Is It Time for a Second Facelift?

September 4th, 2019 Posted in Cosmetic Surgery
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A facelift can do wonders for reducing signs of aging on your face but it will not stop the aging process. A skilled plastic surgeon can elevate the skin and tissues of the lower face and neck, creating a more youthful appearance. While the results of a facelift can last for several years or more when performed with advanced techniques, the aging process continues. Eventually, you will begin to look older and see resumed sagging of the skin and tissues. When this occurs, you may wonder if it is time for a second facelift.

It is very common for those who have a facelift to consider 2nd and even 3rd facelifts as they get older. If the first procedure is done at the early stages of aging, eventually a second procedure may be desired. Aging still occurs but the procedures can help retain firmness in the lower face. Often a second facelift will be combined with other procedures to help reduce signs of aging, like a neck lift, brow lift or eyelid surgery.

Secondary Vs Revision Facelifts

There is a difference between secondary and revision facelifts. Secondary facelifts are used to upkeep the results of a first facelift as aging occurs and are usually not needed for at least eight years. A revision facelift is when the first facelift did not achieve the results desired and may be needed much sooner.

If you had a facelift lift several or more years ago but are beginning to notice visible sagging in the lower face, consult an experienced facial plastic surgeon. It may be time to consider a second facelift if you want to retain a youthful appearance.

Posted on behalf of:
New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai
310 East 14th Street
6th Floor, North Bldg
New York, NY 10003
Phone: (212) 381-6110

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Are All Deep Plane Facelifts the Same?

February 28th, 2019 Posted in Facelifts
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One of the most effective procedures to combat aging in the face is a facelift, but results can vary depending on the surgeon and technique used. The old method of only lifting and elevating the skin is rarely used by top-rated facial plastic surgeons. The best results are often obtained through a deep plane facelift, yet even this technique varies from surgeon to surgeon. Not all deep plane facelifts are the same, and the results can depend on the exact method of deep plane lift the surgeon uses.

What Is a Deep Plane Facelift?

In a deep plane facelift, the facial fat and muscles are moved and elevated, not just the skin. The “deep plane” refers to the muscles that are responsible for facial movement, below the top layer of tissue. The skin is elevated slightly, but the key is releasing this deep plane of muscles and ligaments to create the position of a youthful face. This is a very delicate procedure, completed to different levels depending on the expertise of the plastic surgeon.

When completed by an experienced facial surgeon that specializes in the most advanced techniques of deep plane facelifts, the results can be incredible. Not only can it reduce sagging and drooping in the jowls and lower face, it can impact the midface. This can reduce a sunken appearance under the eyes and restore a youthful shape to the cheeks without the need for implants or fat transfers. The results are more natural and can last longer, a desirable effect for those who do not want to look “fake” or like they had plastic surgery.

If you are considering a facelift and want natural, lasting results, consult a facial plastic surgeon that specializes in advanced deep plane facelifts for the best results.

Posted on behalf of:
Beverly Hills Center for Plastic & Laser Surgery
120 South Spalding Drive #236
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 288-0641

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Accelerated Aging After Weight Loss

March 31st, 2018 Posted in Facelifts
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Losing weight can be difficult, especially when you have many pounds to shed. If you gained forty or more pounds over the years, it can take time and discipline to finally remove the excess weight. When you finally do manage to lose the weight, you may have one negative surprise. For some men and women in their 40’s or older, losing a significant amount of weight can make their face appear older, even if their body is more fit.

When excessive weight is lost later in life, the face also loses fat. Unfortunately, unlike in younger years, the skin may not spring back when the weight is lost. The skin and facial muscles can sag – the skin is thinner and the ligaments can be too weak to hold the facial structure in place. This can be especially noticeable around the mouth, nose, jowls and neck. It can be disheartening to finally lose the weight you have struggled with, only to look years older after you become thinner. 

Facelifts for Post-Weight Loss

One option to give you back your younger looking self after weight loss is a facelift. Since losing excessive amounts of weight can accelerate the aging process, a facelift might be exactly what you need to restore a youthful face to pair with your fit body. Deep plane facelifts elevate the fat pads and skin into a more youthful position, giving you a natural, younger looking face after weight loss.

If you have noticed an older appearance since you lost weight, consult an experienced facial plastic surgeon about a post-weight loss facelift. Ensure the surgeon you choose offers deep plane facelifts, an advanced technique that offers a more natural and longer-lasting rejuvenation of your face.

