluation is performed on each patient to ensure full medical stability. Since our goal is the best possible facelift, it is important to do surgery at the best possible time.
With a thorough consultation and careful exam, each patient and Dr. Hubbard can arrive at a proper surgical plan that offers optimal safety and natural longer lasting results.
Procedure Description: The extent and design of facelift varies greatly depending on individual needs. It is done under local anesthesia with sedation or under general anesthesia. Incisions are in front of and behind the ear and in both sides extending into or along the hairline. Usually two layers are tightened to give a longer lasting result and better scars.
Recuperation and Healing: The patient has a dressing over the head only, not the neck, which is removed the next day. Minimal initial discomfort is easily controlled with oral medication. Sutures are removed at one week. Bruising and swelling are mostly resolved at two weeks with a slight puffiness in the cheeks taking a few weeks more. Once the sutures are removed our patients are encouraged to visit our skin care clinic for a complimentary make-up session designed to camouflage any remaining discoloration.
Other Options: Enhancing the result and often performed at the same time are Eyelid Lift, Browlift, Laser Resurfacing, Facial Implants, Fat Injections or Rhinoplasty
The Chin and its Influence on Facelift Results:
The chin is an extremely important aesthetic component of the jaw line and refinement of the jaw line is one of the primary goals of modern facelift surgery. One distracting aspect of the aging face is the hanging chin, sometimes called Witch's chin deformity. We now have techniques that can greatly improve or eliminate the hanging chin through an incision beneath. The patient shown in Gallery 2 , (patient 2) had that type of chin which was corrected during her procedure. But much more important for the success of her result is removal of the hanging skin and fat. We can see from the side view the dramatic impact this has added to her face, neck and jaw line contouring.
 Before Facelift, Browlift |
 After Facelift, Browlift |
 Before Facelift, Browlift |
 After Facelift, Browlift |
Addressing All Aspects Of Aging:
Facelift, when first described earlier this century, was surgical tightening of the skin of the cheek, jaw line and neck. But our understanding of facial aging has greatly increased over the years. This has led to many changes in facelift as well. Aging involves not only loosening of skin but also thickening of some areas as well. Those are addressed with suction or direct excision /sculpting. In many individuals aging also involves sinking in or guanting. These can be addressed with fat injections and/or facial implants. To treat the wrinkles associated with aging, whether fine or course, laser or dermabrasion can result in great improvement. Surgical techniques are catching up with our sense of beauty and proportion. And with modern anatomic implants, subtle changes to facial proportions can be made at the time of facelift that do not necessarily help with the signs of aging but improve aesthetic balance. Examples are cheek or chin implants that nicely even out or conform to other features of the face such as the nose and forehead. These procedures can be done at the same time under local anesthesia with intravenous sedation on an outpatient basis or with an overnight stay. Facelift can also be performed along with a browlift or blepharoplasty to help correct a "saggy" or tired look around the eyes. Fat injections are another modern technique that is now commonly used to add volume to areas of gaunting or hollowing especially noticeable around the eye. A good example of this is seen in Gallery 4 (second patient). A consultation with Dr. Hubbard involves a thorough evaluation and discussion of the areas of aging that concern you the most. He will listen to your concerns and answer your questions so that together you can personalize your surgery to best meet your goals. Dr. Hubbard takes pride in his candor and realism in discussing what can and cannot be surgically accomplished in each patient. Everyone has different concerns, different goals and unique facial features; therefore it is important to choose a surgeon who listens. We, at Hubbard Plastic Surgery are committed to excellence in all aspects of cosmetic surgery.
Please visit our Photo Gallery Page to see examples of Facelifts or click on the following links for information on other procedures.
| 
