What is a facelift procedure?
Facelifts are comprehensive cosmetic procedures designed to reduce signs of aging on the face. Both surgical and non-surgical techniques can be used to improve the look of wrinkles and tighten the skin of the face and neck.
Facelift Surgery Process
A facelift is done by cutting, sculpting, or removing the facial skin. It also includes the tightening of facial tissues and muscles.
This cosmetic procedure improves the characteristics of a patient’s facial skin. Correcting these facial features leads to a more youthful appearance and reduces the signs of aging.
Facelifts can also be combined with other procedures, such as a neck lift, to improve their outcomes.
Oblique view of a female before a Facelift in Miami. Notice the descent of the midface (cheek). Hollowness can be seen in the area between the lower eyelid and cheek.
Oblique view of the same patient after having a facial lifting and eyelid lift by Dr. Bustillo. The midface has been elevated and a youthful contour has been re-established.
Non-surgical Facelifts
Non-surgical facelifts, also known as liquid facelifts, use injectables like Botox and dermal fillers to rejuvenate the face. The downside of this treatment option is that it does not treat the loose skin on the aging neck or heavy jowls.
Non-surgical treatments are also temporary and must be repeated periodically for long-term results. Plastic surgeons normally recommend a full facelift to reverse the telltale signs of aging.
Surgical Facelifts
Surgical facelift options include mini facelifts and deep plane facelifts. A mini facelift is a less invasive surgical procedure when compared to a traditional facelift. They usually address the jowls and sagging skin or excess skin on the upper neck.
While non-surgical and mini facelifts are less extensive procedures, they often do not meet patients’ expectations and many will return for a full facelift later on.
A facelift is the best way to restore your youth if you want a long-lasting and more youthful appearance.
Is a mini facelift worth it?
Mini facelifts are often well-tolerated by patients and can be done using only local anesthesia. They are also typically performed in one to two and a half hours.
If you are considering a mini facelift as a less-invasive surgery option with reduced downtime for achieving your facial rejuvenation goals, give us a call.
Additionally, a complete facelift can be done alongside other procedures as they target different parts of the face. These can include:
- Brow lift
- Neck lift
- Forehead lift
Click here to learn more about our procedures
Facelift Benefits
The results of a facelift operation usually turn back the clock for approximately ten years and the results last about that long. A properly executed full facelift procedure will elevate the cheeks, improve jowls, tighten the skin of the neck, and restore lost volume.
Most patients who choose to have a facelift do so in their fifties. Occasionally, premature facial aging or weight loss patients will undergo plastic surgery at an earlier age. Younger patients might also consider a less invasive procedure, like a mini facelift.
It is important to care for your skin early on in life and to keep an eye out for the early signs of aging. The type of facelift needed will be dependent on how well you took care of your skin.
The Aging Process
Each patient is unique in the way that their body responds to aging. For some, wrinkles and loose skin are the main complaints. For others, a more drastic change in appearance is desired.
The four visible transformations that the face goes through as a result of the aging process are facial soft tissue descent, facial deflation, radial expansion of the soft facial tissues, and loss of skin laxity or quality.
Aging also causes loss of muscle tone and excess fat in the face. As fat pads in the face begin to atrophy, wrinkles and folds begin to appear. A plastic surgeon can help eliminate wrinkles and improve facial features through a facelift procedure.
A consultation will evaluate the elasticity of the skin, amount of fat and muscle tone, and tissue quality. This will help the surgeon determine the appropriate surgery and technique required.
A properly planned and executed facelift should address these issues to rejuvenate the face and neck fully. When performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon, successful facelift surgery can bring about a more youthful appearance and better facelift results.
Facelift surgery can help with
- Sagging jowls
- Sagging skin
- Excess skin
- Excess fat
- Facial wrinkles
- Double chin
Ideal candidates for Facelift
While it is recommended that patients seeking a facelift already live a healthy lifestyle and have good psychological health, any plans for weight loss should occur before you schedule your facelift.
If you are unsure if you are a good candidate for facelift surgery, please contact us to set up a consultation.
We can also help you with determining which type of surgery is right for you. Learn how Dr. Bustillo’s advanced techniques could help restore your confidence by giving you the facelift results that you desire.
Questions about your procedure?
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Andres Bustillo.
Diagram demonstrating the repositioning and elevation of the muscles of the face during the deep plane facelift as performed by Dr. Bustillo.
Facelift Preparation
Preparing for a facelift is an important step that can affect the results of the procedure. Without proper preparation, patients run the risk of increasing complications.
Dr. Bustillo requires that all patients undergoing a facelift procedure undergo a comprehensive evaluation before their surgery. This includes pre-operative labs and medical clearance from their primary care physician.
It is important to ensure the health and well-being of every patient before undergoing plastic surgery.
Pre-operative Analysis
During their consultation, patients undergo a preoperative analysis.
The preoperative analysis evaluates the quality of the skin, looseness at the jawline, the angle from the chin to the bottom of the neck, and the amount of fat and extra skin present in the neck area.
