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Facelift Surgery

I've been considering a facelift to look younger and get rid of some of the hanging skin along my jawline. What's involved in the facelift surgery? What kind of incisions are typical? How long does the procedure take?

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+5

Facelift incisions, procedures, and surgeons

The facelift is a technique to tighten the skin of the face. Beyond that, every facelift is different. Facelifts can take from one to six hours in our practice, depending on the involvement of the surgery. The skill and training of the surgeon performing the facelift is very important. In my opinion, patients should seek a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or a Facial Plastic Surgeon to perform this procedure, and no other specialty. No other specialties are... more
Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Differences in Facelift Surgery Techniques

There are many different techniques used in facelift surgery depending on the extent of facial aging and the goals of the patient and surgeon. In most cases we make incisions on the ears and wihin the ear canal so they do not need to be hidden by the surrounding hair after surgery. The length of the surgery and the duration of the improvement will vary with different approaches. Discuss this in detail with your prospective surgeon.
Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+4

Facelift surgery advice

Dr. Moelleken's advice is exceptional. Please read it a few times. A facelift can be a phenomenal benefit to you if done properly by the right surgeon. It is an art form and no 2 surgeons are alike in their training, talent and artistry. You should obtain a clean, smooth jawline with no jowls, a neck without fat and muscle laxity with a youthful angularity, restored cheek volume and a complete absence of an operated on look. These are the achievable goals for the right patient with the... more
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+3

Facelift: Its in the Details

I think that the post by Dr. Moelleken was very insightful: when choosing a surgeon to do your Facelift, start with credentials. If your surgeon is not Board Certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery or the American Board of Plastic Surgery, you need to continue your search. Secondly, natural results from a Facelift are very feasible, and rely on attention to detail. Facelift, in the modern sense, relies on tension on deeper structures, and not tension on the skin. A... more
Stephen Prendiville, MD
Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Facelifts - Like faces no two are exactly alike

FACIAL REJUVENATION: no two surgeries are alike I prefer the term 'facial rejuvenation' over the more antiquated term 'facelift', as many patients that I see who seek a more youthful and refreshed facial appearance undergo a set of surgical procedures very different from what would have been considered a 'facelift' twenty-five years ago. The word 'rejuvenation' means, literally, 'to make young again'. In each individual, different facial... more
Michael Law, MD
Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon
+2

Facelift for tightening the jawline, jowls, neck

The term 'facelift' is confusing, as the technique is really designed to rejuvenate the lower 1/2 of the face and the neck. If you read this forum, you will see that many different types of lifts exist--various deep-plane lifts, SMAS lifts, MACS lifts, mini-lifts, etc. The bottom line is that the experience of your surgeon is paramount and together you can decide which type is best for you. The issues to consider are the 'downtime' you are willing to go through and the quality and longevity... more
Sam Most, MD
Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift Surgery

During the facial aging process, a series of phenomena occur, which result in the characteristic appearance of aging. As aging occurs, it occurs at a cellular level, which results in the development of fine wrinkles and hyper pigmentation. It also occurs because of gravity. As gravity works, facial skin sags, resulting in the characteristic appearance that we associate with aging. This typically involves the development of nasolabial folds and jowls, with loss of the... more
Richard J. Bruneteau, MD
Omaha Plastic Surgeon
+1

Incisions in Facelift Surgery

The incisions in a modern facelift can be carefully hidden along the natural curves around the ears in the front and the back so that they are almost imperceptible to those closest to your personal space within 4-6 weeks. This requires precise planning as well as precise execution during the operative procedure and in closure. It is good to look at patient photos as well as actual patients that have had facelifts. Ask your friends and see how imperceptible their facelift incisions are as well. more
Rod J. Rohrich, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Lower facelift to get rid of some of the hanging skin along the jawline

A full face lift is a surgical transformation of the forehead, upper and lower eyelids, mid face, lower face, lips and neck. For a more youthful appearance that helps eliminate some of the hanging skin along your jawline you may actually be referring to a lower facelift, which involves moving the skin of the face up and back. Of all the areas of the face it is the lower face and neck that troubles people the most. As we age the skin loses its tight attachment to the underlying structures... more
Ricardo Rodriguez, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

Details of facelift surgery

Facelift surgery is a wonderful procedure to help with your facial aging changes along the jawline. When I perform a facelift, my incisions typically start just above the ear, along the front of the ear and extend behind the ear, into the hairline. My average surgical time is approximately three hours. These scars are more inconspicuous as they heal and are easily hidden with your hair or may be camouflaged with makeup until they fade.
George John Alexander, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift and what it involves?

The goal of the Facelift is to rejuvenate the face to a more youthful appearance, basically restoring it to it's earlier position prior to the aging process. This procedure involves repositioning of the muscles, removing excess fatty tissue if necessary and replacing loss volume as needed. Incisions are hidden around the ear and posteriorly at the hairline of the neck. Incisions vary on Facelifts depending on the patients needs. Sometimes an incision is needed under the chin to address fatty... more
Michael Elam, MD
Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift surgery

Gertrude Stein said " A rose is a rose is a rose is a rose".  This is not true for facelifts.  The exact procedure varies tremendously depending on the goals, the exact surgical strategy, the expertise of the surgeon and the extent of the surgical dissection.  A clear discussion of goals will lead to a strategy of lifting and moving tissue to obtain the desired result. Typical incisions for the lift are inside the front of the ear and behind the ear into the hair... more
Talmage J. Raine, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

