What is a Facelift?

Aging, genetics, and sun exposure all contribute to wrinkles and sagging skin, which can take a toll on your overall appearance and self-confidence. If you miss the smooth, youthful face you had years ago, there is a solution that can effectively turn back the clock and slow down future aging. Facelift surgery, also known as rhytidectomy, is a classic procedure that is performed to restore a more youthful appearance. By tightening the muscles in the mid and lower face and neck, and removing any excess skin, a facelift typically makes patients appear 5 to 10 years younger. Dr. Ahmed Sufyan is pleased to offer the facelift procedure to men and women in the East Lansing, MI area. He has years of experience performing plastic surgery procedures and is committed to ensuring every patient receives their desired results.

How a Facelift Creates a Youthful Appearance

Facelifts can resolve a variety of cosmetic issues that both men and women face when they go through the natural process of aging. Some of these issues include sagging in the midface, fat that has fallen or been displaced, deep creases between the nose and mouth, loss of muscle tone in the lower face that may lead to jowls, and loose skin and fatty deposits under the chin and jaw. The facelift procedure is completely customizable to suit each patient’s individual needs, and typically involves a combination of tightening muscles and skin and redistributing facial fat as needed for a youthful contour. A traditional facelift can improve the appearance of the lower half of the face and neck areas.

Good Candidates for Facelifts

We recommend facelifts to men and women who would like to look years younger and feel more confident in their own skin. The ideal candidates for facelifts have skin that has lost its elasticity, causing moderate to severe drooping and sagging of the facial tissues. Patients must be in good health, be nonsmokers or willing to quit, and have reasonable expectations. People with extensive sun damage may need to combine facelift surgery with other treatments to remove brown spots and other signs of sun damage, and must be willing to use adequate sun protection after treatment.

What to Expect During a Facelift Consultation

Men and women who are interested in facelift surgery are encouraged to schedule a private consultation with Dr. Sufyan. During the consultation, Dr. Sufyan will assess the patient’s health and ask them about their particular aesthetic goals. He will gladly answer any questions the patient may have and might share before-and-after photos to illustrate typical facelift results. After Dr. Sufyan has assessed the patient and discussed their goals and expectations, he will make recommendations and begin to develop a custom treatment plan.

Preparing for Facelift Surgery

Prior to conducting a facelift surgery, Dr. Sufyan may ask patients to stop taking certain medications that may hinder the healing process. Most anti-inflammatory medications, aspirin, and herbal supplements must be avoided for at least 10 days prior to the procedure.

Some patients may be asked to undergo a medical checkup or lab testing to ensure that their blood pressure is under control. Patients who smoke will be asked to quit six weeks before the procedure.

In addition, patients will need to arrange for a family member or close friend to drive them to and from their surgery and stay with them for a short period of time after the procedure.

The Facelift Procedure

Facelift surgery is performed under general anesthesia. Incisions are typically hidden within the hairline to avoid visible scarring. To ensure natural-looking results, Dr. Sufyan tightens and lifts the deeper layers of the face before trimming excess skin and refrains from putting any tension on the skin. This prevents a pulled look while reducing the visibility of scars and prolonging the results. Once Dr. Sufyan has elevated the underlying facial tissues to their optimal position, repositioned facial fat, and trimmed extra skin, he will close the incision sites.

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Recovering From Facelift Surgery

Most facelift patients return home on the same day of their surgery and have a trustworthy friend or family member to help them out. During the first few days after surgery, patients should get lots of rest and ensure their head is slightly elevated. While swelling and bruising throughout the treatment region is common, much of the swelling typically subsides within a week and bruising fully recovers after about two weeks.

In about two weeks, patients with jobs that do not require strenuous activity may return to work. Two weeks post-surgery is also typically the time where patients feel comfortable performing light exercises. It usually takes about four weeks for a full social recovery. Residual swelling may take up to six months to fully resolve, but the majority of the swelling will be gone long before this time. Strenuous exercise may need to be postponed for up to six weeks following the surgery.

