Facelift (Rhytidectomy)
The face often portrays the first visible signs of aging. Gravity, loss of skin elasticity, environmental exposure, genetics, and diminished volume can result in changes suggestive of aging. Most patients requesting an evaluation for facelift feel that their facial features do not reflect their youthful spirit and energy level. For patients who are good candidates for a facelift surgery, our plastic surgeon—Robert Rothfield, MD—can design a customized surgical plan to address specific concerns and create a more refreshed and youthful-looking facial appearance. Dr. Rothfield may also recommend combining a facelift with additional procedures and non-surgical treatments to achieve optimal facial rejuvenation.
- What Is a Facelift?
- Facelift Candidates
- Facelift Procedure
- Facelift Recovery
- Facelift Scars
- Longevity of Facelift Results
- Facelift Cost
- Facelift Insurance
- Facelift Alternatives
- Facelift Pain
- Choosing Facelift Surgeon
- Why Choose Dr. Rothfield for Facelift Surgery
- Facelift FAQs
- Patient Forms
What Is a Facelift?
A facelift is a procedure that can refine troublesome areas of sagging skin, deep lines, and jowls in the face and neck. By removing and tightening the skin and excess fat deposits, and adjusting the underlying muscles and tissues, a facelift can bring about a more youthful and toned appearance. There are many different variations of the facelift procedure that Dr. Rothfield can discuss with you to help you best achieve your goals.
The benefits of a facelift may include:
- A smoother, more lifted appearance in the lower ⅓ of the face
- Tighter skin and the removal of excess skin
- A more defined jawline
- Reduction in the appearance of deep facial folds and creases
- More youthful-looking neck contours
Who Is a Candidate for Facelift Surgery?
Women and men experiencing moderate to advanced signs of aging in the lower third of the face can potentially benefit from facelift surgery. In order to determine if facelift surgery is right for you, a personal consultation with Dr. Rothfield is necessary. During this appointment, Dr. Rothfield will listen to your cosmetic concerns and goals, perform a full examination of your face, review your medical history, and explain the most suitable treatment plan for meeting your expectations. In some cases, he may recommend additional plastic surgery procedures, such as a neck lift, eyelid surgery, or a brow lift, to help you achieve a more comprehensive level of rejuvenation. Injectable dermal fillers and wrinkle relaxing injections (BOTOX® Cosmetic) may also be suggested for the restoration of facial volume and reduction of fine lines.
How Is the Facelift Procedure Performed?
Facelift surgery is performed under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis at the Surgery Center of Weston. The procedure typically takes three or four hours to perform. This time estimate can vary if you are having other surgical procedures completed during the same operation. The exact details of how your facelift procedure is performed will depend on the specific technique Dr. Rothfield has proposed. Generally, facelift surgery utilizes an incision made within the temple hairline (to conceal any residual scarring), extending in front of the ear, then behind the ear and finally extending along the hairline of the neck. Through this incision, Dr. Rothfield is able to lift and tighten the deep connective tissue and musculature. Next, he re-drapes and smooths the skin over the tissue and removes any excess. Finally, the incision is closed with sutures and the face is bandaged.
What Is Recovery Like after Facelift Surgery?
The next day after your facelift, you will see Dr. Rothfield for your post-op visit. You can expect to experience some swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort during your recovery. While prescription medication can help manage discomfort, we recommend following your post-operative care instructions carefully to assist in controlling swelling, minimizing the potential for complications, and encouraging proper healing. Dr. Rothfiled will closely follow your progress and you are encouraged to contact Weston Plastic Surgery if you ever have any concerns or questions. Bruising and swelling typically dissipates within two weeks. Most patients are able to return to work and their usual social activities approximately two weeks after surgery.
Will I Have Scars after Facelift Surgery?
During every customized facelift, Dr. Rothfield is mindful of keeping all incisions as inconspicuous as possible to minimize the potential for visible post-operative scarring. Facelift incisions are mainly hidden within the hairline and placed in front of and behind the ear, areas which typically heal quite well. When the incisions heal, the scar tissue may appear reddish and raised in the initial phase; however, as the tissue matures it should gradually fade and flatten for most patients. While optimal scar healing is not guaranteed, Dr. Rothfield’s patients are generally quite pleased with the outcome of their incision healing, especially in light of the beautiful, natural-looking results they often achieve through facelift surgery. For patients who desire further improvement of any visible facelift scars, additional treatments for scar reduction may be suitable.
How Long Do Facelift Results Last?
The longevity of facelift results will vary from patient to patient depending on his or her natural rate of aging; however, the facelift techniques that Dr. Rothfield uses are designed to deliver long-lasting results. One of the main benefits of facelift surgery, aside from the apparent initial outcome, is the more graceful aging process that may follow. If desired and necessary, Dr. Rothfield may perform a touch-up procedure several years down the road to provide further rejuvenation to address aging that has taken place. Additionally, volume enhancement and wrinkle relaxing treatments with injectables, as well as other facial plastic surgery procedures, can help address signs of facial aging that may develop over time. As always, maintaining a natural-look that suits your lifestyle and aesthetic preferences over time is key.
How Much Does Facelift Surgery Cost?
At Weston Plastic Surgery, facelift surgery generally costs about $16,800 for Dr. Rothfield’s fee. The exact cost for your custom facelift procedure will be determined by a variety of factors that can cause the price to fluctuate, such as:
- Facelift technique used
- The degree of enhancement desired
- Complexity of the procedure
- Additional procedures or treatments included in your surgical plan
- Anesthesiology fees
- Surgical facility fees
Your facelift surgery estimate will be based on the specific surgical plan you and Dr. Rothfield have decided on. After your appointment, our knowledgeable office team will present you with a detailed quote for your care and answer any questions you may have about pricing, scheduling your procedure, payment options we accept, and plastic surgery financing options. Loans with flexible payment plans are available to approved applicants through trusted third-party lenders, including CareCredit®, ALPHAEON™ CREDIT, or LendingUSA®.
