At Nesmith Plastic Surgery Center, we receive patients who have spent years treating their skin with utmost care — exfoliating, toning, moisturizing — and patients whose signs of aging seemed to appear overnight.
Beyond hoping to minimize visible signs of aging by merely nourishing their skin, many men and women turn to facelift procedures to regain the looks of their youth. Dr. Nesmith and the staff at Nesmith Plastic Surgery Center are highly trained professionals who specialize in facelifts and other surgical and nonsurgical procedures.
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a procedure used by plastic surgeons all over the world to reduce the signs of aging by:
Minimizing or eliminating the appearance of sagging skin and tissue in the middle of the face
Correcting deep creases under the eyes, along the nose, and around the corner of the mouth
Removing displaced fat and tissue that can cause puffiness or sagging
Correcting the loss of muscle tone
Removing tissue, fat, and loose skin that can cause the appearance of a double chin
How is a facelift done?
Each patient’s needs differ, so a rhytidectomy is a personalized cosmetic procedure. During an initial consultation with Dr. Nesmith, our patients are encouraged to be honest about the areas they find problematic, whether it be age spots, sagging skin, or deeply set wrinkles and creases. If you and Dr. Nesmith determine that a rhytidectomy is the best procedure to reach your desired results, you will choose among the following options.
Traditional Facelift
A traditional facelift targets the lower half of the face. The incision is made in the hairline at the temples and extends around and behind the ear. Underlying and deep facial tissues are repositioned, and muscles are lifted.
Dr. Nesmith then drapes the skin over the new contours and trims excess skin before closing the incision. Depending on the patient’s goals, facial fat may be redistributed or sculpted during this procedure.
Mini Facelift
Generally, a mini facelift targets the lower third of the face. These areas are prone to showing signs of aging, such as early jowls and saggy skin. The procedure smooths and uplifts facial contours for more distinction in the lower face and neck. Mini facelifts usually result in less bruising, swelling, and tenderness than a traditional procedure.
Short-Scar Facelift
Similar to a mini facelift, a short-scar facelift — also called an S-lift or ponytail lift — smooths the jowls and lower face, including loose or sagging skin around the neck. The incision used for a short-scar facelift is half the length of the one used during a traditional procedure. Also, the patient’s hairline and sideburns are left intact with an S-lift.
Who is a good candidate for facelift surgery in Gainesville?
Generally, good candidates for a rhytidectomy are nonsmokers without medical conditions that would impact their recovery. Patients should have realistic expectations of what the procedure can achieve. These people may qualify for this procedure if they have:
Existing skin damage, such as from the sun and other factors
Loose facial or neck skin
Diminished skin elasticity and flexibility
Strong facial bone structure
Before the surgery, Dr. Nesmith conducts a comprehensive consultation with each patient to discuss:
Cosmetic goals
Full medical history, including pre-existing conditions
Surgical techniques that will be used
Why choose a facelift in Gainesville?
People may choose to undergo a Gainesville facelift procedure for many reasons. Some do it because the signs of aging displayed on their faces impact their confidence and self-esteem. People employed in fields that make them highly visible, such as television, public relations, modeling, photography, cosmetics, and fitness often feel pressure to maintain a youthful appearance.
Many of our patients have struggled with looking older than they really are, possibly due to environmental factors, high-stress jobs, smoking, and the way each person’s body reacts and adapts to aging.
Improve confidence and reduce signs of aging
Maintain a youthful appearance for highly visible jobs
Lessen premature aging
If you want to turn back the clocks on your facial features and look like you regained 5 years, 10 years, or even 15 years, ask Dr. Nesmith how a facelift can improve your appearance.
The most common factors that lead a patient to receive a rhytidectomy are loss of skin elasticity, loss of collagen, deep-set expression lines, shifting or redistribution of fat deposits and tissue, and loss of muscle tone. To address these issues, Dr. Nesmith may recommend a facelift alone or in conjunction with other surgical or nonsurgical treatments.
