Facelift Boston - Rhytidectomy Wellesley

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As we begin to age or if we are exposed to large amounts of sun or stress, wrinkled, creased skin can develop on the face, neck or forehead, along with fat deposits and folds around the jaws and jowls. While a facelift can’t stop the aging process, in many cases it can turn it back. It can make you as happy with your face as you are with your life. We find that even our patients in their early forties are opting for a “small” facelift that can be done under a simple local anesthesia. Today’s facelifts are more natural looking and effective than ever. Each year well over 100,000 people have facelifts. And over 45% of people having cosmetic surgery are between 35 and 50 years old. It makes sense to begin taking care of our skin when we can do something small and not wait until everything “falls apart.” It is one arm of the Q2 concept (Quantity and Quality) offered by Dr. William LoVerme. This is what the facelift is about.

The Surgery

Facelift is a common term that often is used to include both the face and neck lift. These are often done together but can be separated in order to tailor the surgery to your needs while minimizing both the scars and recovery time. Facelifts can be performed alone, or with other cosmetic procedures such as eyelid or forehead surgery. Depending on the area to be treated, facelifts usually involve incisions made along the hairline, which extend around the ears to the lower scalp. The skin is lifted away from the fat and muscle underneath, and excess fat is removed.

Dr. LoVerme performs the newest styles of facelift. He may perform a short scar facelift which gives the maximal result through small incisions. Similar to the “Lifestyle Lift”, these small procedures can be accomplished in a short amount of time with a fast healing process for the appropriate patient. This is often called an S-lift or mini face lift, Dr. LoVerme tightens the underlying muscle layer (SMAS or Submuscular Aponeurotic Sling, a band of tissue extending from one cheek arch, around the neck and back to the other cheek), and the skin is then replaced, tightened and secured with invisible sutures in front of the ear.

This “two-layer” facelift, tightens not only the skin but the underlying muscle & fascia for a more natural, but complete result. It puts the volume of the face back where it belongs in a youthful face. The short scar face lift will improve the horizontal portion of the neck (area under the chin) but does not improve all the way down to the clavicles. To improve that area one often needs a standard face lift which requires an incision behind the ear to give the tightest result or fractional laser resurfacing of that area. Dr. LoVerme will tailor the surgical procedure specifically to your needs.

Most often, Dr. LoVerme performs his facial procedures in the office operating room at Accurate Aesthetics Plastic Surgery Center under only a deep intravenous sedation which is administered by a Board Certified Anesthesiologist. There is most often NO need for a general anesthesia.

Other Options

We will discuss with you all of the options to give the best result for you. This may include only non surgical (often called non invasive) procedures or these procedures may be added at the same time or different time than the face lift. Remember, we are trying to address the Quantity and Quality (our Q2 concept) of the skin to give you the best result. These other options may include fractional laser resurfacing (Active, Deep or Total FX), Face by Thermage, Blepharoplasty, Chemical Peel and Botox or injectable fillers such as Juvederm, Restylane or Radiesse. The combination of Botox and fillers is often called a liquid face lift. Remember, our goal is to give you the best natural improvement with the least scar, risk and healing process.

The Recovery

Most patients do not experience much pain or discomfort after a facelift. You will be prescribed adequate medication by Dr. LoVerme in case you need it but many patients take it only for a day or two. Bruising and swelling is minimal and usually fades within 7 to 10 days or less. Arnica Montana (an herb to decrease bruising and swelling) will be supplied to you at the office to help speed the healing process. You will have a bandage or facial compression strap around your face and neck for a few days. If you have a complete neck lift with scars behind the ears then you may have a drain placed which will be removed after 2 to 4 days.
You will not be able shower while the drain is in place. If there is no drain, you will be able to shower and rinse your hair by the third day after surgery. After a few days you will be permitted to wear camouflage makeup if you deem necessary.

After about two weeks (only one week for a short scar facelift) most people find that they can return to work. It will be two to three weeks until you feel pretty enough to dress up and go out to dinner. It is at this point that you will begin to hear comments about how good you look. You will be able to start exercise again about one month after the surgery (less for a short scar facelift). We ask that you allow at least three months before you plan a major social event (such as a son or daughter’s wedding) where pictures will be taken of you. As with any facial surgery, healing continues for six to nine months until every little irregularity settles and sensation in the skin and ears returns to normal.

After the recuperation period many of our patients say, “I wish I’d done it sooner.”
The average facelift done today may last from 5 to 15 years, and follow-up procedures can be performed to keep you looking as good as you can for even many more years. Remember that you will need to keep your skin in as healthy a condition as possible. Both Dr. LoVerme and our medical aesthetician will help with this. We believe so much in the Q2 concept (Quality and Quantity) that each patient having surgery is given a complementary consultation or treatment with our aesthetician to get them started on the right track with continued good skin care..

Call today to schedule an initial consultation with Dr. LoVerme at Accurate Aesthetics Plastic Surgery. Don’t let a few facial imperfections or flaws conceal your vigor and inner facial beauty! Call today (781) 263-0011.