Facelift Surgery | Face Lifting Procedures
Facelift surgery corrects sagging facial tissues, which gradually develop as a result of the normal aging process. As facial tissues loose strength and support over time, they begin to descend and increasingly contribute to the tired, “old” appearance.
Our New York City patients often tell us that external signs of aging do not match how young they continue to feel about themselves. It is the desire to close the gap between “looking old” and “feeling young” that motivates many patients to consider facelift surgery.
In experienced hands, facelift surgery is safe and leads to natural and lasting results. Modern facelift techniques can turn back the clock, sometimes with minimal associated downtime, and without leaving any telltale sign of surgery.
Facelift surgery requires an advanced skill-set and experience from the facelift surgeon. Dr. Mashkevich is a UCLA-trained facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, with the experience of performing facelift surgery in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and New York. He specializes in all types of facelift surgery, including mini, office-based, SMAS, deep plane, and revision facelift. Having helped hundreds of patients during the past years, he understands the subtleties of individual faces, and can tailor facelift surgery to match individual needs and desires.
Is computer imaging and simulation available for a Face Lift?
Yes. During your consultation, we will take your photographs from different angles and use them to simulate how your face would look after a facelift surgery. You will have an opportunity to provide feedback during this process. Your precise surgical plan will be formulated based on the changes you desire and are comfortable with.
How is the Face Lift Procedure Performed?
Standard facelift incisions are concealed around the ears and are rarely visible after they heal. After making the incisions, excess skin and tissue underneath are excised and tightened to provide improved facial contour. Depending on the extent of the operation, sagging cheeks, jowl, and neck are all separately addressed.
A facelift operation may last anywhere from one to five hours. The variability in time reflects individual differences in the amount of sagging tissue requiring correction. A facelift operation is always tailored to the individual, and not the other way around, and takes as much time as necessary in order to achieve natural and satisfactory results.
What is the recovery like following a Face Lift? When will I be able to return to Work?
For an office-based facelift at our New York location, plan to take about 5-7 days off from work. All other facelifts typically require about 10-14 days away from work, while swelling and bruising gradually subside. We take special precautions during surgery to minimize swelling and bruising, and ask you to use ice and special creams in the immediate few days that follow.
Most patients go home on the day of surgery, and are up and about within 24 – 48 hours. Prior to your operation, we will provide you with a detailed set of instructions from our Forest Hills or Manhattan office, and will remain available 24-7 to answer any questions, should they arise.
What about pain after a Face Lift?
During the surgery, you will not feel any pain due to anesthesia and sedation. After the operation, most facelift patients experience a mild to moderate discomfort, and may require prescription pain medications in the first 24-72 hours. Regular Tylenol is typically taken after that time frame, on as needed basis.