Does Insurance Cover Facelifts?
Facelift surgery is typically not covered by insurance, as it is considered an elective cosmetic procedure.
Are There Alternatives to Facelift Surgery?
There are several non-surgical facial rejuvenation treatments that can effectively address key signs of facial aging, but none are able to achieve the same quality of improvements as facelift surgery. Injectable treatments can restore diminished volume, fill creases and folds, relax dynamic wrinkles, and enhance facial contours; however, they are unable to address sagging, fat deposits, and excess skin in the lower portion of the face and jawline. For patients who are not yet good candidates for a facelift, Dr. Rothfield may recommend customized rejuvenation treatments with injectables.
How Painful Is Facelift Surgery?
A facelift is not typically considered a painful operation. Although there is no pain or discomfort during the procedure, many patients experience feelings of tenderness, tightness, and mild discomfort during the recovery process. Each patient’s healing journey is unique, meaning the degree of discomfort will vary. Medication can help manage post-operative discomfort during the healing process. Our team will provide you with detailed guidelines to help make the recovery period as safe and comfortable as possible.
How Do I Choose a Facelift Surgeon?
With procedures such as facelift surgery, choosing an experienced and skilled plastic surgeon is key to achieving desirable results. It’s important to do sufficient research and select a surgeon you feel comfortable with. Factors to consider when searching for the right surgeon for you include:
- Education and relevant training – When reviewing a potential plastic surgeon, read through their educational background and list of credentials. A surgeon’s residencies, fellowships, and other aspects of their history can give you a general idea as to their qualifications and areas of expertise.
- Experience and professional associations – Surgeons with ample experience are more likely to produce satisfactory results. Additionally, surgeons with professional affiliations and membership have undergone extensive specialized training needed to obtain qualification.
- Patient testimonials – Patient reviews and testimonials help provide insight into the type of care you may receive from a specific plastic surgeon.
- Before-and-after gallery – Plastic surgeons with before-and-after photo galleries allow patients to view the type of results they may be likely to see from their own facelift procedure.
- Professionalism and rapport – When meeting with prospective plastic surgeons, select one that you feel comfortable talking with and that you feel would provide a professional level of care.
Why Choose Dr. Rothfield for Facelift Surgery?
Dr. Rothfield is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and specializes in a wide range of procedures, including facelift surgery. Dr. Rothfield has an extensive educational and training background, an eye for detail, and is dedicated to helping his patients achieve their desired appearance. He prioritizes offering compassionate, attentive care and customizes each treatment plan to effectively address a patient’s specific needs and goals. Along with being a member of a number of professional organizations, Dr. Rothfield also believes the natural-looking results he can provide help improve a patient’s confidence and quality of life.
Additional Facelift FAQs
Q: Does a facelift address the entire face?
A: A facelift is not capable of rejuvenating the entire face. Typically, improvements achieved with facelift are limited to the lower face, jawline, and neck. Additional facial plastic surgery procedures and non-surgical treatments can be combined into your rejuvenation plan to provide more comprehensive results. Facelift patients may combine eyelid surgery, mid-facelift surgery, brow lift surgery, and/or injectable treatments to achieve optimal improvement of multiple areas of the face simultaneously. During your consultation, Dr. Rothfield will perform a full evaluation of your face and suggest the procedures that are best-suited for meeting your goals and expectations.
Q: How can I reduce swelling after a facelift?
A: Prior to your facelift surgery, proper aftercare instructions will be provided and discussed by Dr. Rothfield and our team. These guidelines will include information on how to reduce and control swelling while you recover. The most important pieces of advice regarding swelling include keeping the head elevated above the heart at all times (even when you sleep), applying cold compresses, taking time to rest and relax, drinking plenty of water, taking anti-inflammatory medications as prescribed, eating healthy foods, avoiding alcohol, getting plenty of sleep, and limiting salt intake. If you experience worrisome or excessive swelling, or have other post-operative concerns, please contact our office as soon as possible.
Q: Do I need a neck lift with my facelift?
A: The medical term for a facelift is cervicofacial rhytidectomy. Cervico refers to the neck and facial refers to the face. A standard facelift addresses both the face and neck. This operation improves drooping facial skin, jowls, fullness under the chin, and in particular, neck laxity. During your consultation with Dr. Rothfield, he will thoroughly examine the face and neck to determine whether you are a suitable candidate for this procedure.
Q: Is facelift surgery different for men versus women?
A: There are differences in developing a surgical facelift plan for men versus women. Dr. Rothfield must take into account variations in skin thickness, underlying structures, and aesthetic preferences to deliver results that suit men’s and women’s faces. He may utilize different techniques to accomplish the specific goals that align with each gender expression and the patient’s unique cosmetic desires. As with all plastic surgery procedures Dr. Rothfield performs, each facelift surgery is highly personalized to create the most satisfying results for the individual.
Q: Is there an ideal age for facelift surgery?
A: While the majority of patients who undergo facelift surgery tend to be between 60 to 70 years old, there is not an “ideal” age for a facelift. Readiness for a facelift is determined by the condition of the facial skin, connective tissue, and musculature. If you are outside of the typical age range but think you may still be a candidate for surgery, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Rothfield to determine whether facelift surgery is the best option for you.
For more information about facelift surgery or to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Rothfield, please contact Weston Plastic Surgery.