Facelift: Q&A

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Differences Between Traditional Facelifts Depending on the Surgeon

My husband had a face/neck lift 3 days ago. He wore a thick bandage with drains for 2 days, took anti-inflammatory and antibiotics. His face is very swollen, and he is asked to sleep on his back for a month. My sister is having the same procedure in Paris but tells me she won't even stay overnight, she plans to rest at home for a few days and start work after 7 days. Her doctor says she can sleep on her side no problem. Same procedure - why the difference? Asking because I'm scheduled for same!

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25 Doctor Answers | Asked by eimel in Gold Coast

Doctor Answers (25)
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Facelift Techniques Vary Tremendously

It's safe to say that there will be a variation in technique between most Surgeons in Facelift surgery. Less swelling and downtime are generally associated with less invasive procedures, and generally correlate with shorter longevity of results. Many variations in technique, such as drains, relate to individual Surgeon experience and preference. As others have noted. Choose your Surgeon based on the long term results you are shown, the way you are treated by the office... more

Recovery Time for Facelift

Patients can and do return to work after one week- but these are usually facelifts performed without general anesthesia, and without having many other procedures such brow lift, eyelid lift, fat grafting, laser resurfacing done concurrently. However, you should not count on returning in one week or less, and this should not be "over promised" by your plastic surgeon. Good luck!

Roy A. David, MD

11 reviews

San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon

Many different types and variations of Face Lifts

I have performed traditional Face Lifts and Minimum Incision Face Lifts for a total of more than 22 years and there are as many variations of a Face Lift and how they are performed as there are plastic and cosmetic surgeons to perform them. No two Face Lifts performed by two surgeons are the same. The one your friend, in Paris, is having does not sound as invasive or extensive as your husband's by the description of when she is able to return to work...or go home after... more

Differences in Facelift Techniques and Recovery

With regard to your surgery, there is definitely a wide variety of techniques used as well as a wide variety of post-operative instructions. There is definitely no one best technique, although every surgeon will argue that theirs is the best. When it comes to drains, sleeping on your back, returning to regular activity, some of the differences in instructions will depend on the nature of your facelift. For people who need less aggressive lifting of the face and neck, often they do not need... more

Gregory J. Vipond, MD

4 reviews

Pasadena Facial Plastic Surgeon

Facelift recovery

There are large differences in facelift technique, recovery and results between surgeons. It is important to see many before and after pictures from your surgeon and to ask your surgeon these questions. Select the best surgeon that you can find based on their credentials, experience and results.

Facelifts usually are not the same procedure

Facelifts vary on the size, the surgeon, and the patient. Size can often be distinguished by simplifying the categories into "Small, Medium, or Large." Small is like a 1-hour "Mini-lift," large is like a traditional or deep-plane facelift, and medium often is a middle ground between the two. The MOST important decision you make is the surgeon. One with a proven track record, board certified, and specializing in facelifting procedures. And,... more

Facelift differences

There are many different ways to skin a cat as the metaphor goes. There are also several different approaches and techniques employed by surgeons to achieve the same results during a facelift. Some are more conservative and place drains while others just use bandages. Different techniques result in differing amounts of swelling as well. The bottom line is typically in the long run most results are similar if the surgery is performed correctly. I hope this information helps. more

Scott Trimas, MD

3 reviews

Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.facesonly.com

Facelift post operative instructions

Every surgeon has their own particular regimen following surgery depending on their experience. It iis not unusual for one surgeon's recommendation to differ from that of another. For example I have my facelift patients sleep on their back with their head slightly elevated for about a week. After that I don't think it makes much difference. If they sleep on their side or their stomach they may have slightly more swelling in the morning but not generally an insignificant amount. In any... more

Sleeping on back after face lift

Hello, As other doctors have noted, there is no uniformity about sleeping after facelift. I also have patients sleep on their back, head elevated for first 4-6 days as tolerated. After that I think it makes no difference and is just torturing a patient. I see patients in an office in Paris 3-4 times a year and have many colleagues there if your sister needs any help. Dr. Romano

Differences Between Traditional Facelifts Depending on the Surgeon

Dear eimel, Medicine is both a science and an art, particularly when it comes to plastic surgery. During a facelift, the face and neck muscles are tightened, as well as the skin, and the fat is sculpted. There are many different ways to perform a facelift, as well as the postoperative care. I would recommend finding a surgeon who is experienced, skilled, and well trained with whom you have a good rapport, and choosing a treatment plan that makes sense to the both of you. Proper care... more

Many, many details are different in the hands of different surgeons.

