Why should I get a facelift and eyelid surgery?
There are many reasons a person may want a facelift and blepharoplasty. In Dallas-Fort Worth, age-related conditions and aesthetic desires are the most common drivers for having either of these procedures.
Understanding what and how these procedures occur can be very helpful in determining whether you should get them. Learning about recovery and results is also important.
A facelift procedure often includes an eyelid surgery. The two operations cooperate well. Combining the procedures at Southlake Plastic Surgery is the answer to a fully rejuvenated face.
Facelift:
You should get a facelift if you would like to reverse the signs of aging. Characteristics of aged individuals often include deep wrinkles, a sagging neck, and loose skin. A facelift can minimize or eliminate these characteristics.
Eyelid Surgery:
Eyelid surgery is also known as blepharoplasty. You should get a blepharoplasty if you would like to open up the appearance of your eyes and reverse the signs of aging. Patients who could benefit from eyelift surgery may feel they look tired or weary. An eyelid surgery can remove under-eye bags and droopy eyelids.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Facelift and Blepharoplasty in Dallas-Fort Worth?
Facelifts and blepharoplasties are both major operations. As with any surgery, a good candidate is in overall good health. It is also preferable to be over 40 years old and a non-smoker.
The best candidates are realistic as to what the results of a facelift or eyelid surgery can be. Neither of these procedures will change your facial structure or the core essence of your features. A facelift or eyelid surgery will make you look younger and more refreshed.
Facelift:
Ideal facelift candidates have one or more of the following characteristics:
- Sagging skin
- Facial volume loss
- Turkey neck/double chin
- Deep folds of nose and corner of mouth
Eyelid Surgery:
Ideal eyelid surgery candidates have one or more of the following characteristics:
- Excess skin on lower eyelids
- Wrinkles on lower eyelids
- Bags under the eyes
- Eyelid droopiness
What causes the need for facelift and blepharoplasty?
A variety of factors can cause the characteristics that a facelift and blepharoplasty in Dallas-Fort Worth can resolve. These characteristics include genetics, age, sun damage, and chronic smoking.
How Is Facelift and Eyelid Surgery Performed?
Facelift
There are four options when it comes to facelifts: lower, mid, mini, and full. A lower facelift addresses the lower portions of the face, jawline, and neck. A mid facelift tightens the undereye and center of the face. A mid face lift is sometimes called a cheek lift.
A mini facelift is an abridged version of a lower facelift. The incision is smaller, and the procedure and recovery times are shorter. A full facelift is a combination of multiple procedures, but is specific to the individual. It can include a lower and mid facelift, a forehead lift, and eyelid surgery.
A facelift at Southlake is performed under general anesthesia monitored by a certified anesthesiologist. First, your hair will be parted along the incision area. The incision will be drawn ahead of time to ensure precision.
The incision begins along the hairline just beneath the temple, then travels down along the perimeter of the ear, and it will finish along the hairline near the back of the head.
Next, the skin is carefully elevated. There is a layer of muscle tissue and fibrous connective tissue beneath the skin called the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS). Your surgeon will reposition the SMAS to lift and tighten the appearance of the face.
The surgeon will then create a small incision under the chin. They have a few options as to what they can do next. Most likely, they will reposition the neck muscles. Other possibilities include tightening a portion of the neck muscles or removing the fatty tissue.
Each of these actions is taken to flatten and refine the structure of the lower face. Finally, the doctor will stretch the skin and remove the excess.
Usually, surgical drain incisions are made near the back of the head to allow fluids to escape. The drains are removed 24-48 hours after the procedure. These small incisions will heal to be unnoticeable.
The procedure will take about 4 hours, but varies based on which form of facelift is performed. A full facelift procedure will cause the cheeks, jowls, and neck to be tightened.
Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery has 3 options: lower, upper, or both. These variations correspond in function directly with their names.
