Introduction
Over time, gravity, sun exposure, and daily stresses can take their toll on your face. You may see deep creases develop between the nose and mouth (called the nasolabial folds); the jawline grows slack and jowly; folds and fat deposits appear around the neck.
Although no one can stop this natural aging process, a facelift can “turn back the hands of time,” diminishing the visible signs of aging by elevating your facial fat, tightening underlying muscles, and re-draping the skin of your face and neck.
Why a Facelift?
You are a good candidate for a facelift if:
- EYour face and neck have begun to sag, but your skin still has some elasticity and you have a strong and well-defined bone structure
- EYou are in your in your forties to sixties or even seventies or eighties.
A facelift can make you look younger and rejuvenated, and it may enhance your self-confidence in the process.
The subtropical climate in Houston, Texas can accelerate the changes mentioned above, and facelift surgeon Dr. R. Lee Steely is an expert in reversing those changes.
Your Initial Facelift Consultation
At your facelift surgery consultation, Dr. Steely will examine and evaluate your face, the elasticity of your skin, and your bone structure. Dr. Steely will also check for medical conditions that could cause problems during or after the procedure, such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, blood clotting issues, or any tendency you may have in forming excessive scars. Be sure to tell Dr. Steely if you smoke or are taking medications, especially aspirin or other drugs that affect clotting. Dr Steely may require some bloodwork or a preoperative clearance from your family physician to help insure a trouble free recovery.
He will discuss your goals and propose a surgical solution that will come as close to meeting them as is possible. In addition to the facelift, Dr. Steely may also recommend a combination with other procedures such as a brow lift, neck lift, eyelid surgery, or laser resurfacing procedures to achieve the best overall proportional balance.
Dr. Steely will explain in detail all the techniques he will use, the anesthesia, the surgery facility, and the risks and costs. Make sure to ask him any questions you may have, and voice your expectations and concerns about the final results.
How is Facelift Surgery Performed?
Facelift surgery encompasses a wide variety of procedures, everything from less invasive “mini tuck” procedures to more intensive full facial rejuvenation procedures. Dr. Steely and his team at Steely Plastic Surgery use the latest techniques and formulate a custom plan to fit your particular needs and desires.
Some less invasive procedures require only oral sedation and local anesthesia, while more invasive face-lifting procedures require anesthesia.
Preparing for Your Facelift Surgery
Dr. Steely will give you complete instructions on how you should prepare for your facelift surgery. These will include guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. By carefully following these instructions, you will help your surgery go more smoothly.
If your hair is very short, you might want to let it grow out before surgery, so that it’s long enough to hide the incisions while they heal.
You should arrange transportation after surgery and have someone help you out for a day or two at home if needed. Many patients choose to spend the night in our facility with nursing care.
Your Facelift Surgery
Facelift surgery usually takes several hours or somewhat longer if you’re having multiple procedures. For extensive procedures, Dr. Steely may schedule two separate sessions.
Where Dr. Steely places the incisions and the sequence of steps followed depends on the cosmetic procedures performed and your facial structure.
Dr. Steely begins with incisions above the hairline at the temples, extends them in a natural line in front of the ear (or just inside the cartilage at the front of the ear), and continues behind the earlobe to the lower scalp. If undergoing neck rejuvenation, he may make a small incision under the chin. Many times, Dr. Steely incorporates neck lift surgery and usually eyelid lift and brow lift surgery to your facelift procedure to further enhance your result.
In general, Dr. Steely separates the skin from the fat and muscle below. He may trim fat or suction it from around the neck and chin to improve the contour. Dr. Steely then tightens, elevates, and suspends the underlying muscle and tissue, elevates the skin into a more youthful vector, and removes the excess. He will use stitches to secure the layers of tissue and close the incisions.
Dr. Steely may place a temporary drainage tube under the skin behind your ear to drain any fluid that generally stays about 24 hours, and he may also wrap your head loosely in bandages to minimize swelling and bruising.
After Your Facelift Surgery
- EPostoperative discomfort after facelift surgery is surprisingly minimal- most patients tend to describe it as pressure and tightness, not pain.
- EExpect some numbness of the skin that will disappear in a few weeks or months.
- EYou should keep your head elevated for a couple of days after surgery; this will speed your recovery.
- EIf you have a drainage tube inserted, it will be removed one or two days after surgery.
- EIf Dr. Steely has used any bandages, he will usually remove them after one to three days.
- EDr. Steely will remove some stitches after about five days.
- EYour scalp may take longer to heal so Dr. Steely may leave the hairline stitches in for a few days longer.
- EYou should be up and about after a day, but plan to relax and get plenty of rest for the first week post surgery.
- EAvoid strenuous activity for at least three weeks (walking and mild stretching are fine)
- ESince your skin will be tender and numb, be very gentle with your face and hair.
- EMost patients are back at work about ten days to two weeks after surgery.
- EIf needed, you can use special camouflage makeup to mask most bruising that remains.
Dr. Steely will keep you informed and as comfortable as possible at every step of your facelift surgery, from consultation to the final new you.
Facelift Surgery FAQ
Does Facelift Surgery Hurt?
Despite what it may seem with having surgery on your face, there is really very little discomfort with facelifting surgery. Most patients describe a tightness or swelling feeling for several days, but not pain.
Am I Too Old For A Facelift?
As long as you’re are in good health, age is not a contraindication for face lift surgery. Dr. Steely may require a preoperative check-up by your family doctor prior to surgery to insure your safety.
Will Facelift Surgery Make Me Look Fake or Operated On?
A properly performed facelift does not make you look “fake”. It does make you look rested, rejuvenated, younger, and more energetic. Houston facelift surgeon Dr. Lee Steely is an expert in performing the procedure to give you a natural look without the stigmata of surgery.
Does a Facelift Last Forever?
Facelift surgery does not stop time- it only “rolls back the odometer.” Once surgery is completed, you will always look better than you would have without having surgery, but the aging process continues forward despite surgery.
When Can I Go Back To Work After Facelift Surgery?
Recovery time is usually not determined by discomfort, but by the amount of swelling and bruising you may encounter, which is variable depending on the procedure performed and your tissue characteristics. How comfortable you personally feel about having co-workers see swelling or bruising will determine when you can return to work. For those wishing to be discrete, ten days to two weeks would be ideal before returning to work when having full facial rejuvenation procedures, and a full 6 weeks should pass before a major social event ( such as your daughter’s wedding). Smaller procedures can take much less time to recover.
Why Should I Pick Dr. Steely As My Facelift Surgeon in Houston?
Dr. Steely is one of the most knowledgeable and respected surgeons in Texas. His eye for proportion, his attention to detail, and his meticulous surgical technique all contribute to his extremely high patient satisfaction rate and popularity. We invite you for a complimentary consult with Dr. Steely to see what a plastic surgery experience should be.
How Much Does Facelift Surgery Cost?
Fees for face lifting surgery vary widely depending on procedures performed, but costs for small procedures can be as little as $3,000 dollars up to over $20,000 for fuller rejuvenative procedures.
Contact Our Office
Don’t hesitate to contact our office if you’re interested in learning more about facelift surgery. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Robert Steely will happily walk you through the entire process and answer any of the questions you have along the way. Your journey to the breasts you’ve always wanted begins with a consultation.