Facelift and Necklift
The art of rhytidectomy, or a facelift, is more than simply lifting or pulling. Essential to facial rejuvenation during a rhytidectomy (facelift) is the skillful isolation, handling, and suspension of the deeper facial tissues. At the Aesthetic Institute of Oklahoma, our Oklahoma City facial plastic surgeon Scott Shadfar, MD allows the underlying structural anatomy to show through by sliding the tissues into the previous position they once occupied before time and gravity intervened.
Key Facelift Terms to Know
Patient education and a robust understanding of the facelift procedure are often key to obtaining a successful, satisfactory result. As you familiarize yourself with facelift surgery, we encourage you to become acquainted with common terminology you may encounter throughout your research:
- Rhytidectomy: The technical name for facelift surgery is rhytidectomy, whose literal translation is “wrinkle (rhytid-) removal (-ectomy).”
- Jowls: Refers to the loose skin or tissue that hangs along either side of the cheeks and/or jawline. Often considered a primary sign of facial aging, jowls can only be corrected with surgical procedures like a facelift.
- Nasolabial Folds: Creases that border the nose and mouth, typically extending from the nostrils to the corners of the lips. These wrinkles deepen as time goes on and may be referred to as “smile lines” or “parentheses creases.”
- Platysma Bands: Vertical bands that develop on the front and sides of the neck as we age. These cord-like bands are caused by muscles in the neck whose edges become more visible over time.
- Deep-Plane Facelift: A facelift technique designed to address all layers of the facial tissue, rather than treating just the superficial skin. Since the deep underlying tissue of the face is repositioned, results can be quite enduring and appear very natural.
- SMAS Facelift: A facelift procedure designed to correct the Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System (SMAS) — a layer of tissue between the skin and subcutaneous fat. By targeting the SMAS layer, a facelift can restore lost internal support and greatly reduce jowls.
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- After
INDICATIONS FOR FACELIFT AND NECK LIFT SURGERY
A facelift with or without a neck lift is often considered the premier method of facial rejuvenation for a broad spectrum of aesthetic concerns. The procedure is designed to target the underlying plane of musculature in addition to the superficial layer of skin, and results from surgery can last much longer than other anti-aging treatments. Indications of age that can be treated with this procedure include:
- Loose skin in the face and neck
- Jowls, or sagging skin along the jawline
- Wrinkles and facial creases caused by skin laxity
- Horizontal neck bands
- Loose musculature in the neck compromising a smooth contour
A consultation can be a great opportunity to learn whether a facelift and neck lift is the most ideal treatment to help you fulfill your cosmetic goals.
THE TECHNIQUE
Rhytidectomy is performed under deep sedation or a general anesthetic in an operating room. This allows Dr. Shadfar to access the deeper tissues through small incisions around the ears and, sometimes, a single small incision under the chin if the neck muscles need tightening as well (neck lift). Using his signature extended deep plane SMAS rhytidectomy, Dr. Shadfar can resuspend the muscular and fascial tissues that have descended over time. Simultaneously in a separate plane, he can redrape the skin in a natural position and avoid any excess tension or an unnatural, over-pulled, or “wind-swept” result.
Deep Plane Facelift
By and large, the most rejuvenating and longest-lasting facelift outcomes typically result from a deep plane facelift. This technique repositions and alters the facial structures deep within the underlying tissues to provide a powerful, natural-looking result. As the name suggests, a deep plane facelift reaches the tissue layers below the SMAS layer, allowing the procedure to more comprehensively correct laxity in the face, jaw, and neck, although the technique still greatly enhances the mid-face and nasolabial folds in most patients. Due to the invasive nature of a deep plane facelift, not all plastic surgeons are adept in performing the technique. Dr. Shadfar is one of few facial plastic surgeons in Oklahoma City who is highly skilled and extensively trained in executing a deep plane facelift. By addressing the deeper tissue layers, results can last significantly longer than other facelift techniques and many patients are usually able to enjoy their refreshed appearance for years.
THE RECOVERY
Although facelift surgery can be performed as an outpatient procedure, many of our patients elect to stay overnight with the help of our well-trained nursing staff. Once the procedure is complete, patients will wear a light, compressive head wrap for 24 hours. The following morning, patients will have the dressing removed and Dr. Shadfar will examine the operative site. We will demonstrate how to clean the incisions around the ears. The sutures will remain in place for one week. Patients can expect swelling and bruising around the surgical site, which should both resolve within the first week for the majority of individuals. Makeup and skincare regimens can be restarted on day 10 after the procedure. Patients usually experience minimal downtime of one to two weeks before returning to desk work level activities, and we ask those who are traveling from out of town to stay for routine checks during this time period. By three weeks, we allow patients to return to exertional activities and exercise without restrictions.
- Before
- After
NON-SURGICAL FACELIFT
While a rhytidectomy is often considered the most effective and enduring treatment for facial aging available, Dr. Shadfar also provides an array of minimally invasive options to rejuvenate the appearance of the face without the need for surgery or downtime. Namely, a liquid facelift is designed to target common signs of age, such as fine lines and facial volume deficits, using a strategic combination of dermal fillers and injectable treatments. Wrinkles and creases can be smoothed, while a hollow look in the cheeks or tear troughs can be improved for a fuller, more youthful aesthetic. A liquid facelift often utilizes popular treatments like BOTOX® Cosmetic to address horizontal brow creases and expression lines, as well as various JUVÉDERM® products to fill in “smoker’s lines,” nasolabial folds, and sunken facial planes. Whether these non-surgical injectables are pursued as stand-alone treatments or as part of a comprehensive liquid facelift, they can offer natural-looking facial rejuvenation and relatively long-lasting results.
COMPLEMENTARY PROCEDURES TO FACELIFT AND NECK LIFT SURGERY
Signs of age are not always confined to the lower two-thirds of the face and it is not uncommon for patients to seek adjunctive treatments for their concerns. If lax skin and creases are present in the upper third of the face and create a look of anger or stress, a forehead or brow lift may be an effective complementary procedure to smooth horizontal wrinkles and raise the eyebrows to a more youthful location. Many individuals also undergo blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) with their rhytidectomy to tighten the skin around the eyes, minimize puffy or baggy eyelids, and achieve a more refreshed and rested appearance. Patients will often utilize dermal fillers to address the nasolabial folds and perioral region to complement their natural facelift result. For those interested in combining procedures, Dr. Shadfar can consult with you to develop the best treatment plan to make your desired aesthetic a reality.
Choosing a Top Facelift Surgeon
When it comes to plastic surgery of the face, the need for an extensively skilled plastic surgeon is more critical than ever. The face is central to how we feel about ourselves, as well as how we present ourselves to the world. For these reasons and more, it’s in your best interest to entrust your appearance, safety, and overall goals to someone who offers the highest quality of care during facelift surgery — an experienced facial plastic surgeon who has been certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS). Dr. Scott Shadfar specializes exclusively in surgical reconstruction of the face, head, and neck, making him an expert in reducing facial aging while attaining facial balance. Dr. Scott Shadfar is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon and has been providing Oklahoma City with elegant, natural facelift results for many years. In addition to his expertise, he offers patients a safe, private, and fully accredited surgical facility to achieve their cosmetic goals.
