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For patients wanting a more youthful visage, two of the most popular choices are facelifts and forehead lifts. Dr. Rivela’s top-notch surgical skills make him one of the most sought-after plastic surgeons in practice. He was voted “Best Plastic Surgeon” by Woodlands Online every year since 2010.
What is a Facelift?
A facelift, or Rhytidectomy, is a restorative procedure designed to tighten sagging facial muscles, remove excess skin, and reduce the fat of the lower two-thirds of the face, creating a more youthful appearance. Providing lasting improvement for five to 10 years, patients find that the positive change in appearance also helps bring a renewed outlook on life and enhances day-to-day living.
A facelift procedure can also be performed along with other plastic surgery options to help improve outcomes. A forehead or brow lift is designed to remove skin and tighten muscles of the forehead, thus helping to alleviate forehead lines, frown lines, drooping eyebrows, and “hooding” eyelids. A neck lift is also often performed along with a facelift to eliminate excess lax skin on the neck. Additionally, a facelift is often performed along with other procedures, such as eyelid surgery, for a more youthful appearance.
Benefits of a facelift include:
- Tightening sagging skin.
- Smoothing wrinkles.
- Improving facial contours.
- Creating a more defined jawline.
- Improved self-image.
Treating “Ozempic Face” with a Facelift
For individuals who have started their weight loss journey using GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, it is smart to plan for the effects of a weight loss transformation. For those planning on losing a significant amount of weight, excess, loose, and sagging skin may occur. One effect of dramatic weight loss with these medications is what is called “Ozempic face”, or facial sagging. Some patients may benefit from considering a facelift procedure following significant weight loss for a boost in confidence. Incorporating plastic surgery into your weight loss journey can offer several benefits including completing your transformation, improving your physical comfort, and enhancing your overall well-being.
Your Consultation with Dr. Rivela
Your consultation provides an opportunity to interact one-on-one with our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Rivela. This is the time to ask and answer questions, allowing him to set up a game plan for the optimal outcome of your surgical experience.
Be ready to discuss:
- Medical conditions, drug allergies, and medical treatments
- Expectations and desired outcome
- Available Options
- All medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco, and drugs that you are currently taking or using
- Previous surgical history
Dr. Rivela may also:
- Evaluate your general health status, including pre-existing conditions and risk factors
- Examine your face
- Take photographs for your medical records
- Discuss your options and recommend a surgical course of action
- Discuss likely outcomes, risks, and potential complications associated with your surgery
MEET DR. RIVELA
With over 25 years of experience, Lucian J. Rivela M. D., F. A. C. S. is proud to offer some of the most innovative procedures available in cosmetic and plastic surgery, aesthetic treatments, and skincare. Dr. Rivela is board certified and is a member of both The American Society of Plastic Surgeons and The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. He and his staff are dedicated to helping you be your best confident, natural, and authentic self.
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Your Facelift Procedure
Often used in conjunction with brow lifts, eye lifts, or forehead lifts, the surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia but sometimes under local anesthesia with sedation. Facelifts typically take from 2-4 hours, but time will vary depending on what specific procedures are being performed and how many are being performed in the same surgery. Remember to book your surgery to give you an extra month of recovery and two months for a deep facelift.
Ultimately, the surgical technique used during a facelift procedure will depend on the specific type of facelift being performed. The most common facelift surgery procedures include:
Mini-Facelift
Mini-facelifts can be a good option for patients with less advanced wrinkling and sagging in the lower face. This technique is surgically less invasive, with the added benefit of reduced healing time. During treatment, deep facial tissues are tightened through a shorter incision. Depending on the case, a mini-facelift may be performed using local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia.
Standard Facelift
A standard facelift, or traditional facelift, more fully addresses moderate to advanced aging in the midface and neck. While this surgery is more extensive than a mini-facelift, the results are more dramatic. Incisions are created just behind the hairline, through which deeper tissues are repositioned beneath the skin, and lax skin is removed to eliminate howling and sagging skin. This results in a more youthful contour to the face and neck.
Deep Plane Facelift
A deep plane facelift addresses loose skin in the lower face and neck, including jowls, and loss of volume in the mid-face and neck. During a deep plane facelift, the deeper tissues and structures of the face, including the muscles, are repositioned. Fat pads in the cheeks may also be manipulated to achieve a more lifted appearance in the mid-face areas. This technique can provide longer-lasting results than other facelift surgery methods.
About the Procedure
Anesthesia General
Location of Operation Hospital or Surgery Center
Length of Surgery2-4 hours
Length of StayOutpatient (home same day)
Your Facelift Recovery Notes
About the Recovery Process
DiscomfortMild to moderate
Swelling & Bruising2-3 weeks
Bandages1-2 days
Stitches7-10 days
Driving2 weeks
WorkReturn in 5 days
Exercise2-3 weeks
Final Result6 months
Discomfort After: Mild to moderate. Anticipate 1-5 days of prescription pain medication. Tylenol is often sufficient in this treatment. If you have pain beyond what seems to be normal, it’s important to contact our office immediately to ensure there are no complications.
Swelling and Bruising: Improves in a couple of weeks. For deeper facelifts, it can take the swelling a little longer to go down. Reduce swelling by frequently applying cold compresses, and make sure to keep your head elevated at all times. Your face will feel a little tight for the first several weeks, and you can also expect some numbness.
Bandages: Will be applied after surgery and are changed in 1-2 days. Any surgical tubing will be removed then as well.
Stitches: Removed in 7-10 days.
Staples: Staples are typically applied at the hairline and will be removed in two weeks.
Make-up: With a little make-up, you should feel comfortable going out in public in about two weeks. Make-up should not be applied for at least the first week of recovery.
Work: If you have to return to work, you should be physically ready in about five days.
Driving: May be resumed in two weeks if you have stopped taking prescription pain medication.
Exercise: Wait 2-3 weeks before doing any strenuous exercise.
Final result: Will be seen after the scars have matured, which will be about six months. To protect your investment and the health of your skin, always wear sunscreen – and don’t forget the rule: SPF should be 15 or higher.
Go see them, you will NOT be disappointed!
The entire team at Rivela Plastic Surgery is top-notch, knowledgable and compassionate. They made my facelift experience less anxiety provoking than it would have been otherwise. Dr. Rivela is such a kind man, and he delivered on everything he said he would with the surgery. Bye bye ugly marionette lines! I plan on going back for a few more procedures in the future. …Read More…Read Less
Facelift Cost
The cost of a facelift will depend on several factors. The price can be affected by body type, type of technique performed, surgical complications, and even allergies. Find out more by scheduling a consultation.
Schedule a Facelift Consultation
Interested in learning more about facelift surgery in The Woodlands/North Houston? Contact Rivela Plastic Surgery today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Rivela. We look forward to offering compassionate treatment and excellent cosmetic plastic surgery solutions.
Facelift FAQs
How long after a facelift can I exercise?
How long does facelift last?
What factors should be considered when selecting a facelift surgeon?
Are there different types of forehead and facelifts?
Is a facelift permanent?
Does a facelift make you look younger?
How do I prepare for a facelift?
How do you reduce swelling after a facelift?
Who is a good candidate for a facelift?
What are the risks involved with having a facelift?
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