The results are very dependent on the elasticity of the skin. If the skin has had extensive damage, additional procedures may be required.
Further Preparation
Patients should stop taking all aspirin, anti-inflammatory products (including naproxen and ibuprofen), and vitamins ten days before surgery. If you take herbal supplements, check with your plastic surgeon before continuing.
Dr. Bustillo recommends that patients start high doses of vitamin C (2000mg/day) one week before and two weeks after facial surgery, to help with healing and reduce bruising.
Patients should also abstain from alcohol five days before facelift surgery to minimize swelling, and bruising, and to promote healing.
It is important to follow all pre and post-operative care measures as they are provided by the doctor.
Recovering from a Facelift
Following the procedure, activity should be kept to a minimum. The surgeon will wrap the face with a bandage initially to keep the skin flat.
There should be no pain. Tylenol is usually sufficient to relieve minor discomfort. Any significant pain should be reported to Dr. Bustillo right away, as it may indicate bleeding beneath the skin.
The patient is seen the morning after the surgery. The bandage is removed one day after surgery. A small bandage is then worn for one more day.
Dr. Bustillo will remove the stitches underneath the chin and in front of the ears five days after surgery. After ten days, he will remove those behind the ears, as well.
Post-surgery
Patients can usually shower and wash their hair five days after the procedure. Any physical activity, such as running or lifting, can be resumed three weeks after the surgery.
As the healing process is generally fairly quick, most patients can return to work two weeks after their facelift procedure. To know if the patient is able to use makeup after the facial surgery, contact Dr. Bustillo.
The final facelift results may not be completely evident until several months after the procedure. Dr. Andres Bustillo is one of the best facial plastic surgeons in Miami and the majority of patients are extremely satisfied with the results of their facelifts.
If you are unsure about the wellness our facelift procedures could provide you, click here to see the results of Dr. Bustillo’s other patients.
How long do the results last?
Thanks to the use of advanced techniques by Dr. Bustillo, the results of your facelift can last for up to ten years & could potentially be prolonged by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and reducing sun exposure.
This does not mean that the face will not progressively age after facial rejuvenation.
Less-invasive surgeries, such as a mini facelift or neck lift, traditionally last for a shorter amount of time and might need to be redone.
If you are wanting to retain your youthful appearance after surgery, consult with your doctor about which type of facelift is right for you.Schedule your consultation here.
Facelift Risks
It is important to only receive a facelift or plastic surgery from a board-certified plastic surgeon as the procedure can have negative consequences if performed poorly.
Types of Facelift Risks
- Painful procedure
- Facial nerve injury
- Unfavorable scarring
Facelift Cost Miami
The cost of a facelift is determined by the doctor performing the surgery and the technique used. The price does not include additional procedures or anesthesia.
Deep Plane Facelift Miami
Dr. Bustillo has been performing the deep plane facelift for over fifteen years. The deep plane facelift addresses the entire face including the midface, nasolabial folds, jowls, and neck. You can learn more about the deep plane facelift here.
Best Miami Facelift
When looking for a facelift doctor, consider their
The best Miami facelift is performed by an experienced surgeon who is board certified. To become a board-certified plastic surgeon in Florida, doctors must pass all requirements of the plastic surgery board.
Facelift requirements
- Complete at least six years of surgical training following medical school
- A minimum of three years of plastic surgery residency training
- Pass comprehensive oral and written exams
- Graduate from an accredited medical school
- Complete continuing medical education, including patient safety each year
Learn more about the best Miami facelift here.
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Schedule a Miami Facelift Consultation Today
Facelifts help our patients regain their confidence and improve their well-being. If you are ready to schedule your facelift surgery or learn more about facelift Miami, contact us today.
Facelift Frequently Asked Questions
Swelling and bruising occur immediately after surgery and fade gradually with time.
70% of the swelling resolves in the first three weeks during the facelift recovery time. The patient should keep their head elevated using two pillows to help reduce swelling of the face and neck.
Following a facial rejuvenation procedure, patients should place small bags of frozen peas, wrapped in a towel, on the face every fifteen minutes for the first two days. We also recommend eating fresh pineapple after the procedure to help reduce swelling.
Dr. Bustillo takes about three to four hours to perform the entire procedure. Healing typically takes a few weeks.
The most natural facelift results come from a SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) facelift surgery. This type of facial plastic surgery targets the underlying facial muscles.
A facelift is typically an outpatient and involves general anesthesia. Patients need to consider additional anesthesia fees when looking into pricing for their facelift surgery.
Less invasive operations, such as mini facelifts and neck lifts, can be done using local anesthesia instead.
Patients typically experience very little pain after a facelift. Because of the swelling, it is normal to feel heavy or bruised.
Why Choose plastic surgeon Dr. Bustillo?
- Castle Connolly Top Doctor for more than 10 years
- American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
- Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship at The New York University
- Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery Residency at The University of Miami, Jackson Memorial Hospital
- General Surgery Internship at The University of Miami, Jackson Memorial Hospital
