Facelift in Fort Lauderdale, FL
View Fort Lauderdale Facelift Before and After Pictures
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. F. Leigh Phillips, III, PA, FACS is Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale and South Florida’s Source for Plastic Surgery and the Ultimate in Non-Surgical Aesthetic Enhancements, including the facelift.
As people age, the effects of gravity, exposure to the sun and the stresses of daily life can be seen in their faces. Deep creases form between the nose and mouth; the jawline grows slack and jowly, and folds and fat deposits appear around the neck. A facelift (rhytidectomy) cannot stop the aging process, but what it can do is “set back the clock,” improving the most visible signs of aging by removing excess fat, tightening underlying muscles, and redraping the skin of your face and neck.
Is A Facelift Right For Me?
The best candidates for facelift plastic surgery are those men or women whose face and neck have begun to sag. As long as the skin still has some elasticity and the bone structure is strong and well-defined, there will be very positive results. The best age group is those patients who are in their forties, fifties or sixties, but facelifts can also be performed on older clients, as well.
Planning For A Facelift
As you begin the process of planning for your facelift surgery, there are several things to consider. During your initial consultation, Dr. Phillips will evaluate your face, skin and underlying bone structure and discuss your goals for the surgery. Dr. Phillips will check for medical conditions that could cause problems during or after surgery, such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, blood clotting problems, or the tendency to form excessive scars. Be sure to let our office know if you smoke or are taking any drugs or medications, especially aspirin or other drugs that affect clotting. Smokers should plan to stop smoking a minimum of two weeks prior and two weeks after surgery, since smoking inhibits blood flow to the skin and can interfere with the healing of your incision areas. Dr. Phillips will also explain the techniques and anesthesia that will be used, the type of facility where the surgery will be performed, and the risks and costs involved. A facelift procedure is usually done on an outpatient basis and performed in Dr. Phillips’ office-based facility or at a hospital. Certain conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure should be monitored after surgery, which may require a short inpatient stay.
The Facelift Procedure
A facelift usually takes several hours or somewhat longer if you are having more than one procedure done. Most facelifts are performed under twilight anesthesia, and incisions usually begin above the hairline at the temples, extend in a natural line in front of the ear (or just inside the cartilage at the front of the ear), and continue behind the earlobe to the lower scalp. In general, Dr. Phillips separates the skin from the fat and muscle below. Fat may be trimmed or suctioned from around the neck and chin to improve the contour. The underlying muscle and membrane is then tightened, and the skin is pulled back to remove the excess skin.
After The Facelift
There usually is not much significant discomfort after a facelift, and it can be minimized with the pain medication prescribed by Dr. Phillips. Severe or persistent pain or a sudden swelling of your face should be reported to Dr. Phillips immediately. Patients from Coral Springs and Fort Lauderdale should be up and about in a day or two, but plan on taking it easy for the first week after surgery. Be especially gentle with your face and hair, since your skin will be both tender and numb, and may not respond normally at first. Some numbness of the skin is quite normal, but will disappear in a few weeks or months. Bandages, when used, are usually removed after one to five days. Do not be surprised at the pale, bruised, and puffy face you see. Just keep in mind that, in a few weeks, you will be looking normal. Most of your stitches will be removed after about five days. Your scalp may take longer to heal, and the stitches or metal clips in your hairline could be left in a few days longer.
Additional Facial Surgery Procedures:
What is the Cost of a Facelift in Fort Lauderdale?
The cost for a facelift varies depending on the extent of surgery necessary to achieve optimum results. Dr. Phillips accepts many direct payment options and uses CareCredit as a financing option.
Whether you are looking to enhance your appearance non-invasively through skin rejuvenation treatments or invasively through plastic surgery, Dr. Phillips can help the residents of Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale and all of Broward County make your medical and aesthetic goals become a reality. Call us today to schedule your facelift consultation at 954-271-1646!