Dr. Sufyan and his team are committed to providing each and every patient with the care and attention they need to recover safely and efficiently. Facelift patients will be required to visit our office for several follow-up appointments throughout the recovery process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a male and female facelift?

Since men typically have more facial hair than women, Dr. Sufyan takes particular caution to make incisions that do not disrupt a man’s follicles or lead to excessive scarring in areas where hair is unable to regrow.

Additionally, facial features in a male facelift are more defined, especially around the jaw and neck area. In a female facelift, however, the facial features are softer or more delicate. Dr. Sufyan takes these differences into account during the surgery to create a natural result.

Are there any risks and complications of facelift surgery?

Just like all surgeries, facelifts are associated with some risks. Although they are minimal when the surgery is performed by a board-certified and experienced surgeon like Dr. Sufyan, potential complications include infection, excessive bleeding, nerve injury, and hematomas. Patients should follow Dr. Sufyan’s instructions carefully to minimize risks and promote optimal healing.

Can a facelift address aesthetic concerns in the eye and forehead regions?

It is vital to understand that although a facelift is one of the most comprehensive facial rejuvenation procedures available, it is not designed to address wrinkles and aging in the eye and forehead regions. A facelift can be paired with eyelid surgery and/or brow lift surgery to resolve these issues, however.

How long do facelift results last?

While a facelift does not have the power to stop the aging process, it can turn back the clock by about five to ten years. If you undergo a facelift, you should know that your skin will continue to age after surgery. However, you can expect to maintain your new youthful and refreshed appearance for about five to ten years after a facelift, as long as you lead a healthy lifestyle. Since results vary from patient to patient, Dr. Sufyan can help you predict your particular results.

Will there be visible scars after facelift surgery?

Following a facelift procedure, there will be scars that remain pink for a few months. The good news is that these scars will become lighter and less visible as the skin heals. Most of these scars will be hidden under the hairline or with the natural creases of the skin. You can reduce the visibility of your scars by taking excellent care of your skin and keeping your sun exposure to a minimum.

What is the ideal age for a facelift?

Adults who are in overall good health and have moderate to severe excess skin or sagging on their face are good candidates for a facelift. While most patients who undergo a facelift are in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, facelifts can lead to successful results for those in their 70s and 80s. Dr. Sufyan can inform you of whether or not you’re a good candidate for this procedure.

How much pain is typical after facelift surgery?

Fortunately, significant pain is not usually experienced after a facelift. However, you may feel a bit of discomfort at the drain sites in the back of your ears and a sensation of tightness in your neck area. Over-the-counter and/or prescription pain medications may ease any discomfort you experience.

What is the difference between a facelift and dermal fillers?

Fillers are effective in temporarily adding volume to tissues that have deflated. If you’re hoping for long-term, more dramatic results, a facelift is the way to go. You may combine fillers with facelifts for maximum results.

Why is smoking bad for facelift patients?

Nicotine is known as a vasoconstrictor that reduces blood flow to the tissues. When vasoconstriction occurs, the surface area inside the blood vessels decrease and raise blood pressure. This compromises healing for facelift patients and increases the risk of skin necrosis. Therefore, facelift patients should stop smoking 6 weeks before and 6 weeks after surgery.

Why Choose Dr. Sufyan to Perform a Facelift

Dr. Sufyan is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has a keen awareness of facial anatomy and underlying structures. You can count on him to achieve a youthful, contoured look by lifting and repositioning your underlying facial structures rather than by simply stretching the skin. He does not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to facelifts and will take the time to get to know your facial aesthetics and structure before designing a treatment plan to help you achieve the best possible results.

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Schedule a Facelift Consultation with Dr. Sufyan

If you’re ready to take years off your face and reveal a younger, more confident you, you owe it to yourself to schedule a private facelift consultation with Dr. Sufyan.

Call 517-332-0100 or fill out our convenient online contact form today. Dr. Sufyan looks forward to bring your dream of a youthful, well-rested look to life.