Posted on behalf of:
Sanaz Harirchian, M.D.
9230 Katy Fwy Suite 600
Houston, TX 77055
713-791-0700

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How Your Plastic Surgeon Can Help You Look Years Younger

October 4th, 2017 Posted in Cosmetic Surgery
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The fountain of youth is only a myth, or is it? More and more you see celebrities and other famous personalities that seem to have found the fountain of youth. Men and women in their fifties, sixties and older are looking better than ever. The secret most likely is not a pool of water but a talented plastic surgeon.

Years ago, when someone chose to have plastic surgery to combat age, it could be obvious. The facelift – elevating sagging skin around the midface, mouth, jaw and neck – has been used for decades, but with varying results. Older techniques could leave the patient looking “overdone” or artificial. However, the surgery options available now are subtle but effective, looking more natural.

Surgical options to help you look younger still include the facelift, but in many different variations and with improved techniques. “Mini” facelifts can be performed to only address the midface region or full facelifts can eliminate sagging throughout the face. Instead of only elevating the skin, which can appear “fake” and quickly revert, advanced facelifts elevate the muscle and tissue under the skin. This creates a more natural appearance that lasts for years longer than traditional facelifts.

Other surgical and non-surgical options to turn back the hands of time include:

  • Brow lifts
  • Eye lifts
  • Dermal fillers
  • Botox
  • Dermabrasion, chemical peels and laser therapy

Slowing the aging process is possible, especially if you have a talented plastic surgeon. Many people begin in the late thirties or early forties with non-surgical options to keep their skin and face looking youthful, choosing surgical methods once aging affects the muscles and tissue under the skin.

If you are interested in learning more about how to look years younger, make an appointment with your local plastic surgeon.

Posted on behalf of:
Maurice M. Khosh, MD, FACS
580 Park Avenue, Suite 1BE
New York, NY 10065
212-339-9988

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Take Years From Your Face With a Non-Surgical, Liquid Facelift

February 24th, 2015 Posted in Facelifts
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It’s inevitable; as you get older, the effects of time will begin to be noticeable as lines, wrinkles and sagging skin appear on your face and neck. While some people are willing to undergo surgery to have these aging effects reversed, there are non-surgical options available to regain a youthful appearance. One of the newer popular cosmetic procedures with little downtime is the liquid facelift, a perfect option for those who are looking to look younger without surgery.

What is a Liquid Facelift?

For patients who want a more youthful appearance without the downtime and expense of a surgical facelift, the liquid facelift is a powerful option. This procedure involves using several strategically placed facial filler injections to combat the lines, wrinkles and sagging skin that can make you look older. The result is a smoother, younger looking face within one single outpatient procedure.

Many men and women love this new option for several reasons. While the results are noticeable, a liquid facelift offers a more natural appearance which is more subtle than surgical options. Additionally, this procedure can be done in one appointment, painlessly, with little to no downtime. It’s a great way to get a younger face quickly, with results that can last up to two years.

If you’ve been noticing the signs of age on your face and are looking for a fast, non-surgical option, discuss the liquid facelift with your local cosmetic surgery clinic to see if they offer this service. More experienced cosmetic surgeons usually offer this procedure, as it’s gaining popularity due to the many benefits for patients.

Posted on behalf of:
Beverly Hills Center for Plastic & Laser Surgery
120 South Spalding Drive #236
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 288-0641

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Smoking and Face Lift Surgery

January 30th, 2011 Posted in Facelifts
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Quitting smoking is an important thing you can do for your health, but if you are undergoing plastic or cosmetic surgery, it is a must.  If you are having a facelift, it is best that you have quit smoking for at least one month prior to the time of your face lift surgery.

When you smoke, blood flow is reduced in many areas, including your face.  If you continue to smoke before and after facial cosmetic surgery and your facelift, you run a 10% chance of developing tissue necrosis at the incision site.  One in ten smokers who have a facelift will develop this failure to heal syndrome. 

Tissue necrosis is skin and cell death.  Treatment for tissue necrosis requires skin grafting, and long hospitalizations with IV antibiotics.  Several surgeries are usually required to repair the damage caused by tissue necrosis, and even then, scarring is likely.

Signs of tissue necrosis are black wound beds, and scars that look like they are coming ‘apart at the seams’. 

