Face Lift Surgery (Rhytidectomy) in Clearwater

What Is Face Lift Surgery?

Face lift surgery, also known as rhytidectomy, is a facial rejuvenation procedure that restores a more youthful appearance to your face. A face lift procedure can reduce sagging or skin folds on the cheeks and the jawline, as well as correct other facial changes that occur as a result of aging. During the surgery, a flap of skin on both sides of the face is pulled back, while tissues beneath the skin are altered, rendering the contours of the face more youthful. Excess skin is also trimmed away.

To learn more about your options for a face lift procedure, contact us today to schedule a consultation. Egozi Plastic Surgery is conveniently located in Clearwater, and welcomes patients from throughout the Tampa Bay area.

Who Is a Good Candidate for a Face Lift?

While there are no traits that guarantee you are a good candidate for face lift surgery (there is no substitute for a consultation), you are likely a suitable candidate if:

• You do not have any major medical conditions and are generally in good health
• You have realistic expectations and full knowledge of what face lift surgery can and can’t achieve (this will be discussed at your consultation)
• You have a loss of facial fat and soft tissue volume, sagging cheeks, jowls, and/or hanging skin on the face and neck
• You can easily pull back the skin of your face for a more youthful look

Benefits of Having Face Lift Surgery

Tightens Aging Skin

Facial skin that is supple, smooth and firm is an unmistakable sign of youth. Face lift surgery can entirely remove any loose skin from the neck and lower face to correct sagging in the midface for a revitalized, more youthful appearance.

Repositions Facial Fat

An undesirable facial shape can at times be due to the specific positioning of facial fat deposits. Face lift surgery techniques work to reposition these deposits in order to achieve more attractive contours.

Improves Jawline

Face lift surgery can improve the definition of the jawline as well. It is common for face lift surgeries to include a neck lift in order to fully address this problem area by reducing any neck sagging.

Removes Wrinkles

Face lift surgery can lessen or eliminate folds in the skin, including but not limited to deep creases in the eye area and marionette lines around the mouth. When facial skin is tightened, wrinkles are greatly diminished.

Face Lift Risks & Safety

Whether or not to undergo face lift surgery is a deeply personal choice, and it’s entirely up to you. The best decisions, of course, are well-informed. While complications are quite rare, the risks of face lift surgery include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Skin loss and poor wound healing
• Anesthesia intolerance
• Injury of the facial nerves and weakness
• Temporary or permanent hair loss at incisions sites
• Skin discoloration
• Scarring
• Changes in skin sensation, numbness
• Accumulation of fluids
• Persistent pain
• Persistent swelling
• Suture-induced irritation
• Unsatisfactory results which require an additional surgery
• Deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot that forms in a vein)
• Cardiac and pulmonary complications

These and other potential risks will be thoroughly discussed during your consultation.

How Much Does a Face Lift Cost?

During your consultation, your needs will be assessed and your final face lift cost will be determined, as every patient’s needs are different. While one patient may require a mini face lift, another may require a traditional face lift combined with a neck lift or other procedures. Schedule a consultation today to find out more!

How Is a Face Lift Performed?

Modern face lift surgery is performed using tiny incisions so as to cause as little trauma to the tissues as possible. Incisions are usually made around and behind the ears, and at the temple, ensuring that any scars will be hidden. By pulling the underlying layer of facial muscle in a vertical direction, and the skin in a diagonal direction, the face tightens, resulting in a more youthful appearance. Liposuction or fat grafting may follow, depending on the extent of your procedure, and any excess skin is carefully removed. Facelift surgery is typically performed using local or general anesthesia with sedation, and numbing medication may be used for your maximal comfort when you awake.

What are the Different Types of Face Lift?

During your consultation, your goals and needs will be thoroughly discussed to determine the best face lift option for you. Face lift types at Egozi Plastic Surgery include the following:

Full Face Lift

Full or face lifts usually refer to traditional deep plane face lifts or SMAS face lifts. Traditional deep plane face lifts are performed slowly and carefully using a deep incision in order to tighten the muscles beneath the skin and reposition skin, fat, and muscle. This is a more involved surgery that exposes the facial nerve and ultimately requires a longer recovery period. SMAS face lifts address jowls and deep smile lines by targeting the Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System, a sheet of tissue underneath the skin of the cheek.

Mid Face Lift

Generally, a traditional face lift does not address the midsection of the face. A mid face lift is often performed in tandem with a traditional face lift to smooth and tighten the middle section of the face, treating harder to reach problem areas under the eyes and around the nose. The pads of fat in the cheeks may also be lifted for a fuller, rejuvenated appearance and improved facial harmony.

Mini Face Lift

The mini facelift is best-suited to patients with minor concerns about their cheeks and jowls, and is an appealing alternative for those who have undergone previous face lifts, or for younger patients who do not have much excess skin around the jaw and neck. The mini face lift involves just one short scar. For optimal results, a mini face lift is typically combined with facial fat grafting and liposuction.

