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Facelift

Environmental factors (including sun exposure, smoking, smog, etc.) and the aging process can cause skin that was once smooth and tight to become loose and begin to sag.

Dr. Thomas Lintner, one of the region’s most skilled and caring plastic surgeons, offers facelift procedures that are suited to our patients’ individual needs.

What Is a Facelift?

Facelift surgery is a cosmetic plastic surgery procedure designed to rejuvenate one’s appearance by reducing or eliminating wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin in the lower two-thirds of the face, as well as the upper neck area. This is often referred to as a “full facelift,” and typically produces more natural-looking results, since sections of skin on both the face and neck are tightened and re-draped.

For some younger patients, a mid-face lift and/or cosmetic injectables like BOTOX® Cosmetic or dermal fillers may be recommended by Dr. Lintner. These facial rejuvenation techniques are less invasive and involve a shorter recovery time. Dr. Lintner will only recommend these alternative procedures if he believes the results will look natural.

Whichever procedure that Dr. Lintner suggests, you can be assured that the recommendation is based on a careful, personalized assessment of facial structure and the condition of the skin on the face and neck. Dr. Lintner wants to produce facelift results that not only make him proud, but also make you happy!

What Are the Benefits of Facelift Surgery?

Facelift surgery offers many aesthetic advantages for men and women interested in a more rested, well-defined, youthful appearance. Potential benefits of a facelift include:

For a more comprehensive facial rejuvenation, incorporating other procedures with your customized facelift treatment plan may help to address signs of aging in the upper face and around the eyes. During a consultation, Dr. Linter can discuss the available options, such as eyelid surgery, a brow lift, and non-surgical aesthetic treatments to offer the most beneficial cosmetic improvement.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Facelift Surgery?

Dr. Lintner can reduce the signs of aging and smooth facial skin with results that look natural and beautiful. Ideal candidates for this procedure typically include individuals who:

In a consultation with Dr. Lintner, he can assess each patient’s unique needs, answer any questions they may have, and help to determine if they are a good candidate for this procedure. Dr. Lintner prides himself on putting the needs of his patients above all else, so if a facelift isn’t the best way to address your concerns, he will recommend an alternative treatment that is more appropriate.

What Is the Best Age for Facelift Surgery?

Although it is common for patients to be curious about the right time to consider a facelift, there is no specific age that is regarded as “best.” The appropriate time to think about the procedure depends on certain factors, such as genetics, lifestyle choices, sun exposure, and health history. Depending on these variables, the rate at which facial skin ages can differ quite a bit from one person to another. Essentially, two people of the same age may not both be ideal for the procedure. To get a better idea of whether or not facelift surgery is right for you, it is best to consult with an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon. Dr. Lintner works with each of his patients to find a treatment that best addresses their concerns. If he feels that a facelift is more extensive than necessary to accomplish your unique aesthetic goals, he may recommend non-surgical facial rejuvenation options, like BOTOX® Cosmetic and/or dermal fillers.

Dr. Lintner and his staff made me feel very relaxed and confident in them. I will definitely recommend them.G.A. Facelift Patient, Woodstock GA

How Is the Facelift Procedure Performed?

Dr. Lintner customizes each facelift surgery based on the goals discussed during the consultation. You can have the procedure either in the hospital with general anesthesia or IV sedation. Another option, which has a shorter recovery, is to have the procedure in the office and under local anesthesia with nitrous oxide. While you are awake and able to speak and know what is going on, we find that patients do very well with this option, provided they are able to get numb (as they might, for example, at the dentist).

During facelift surgery, small incisions are typically made along the hairline and around the ears. Facial tissues and muscles are then gently tightened, and the skin is carefully re-draped. Excess skin is trimmed and removed. The procedure typically takes about three to four hours.

How Long Do Facelift Results Last?

Although the longevity of facelift results can vary slightly, depending on factors such as skin quality and the surgical method employed, patients typically retain their initial outcome for many years. Maintaining a regular skin care routine that involves a moisturizer, daily sunscreen, and other skin health products can often extend the lifetime of your results. Refraining from smoking can also be extremely beneficial.

It is common for patients to notice some minor changes to their results after approximately ten or more years, but these effects can often be addressed with non-surgical treatments such as BOTOX® Cosmetic or other cosmetic injectables.

What Is Facelift Recovery Like?

