Facelift and Mini-Facelift Surgery in NYC

A facelift is a surgical art form used to correct age-related imperfections of the jawline, neck, lower face, and cheeks. Though a facelift is the general surgical term dedicated to restoring a youthful and firmer appearance in these areas, Dr. Rizk specializes in many types of facelifts dedicated to improving the way patients look and feel, while taking into account various factors like recovery time and each patient's specific circumstances. Dr. Rizk has been selected as one of New York's best plastic surgeons by Castle Connolly and New York Magazine thanks to his expertise in facial rejuvenation procedures.

Dr. Rizk is a highly experienced, double board-certified plastic surgeon regarded as one of the top facelift specialists in New York. Dr. Rizk views his facelift procedure as the most delicate art form of any plastic surgery procedure. He is committed to providing the most positive plastic surgery experience through his latest innovations, techniques and procedure customizations that offer New York facelift patients long-lasting results and rapid recovery times.

To learn more about the many benefits of facelift surgery, please contact our New York office and book a consultation with Dr. Rizk’s team today.

Trendy Facelifts: Do They Offer Real Results?

Have you seen advertising for branded facelifts, like the Lifestyle Lift®, SmartLift®, Quick Lift®, and many others? While it is tempting to believe the hype and promised results, the low-cost facelift alternatives simply do not pay off. These short-lived lifts rely on fillers which are not adequate for lifting the neck or jowl tissues and lead to unnatural results. These trendy facelifts are normally rated on reputable sites like RealSelf with just 38% satisfaction rates.

True facelift surgery has no standardized method. Dr. Rizk performs facelifts differently, based on the unique anatomical variations and realistic goals of his patients, allowing for the best possible results from a facelift.

What Makes A Better Facelift?

Dr. Rizk’s facelift looks natural, lasts over 10 years and patients may be socially presentable in a week. He artistically reshapes jowls, improves nasolabial folds, and tightens the loose face and neck skin with the following techniques:

• Deep lift in a natural vector of elevation (vertical for the face and horizontal for the neck) results in less bruising. Most bruising occurs due to trauma in superficial blood vessels under the skin.
• Reestablishes a youthful look by repositioning drooping tissue to its original form.
• Repositions cheek fat pad right under the cheekbone to eliminate hollows under the cheekbones.
• Smaller incisions result in undetectable scars as well as the preservation of the hairline.

Is a Facelift the Right Option for You?

There are countless facelift techniques that differ by length of incision and degree of lift. Potential results will change depending on the surgeon and the technique chosen.

Dr. Rizk places his highest priority on the following goals:

• Achieving a firmer, angular neck, void of loose fat or excess skin
• Designing a smooth, contoured jawline
• Restoring the fullness of youthful cheeks
• Beautiful changes without the “operated” look

Before the procedure, Dr. Rizk examines his patients in order to assess whether facelift alone is the best option or if this procedure should be combined with another treatment to get the desired results.

Potential Risks and Temporary Side-Effects of Facelifts

Before undergoing a facelift, it is important to understand the risks. As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with facelift surgery.

A facelift is accompanied by anesthesia risks, bleeding, infection, the potential for poor healing, temporary or permanent hair loss at the incision sites and possible changes in skin sensation, among other factors. This is why it is important to choose a board-certified and experienced facial plastic surgeon.

Manhattan Plastic Surgery: How Facelift Surgery is Performed

Anesthesia

Either twilight (sedation) anesthesia or general anesthesia is safely administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist, with many years of training. The anesthesiologist will speak to the patient before surgery, discuss all the options and make recommendations accordingly. The facelift procedure takes between 3.5 and 4 hours, and patients are typically more comfortable if they are asleep during this time.

Sometimes, local anesthesia is an option, in combination with sedatives to help make you drowsy. In this instance, you are awake and numb but may experience some sensations or slight discomfort.

Please ask Dr. Rizk what the major differences are between local and general anesthesia.

What Steps are Performed During a Facelift?

NYC expert facial plastic surgeon Dr. Rizk precisely crafts incisions around the ear and sideburns to ensure their discrete nature and prevent hair loss. After the incisions are made, Dr. Rizk proceeds to carefully complete the following steps:

• Careful separation of skin, subcutaneous tissue and underlying muscle of the neck and face are performed. Fat is either repositioned or removed, then Dr. Rizk tightens underlying muscles. He skillfully lifts the SMAS-deep tissue of the cheek, to implement youthful cheek volume.
• After repositioning and tightening the deep tissues, loose, excess skin is carefully removed.
• Finally, Dr. Rizk skillfully inserts stitches to preserve the new form and create rapid results while healing.

