If you’re seeing the effects of the aging process and want to refresh and rejuvenate the way you look and feel, a facelift may be the solution. For men and women a facelift can take years off your face, turning back the clock, and giving you a more youthful appearance.

What is a Facelift?

A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic procedure that is among the most commonly performed in the U.S. A facelift lifts and reshapes skin, as well as the underlying muscle in the face, to add definition and facial contour, and create a smoother, tighter appearance. A facelift is a cosmetic surgical procedure that may be combined with other procedures, such as liposuction or dermal filler injections, to achieve a more comprehensive makeover.

Benefits of a Facelift

The most immediate benefit of a facelift is the tightening of loose and sagging skin and restoration of a smooth, youthful appearance in the face. Dr. Karaca can eliminate loose, sagging skin from the lower face, jowls, double chin and sagging skin around the chin and jaw, producing a tighter, smoother appearance. The facelift removes wrinkles, frown lines, creases, folds and other signs of aged, lax skin, creating a smooth, tight contour. In some cases, fat may be transferred and repositioned from one part of the face to another to add volume and fullness where needed.

Am I a Good Candidate for a Facelift?

You may be a good candidate for a facelift if you are a healthy adult who wants to eliminate signs of aging, such as sagging skin on the face, neck, chin, and jawline. Some patients undergo a facelift to improve the following conditions:

• Sagging skin in the midface region
• The appearance of sagging jowls along the jawline
• Loose skin and fatty deposits underneath the chin, causing a “double chin” and/or “turkey neck” effect

Dr. Karaca will help you determine whether you are a good candidate for facelift surgery based on the following factors:

• The condition of your skin: To achieve optimal results, it is important that your skin has some amount of flexibility and elasticity.
• Your underlying bone structure: The bone structure of your face must provide the necessary support for fat and tissue that is relocated during a facelift.
• Your overall health: As with all surgical procedures, it is imperative that patients be in good overall health and free from any major medical conditions. This is essential to ensure proper healing and recovery after the procedure.
• Your expectations: It is important to have realistic, reasonable expectations about what plastic surgery can achieve.

The Facelift Procedure

The facelift procedure involves precise incisions behind the hairline at the temples and in front of the ears as well as behind the ears. Skin and muscle tissue are lifted and separated from the underlying structure. Fat may be trimmed or extracted, and underlying muscle tissue is tightened, then any excess skin is trimmed away, remaining skin is repositioned, and incisions are sutured. Most of the scars are typically camouflaged by the hair and normal facial creases.

Mid Facelifts

For individuals who have sagging cheeks but no jowls or banding at the neck, Dr. Karaca also offers the option of the less invasive mid-facelift procedure. Unlike a full facelift, this procedure focuses specifically on the middle region of the face and concentrates on correcting drooping cheeks by restoring the decreased fat and muscle volume to the upper cheek and reducing the puffy look around the eyes. The mid-facelift procedure is designed to lift and rejuvenate the mid-face region between the lower eyelid and upper lip. The effect is to soften and improve deep smile lines (nasolabial folds) and help to provide additional contour and volume to the cheek region. Mid-facelifts can be accompanied by other procedures, such as a face and brow lift and lower eyelid cosmetic surgery.

During the procedure, absorbable Endotine Ribbons™ can be inserted to elevate the underlying soft tissue and cheek muscle and lift it back into place. This restores prominence and volume to the cheekbones and also makes the lower eyelids blend more naturally into the cheeks. Endotine is a revolutionary absorbable product that comes in the form of different sized ribbons with hooks attached to one expanded end. These hooks are placed under the deep fatty tissues of the area requiring lifting and the other ends are sutured into place to maintain the desired degree of lift. All of the materials will absorb completely within weeks.

Limited Facelift

In a limited facelift, the incisions are the same as in a standard facelift, but the dissection and elevation of tissues are limited. As a result, there is less swelling and bruising and the healing will be faster. The results will last about three to five years. These lifts might be the option for patients who do not have complaints of laxity in the neck skin.

Facelift Recovery

A bandage will be wrapped around your head to help relieve some swelling and protect the delicate tissue immediately after surgery. These bandages will remain for two days, after which time you will be free to shower and wash your hair. Sutures are typically removed within 5 to 7 days, and you may return to light exercise and non-strenuous physical activity after three weeks, gradually increasing your regular activity levels over the next four to six weeks.

How Long Does A Face Lift Last?

Although a facelift can make you look years younger, plastic surgery does not stop the aging process. The results of a facelift may be affected by several factors. Skin that has lost most of its elasticity as a result of aging, sun damage, smoking or weight fluctuations will typically show signs of aging again sooner than skin that retains more of its elasticity. Naturally, those with younger skin that retains more of its natural collagen and elasticity will enjoy the results for a longer period. How you care for your skin will also determine the duration of your results. Dr. Karaca recommends sun protection, avoiding smoking, eating a healthy balanced diet and enjoying a regular exercise regimen for optimal, long-lasting results and naturally looking your best. When you continue the care, you should get 8 to 10 years out of this surgery.

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