Tightening the Facial Muscles
Underlying facial muscles also begin to sag with age. By adjusting and tightening these muscles, tension is released from facial skin. The less tension there is, the longer the results of the facelift will last.
Repairing Loose Skin
Loose skin is trimmed and gently tightened to cover the new facial contours. This is done carefully to achieve the subtle change most patients want to see.
Improving Facial Contours
Depending on the type of procedure a patient chooses, facial contours can be improved with the procedure. Examples include smoothing the cheeks and lower eyelids with a mid-facelift and eliminating jowls with a mini facelift.
Facelift Recovery
After the procedure, every patient receives instructions on how to care for the incisions, skin, and self during recovery.
Bandages are used around the face and head to help reduce bruising and swelling, and a drainage tube may be placed behind the ear. Numbness, skin discoloration, and swelling may occur in the first two weeks after a facelift.
Most patients are able to return to work and basic activities within two weeks. However, patients who have additional procedures done at the same time may experience a longer surgery time and recovery period.
Does a facelift include the neck?
A neck lift is part of a facelift or can be done as a separate procedure. Neck lift surgery can remove the appearance of jowls and a double chin. Additionally, a chin implant can be used to correct a weak or retrusive chin. Some patients elect to have eyelid surgery or brow lift surgeries performed at the same time. Eyelid surgery removes sagging skin and fat pockets to restore a refreshed appearance.
What's the difference between a full facelift and a lower facelift?
A lower or mini facelift focuses primarily on the jawline and neck. A traditional or full facelift also addresses sagging in the cheek and jowl. A mini facelift can be an option for younger patients with early aging in their lower face.
How long does a facelift take?
Depending on the type of rhytidectomy and any additional procedures performed, it can take between 2-5 hours.
Is a facelift considered major surgery?
In healthy, carefully selected patients, a rhytidectomy is a very safe procedure and is tolerated well. At Nesmith Plastic Surgery Center, these procedures are usually performed under sedation. Patients wake up easily without a sore throat, nausea, or pain.
Patients are monitored at all times before, during, and after the procedure. You will be able to go home the same day of your surgery. We normally see patients the following day to remove all dressings.
What are the risks of a rhytidectomy?
When this procedure is completed by a surgeon certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, complications are infrequent. However, all surgeries include risk.
Possible complications of facelift procedures include:
Anesthesia complications
Bleeding
Hematoma
Infection
Scarring
Swelling & Bruising
Temporary nerve damage or numbness
It is important to choose a qualified surgeon to achieve optimal results. In men, it can be more difficult to achieve the natural contours of the face after surgery because of facial hair in front of the ear. Occasionally, a facelift can lead to distorted earlobes. If too much skin is removed during the procedure, the face may look pulled-back or startled.
To get the best facelift results, consult with the board-certified surgeons at Nesmith Plastic Surgery.
Generally, bruising and swelling can last for two weeks, peaking between 48 and 72 hours after surgery. Dr. Nesmith may instruct you to reduce swelling with cold compresses.
When will you start to see the results of the procedure?
Some results should be visible even with facial swelling the day after surgery. A normal recovery time is 3-6 weeks, but full results may appear after a year.
How long for facelift scars to fade?
After 6 months, your incisions should be fully healed and begin to fade. They should continue to fade over the year following surgery. Most facelift scars are generally undetectable once they are fully healed.
How long does a facelift last?
Like any cosmetic surgery, the effects of a rhytidectomy are not permanent. After 10 years, the majority of patients still look younger than they did prior to surgery. Good skincare like wearing sunblock, proper nutrition, etc. can help maintain your facelift for longer.
How much does a facelift cost?
You can view our pricing for various facelift procedures and combinations here.
What is a nonsurgical facelift?
Along with surgical techniques, Nesmith Plastic Surgery Center offers nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, such as dermal fillers. If you are interested in nonsurgical facial rejuvenation, view our treatment options here.