Problem - Do you look older than you feel because of sagging facial skin, wrinkled cheeks, deep lines or excess neck fat?

Solution - A face lift can make you look and feel years younger….boosting your self-confidence.

What is a surgical face lift?
A face lift is a surgical procedure to correct the changes caused by the natural process of aging. Facial skin can sag because of weight loss, the lifelong effects of gravity, the effects of smoking, sun damage, or a combination of factors. With a successful face lift, the smoothing of your facial skin and supporting tissues can “turn back the clock” making you look and feel years younger.

How can a face lift enhance my appearance?
A face lift can help you look as good as you feel, younger than your age, and restore smoother, more pleasing contours to your face. This is accomplished by:

· - Removing loose skin and excess fatty tissue in your neck
· - Defining a more youthful chin and jaw line
· - Softening deep wrinkles
· - Accentuating cheekbones
· - Repositioning fat to fill in “sunken” areas
· - Minimizing skin folds between your nose and the corners of your mouth

Who is a candidate for a face lift?
You are an ideal candidate for a face lift if you are in good health and do not smoke. If you have poor definition of your jaw line, loose skin or fatty deposits in your neck, or jowl formation you will have an excellent result. If you have strong facial bones and features (e.g., chin and cheekbones), and if you do not have excessive skin damage or premature aging due to sun exposure or smoking, you will most likely have an even better result.

Although a successful face lift can temporarily set back the clock, no cosmetic procedure can permanently prevent the effects of aging. In combination with your face lift, you may select other procedures to achieve the results you desire, e.g., a brow or forehead lift, eyelid surgery, fat injections, chemical peel, dermabrasion, laser skin resurfacing, BOTOX or soft facial filler injections.


How is a face lift performed?
Your surgeon will perform a complete medical examination in advance of planning surgery. Your skin will be evaluated based on thickness, texture and elasticity along with the severity of the wrinkles. Any damage to your skin from environmental influences will be assessed and perhaps treated before surgery. Most importantly, your surgeon will evaluate your facial structure and shape. This is a crucial element in facial aging and therefore, rejuvenation.

Where is a face lift performed?
A face lift is almost always done as an outpatient surgical procedure. Although some of our patients prefer to have general anesthesia, most patients are comfortable under local anesthesia with deep sedation. You will recover quickly after surgery and normally go home the same day. If you are having multiple procedures, you may need to stay overnight. You will need to have a close friend or family member drive you to and from the surgery center and care for you for the first 24-48 hours.

What other procedures may be performed along with a face lift?

- Liposuction is part of a face lift and is used to reshape a more youthful jaw line and neck.

- Neck rejuvenation (neck lift) is a crucial part of a face lift and may include repair of visible neck muscle bands, removing excess fat deposits, and smoothing loose skin.

- Fat injection (lipoinjection) is a wonderful, minimally invasive way to restore shape and fullness to areas around the eyes, the cheeks, the temples, and lips.

- Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is often performed to reduce heaviness and loose skin in the upper eyelids. Treatment of the lower eyelids will include filling out the deep creases to eliminate the tired look. This along with fat injection will brighten your eyes and energize your whole face.

Dermabrasion, laser resurfacing and chemical peels may be done to smooth wrinkle lines in the lips, cheeks and forehead.

After facial rejuvenation, maintaining and improving the quality of your skin is very important. Periodic use of microdermabrasion, photorejuvenation, and peels along with daily use of a good skin care regimen are essential to maintaining your result. Skin care is often discussed as part of your surgical plan.

How long does a face lift operation take? Are there any risks?
Depending on the procedures you select, your face lift may take anywhere from 2 to 8 hours. We consult with you to fully outline any pre-surgical requirements, what procedures we will be performing and what you can expect afterwards. As with any surgery there are associated risks. We are glad to guide you through this experience with thorough planning and preparation so that you can recover with the best results and few unexpected problems.

What can I expect after surgery?
Bruising and swelling are common after a face lift. Each patient is different, but for most, these side effects normally resolve within 2-3 weeks. We remove your bandages after several days and your sutures after 5 or 7 days. Light dressings may be worn by some for even longer as needed. It is extremely important that your newly rejuvenated skin be protected from sun damage after surgery. Avoid sun exposure, wear a broad-brimmed hat, and liberally apply SPF 30 or stronger sunscreen as instructed by your doctor.

How long is recovery?
Very likely, you’ll be able to return to work in about 2 weeks. You should wait 3 weeks or longer before participating in strenuous activity and exercise. You may need special makeup to camouflage any bruising for a short time. Final healing may take up to 3 months and will continue to improve over the next year. We will closely follow your progress to ensure a smooth recovery.

When will I see results?
Within a week, you should see a significant improvement. Once the swelling and bruising are gone, you may have minor scars that are hidden by your hair. These too, will fade over time. Gradually, your new, younger face will emerge a few weeks after surgery. Most of our patients enjoy the benefits of a face lift for many years. Depending on your age, you may have more than one face lift in your lifetime,

Imagine a more beautiful you.

Face lift is but one of the many procedures we offer to revitalize your appearance. Please ask us about other procedures to refresh and renew your natural beauty. Click here to see a brief list of procedures we offer.

NOTE: Only a licensed professional with the knowledge and skill required to achieve optimum results should perform face lift surgery. Look for a plastic surgeon who is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and who has completed his training at some of the top plastic surgery institutions. Click here to learn more about Dr. Ganchi's world-class credentials.