Following facelift surgery, there will likely be swelling and some bruising, as well as some discomfort. However, Dr. Lintner takes great care to conduct surgery in a way that results in minimal bruising. Any post-operative pain can usually be alleviated with oral medication. Many patients are able to see noticeable improvement in their appearance as soon as the next morning when bandages are removed, but final results may not be apparent for several weeks due to swelling. Strenuous activity should be avoided for at least four weeks, but patients can typically return to their daily routines after about 10-14 days. Any resulting scars should be almost undetectable, since the incisions are carefully placed to be well-hidden along the hairline and ears. Once healing is complete, scars will fade and the skin should be smoother, firmer, and more youthful-looking.

Are There Any Complications Associated with Facelift Surgery?

Facelift surgery can be considered safe when performed by an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon; regardless, there is still a degree of risk involved with any type of surgery. Although extremely rare, some complications that could occur with facelift surgery include:

To minimize the chance of potential complications, Dr. Lintner conducts a thorough examination of his patients and their health history, prior to surgery. Additionally, he provides patients with detailed pre- and post-surgical instructions to ensure an ideal outcome. Individuals who smoke are often at a higher risk of developing complications after surgery, so Dr. Lintner advises patients to quit smoking at least four to six weeks prior to surgery, ideally with the intention of never resuming the habit.

What Will My Facelift Scars Look Like?

The exact length and location of facelift scars can differ, based on your individual treatment plan. During surgery, Dr. Lintner takes great care to place incisions in a way that will result in discreet scars that are typically unnoticeable, once healed.

Facelift incisions are frequently made within or along the hairline, ultimately helping ensure that resulting scars can easily be hidden. Certain patients may also have a scar that extends down along the natural crease behind the ear, but due to its location, this type of scarring is also quite inconspicuous. Carefully following the aftercare instructions provided by Dr. Lintner can encourage proper healing and help scars fade successfully.

How Much Does a Facelift Cost?

The cost of facelift surgery can vary, due to the fact that Dr. Lintner creates a highly customized treatment plan for each patient, but the average price is generally around $7,000 (not including complementary procedures such as eyelid surgery or brow lift). This price quote may differ from other results you have seen online, but this is likely because most plastic surgery pricing information available online is only representative of the surgeon’s fee. In addition to your surgeon’s fee, the actual price of facelift surgery will include a multitude of other variables, including anesthesia, prescription medications, hospital or surgical facility fees, and more. The price we have provided above has taken these factors into consideration.

For a more accurate and personalized estimate, please contact us to schedule a consultation with Dr. Lintner.

To help make the price of facelift surgery more manageable for our patients, we offer financing options through reputable plastic surgery lending companies. Qualified applicants are able to make low monthly payments with little to no interest. If needed, our friendly and knowledgeable Patient Care Coordinator, Sabrina, can help you select the financing plan that best meets your needs.

What is a Mini Facelift?

A mini facelift is a less-invasive surgical approach to facial rejuvenation. Whereas a full facelift usually deals comprehensively with the muscles, skin, and fat of the lower and mid-face regions as well as the neck, a mini facelift is a more conservative approach focused primarily on the lower portion of the face. Typically, mini facelift procedures are performed utilizing smaller incisions, which can lead to reduced scarring and less downtime following surgery. Dr. Lintner can evaluate your candidacy for the procedure during a consultation.

I still get praises 5 years after my facelift! I am comfortable sending all family and friends here, They are in the very best hands!Deborah

Can I Get a Facelift Without Surgery?

Although non-surgical facial rejuvenation options are available, there is no treatment that can adequately provide results that are as extensive, comprehensive, or long-lasting as facelift surgery. Certain signs of aging, such as skin laxity, generally cannot be addressed by cosmetic injectables or other popular non-surgical treatments. Depending on the extent of your concerns, Dr. Lintner can help you determine whether or not surgery is the best way to achieve the outcome you desire. If surgical intervention is not necessary, he will recommend a less invasive alternative.

Are There Effective Alternatives to Facelift Surgery?

As mentioned above, non-surgical options for facial rejuvenation are typically unable to provide the same type of results as facelift surgery. Some more invasive treatments and therapies that Advanced Skin Care offers can help, but nothing really offers the result that can be achieved with a facelift.

Additional Facelift Frequently Asked Questions

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Contact Advanced Aesthetic Surgery today to schedule a facelift consultation with cosmetic surgeon Thomas Lintner, MD.

*Individual Results May Vary