The most important thing there is that you enjoy the chemistry of confidence with your surgeon and they are experienced and know what they are doing. So many details go into a facelift. Some surgeons still perform a big omega incision that runs into the hair behind the ear. This area is prone to ooze after surgery and without a drain, a hematoma could accumulate. Other surgeons limit their incision and dissection behind the ear. WIth a smaller flap, drainage is... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

8 reviews

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Facelift Recovery and Instructions after Surgery Vary

Not all surgeons perform facelift in the same way. Some are more aggressive in dissecting the superficial muscle layers of the face to get a greater lift and longer lasting result. This can result in greater swelling, a slightly longer reconver and can prompt the surgeon to recommend more activity restrictions after the procedure. Many surgeons will advise against antiinflammatory after surgery because some can increase the chance of bleeding complications after surgery. The best advice is... more

Differences in face lift techniques

As you noted there are significant differences in face lift techniques that may determine any or all of the following: pain swelling bruising recovery time length of incisions whether or not drains are needed degree of improvement longevity or results cost numbness

Sam Naficy, MD

80 reviews

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattleface.com

Face Lift

The question is impossible to answer with any degree of accuracy unless I could observe both procedures. One is likely not involving any muscle work and less dissection and undermining. We perform mini facelifts, simple facelifts, and full facelifts, and all take different recovery times. All facelifts are not the same. The most simple ones of undermining a little skin, and closing provides very rapid healing time, and poor longevity in the results. Comparisons... more

Facelift - What's in a Name?...

There is probably no named procedure that means more different things to more people - both patients and surgeons - than a "Facelift." When you say "breast implants" most people can agree on what that means. But when you say "Facelift" that could be a lower face and neck lift, it could be a mini-lift without addressing the neck, it could add eyelid surgery, deep tissue tightening (the SMAS), and so on. So that's the first issue: ... more

Facelift Surgery Recovery Factors

Depending on your facelift surgeon's technique, certain factors will affect your recovery downtime after having facial cosmetic surgery. The goal of a facelift is to lift the cheeks, improve the jawline and neck. A lot of surgeons who are more traditionally trained use general anesthesia, and the surgery often has trauma to the area resulting to swelling requiring drains and bandages, as you've described.. A quicker recovery facelift method, such as the one used at my practice in New... more

Not all Facelifts are Created the Same!

Facelifts can be as individual as the person getting the procedure. Yes the end goal is a smoother more youthful face by tightening the muscle layer (or not) and removal of excess skin. Your facelift can be very extensive with significant work on tightening and repositioning the muscle layer, tightening the neck muscles and removal of excessive skin either through a short incision or a traditional incision. Conversely, some facelifts require minimal modifications of these... more

Facelift recovery

There are certainly variations between face lifting techniques and recovery time associated with each of these techniques. Nonetheless I feel that it is in the patient's best interest to keep the postoperative recovery as simple as possible. The more surgery that you have performed with your facelift -- including browlift, blepharoplasty, deep plane lifting, etc. -- the longer your recovery will be to a degree. I will frequently tailor my postoperative recommendations slightly for each... more

Facelift drains

There is no need for drains. If your surgeon gets adequate control of bleeders, there is little to drain. If you have an aterial bleed with a visible hematoma, drains will not be enough. You would ned surgical repair

David A. Bray, Sr., MD

6 reviews

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

drbray.com

Differences between facelifts

Yes, there are a number of ways that can used to effectively perform a facelift. Surgeons often debate which method is the best. Some techniques involve elevating the tissue at different levels (sub-SMAS versus sub-periosteal versus subcutaneous). Some involve internal suture techniques (MACS lift, S-lift, Lifestyle lift). Some treat the neck by making an incision underneath the chin, other tighten the neck from the area behind the ear. And that's just a few... more

Different techniques for facelift

If you talk to ten different plastic surgeons, you may get ten different opinions on specific aftercare! Plastic surgery is unique in that it is part science and part individualized artistic technique. Seek several consultations from board certified plastic surgeons and choose the one you feel is most qualified and follow their post surgical recommendations.

George John Alexander, MD

3 reviews

Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

Every facelift is different

Every surgeon does a different face lift and has different techniques that can lead to more or less bruising and swelling. see video

Babak Azizzadeh, MD

4 reviews

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.facialplastics.info

Recovery after Face Lift

There are many different techniques for performing Face Lifting surgery. In fact, what one surgeon defines as a "Facelift" can be a very different procedure in another surgeon's hands. Most surgeons define a facelift as a procedure which primarily rejuvenates the lower part of the face, jawline and neck. However, some surgeons define a "facelift" as essentially a total facial rejuvenation procedure which includes brow lifting, eyelid surgery... more

Adam D. Stein, MD

8 reviews

Raleigh-Durham Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.facialdoc.com

No two Facelifts are alike

Facelift is generic name for the procedure to make face look younger and fresher, but no two facelifts are identical, especially in hands of an artistic Plastic Surgeon. A good surgeon with artistic eye will evaluate each face uniquely. Aging effects different people differently and men differently than women. Also final objective after surgery is different in women as compared to men. Men need a masculaine strong face while in women delicacy and softness is the key.... more

What's the difference?

Facelifts are not a commodity. that is unlike buying a car, you cannot go to two different dealers and expect the same car. facelifts depend not only on the surgeon but on the pt as well. I assume your sister and husband are not even remotely similar in appearance. so why should their procedure be the same?