Overtime the face ages producing facial skin sagging and deep creases around the mouth.  The sharp jaw line is replaced by jowls and the neck develops loose folds and bands.  The primary causes linked to the aging process are genetics, lifestyle (including factors such as sun damage and smoking), and weight gain or loss.  Many people also lose facial volume as part of the aging process.  The face lift counteracts these changes by tightening muscle, removing or redistributing fat, and trimming excess skin.  Ultimately, this gives a freshened youthful look to the face.

There are multiple procedures that can be tailored to the patient. During your consultation Dr. Haddock will address your goals and concerns and create a unique treatment plan for you. A face lift by itself will not rejuvenate the entire face (the brow, eyelids, nose, and some of the midface are not included in the standard face lift). Often adjunctive procedures, such as a blepharoplasty, are beneficial to provide full facial rejuvenation.

The standard full face lift incision begins in the temporal region above the ear, follows the contour of the ear, curves around the earlobe and continues up the back of the ear into the hair.  This incision pattern is very well hidden. For some patients, a short scar face lift is possible in which the incision begins in the temporal area above the ear, follows the contour of the cartilage of the ear and then curves around the earlobe and stops.  A short scar face lift works for an individual who does not have significant sagging of the neck.

Bruising, swelling and recovery time varies from patient to patient.  A number of factors including the patient’s skin, general health, medications, as well as the procedure necessary to deliver the desired results, will influence the recovery time. In general, most of the bruising and swelling resolves by 10 to 14 days after surgery. Many patients return to social activities, and/or work, 2 weeks after surgery. Aerobic exercise can be resumed at 3 weeks following surgery.