What is the Best Age to Get a Facelift?

Typically, patients in their early forties may be candidates for a lower facelift alone, while partial facelifts may be ideal for patients in their later forties. Patients in their fifties or sixties usually require a full facelift. The age range for facelifts is usually from the forties to the seventies with some exceptions, such as younger patients with weak chin structure and increased fat deposition under the chin.

Mini Facelift in NYC

Many patients in New York who would like a rejuvenated lower face and upper neck, decide to have a mini facelift, also known as an S-lift or Weekend Lift. This treatment corrects the earliest signs of aging and is less invasive than a traditional full facelift. Many people who get a mini facelift are attracted to its short recovery time, allowing them to return to their usual activities much sooner than a full facelift.

Am I a Candidate For a Mid-Facelift?

Patients who undergo any type of facelift are typically concerned about sagging, loose skin along the lower face or upper neck. This may appear as jowls along the jawline, sagging under the chin, and skin that hangs around the neck. As we age and collagen production slows, our skin loses volume and elasticity, resulting in these common concerns.

Candidates for the mid-facelift procedure should not have loose skin on the neck and not overuse fillers in the nasolabial folds and jowls. A mid-facelift procedure is great for patients between the ages of 30 and 60 who seek rejuvenation and natural results.

The Difference Between a Full, Mid and Mini Facelift

Full, mid, and mini facelifts represent different surgical techniques. When determining which technique is best suited for an individual, Dr. Rizk will consider the amount of sagging skin, the region of greatest concern, and the candidate’s age and medical history, including previous cosmetic surgeries. Following are the main differences between these procedures:

• Full facelift: Also referred to as a traditional facelift, a full facelift is the most comprehensive way to reverse the effects of aging. The incisions will begin at the temples, run along the hairline and around the front of the ear, and end behind the earlobes. A second incision beneath the chin may be made to address laxity in the neck area. A full facelift is most often performed on patients in their 50s and 60s.
• Mid-facelift: A mid-facelift is a refinement to the traditional facelift and is used to create a more balanced appearance between the upper face and lower face. The incisions are the same as those used in a traditional facelift, but an added step is taken to address the mid-portion of the face (beneath the lower eyelids and cheek area). By cutting more deeply into the muscle tissue, the surgeon can lift the muscles around the cheek and nose. The result is a more natural appearance. Although it is gaining in popularity, this procedure remains a technically complex surgery, requiring a great deal of expertise.
• Mini facelift: The most widely practiced facelift technique, the mini facelift requires only small incisions around the ears. The technique is popular among patients wishing to improve primarily the lower third of the face. In addition, a mini facelift may be an option for those who have had a facelift in the past and want a maintenance procedure to revitalize the face.

What to Expect After Facelift Surgery?

Relaxation and support are two vital components of healthy recovery after facelift surgery. You should have a friend or family member help you for the first few days after your procedure. The surgical dressing is removed the day after surgery. Recovery typically takes about 10 days, and you will be ready to return to work in about 2 weeks.

Because of Dr. Rizk's specialized precautions such as opting for tissue glue as opposed to drains, bruising and pain are greatly reduced and your recovery time is faster. Herbal medications such as arnica montana and bromelain can help offset any pain. Dr. Rizk advises against using aspirin and other NSAIDs 2 weeks following surgery to minimize bleeding.

Top Rated NYC Facelift Plastic Surgeon

Double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Rizk, offers his New York patients a natural, youthful appearance by addressing the volume and gravity loss of the midface. To combat the signs of aging, he uses modified deep plane surgery which develops more definition over the jawline. His techniques employ small incisions, easily concealed by the hairline. Before you decide on getting a facelift, consult with Dr. Rizk to see which option is right for you. Contact our office in Manhattan today for more information about facelift surgery.

RESOURCES RELATED TO FACELIFT SURGERY

• Mid Facelift vs. Regular Facelift
• Secondary Facelift
• Non-Surgical Facelift
• Dr. Rizk's Facelift Technique
• Can Smoking And Drinking Affect Results After A Facelift?
• 10 Tips to Find the Best Facelift Surgeon
• How Does Dr. Rizk Tighten Loose Skin On The Face And Neck After Extreme Weight Loss?
• Use Of Fibrin Sealant in Short Scar Facelift
• The Incidence of Hematoma in Face-lift Surgery
• What Are The Benefits Of Surgical Facelift Versus Non-Surgical Facelift
• Should I Use Any Herbal Remedies To Help With Facelift Recovery?

Written by Dr. Sam Rizk

Date Last Modified: 01/20/2020