Facelift in Mullica Hill & Gloucester County, NJ

The facelift procedure is generally ideal for adults who are concerned about:

• Sagging jowls
• Moderate to severe creases around the nose and mouth
• Marionette lines
• Flat or sunken cheeks
• Poor jawline definition
• Double chin

This procedure is performed under general anesthesia, so it is important that we confirm each patient can safely receive deep sedation. We may determine this via a comprehensive consultation and medical history, review of current medications and supplements, and various diagnostic tests that are relevant based on the patient's personal health history.

Before a facelift, patients may be advised to make certain adjustments based on their lifestyle or health.

• Stop smoking and using nicotine products
• Adjust prescription medications or over-the-counter medication use

Much of the preparation for a facelift involves curating an efficient, comfortable recovery:

• Plan clothing options for recovery. After a facelift, it is ideal to have shirts that button or zip up the front. Pulling shirts over the head may accidentally bump incisions or areas of tenderness.
• Plan help. Patients must have someone drive them to the surgery center and return them home after the procedure. It is beneficial to have someone present at all times for 24 to 48 hours after surgery to help with medication, meals, and getting around the house safely.
• Fill prescriptions ahead of time and obtain all necessary supplies outlined in post-operative instructions.
• Prepare meals ahead of time. This eliminates any stress that may arise around deciding what to eat during recovery and how to get or make dishes. Pre-made meals that are refrigerated or frozen bypass the need to plan and cook on a daily basis.
• Hydrate. In the weeks leading up to surgery, patients should consume about half their body weight in water every day. More than half of the body's volume is water, indicating that physiological functions require adequate hydration. A well-hydrated body may heal more optimally than one that is dehydrated.

Scarring is an inevitable effect of cutting the skin. That said, facelift procedures involve incisions that are made in the natural crease at the front of the ear. In a comprehensive facelift, the incisions also run up and around the back of the ear, behind the hairline. In a mini facelift, the surgeon makes shorter incisions along this same area. During the initial recovery period, patients will see marked lines where incisions were made. Stitches are also visible but will dissolve or be removed at the post-op visit. As noticeable as incisions are right after surgery, they are much less so at the ten-day mark. Over time, the skin heals well enough for the facelift scars to fade almost completely.

Waking up after a facelift, patients may feel groggy and somewhat disoriented. As the anesthesia is processed, nausea may occur. Some people feel tingling or numbness throughout the body during this initial part of the recovery period. As the effects of anesthesia dissipate, it is common to begin to feel soreness and tenderness. We strongly encourage patients to take the pain medication they are prescribed as directed. There is no benefit to "toughing it out." Skipping the pain medication that the doctor prescribes could set into motion a prolonged recovery from the natural post-surgical discomfort. It is far better to stay ahead of pain than have to catch up to it. Patients can expect their first two or three days of recovery to involve a lot of sleep, rest, and pain management to mitigate soreness. Gradually, after three to four days, comfort continues to improve and the discomfort of surgical recovery is usually gone in two weeks.

Based on a clinical survey, 97 percent of patients who underwent facelift surgery have reported that they feel they look about 12 years younger. Ninety-five percent report feeling satisfied with their results and happy with their decision to have a facelift. Also, more than 85 percent of patients report feeling a boost in self-esteem as a result of their facial rejuvenation. So not only does a facelift beautifully rejuvenate the face, it can also revive your sense of confidence in your appearance!

Although a facelift and neck lift are good complementary treatments, combining the 2 procedures isn't always necessary. The neck often shows signs of aging before the rest of the face. Excess fat and skin, along with weakened muscles, can transform your overall appearance even if the rest of your face remains relatively youthful. A neck lift alone – which may include liposuction to remove fatty tissue, surgical removal of skin, and tightening of the muscles that cause a "turkey wattle" – is an excellent option in that situation. When there is sagging and a hollow appearance in the areas of the cheeks and jawline, a facelift may also be necessary.

The results of a facelift and neck lift, when performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon, last for years. The goal of facial cosmetic surgery is to have you look like a younger version of yourself, not somebody different. A facelift turns back the clock, but it doesn't stop it. The aging process continues and, depending on your cosmetic goals, you may want to return for fine-tuning with fillers or other surgical procedures down the line.

As its name implies, a mini-facelift is a less invasive surgical procedure that reduces minor sagging around the cheeks, jawline, and neck. It may be appropriate for patients in their late 30s or 40s who are concerned about the earliest signs of aging. It involves a shorter recovery time and smaller scars, but it gets much less dramatic results.