Eyelid surgery in Southlake is performed under general anesthesia. Small plastic shields, similar to contact lenses, are often placed on the eyes for protection. Prior to incisions, lines will be marked on the skin to guide the surgeon.
During a lower blepharoplasty, a minimal incision is made along the lower lashes. The skin is then gently elevated to reveal the underlying muscle. Another small incision is made in the muscle to reveal the orbital septum. Your surgeon will then carefully open the orbital septum to reach the fat deposits causing under-eye puffiness.
The fat deposits will be removed or repositioned to reduce this puffiness. Excess skin will be trimmed away. If needed, small amounts of excess muscle will also be removed to ensure a smooth under-eye. The surgeon will finish closing up the incision with absorbable sutures.
During an upper blepharoplasty, a minimal incision is made along the fold of the upper eyelid. After an upper eyelid surgery, lubricating ointment and bandages will be applied to the incision area. These procedures vary in length depending on individual need. Generally, they take 1 to 3 hours to complete.
Does a Facelift and Blepharoplasty hurt?
Pain is a very subjective experience. Everyone has different thresholds and perspectives when it comes to pain. We have observed trends among our many aesthetic surgery clients, which allows us to set realistic expectations.
Facelift
A facelift should cause minimal levels of pain. At Southlake Plastic Surgery in Dallas-Fort Worth, most patients do not complain about the pain. They do experience bruising and swelling which continues to decrease over the next 2-6 weeks of healing.
We consider a facelift a primarily emotional encounter. In our experience, the positive emotions overwhelm any feelings of discomfort.
Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery should result in very little postoperative pain at Southlake. However, bruising and swelling can last 1-3 weeks and cause some discomfort.
Can Eyelid Surgery be Performed at the Same Time as Other Surgeries?
Yes, a blepharoplasty can be performed at the same time as some other surgeries. Eyelid surgeries are often included in facelift operations. The results of these procedures are very complementary.
Facelifts generally address the cheek, forehead, jowls, jawline, and neck. Adding eyelid surgery is a great way to refresh the entirety of the face.
Incorporating blepharoplasty into a facelift procedure at Southlake Plastic Surgery typically adds 2 to 3 hours to the overall surgery. However, this can vary depending on the specific techniques used and the extent of correction required.
What Is the Recovery Like From a Facelift and Eyelid Surgery?
Surgical recovery varies from person to person. Outlined below is a summation of the average postoperative recovery experience for facelift and blepharoplasty recipients:
Facelift:
- Most patients take 2–3 weeks off of work
- 0–6 weeks of no strenuous activities
- 3–5 weeks to feel and look back to “normal”
- 6 weeks to ease back into all activities
- Transformation photos will be taken at 6 months
Eyelid Surgery:
- 24 hours of wearing a cool gel mask for swelling
- 1 week before makeup can be worn
- dependent on whether the sutures have completely healed
- 1–2 weeks before wearing contacts
- 2+ weeks for a reduction in swelling/bruising
- 2–3 weeks to resume full activities
Will the Scars be Noticeable?
The expert surgeons at Southlake are very experienced and talented at their craft. These doctors are in this field because they are passionate about the challenge and art of natural-looking aesthetic procedures.
Many efforts are made to reduce the noticeability of scars. Incisions are strategically placed in natural folds, lines, and creases of the body. Some incisions are made in the hair, behind the head, and under the chin to reduce visibility.
We provide postoperative instructions and restorative products to facilitate a smooth healing process. Scarring is an unavoidable part of surgery, but taking the appropriate measures promotes thorough fading and concealment.
Learn More About Facelift and Blepharoplasty today
Southlake Plastic Surgery would be happy to answer any questions you have about receiving a facelift, eyelid surgery, or a combination of both. We’re also here to be your resource for other procedures, including tummy tucks, liposuction, and other aesthetic surgeries you may be interested in. It is our mission to provide a comfortable and educational environment.
Our greatest joy is to provide natural-looking transformations that inspire confidence and satisfaction in our patients.
