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Facelift
Facelift Surgery
Goals Of A Facelift
- A more rested and youthful contour to the face and neck
- Facial and neck skin with fewer or no wrinkles
-
Improved self-image
Candidates For A Facelift
- Individuals with jowls and hanging skin under the chin and on the front of the neck
- Individuals with facial and neck wrinkles
- Individuals who lack youthful chin and neck contours
What to Expect at your Consultation
After hearing your individual concerns and performing a focused physical examination, your surgeon will provide preliminary recommendations and explain what you can expect from surgery.
Once he determines his surgical plan, our aesthetic coordinator will produce a written quote, which lists all costs of your proposed surgery so that there are no surprises. At that time, an appointment is set for your pre-op visit.
Pre-Op Visit
Your pre-op visit covers several important steps. A medical assistant will take photos, and your surgeon will review the procedure, expected outcomes, and potential risks. Your surgeon will review your medical history and perform a final physical exam to confirm you are ready for surgery. You will also complete consent forms and submit final payment. On the day before surgery we will inform you of your arrival time.
The Facelift Procedure
Dr. Perrotta and Dr. Kerestes perform most facelifts under local anesthesia with IV sedation or general anesthesia. They place each incision carefully within natural contours and creases to keep them well concealed.
They typically use a dual-plane technique, treating the skin and the deeper SMAS and platysma layers separately and repositioning each in a different direction. After elevating the skin, they tighten the SMAS, which significantly improves the jowls and enhances the longevity of the result. As they tighten the SMAS they pull it upward in a vertical direction or vector. In select cases, they extend this work forward to soften the nasolabial folds.
Next, they pull and secure the other deep layer, the platysma muscle, posteriorly (backward) to improve the contour of the neck.
They then re-drape the skin along an oblique vector—upward and backward—distinct from the deeper layers. Most plastic surgeons believe this differential vectoring produces a more refined, natural, and durable outcome.
By contrast, the “deep plane” facelift moves the skin and SMAS together in a single direction. Dr. Perrotta and Dr. Kerestes find this approach less precise and therefore less effective.
In some patients, they add a small incision beneath the chin to remove excess fat and muscle bands, further refining the neck contour.
They finish the procedure by applying a soft, supportive dressing and an elastic wrap.
Post-Op Recovery
You will be able to go home the day of surgery with your head and neck wrapped in bulky dressings, which we usually remove approximately two days later. Any initial discomfort is easily controlled with oral pain medication. We will remove most of your sutures 7-9 days following surgery, although we might leave a few key sutures in for a total of 10-12 days.
You will be able to perform activities of daily living in 2-3 days. Bruising and swelling decrease to “socially acceptable” levels in 10-20 days. In 3-4 weeks you will feel comfortable being seen under good lighting in a restaurant. The final result should be evident in 8-12 weeks, with continued improvement for several more months.
After your procedure, you will follow up with us several times so that we can monitor your healing. To maintain the results of your face lift for as long as possible, we strongly recommend a sound skin care program, periodic chemical peels, and/or laser treatments.
Mini Facelift
A mini facelift is a less aggressive form of facial rejuvenation than a full facelift. Sometimes called a “quick lift” or an “S lift,” our plastic surgeons utilize shorter incisions during a mini facelift than during a full facelift, and the recovery time following one is significantly shorter than that following the more extended procedure.
A mini facelift is very successful in rejuvenating lower third of the face, and it provides some improvement for the middle third of the face and neck.
For your convenience and utmost privacy, we could perform your surgery in the certified operating room located inside our Salisbury office complex.
Goals Of A Mini Facelift
- A more rested and youthful contour to the face and neck
- Fewer lines and wrinkles on face and neck
- Improved self-image
Candidates For A Mini Facelift
- Individuals who have lost skin elasticity on the face and neck
- Individuals who are beginning to develop jowls and hanging skin under the chin
- Individuals who have developed facial and neck wrinkles
What to Expect at your Consultation
After a focused physical examination, your surgeon will provide preliminary recommendations and explain what you can expect from surgery.
Once your surgeon determines his surgical plan, our aesthetic coordinator will produce a written quote, which lists all costs of your proposed surgery so that there are no surprises. At that time, an appointment is set for your pre-op visit.
