Do you feel that your face does not reflect your youthful spirit? Are signs of facial aging causing self-confidence issues? If this sounds like you, you may be able to benefit from a facelift procedure to take years off of your facial appearance and make you look more youthful overall! In St. Petersburg, FL, patients turn to board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher Newman for effective facelift surgery to reverse signs of aging and enjoy life with improved confidence.

What is a Facelift?

A facelift is a comprehensive plastic surgery procedure to treat signs of facial aging such as wrinkling and sagging caused by the aging process. During the procedure, excess skin is removed, underlying tissues and muscles are tightened, and the skin on the face and neck is redraped. Every year, thousands of individuals undergo facelift surgery to rejuvenate their facial appearance. In St. Petersburg, Florida, facelift patients turn to the procedure to look younger and improve their overall appearance. Through this procedure, you can achieve a younger-looking face with lifted cheeks, reduced wrinkles and lines, and reduced sagging such as jowls.

Who is a Good Candidate for a Facelift?

Individuals with sagging skin in their midface and/or jawline, loss of facial fat volume, or deep creases that extend from the nose to the corners of the mouth down to the chin (also known as marionette lines) can often benefit from a facelift. The procedure is suitable for a man or a woman, as it addresses aging signs that everyone may face regardless of gender. A facelift is designed to address aging signs primarily in the mid-to-lower-face, so patients who are primarily concerned with fine lines, wrinkles, or sagging around the eyes or through the forehead may be more interested in another plastic surgery procedure. Dr. Newman will evaluate your goals for your St. Petersburg facelift and determine if you are a good candidate or if you are better suited to another type of plastic surgery. He will help guide you through each step of the decision-making process regarding your cosmetic surgery.

Ideal candidates for a St. Petersburg facelift will be in general good health and have realistic expectations for the outcome of their procedure. It’s best if you are also a nonsmoker, as smoking interferes with the healing process and can negatively impact your results. Dr. Newman will evaluate your health and assess your goals during a consultation. Contact us today to schedule a consultation appointment with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Newman to get started.

The Facelift Procedure

Facelifts are traditionally done under general anesthesia. Dr. Christopher Newman prefers to perform St. Petersburg faceliftsTotal IV sedation (TIVS) because it eliminates the need for a breathing tube during the surgery. By using TIVS, the facelift surgery can be completed with a gentle, less invasive form of anesthesia while still having the safety and monitoring of a board-certified anesthesiologist during the procedure.

The facelift procedure often focuses on the lower areas of the face such as the jawline, jowls, and cheeks. Once incisions are created, various degrees of undermining of the skin is performed, and deep layers of the face are lifted. Underlying connective tissue is then repositioned, and excess fat and skin are removed. Typically, incisions are made in the hairline near the ears, so any resulting scarring can be easily concealed. If a facelift is also performed with a neck lift, the neck muscles will be drawn together to support the entire neck and jaw. This reduces drooping or jowls at the jaw line and loose skin or bands in the neck region. Finally, the skin will be redraped over the new facial structures and incisions will be closed.

The goal of a facelift is to create a more youthful-looking you with beautiful, natural-looking results. During your consultation in our St. Petersburg, FL practice, Dr. Newman will review all of your concerns and explain which techniques will be used during your surgery so you are fully informed and prepared.

Mini Facelift

A mini facelift, also known as a short scar facelift, is an alternative technique to a traditional facelift which requires fewer or smaller incisions, but still results in a more youthful appearance. Typically, this option is best for patients who have less severe aging signs. While less extensive than a traditional facelift, mini facelift patients should note that the procedure is still considered an invasive facial plastic surgery option. After a consultation in our St. Petersburg, FL office, Dr. Newman will determine if this technique is recommended for you.

Combining Facelift with Other Cosmetic Surgery

Because facelift results only address aging in the lower parts of the face, many patients choose the procedure with another type of cosmetic surgery to enhance their results. For example, Dr. Newman may suggest that you pair your surgery with a blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, to address sagging or drooping eyelids or a brow lift surgery to reduce drooping eyebrows and forehead lines. Combining various types of cosmetic surgery in this way can make you look more refreshed throughout the entire face.

Downtime and Recovery after Facelift

After surgery, patients should be driven home by a trusted family member or friend who can also care for them in the early stages of their recovery. Following their facelift, patients may be placed in a compression garment, which should be worn exactly as directed. Bruising and swelling may occur, and any pain or discomfort can be lessened with pain medication. Some patients may experience a feeling of tightness in their neck following surgery, which is not unusual and is temporary. It is recommended that patients sleep with their head elevated for the first two weeks to help reduce additional swelling. Patients should also refrain from any strenuous activities for 2-6 weeks after their procedure. During post-operative appointments, Dr. Newman will advise when you can return to activities including work, exercise, or other routines. The exact amount of downtime required will vary depending on the amount of change that was desired. Most patients return to work or other routine activities about a week or two after their plastic surgery procedure.

How Much Does a Facelift Cost?

The final cost of a facelift varies depending on the expertise of your plastic surgeon, the location where your surgery is performed, the extent of the surgery, and other factors. In Florida, the average cost of this cosmetic surgery ranges from about $6,000 to $14,000 for a more extensive procedure with dramatic results. During your consultation, Dr. Newman will explain the specific cost for your facelift surgery.

Schedule a Consultation

Are you ready to turn back the clock? Contact our St. Petersburg office today to schedule your facelift consultation appointment with Dr. Chrstopher Newman today.

Facelift FAQ’s

How do you take care of your face after a facelift?

Sleeping on your back with your head slightly elevated will aid in your facelift recovery. If you are given a compression garment, it’s important to wear it as directed by your surgeon. Avoiding direct sunlight, staying hydrated, and keeping your face clean will also be beneficial.

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