Nonsurgical Face Lift

For those who wish to explore nonsurgical alternatives to face lift surgery, Egozi Plastic Surgery offers multiple cutting edge technologies using lasers or injections, such as Botox, Juvederm, Restylane, or Sculptra. Schedule a consultation to learn more!

Why Choose Dr. Egozi for Your Face Lift in Clearwater?

Dr. Egozi has been running a successful and well-respected practice for 15+ years. With his comprehensive expertise in a wide spectrum of aesthetic procedures–from noninvasive to surgical, you’re always in great hands. Egozi Plastic Surgery surgical facilities are state-of-the-art, and we are considered one of the premier Surgical Centers in Clearwater and the Tampa Bay area.

Recovery Process After Rhytidectomy Surgery

After a face-lift, you may experience mild to moderate pain, drainage from the incisions, swelling, bruising, and/numbness. Your incisions will be covered with bandages and a small tube may be placed under the skin behind your ears to drain excess blood or fluid.

Here are a few tips to optimize your recovery:

Follow all your doctor’s instructions carefully

Dr. Egozi will give you directions concerning pain medication, wound care, and follow-up appointments. Do everything as prescribed!

Don’t overexert yourself

Avoid strenuous or aerobic activity for at least a month. You’ll likely be cleared for exercise between weeks 4 and 6.

Avoid friction or pressure on your face

Rest with your head elevated on several pillows for at least two weeks, and avoid sleeping on the sides of your face. Avoid clothes that must be pulled over your head.

Avoid cosmetics

Avoid using makeup as well as bleach or perm hair products for at least six weeks. Dr. Egozi will tell you when it’s ok to use shampoo and soap.

Protect yourself from the sun

Avoid direct sun exposure to the incision for at least three weeks and always use a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher if you go outside.

Soothe your skin

Apply cool packs to the face to ease pain and reduce swelling, and never pick at crusting scabs.

How long will the recovery period be?

It may take a few months to see final results. You will have several follow-up appointments in the months after surgery. On day 2, your drainage tube will be removed, antibiotic ointment applied, and your bandages changed. 2-3 days after your face lift, you might be able to replace bandages with a facial sling. After about 1 week, your stitches will be removed. Between weeks 4-6, you’ll likely be able to resume cardio and regular activity. Following this, further visits will be scheduled to monitor your results.

Schedule a Face Lift Consultation at Our Clinic in Clearwater

To learn more about your face lift options, schedule a consultation with Dr. Egozi today! Our clinic is a leading choice for face lift procedures in Clearwater and Pinellas County, serving residents of St. Petersburg, Largo, Dunedin, Pinellas Park, Palm Harbor, and the surrounding areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

How painful is a face lift?

Most patients are surprised at how little pain they experience with a face lift. Your facelift surgery will be performed while you are under the influence of anesthetics, so you won’t feel anything during the procedure. While it’s common to feel sore in the days that follow, this can be easily managed with the prescribed pain medication.

What is a lunchtime face lift?

A ‘lunchtime face lift’ is basically a mini nonsurgical facelift that typically uses dermal fillers to rejuvenate your appearance in under 60 minutes, or over the course of your lunch break–with no downtime! Lunchtime face lifts can lift the cheeks, reduce sagging eyelids and jowls, and restore facial fullness.

Does a face lift affect your smile?

A face lift should not affect your natural smile or dimples unless these features are directly addressed with surgery as discussed during your consultation.

What is the difference between a face lift and a neck lift?

A traditional face lift treats loose, sagging skin in the lower portion of the face and neck, while a neck lift solely addresses sagging in the jawline and neck. You also have the option of a “mid face lift”, which treats the cheek and temple areas.

What is the best procedure to pair with a face lift?

An eye lift is a great way to receive skin rejuvenation and a youthful, animated look to your face in all areas. Having both procedures performed reduces your recovery time and the need to return for another surgery.

Will a face lift get rid of my under eye bags and dark circles?

A face lift does not address the eye area, which is why it is recommended to pair your face lift procedure with an eye lift or blepharoplasty. However, you will see some residual improvement to all wrinkles after your face lift. To reduce the look of dark circles, you can also receive non-surgical fillers around your eyes.

Will I have scars after my face lift?

Yes, but the incision placement determines whether or not the scars are noticeable. If you have longer hair or are in the hands of an esteemed surgeon like Dr. Egozi, incisions will be made in areas that can easily be hidden, so they will go unnoticed until your scars are fully healed. Incisions will be placed in the natural creases around the back of your ear, but your preferred incision placement will be discussed during your consultation.

Are my face lift results permanent?

Although a face lift greatly reduces signs of aging on the face for a long period of time, you cannot stop the natural aging process. The amount of time your face lift results remain visible is entirely dependent on how quickly you age and where you age.