There are many reasons individuals choose to have a facelift, including the following:

• Self-consciousness about the appearance of sagging skin around the face and neck
• Feeling that your face may make you look older than you are or feel
• A desire to boost your personal and/or professional life by reversing some of the signs of aging and averting the impacts of ageism.

As with all forms of plastic surgery, patients need to have realistic expectations as they consider a facelift. While the procedure can give facial skin more elasticity and tighten areas where age-related changes have occurred, it does not change the basic appearance of the face or stop natural aging. Finally, not everyone is a candidate for plastic surgery. Patients who want a facelift must be screened to ensure there are no health factors that contraindicate a procedure.

Before patients decide whether or not to have a facelift, Dr. Saber and her team will go over their medical history to ensure that it is safe to perform and discuss their desired goals with patients. By understanding exactly what you’re looking for from the procedure, Dr. Saber will be able to tailor the facelift to fit your needs while also ensuring that you have realistic expectations and know what to expect before and after a procedure.

Step 1: Anesthesia

Either intravenous sedation or general anesthesia will be administered at the beginning of the two-to-five hour surgery. Dr. Saber works exclusively with anesthesiologists who are board-certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology so patients can rest assured that they are in the best hands possible.

Step 2: Incision

The type and location of the incision made will depend on which kind of facelift the patient has chosen. The options include:

• Traditional Facelift – An incision is made at the temples near the hairline, around the ear, and to the lower scalp area. Dr. Saber will remove excess skin and gently shift the skin so that the result is a lifted and tightened appearance.
• Limited Incision – Also referred to as a “mini-lift,” this option involves a shorter incision than a traditional facelift. The beginning of the incision is still made at the temples but ends around the ears.
• Neck Lift – The incision starts in front of the ear lobe and wraps around to the back of the ear. This variation specifically aims to tighten or remove loose skin under the jaws and chin.

Step 3: Incision Closure

Incisions are closed with sutures. A temporary drain may be put in place behind the ear for the first few days to remove any excess blood or fluids. Our team will apply all necessary bandages or gauze as well.

Immediately following the procedure, patients can expect to experience some bruising and swelling lasting one to two weeks. Some minor discomfort is normal and can typically be handled with medication. Daily activities can generally resume two weeks following the surgery, while more strenuous activities should be held off for the first four weeks.

Dr. Saber and her team will provide you with specific care instructions that should be followed closely to achieve the best possible results.