Pre-Op Visit
Your pre-op visit covers several important steps. A medical assistant will take photos, and your surgeon will review the procedure, expected outcomes, and potential risks—major complications are rare. Dr. Perrotta or Dr. Kerestes will complete your medical history and perform a final physical exam, including vital signs, to confirm you are ready for surgery. You will also complete consent forms and submit final payment. Your arrival time will be provided 24 hours before surgery.
The Mini Facelift Procedure
While Dr. Perrotta and Dr. Kerestes perform most mini facelifts under local anesthesia with IV sedation or general anesthesia, some patients require only local anesthesia with oral sedation.
They place each incision carefully within natural contours and creases to keep them well concealed.
They typically use a dual-plane technique, treating the skin and the deeper SMAS layer separately and repositioning each in a different direction. After elevating the skin, they tighten the SMAS, which significantly improves the jowls and enhances the longevity of the result. As they tighten the SMAS they pull it upward in a vertical direction or vector. In select cases, they extend this work forward to soften the nasolabial folds.
They then re-drape the skin along an oblique vector—upward and backward—distinct from the deeper layer. Most plastic surgeons believe this differential vectoring produces a more refined, natural, and durable outcome.
By contrast, the “deep plane” facelift moves the skin and SMAS together in a single direction. Dr. Perrotta and Dr. Kerestes find this approach less precise and therefore less effective.
They finish the procedure by applying a soft, supportive dressing and an elastic wrap.
Post-Op Recovery
You should be able to go home the day of surgery, with your head and neck wrapped in bulky dressings or a thin, elastic garment. We remove the dressings in a couple of days and replace it with a light, elastic garment. Any initial discomfort is easily controlled with oral pain medication. We will remove the majority of sutures in 7-8 days and key sutures in 10-12 days.
Bruising and swelling decrease to “socially acceptable” levels within 7-21 days. After performing hundreds of face lifts in our Salisbury office complex, our surgeons have found that our patients who have undergone a mini facelift are comfortable returning to work in 10-14 days, whereas this period is three weeks following a full facelift. The final result of your mini facelift will be evident in approximately 8-10 weeks or sooner, with continued improvement for several months.
After your procedure, you will follow up with us several times so that we can monitor your healing. To maintain the results of your mini facelift for as long as possible, we recommend a sound skin care program, periodic chemical peels, and/or specialized laser treatments.
FAQ’s
Who is a good candidate?
Ideal candidates for a facelift include individuals with visible jowls, sagging skin under the chin and on the neck, noticeable facial and neck wrinkles, and those who wish to restore a more youthful contour to their face and neck.
When will I see the results?
Initial improvements are noticeable shortly after surgery. However, the final results of a facelift typically emerge within 8-12 weeks, with continued improvement over several months as swelling and bruising subside.
How long do the results last?
The results of a facelift can last for many years, but this varies by individual. Factors such as skin type, lifestyle, and general health can affect the longevity of results. A medical grade skin care program and periodic follow-up treatments such as chemical peels or laser therapy may help maintain the effects.
What should I do before and after?
Before the surgery, patients should follow specific instructions provided by their surgeon, including guidelines on eating, drinking, and medication adjustments. Post-surgery, following all care instructions is crucial, including wearing the prescribed dressings, managing pain with medication, and avoiding strenuous activities to ensure proper healing.
Is there any downtime or side effects?
Patients typically return home on the day of the surgery. Recovery includes wearing bulky dressings for at least a day, with sutures removed in stages over the first few weeks. Bruising, swelling, and discomfort gradually diminish over a few weeks.
What can I expect?
Dr. Perrotta and Dr. Kerestes will tailor a surgical plan to your needs. The facelift involves incisions within the hairline, around the ears and, in some cases, under the chin. Your surgeon tightens the SMAS layer and removes the excess skin. Recovery requires follow-up visits and maintenance recommendations.
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Salisbury
- 314 W. Carroll St. Ste #1
Salisbury, MD 21801 - Phone: 410-546-0464
- Fax: 410-546-8529
Millsboro
- 30265 Commerce Dr. Ste #208
Millsboro, DE 19966 - Phone: 302-663-0119
- Fax: 302-663-0120
Berlin
- 124 N. Main St. Ste B
Berlin, MD 21811 - Phone: 410-449-3993
- Fax: 410-449-3992