Face Lift or Neck Lift

A face and neck lift gives patients a smoother, more youthful and attractive appearance.

A face and neck lift gets rid of some of the effects of the aging process by removing excess skin and fatty tissue and correcting sagging facial muscles while maintaining a natural appearance.

The “classic” face-lift rejuvenates the face by targeting the temples, cheeks and neck. The forehead and eyebrows may also be lifted at the same time, and the procedure may also be combined with blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery.

How does a face lift or neck lift work?

Face and neck lifts are normally performed under general anesthesia or a combination of local anesthesia and sedation. The operation can last up to four or five hours.

Either a face or neck lift can be performed on its own, depending on the appearance and needs of your face.

Your Plastic Surgeon will make the incision at the temple along the natural skin crease in front of the ear, behind the earlobe and along the hairline or into the scalp behind the ear. An additional incision may be made under the chin. For a forehead lift, the incision may be made across the top of the scalp or across the hairline. The incisions are carefully planned to limit visible scarring.

The skin of the face is then lifted off the deep tissues, redraped, and the excess skin at the edge is removed. Facial fat and muscles may be shifted or tightened. In the neck, excess fat can be removed with liposuction. The incisions are then sutured shut.

How will I heal from my face and neck lift?

Complications are rare and hospital stays following the procedure are usually less than 24 hours. Any bruising and swelling normally disappears within the first two to three weeks.

Recent advances in surgical techniques have improved the results of face and neck lifts and made them longer lasting. Lifts can sometimes be repeated to maintain the youthful look. A face lift will not remove all facial wrinkles, but injections of Restylane or Botox can help smooth them out.

Dr. Kevin O’Grady will be able to recommend the best methods and complementary procedures to make your face more youthful while maintaining a natural look.