Facelift

Sagging, drooping and wrinkling of the face and neck occur naturally with increasing age. While nonsurgical procedures can provide quick results to address fine lines, enlarged pores, and skin discoloration, only surgery can address the problems of loose sagging skin, excess fat deposits, and the loss of muscle tone that create deep facial creases and cheek jowls as we age.

A facelift (rhytidectomy) is a surgical procedure that can dramatically improve your overall appearance by removing some of the visible signs of aging to restore a younger look to your face. Often, for maximum effect, a full facelift or a mid facelift is performed in combination with a blepharoplasty (eyelid lift) to address drooping upper eyelids and certain wrinkles in the eye area; or with a brow lift, to reduce severe wrinkles in the forehead area. Nonsurgical procedures, such as chemical peels, may complement the results of surgery.

All facelift surgery is individualized to address your specific needs, including: reducing sagging in the midface and softening creasing that extends from the nose down to the corner of the mouth, and removing excess fat deposits under the chin and jaw.  

Please call 610-667-33030 to schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Pollard. She can answer your questions about all surgical and non-surgical options available, and help you decide which procedures are right for you.

 

 

FAQs

 

What Can I Expect After Surgery?

Your head will be wrapped loosely in bandages to minimize bruising and swelling. For a few days following surgery, you will be asked to keep your head elevated while you sleep to keep the swelling down. You should not have much discomfort after surgery, and any discomfort can be relieved with pain medication.

Bandages are removed after 1 to 5 days. Most of the stitches are removed within 5 days. However, any stitches or metal clips in the hairline may remain for a few extra days if the scalp takes longer to heal.

Expect to have some swelling, bruising, skin discoloration and tenderness for about 10 to 14 days after the surgery. Your face may appear bruised and puffy for several weeks, depending upon the extent of the operation. You also may experience some numbness of the skin following surgery. This is normal and usually disappears within a few weeks or months.

Most of the surgical scars will remain hidden in the hairline or the natural lines of your face.  These scars will fade over time; however, you will be advised to limit your sun exposure to ensure the best possible result.

While surgical procedures do require some down time—you may want to refrain from your normal activities until your bruises diminish—they do provide long-lasting results.  Although a facelift cannot stop the aging process, expect the results to last for 10 to 15 years.

How long does a facelift take to perform?

A facelift is an outpatient procedure that takes several hours, depending upon the type of lift performed. There are full facelifts that include the brow, face and neck; neck and chin lifts; and mid-face lifts—each designed to target a particular area according to your individual concerns. 

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How long is the recovery period?

Depending upon the specifics of your operation, you may wear a compression bandage and may have to sleep with your head elevated for a few days. Plan to take at least one week off from work or public activities; your bruises should begin to fade within two weeks. Wait at least three weeks, if not longer, to resume strenuous activities and exercise.

Are there any complications associated with facelift surgery?

You will experience swelling and bruising that can last for several days or weeks depending upon the extent of the procedure. You may experience numbness in the weeks following surgery. These are normal occurrences, and not a cause for concern. As with any surgery, there is a risk of infection. You should keep the incision sites clean and report any unusual discharge immediately.

How long will the results last?

Although a facelift cannot stop the aging process, you will look better than if you never had facelift surgery. Your face will continue to age with time; however, you will always appear younger than if you had not had a facelift. Expect the results to last up to 10 years, depending on your age and other circumstances.

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Dr. Pollard invites you to call 610-667-3303 to schedule your Philadelphia in-office consultation, or click here to request additional information. Dr. Pollard's highly trained staff will be happy to answer any questions or address any concerns.

For more information about  faclifts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,, visit the ASPS website.

Emily Pollard, MD, FACS - Plastic and Reconstructive Therapy