Facelift in Fort Lauderdale, FL
What Is Facelift Surgery?
Men and women in Fort Lauderdale and Broward County have many anti-aging options that will soften lines and wrinkles. In some cases, though, surgery is necessary to address more advanced signs of aging that cannot be treated with injectables and skin rejuvenation alone. As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. David J. Levens tailors facelift surgery to the individual cosmetic needs of each patient so that men and women in Fort Lauderdale and Broward County feel more confident about their facial appearance.
What is a Facelift?
A facelift, also known as rhytidectomy, is a procedure that lifts and tightens facial tissue to address signs of aging and rejuvenate the appearance. It can be ideal for addressing loose, sagging tissues of the mid-face, deep folds of loose skin at the sides of the nose and mouth, jowls or loss of definition of the jaw line, and excess fat or loose skin causing loss of definition and “hanging” of the tissues in the neck area.
How Does a Facelift Work?
A facelift can help restore a more youthful appearance to the face by trimming and tightening excess skin, as well as removing excess fat in and around the face. The surgical process typically involves incisions that are made along the hairline, which start at the temples and extend down in front of and behind the ears. Through these incisions, excess skin can be trimmed and tightened to eliminate wrinkles, sagging skin and folds.
Full Facelift vs. Mini Facelift
It’s important to consider that you might not need a full facelift to achieve a more youthful appearance. A full facelift addresses the midface, lower face and neck, which is ideal for patients struggling with deep wrinkles, sagging skin and jowls. A mini facelift is a less invasive procedure that only targets the lower face and jawline. The mini facelift may be ideal for patients requiring less extensive improvements to the face, as it comes with less scarring and less recovery time.
What are the Benefits of a Facelift?
The facelift is known for turning back time and taking years off the appearance. Specific benefits of the facelift surgery include:
- Reduction of wrinkles and lines
- Tightening of sagging skin
- Rejuvenation of the face and neck
- Enhanced facial contours
- Easily combined with other procedures for enhanced results
Facelift Before and After Photos
Face Lift Case 1
Patient Information
Age: 69 Height: 5' 7" Weight: 157 lbs
Patient Information
Age: 71 Height: 5' 3" Weight: 143 lbs
Are You A Candidate For a Facelift?
The best candidates for a facelift are healthy men and women who feel the skin and muscle of the face and/or neck areas have loosened to create an undesirable, aging appearance. The average age of facelift patients is about 60 years old, but it can be suitable for patients as young as their mid-40s or as mature as their 70s.
The best way to determine your candidacy for a facelift is to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Levens. During your consultation, you can discuss your cosmetic goals as Dr. Levens helps you identify whether a facelift is an appropriate solution. If it is, he’ll develop a personalized treatment plan and explain what you can expect leading up to, during and after your surgery.
How Much is a Facelift?
The cost of facelift starts at $9,000. However, prices may vary due to specials and/or the facility used. An individual treatment plan will be developed during your consultation with Dr. Levens. After the appointment, we will provide you with a total cost and explain your payment options, including cash, personal check, Visa®, MasterCard® and American Express®. If you are interested in financing your mommy makeover surgery, our patient coordinators will explain how to apply for CareCredit®, Alphaeon Credit, or Prosper® Healthcare Lending.
Can a Facelift Be Combined with Other Procedures?
Yes, facelifts are a treatment that can be easily combined with other facial surgery procedures for enhanced facial rejuvenation. Some of the best treatments to combine with a facelift include:
During your complimentary consultation, Dr. Levens will discuss your particular areas of concern and provide recommendations for the combination of treatments that will produce the best results.
Why Choose Dr. David J. Levens?
Dr. David J. Levens, FACS, is an exceptional plastic, cosmetic, and reconstructive surgeon practicing in Coral Springs since 1989. With a career spanning over three decades, he has established himself as a highly respected and experienced professional in the field. Dr. Levens is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), and he is a member of prestigious organizations such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).
When it comes to facelift surgery, Dr. Levens is known for his surgical skill and expertise. He offers a comprehensive range of sophisticated plastic surgery procedures and treatments for the face and body. However, what sets him apart is his patient-centric approach. Dr. Levens takes the time to understand each patient's unique situation and helps them choose the most suitable procedure or treatment to achieve their desired outcome. His expertise, combined with his compassionate and meticulous approach, make him an excellent choice for those looking to undergo facelift surgery. Learn more about Dr. Levens or read his reviews.
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What Happens During Facelift Surgery?
