What is Facelift?
Facelift (rhytidectomy) surgery is done to lift and rejuvenate the lower face and neck. As we age, the skin, fat, and muscles begin to lose their natural elasticity and tone and begin to sag. This causes well known signs of aging including jowling, deepening nasolabial folds, and sagging skin in the neck. Facelift surgery restores the face and neck back to a more youthful position. Dr. Lozada uses the most advanced techniques to achieve natural results that never look “pulled” or “done”.
Why Choose Facelift?
Facelift surgery is the most effective way to turn back the clock and restore the cheeks, jawline, and neck to a more youthful and refreshed appearance. Minimally invasive treatments can cause some amounts of skin tightening but nothing equals the results achieved of a well executed facelift.
Am I a Candidate for a Facelift?
Facelift surgery is for patients who are tired of their sagging cheeks, jowls, and sagging skin in their neck. Facelift surgery is a great option for people even into their 40’s to take years off their face and neck and allow them to age gracefully into the next decade. If you’re someone who pulls back their face and neck skin wishing they had that look, then facelift surgery may be for you!
What types of facelifts do you offer?
Facelift techniques go by many names and it can quickly get confusing. Dr. Lozada performs both in-office mini facelifts as well as deep plane facelifts in the operating room. Providing options for patients who are seeking facelift surgery is important to Dr. Lozada and these two procedures provide the ability to tailor the procedure to the patient’s specific needs.
What is the SMAS?
The SMAS stands for the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) and is the key layer to all effective facelift surgeries. The SMAS is the most important supportive structure of the face. By lifting the SMAS, we are lifting the natural fat pads that have dropped overtime into a more youthful and rejuvenated position.
What is a Mini Facelift?
A Mini Facelift uses smaller incisions and a smaller surgical footprint to achieve natural results with a faster recovery time. Our mini facelift was performed for over 30 years by Dr. Lozada’s father, Dr. Guido Lozada, with fantastic results in Hawaii. Dr. Lozada continues to offer this minimally invasive yet effective surgical technique to the right patients. Our mini facelift can be performed in the office under light sedation which avoids general anesthesia in a surgical setting. The mini facelift uses incisions in front of the ear that curve behind for a short distance but avoids extensive scars into the hairline. The mini facelift is very effective at achieving an improved jawline and neck contour while providing an improved recovery from surgery.
What is a Deep Plane Facelift?
The Deep Plane Facelift is known for its effectiveness, longevity, and ability to lift the midface. In a Deep Plane Facelift the entire SMAS is elevated from the cheeks down into the neck. This complete release allows unparalleled ability to reposition the natural fat pads in our face and tighten the loose muscle in our neck. Because the lifting occurs at a deeper level than the skin, the results are natural and never look “pulled” or “done”.
Is Facelift Surgery painful?
Facelift Surgery is not very painful and patients typically take very little pain medication after surgery. In the immediate post-operative period it is common to have a sensation of tightness but this goes away within the first 1-2 weeks.
Immediately After Surgery
Immediately after surgery you will have a dressing that was placed in the operating room around your face and neck. This will stay on for the first 24 hrs. It is normal to feel swollen and tight, but the procedure itself is relatively painless. After you are released from the surgical center it is your job to take it easy! Dr. Lozada will call you on the evening of your surgery to check in on you..
The First 24 to 48 Hours After Your Surgery
Dr. Lozada will see you the first day after surgery in the office to remove the dressing and check the incisions. After the dressing is removed you will be given a light compressive chin strap dressing and are encouraged to wear it throughout the next week. It is your job to take it easy and let your body recover from surgery!
The First 2 Weeks After Surgery
The first two weeks after surgery will see an improvement in the swelling and bruising that can occur after facelift surgery. After 1 week any residual bruising is easily concealed with makeup and patients feel comfortable to be outside the house. There are no restrictions aside from avoiding strenuous activity and exercise for 2 weeks after surgery.
Facelift FAQs
Achieving natural facelift results relies on lifting the SMAS layer and making sure we are not pulling at all on the skin. In the past, facelift procedures were mainly done by lifting the skin alone. By pulling the skin tight, this created a pulled, tight, and wind-swept appearance that is both unnatural and not pleasing to the eye. Dr. Lozada always takes care to lift the deeper layers (SMAS) and ensure there is no pulling on the overlying skin. This ensures a natural looking result that is rejuvenated and youth but never “operated”.
Absolutely! Combining other procedures such as Blepharoplasty, fat grafting, or skin laser resurfacing can provide a total rejuvenated appearance and allows one recovery from all procedures.
When the dressing is removed the first day after surgery, you will see a dramatic improvement in the appearance of your face and neck. Swelling and bruising are common after surgery and peak around 4-5 days after the procedure but will subside over the next 1-2 weeks.
Effective Facelift Surgery can last ten years and beyond. It is important to remember that we can’t stop the aging process but facelift surgery helps set back the clock. Revision facelift surgery can be performed if small “tuck ups” are needed and patients undoubtedly start from a much better point once having had a facelift. There are many factors that influence the longevity of a facelift of which technique is perhaps the most important.
Why Should I Choose Dr. Kirk Lozada?
Dr. Lozada is a Facial Plastic & Reconstructive surgeon and Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgeon. Dr. Lozada is committed to providing the highest quality aesthetic and reconstructive services for all his patients in Philadelphia and New Jersey. At our office a personalized treatment plan is essential and we allow sufficient time during consultation to develop a unique understanding of each patient’s desires. Dr. Lozada completed his fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania and has trained with the top Facial Plastic Surgeons in Philadelphia, New York, and New Jersey. Dr. Kirk Lozada is currently a member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and has numerous publications and presentations in the field of facial plastic surgery. Contact the office for your consultation today!