What it Takes to Tighten the Jawline

If you are looking for a jawline-tightening procedure that gives a result that will last years, expect an operation that involves a tightening of the deep tissues as well as skin with perhaps a bit of liposuction. You should anticipate incisions around the front of the ears and an operation that takes at least 2 hours of actual surgery time. For the best result, a more extensive operation may be required. Speak in person with a surgeon for specifics.
George Sanders, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift Surgery

Facelift surgery can produce dramatic results and a fresh, natural look. Facelift patients can look years younger, more alert and healthier after facelift surgery and enjoy refinement of their natural facial features, wrinkle reduction and restored skin tone and texture for several years. If you have excess fat or skin on your neck, then a neck lift may be combined with a facelift for an overall improvement to the facial profile. Neck liposuction can also be combined with facelift... more
C. Bob Basu, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon
+1

A facelift can naturally rejuvenate the face...

There are different types of facelifts.  With a small amount of jowl sagging, a mini facelift under local anesthesia can be performed with great results.  When the jaw and neckline are heavy, a traditional lift under anesthesia would give a better long term result.  Usually the incisions are placed inside the hairline of the temple area, around your earlobe and behind your ear.   The incision is closed with fine sutures for the skin and surgical clips... more
Andrew Miller, MD
Edison Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift

The incision sites for most facelifts is around the front and back of the ears. There are many different types of facelifts. It is on a case to case basis to determine which type would be the best for you. The underlying muscles of the jowl area are tightened during the procedure. Several doctors have websites with video of the procedure in animated form.  These videos are an excellent educational tool.
Miguel Delgado, Jr., MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

Face Lifts

  The insitions for a face lift normally are located in front  of the ears and the back of the ears.  The fron of the areas will remove the estra skin from the face area and the  back of the ear will removed skin forn the neck  area.  The  thighting of the neck muscles will  improved the definition of the jaw line as ell as the thghing of the smas in the  face.      Thak You
Alejandro J. Quiroz, M.D.
Mexico Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift Surgery with a Natural Looking Appearance

My  goal of facelift surgery is to produce a youthful look with a natural appearance.  This is a very common procedure in my plastic surgery practice.  The surgery last 3-4 hours with the aid of anesthesia.  To produce a  natural facelift surgery, I frist tightened the muscle tissue in the face and neck .  Next the fat accumulation in the neck is removed.  Finally the loose skin is removed both in front and behind the ears. My technique is percise and... more
John Ward, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift procedure

Face lift, or rhytidectomy, is the term given to a wide variety of procedures used to surgically rejuvenate the face by tightening the skin and sometimes underlying muscles and fat of the face. A face lift best addresses the signs of aging in the lower face, including the lower cheeks, jaw, and upper neck. The forehead, brows, and upper eyelids are best treated with a brow/forehead lift while the mid face and lower eyelids are best addressed with a midface lift and/or lower eyelid... more
Jaime Perez MD
Tampa Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift Surgery

Alot of questions to answer and as you can see, there is alot of variation of what a facelift entails.  Incisions can be minimal to extensive.  In some cases the procedure can take little time while in other surgeon's hands the facelift can be a longer process (from 1 hour to 4 hours).   Each surgeon should have a rationale behind the length of time is required to the type of incision used.
Anil R. Shah, MD
Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Face lift surgery

A comprehensive face/neck lift addresses the facial aging process. This includes tightening the jowls and tightening the SMAS (which stands for the Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System). The comprehensive face/neck lift also addresses tightening of the skin in the neck along with fat removal of both above and below the platysma. The neck muscles are tightened at the front and the posterior portion of the neck to address the aging neck. This rejuvenates the entire jawline, neck, and... more
William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift surgery and incisions

The incisions for a facelift surgery typically start in front of the ear, and extend to the earlobe, and behind the ear. The incisions can be shorter for people without the need to tighten the neck. The time in the Operating Room for a facelift will vary depending on the type of lift you are getting, and the surgeons speed. I would advise you to have a consultation to be evaluated, to better determine which facelift is best for you, and then your questions can be answered more effectively... more
Amy T. Bandy, DO
Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon
+1

Natural Face Lift Results

A typical facelift will involve incisions in front of and in back of the ear on both sides. An incision under the chin may also be needed if neck liposuction or muscle band work is required. Extensions into the hairline behind the ear may also be needed if there is a lot of extra neck skin that is hanging. The key to a natural facelift is chosing the right procedure for the right patient. Some patients with thicker and heavier skin or an underdeveloped jaw structure may not be good... more
Richard W. Westreich, MD
Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

What is involved in doing a facelift that looks natural.

The incision we have used for more than 30 years is inside the ear so that it is not seen. The excess skin and or muscle is removed, but not pulled. We will often do a procedure we invented more than 30 years ago call the Irregular Trichophytic Hairline Forehead Lift. This allows a more natural rested appearance without a surprised look and not removing any of a man's or women's hair. At the same time we can lower the hairline if it is too high. Additional procedures such as blepharoplasty,... more
Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Face lift procedure is to define and tighten the neck and jaw line.

Generally, face lifts are for defining and tightening the neck and jaw line. Beyond that, the specifics depend on the degree of laxity in your neck and jaw line and your surgeons personal experience and preferences. Generally, there is a scar in front or around the ear and often another scar under the chin. You should focus on finding a qualified plastic surgeon who is experienced in facial rejuvenation and who you feel comfortable with. Once you find your surgeon, trust him to guide... more
Parham Ganchi, MD
Wayne Plastic Surgeon
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