In order to reposition facial tissues, the skin and deeper tissues of the face are first carefully shifted. The deeper tissues are lifted in an upward direction before the skin is repositioned mostly backward and slightly upward to create a harmonious natural appearance. In the neck area, malposition of neck muscles is corrected to provide better support and an ideal contour. In both face and neck areas, excess or malpositioned fatty tissue is removed or sculpted using liposuction or direct removal. After re-draping the skin and soft tissues, excess tissue is removed, and the incisions are very carefully closed. Incisions are carefully concealed within the hair in the area of the temples, in skin creases in front of and behind the ear, and in the hair behind the ears. Dr. Levens will discuss specific incision locations with you during your consultation.
What are the Risks of Facelift Surgery?
There are a few important risks to consider before pursuing a facelift.
Facelift Limitations
Certain tissue characteristics present special challenges which can impact the level of success that can be achieved by a facelift procedure. These include thick, heavy, oily skin, sun damaged skin, excessive fatty tissue, and changes in the tissue resulting from previous surgical procedures. Dr. Levens will discuss any specific limitations with you at the time of your initial consultation. In most cases, there are techniques he can use to compensate for special tissue challenges.
Surgical Risks
There is a very small risk of impairing nerves that control facial movement during facelift surgery, depending on the extent of procedure necessary to achieve desired results. Dr. Levens will discuss this in more detail with you during your consultation. You will likely have areas of numbness that can last for weeks or months. Risks common to all plastic surgical procedures such as bleeding, infection, and scar tissue formation occur in a very small percentage of cases. We will give you more detailed information about these and other rare risks in our written information, and encourage you to discuss any that concern you during your consultation.
How Painful is Facelift Surgery?
In the first few days following a facelift, it is common to experience discomfort, tightness, and mild pain in the facial area. Dr. Levens will prescribe pain medication to help manage any postoperative pain. Swelling and bruising are expected after a facelift and can contribute to discomfort. Swelling is usually most pronounced during the first week or two and gradually subsides over several weeks. It's also common to experience temporary numbness and altered sensation in the face and neck area after a facelift.
You will feel some tightness in the neck area immediately after your facelift. This early tightness is necessary to produce the best possible results long-term. Most of the tight feeling fades entirely during the first several weeks after surgery.
How Long is Facelift Recovery?
Facelift recovery is generally quite rapid though actual recovery time varies from person to person. Facelifts are done on an outpatient basis, with most patients making a full recovery within three months. The typical schedule of recovery is:
- Bruising and swelling for 5 to 10 days.
- Return to work and social activities within 10 to 21 days.
- Partake in aerobic or strenuous activities within 14 to 21 days.
Patients should avoid any aerobic activity that increases your pulse over 100 BPM, as this will increase your blood pressure and could make you bleed if it occurs too soon after surgery. Keep in mind while many patients make a full recovery and return to all activities within 3 months, it can take 6-12 months for the final results of the facelift to become visible.
Post Surgery Frequently Asked Questions
What to Eat After Facelift Surgery?
In the initial days after surgery, you may experience some difficulty chewing. Additionally, it's important to follow a nutritious diet that promotes healing, supports the immune system, and aids in recovery. During the first few days, you may want to plan to eat soft and easily digestible foods such as soups, smoothies, mashed potatoes, yogurt, scrambled eggs, and cooked vegetables. Once your diet can be expanded, it is recommended to build a nutritious diet around the following criteria:
- Drink lots of water
- Foods high in fiber
- Foods high in protein
- Anti-inflammatory foods
- Foods rich in vitamins and minerals
- No processed foods
When Can I Sleep on My Side After Facelift?
Patients are advised to sleep on their back and/or in an elevated position for the first few weeks following facelift surgery. This is done to minimize pressure on the face, promote proper healing, and reduce the risk of complications. Sleeping on your side too soon could potentially put pressure on the incisions, disrupt the healing process, and cause discomfort. You may resume sleeping on your side after the initial healing phase, which is typically about 3-4 weeks after surgery, although the exact timeline will be different for each patient.
Is a Facelift Permanent?
While a facelift can provide dramatic, long-lasting results, it is not considered permanent. It is often said that a facelift does not stop the clock, it simply “resets” it. Many factors influence how long the initial results will last. The inherent characteristics of your tissues and factors such as cigarette smoking and sun exposure play major roles. In the years following surgery, your body will continue to age and you may notice gradual changes in the appearance of the face as this happens. For most patients, it takes 7 to 10 years before the face returns to its pre-surgery appearance. At this point, patients can prolong their results with additional skin tightening procedures, typically requiring less extensive surgery than the initial facelift procedure.
Dr. Levens has been providing facelift surgery for women in Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale, and throughout Broward County since 1989. To learn more about the facelift procedure or to schedule your complimentary consultation, contact us today.
