What should I address first: should I look into fillers or a facelift? (photo)

There are many newer techniques and a Short Scar facelift along with a mid face lift can lead to a very natural rejuvenated appearance. For most patients, recovery from a regular facelift can vary widely and it really depends on which procedures they get done. It is best to talk to your surgeon because everybody has different techniques and recovery time is usually based on a number of factors.

If we are just talking about a short scar facelift, this can typically be done in the office under local anesthesia. Usually there are no drains, no outside stitches, and patients can go out in public the same day, although I usually recommend they low for the first couple days. Most of the initial swelling is from the numbing medicine and your body absorbs it within the first 4-6 hours. Obviously the body heals with swelling and inflammation and usually that maxes out at two days and then starts getting better. Most of these patients take no pain medicine and usually feel very comfortable going out in public within a few days. I usually call my patients the night of surgery and check on them the next day. If everything is fine the next day, I then let them shower and they do not need a dressing over their incisions. They can usually start using make up after a few days. At the two week check up, I usually have people start working out and then after six weeks they can do whatever they want.

I routinely tell people to take a few days to a week off work and to hide out but some people are very nervous especially celebrities and I usually tell them to hide out for two weeks. As with any scar on the human body, initially scars are red, hard and raised and it typically takes six months to a year for them to become a soft thin white line.

Additionally with recovery, there're many things we do to expedite healing such as nerve blocks during surgery, oral supplements, skin care and scar therapy recommendations, lymphatic massage sessions that are included in our pricing.

I'd recommend not getting into the mindset of thinking the jowls will be 100% gone however with any facelift as this might lead to disappointment. It is always best to consider that an area will be improved. Looking for something to be completely gone sets up unrealistic expectations and will usually lead to disappointment after surgery. There are never any guarantees of course with any procedure whether it is surgical or nonsurgical in nature.

Surgery is not for everyone. In today's day and age, there are many nonsurgical options to consider although surgery usually gets the most improvement specifically of the jowls.

I would recommend that you see a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area that is a member of both ASPS & ASAPS and performs a lot of facelifts but also offers all the nonsurgical options such as injectables and laser treatments. Go over your concerns with them and make sure above all, you walk out of there with several options and an idea of the pros and cons to each of them as well as realistic expectations.

I hope this helps and wish you all the best in your surgery and event. If it does, please take a moment to up vote this answer on the “respond” button on the top right.

I would highly recommend a facelift/necklift. Fillers only provide volume; they have no lifting effect on the face. They can also be very problematic for many other reasons. I would recommend seeing a plastic surgeon with 6 years of plastic surgery residency training and a year of aesthetic fellowship training to ensure that you find an individual with adequate training in this very important area of the body.

Dear ohmaggiemae,
Thank you for providing pictures for a better recommendation. In my opinion, a full-face lift seems to be the solution, this way it will target the loose skin in the neck, jaw area, midface and temporal area. Furthermore, I would also suggest a lip-lift to reduce distance between the nose and lips. As a result the excess fat in the neck can be eliminated which will give a tightened and natural look. I also do recommend fat grafts in the midface areas to eliminate the lack of volume giving permanent results unlike fillers and Botox.
Best Regards,
TAS TEAM

Thank you for your question and photo submitted. Based off your information provided, you would be a candidate for a facelift and/or neck lift to improve the moderate laxity that is causing the lower face wrinkling and neck/jowl sagging. Filler is used to increase volume in depleted areas, but the only true corrective measure for lax skin, would be to surgically remove. Next steps would be to find a qualified and experienced Board Certified plastic surgeon to do a full facial evaluation and provide you with a designated treatment plan to reach your desired goals.

Hello. Unfortunately, no filler can give you the look you want. You will age faster with a heavier face. Therefore, a facelift will be the right solution for you. Please investigate the dynamic rhinoplasty method we have developed for your nose wings that are crooked while laughing. I’m the only triple board-certified facial plastic surgeon all around Europe. I’m just focused on this issue. I am a doctor who goes to almost every country in the world and explains my techniques to important doctors with the seminar invitations I receive, so I am definitely the only doctor who can perform your operation very comfortably and successfully. You can get more detailed information about me, ask all questions about your case and sending your photos to my assistants at the number on my profile (+90 539 204 40 90). You can also book an online consultation and discuss your problems with me. With all respect.

Thank you for asking your question. A facelift may provide more significant results for sagging skin, wrinkles, and jowls but will not help your nostrils. You may benefit from a combination treatment such as a rhinoplasty and facelift. A rhinoplasty can address the nostril sizes and make your nose balanced with other facial features. If you have not had injectables or non-invasive treatments before, it may be a good starting point. RF microneedling, Botox, dermal fillers, and other minimally-invasive treatments can help with sagging skin and wrinkles. A board-certified facial plastic surgeon can work with you to identify your needs and cosmetic goals to create a personalized treatment plan.

Hello, thank you for your question. Unclear from the one photo you have submitted whether or not you for sure would benefit from a facelift. Typically even with a facelift, your nostril size will not change. I would consult with your plastic surgeon first even before getting fillers to get the most for what you are looking for.

From the one picture submitted, it looks like you're ready for a facelift. I would not wast any time or expense with fillers.

As a board certified plastic surgeon specializing in plastic surgery of the face, I hear concerns like yours daily! I will define facelifting vs. fillers so you can most easily understand. 1) Fillers revolumize, and can fill certain valleys of the face -- for example, the nasolabial folds (the lines between the edges of the nostrils to the outside edges of the lips). But when that valley becomes a fold – if the cheek is hanging over the face like a basset hound – only facelifting can reposition this fold into a gently upward and backward position, making your face look young again. Your issue appears to involve loose, excess skin, which therefore would be best treated with a facelift. You may also want to consider laser resurfacing to treat the texture, fine lines and wrinkles around your mouth.

Hello, thank you for your very good question. There is no doubt that a neck and facelift will give you the best result. Any asymmetry in your nasal area can also be evaluated to see if an improvement is feasible. You would be wasting your money and time on fillers and not be satisfied because they will not address the sagging skin.A skin resurfacing with CO2 or radio frequency Microneedling woukd also greatly enhance your skin texture and evenede on the surface.
Given your skin type i can access from the single photo you’ve included illustrate your results from a good face and neck lift will be excellent and you should be very happy with that.