A successful, natural facelift procedure is always more than it seems. A good surgeon like renowned South Florida facial plastic surgeon Dr. Andres Bustillo knows how and where to keep those incisions hidden and out of plain sight. The traditional facelift procedure usually begins with the surgical design of the incision placement sites. This not only serves as a road map of sorts for the surgeon to follow, it identifies the best possible locations to hide the incisions and minimize the chance of visible scarring. Dr. Bustillo designs the facelift incisions hidden around the natural creases of the ear and temple area. Dr. Bustillo will discuss the options in detail during consultation at his Coral Gables cosmetic surgery practice.
Incision Placement & Closure
The traditional l facelift typically includes an incision that begins at the temples in the hair and then continues down within the ear and around to the back of the ear, ending in the lower scalp. Dr. Bustillo typically uses a post-tragal incision which allows a portion of the incision to be better concealed as it runs behind the tragus (the small area of cartilage in front of the ear). Other surgeons utilize a pre-tragal incision in which the incision remains in front of the ear and thus more visible. The most skilled and experienced plastic surgeons know that incisions must always be closed carefully so as not to create tension and run the risk of leaving visible scars.
An experienced surgeon is also careful to use fine sutures which cause less stress, redness, and swelling at incision areas. A good surgeon also refrains from the use staples with which to seal deep incisions and which may increase the potential for scarring. The doctor is also careful not to place incisions within the hairline so as to minimize potential hair loss.
The Facelift Recovery
The patient shares the responsibility for their recovery after surgery. This means engaging in proper wound care techniques, keeping incision areas clean and dry, and following the surgeon’s post-op instructions to the letter. Your doctor may suggest that you try on a different hairstyle during your recovery, one that conceals healing incision areas, and avoid any hairstyle that places undo stress or tension along incision lines. Dr. Bustillo will provide you with complete post-operative instructions for your procedure and will see you several times for follow-up appointments at his Coral Gables office to keep an eye on your recovery and ensure that you’re healing well.
Choosing a Surgeon
One of the best ways to ensure a positive outcome – including seamless, well-concealed incisions – is by choosing a well-qualified and experienced doctor. It’s important to do research before selecting your surgeon. This means going with a professional who has experience in facelift procedures and one who is attentive to your needs and personal goals. The objective of any good plastic surgeon is to achieve results that are balanced, subtle, and graceful – results that will bring out the best in the patient and last for years to come. Talk to a qualified facial cosmetic surgeon to learn more about your options and whether facelift surgery is right for you.
Dr. Andres Bustillo is renowned throughout Miami and South Florida for excellence in facial plastic surgery. He is committed to providing his patients with the most natural-looking results using the most advanced and time-proven techniques available. Call (305) 663-3380 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Bustillo at his Coral Gables, Florida, office or read more about facelift surgery.