If you are a smoker and are considering or have scheduled a facelift, discuss with your surgeon when you should stop smoking.  There are ways to help minimize the cravings associated with nicotine withdrawal, but remember that patches or gum that contains nicotine can also cause tissue necrosis so should not be used before or after surgery.  Your surgeon can also prescribe some medications that may help relieve the anxiety associated with stopping smoking, so be open and honest when discussing your smoking history. 

To determine if you are a candidate for a facelift, please contact your local facial plastic surgeon for a consultation.

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Facelift Basics

January 30th, 2011 Posted in Facelifts
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A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is designed to help decrease wrinkles and other signs of aging in the facial area.  Facelifts are appropriate when injectibles and fillers no longer work, or if the individual desires a more permanent solution.  Facelifts will last for ten years or more and will help correct the sagging that occurs with time to all of us. 

If you are considering face lift surgery, recognize that this is a major surgical procedure that requires some healing time.  Individuals who are candidates for a facelift show signs of sagging in the mid-face region, deeper creases below the lower eyelids, or the corners of the mouth, or loose and excess skin or fat deposits under the chin and jaw (a ‘double’ chin).

If you decide to have a facelift, there are several important things you should know.  Consultation with a facial plastic / cosmetic surgeon is your best bet for a successful surgical experience.  Two weeks before surgery, stop taking any non-steroidals (NSAIDS, such as ibuprofen or naproxen) that you may be on, or other medications that may cause blood thinning.  Herbal and over the counter products that cause blood thinning should also be discontinued one to two weeks prior to surgery, including garlic, fish oil, omega threes, green tea, baby aspirin, and Saint John’s Wort.  However, always speak to your surgeon and other physicians before abruptly stopping any medications so that the safest plan can be determined for you.

You should also quit smoking if you are a smoker.  Smoking has been shown to limit the positive effects of a facelift, and also increases your risk during anesthesia.  If you are considering a facelift, contact your local facial plastic surgeon for a consult and determination if a facelift is right for you.

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Smoking and Facelift Surgery

November 26th, 2010 Posted in Facelifts
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If you have decided to have a facelift, one of the most important things you can do for yourself during this time is to stop smoking.  Smoking has serious health consequences, and can also cause serious problems with your recovery from facelift surgery.

If you smoke, you must not smoke for a minimum of one month before and one month after the surgery.   Many reputable facial cosmetic surgeons ask for an even longer commitment of not smoking.  Smoking not only is bad for your body, it also slows the healing process after surgery.  Stopping smoking will also help during the surgical procedure and with the anesthesia. 

You should be aware that smoking immediately before or after a facelift may cause considerable damage to your face, including skin necrosis.  This is because smoking causes changes in the vascular system of the skin.  Skin necrosis is when your skin will turn black and die.  During skin necrosis, the incision lines become red and then black.  Incisions separate, and infection may set in.  The only treatment for skin necrosis is a skin graft.  A skin graft requires extensive surgeries and repeated consultations with a qualified surgeon.  One in ten smokers will suffer from skin necrosis at the incision lines if they are still smoking before and after surgery.

If you want to have facial plastic surgery, always contact a reputable cosmetic surgeon and follow their instructions exactly.  Be honest with your physician about your smoking history so he or she can best advise you.

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Preparing for Facelift Surgery

November 26th, 2010 Posted in Facelifts
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You have decided to have a facelift.  You have discussed the options with your professional facial plastic surgeon, weighed the pros and cons, and have decided that facelift surgery is the best option for you.  How do you best prepare?

Facelift surgery is a major surgical procedure that lasts 2-4 hours.  It is generally performed as an outpatient.  When you leave surgery, a white fluffy dressing is usually in place.  This dressing is generally removed by the surgeon within a few hours to one day, and replaced with an elastic type bandage.  Drains are often in place to help minimize swelling and edema associated with the surgery.  You will likely have some discoloration of your face (you may have some bruising) that can last up to one to two weeks.  You should plan on taking some time off of work during this period.

About two weeks before facelift surgery you should schedule a pre-operative appointment with your surgeon and his assistant.  At this time, review any medications you may be taking.  This includes any medicines that may be over the counter or any herbal or alternative medication products you currently use.  You may be advised to stop some of these medications, and your surgeon may wish to discuss alternatives of other medicines.  Never be embarrassed to share with your surgeon any medications you are taking.  Your surgeon may also prescribe some new medications for you to take, or add in some herbal supplements to aid in healing. 

Most importantly, stop smoking.  For some of the dangers associated with smoking and cosmetic surgery, see our article on this topic.  Trust your surgeon, and get ready for a new you!

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