Facelift in New York, NY

What Is a Facelift?

A facelift is a plastic surgery procedure designed to eliminate signs of aging throughout the mid-face region, resulting in a younger, rejuvenated appearance. This procedure targets loose, hanging skin around the mouth, chin, and jawline, as well as deep facial creases caused by a loss of skin elasticity and volume.

Who Is a Candidate for a Facelift?

Men and women considering facelift surgery should be in good health and have realistic expectations about their results. A facelift can dramatically improve signs of aging by smoothing skin and highlighting the natural contours of your face. People considering a facelift should quit smoking. Facelift surgery can significantly improve the following:

• Sagging skin on the cheeks
• Sagging along the jawline (jowls)
• Deep nasolabial folds
• Fine marionette lines
• Lost facial volume
• A double chin
• A “turkey wattle” neck

How Is a Facelift Performed in New York, NY?

Facelift surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure with the patient under general anesthesia. Incisions are placed in the hairline to mask scar development. Incisions will usually begin behind the temples and run down to the ears and around the earlobes. The skin is separated from the underlying muscular frame. Drooping facial muscles are lifted to highlight your facial contour. Fat may be repositioned along the cheeks to restore lost volume. The skin is draped to enhance your facial contour, and excess tissue is trimmed away. Incisions are closed, and drains are placed to help reduce swelling.

What Can I Expect During My Facelift Recovery?

You will experience bruising and swelling of your face. Drains will remove excess fluid to reduce excess swelling. You may have some mild discomfort during the first several days following your procedure, which can be controlled using an oral pain medication. Most patients can return to work within two weeks of their procedure and can resume their regular exercise routine after four weeks. Since swelling can last between six weeks and several months, it is important you do not undergo a facelift right before a major event. While facelift recovery varies, here are some helpful tips for a speedy recovery:

• Follow Dr. Cha’s instructions to the best of your ability
• Get as much rest as possible in the early stages of recovery, eat healthy, and stay hydrated
• Be gentle with your facial skin and hair for the first few months; you will be temporarily sensitive and even numb in some places
• As soon as you feel up to it, start gradually taking walks to encourage blood circulation
• Call our office if you have any questions or concerns at any point in your recovery

When Will I See My Facelift Results?

Immediately after your procedure, your face will be bandaged, swollen, and slightly bruised. Your facelift results may take several weeks to become apparent, as swelling will distort your features a bit. Be patient–your facelift results will continue to improve over the first few weeks of recovery. Around week three, your swelling and bruising should be reduced enough to see some of the details of Dr. Cha’s work: your cheeks and jawline will be slightly lifted, with more definition around your chin and jaw. The creases around your mouth and nose will be reduced, giving you a younger, rejuvenated look. As your healing progresses, these changes will improve until you appear as a younger, more sculpted version of yourself.

Facelift surgery is designed to provide patients with long-lasting facial rejuvenation. Most patients are able to erase five to 15 years from their appearance. Minimizing environmental factors such as sun exposure and smoking will help prolong your results. Many patients choose to undergo routine non-surgical procedures such as injectables or radiofrequency skin resurfacing to help maintain their flawless complexion.

Facelift FAQ

How much does a facelift cost in New York, NY?

The cost of a facelift in New York City will depend on a number of factors, including the type of facelift Dr. Cha performs, the level of necessary revision, and other associated costs, such as anesthesia and facility fees.

Each facelift that Dr. Cha performs is entirely unique to the patient and their needs. Once he creates a custom surgical plan for you, he will be happy to provide you with an accurate cost estimate.

Does a facelift leave visible scars?

Scars are always a possibility whenever you undergo surgery. However, when you are under the care of an experienced and talented board-certified plastic surgeon, your risk of visible scarring is reduced. Dr. Cha intentionally places facelift incisions in the most discreet position possible and does his part to ensure proper healing by making precise sutures.

If you want to avoid visible scars, there are some steps that you must take as well. Protect your surgical site and care for your incisions exactly to Dr. Cha’s instructions–early recovery is crucial in determining the healing process of your incisions and scars. Once your incisions are sealed, you may practice scar care by keeping the incisions clean, dry, and moisturized. Also avoid sun exposure on your scars for up to a year–sun damage can cause them to be raised and dark.

Will my facelift look natural?

The goal of modern plastic surgery is to create an improved, natural-looking result that does not erase the organic features of a person’s face. That is how Dr. Cha envisions his patient’s results, by enhancing what you already have and “turning back the clock” on visible aging.

The overly pulled, taut look of facelifts past is not the goal. Dr. Cha uses cutting-edge techniques to create a harmonious result that blends in with the rest of your features for a natural-looking, balanced facelift.

Can I combine my facelift with other procedures?

Absolutely. One of the secrets of natural-looking, harmonious facial plastic surgery is to combine complementary procedures so that everything is cohesive. In addition to a neck lift, other facial procedures that can greatly enhance the results of your facelift include:

• A brow lift, which smoothes forehead creases and lifts the brows for a youthful look
• Blepharoplasty (eyelid lift), which removes sagging skin and fat pockets around the upper and lower eyelids, opening the eyes for a brighter, more alert look
• Facial fat transfer is a lesser-known procedure that can provide something a facelift can’t: youthful facial volume. This procedure plumps the cheeks, lips, jawline, or chin for a contoured, sculpted look.

Dr. Cha will be happy to create a customized facial rejuvenation surgical plan that incorporates the ideal procedures for your needs.

What is the best age to get a facelift?

There is no “best” time to undergo a facelift, as it comes down to the concerns the patient is exhibiting as well as their desired result. For example, some facelift patients are in their forties, but they have advanced wrinkling and facial creasing due to sun exposure. Others don’t need a facelift until they are in their late sixties to seventies. Others still may have had a facelift earlier in life and require a mini facelift ten years or so down the road to maintain their results. Everyone is wholly unique.

If you want to learn more about whether you are a candidate for facelift surgery or find out which facelift option is best for you, Dr. Cha will be happy to share his expert opinion during your comprehensive facelift consultation.

Are there any risks associated with facelift surgery?

All surgeries carry some risk. While rare, the risks of a facelift include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Poor healing
• Temporary tingling, numbness, or hair loss at the incision location

However, when performed by a board-certified, experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Cha, and the patient has been carefully vetted for health concerns and candidacy, a facelift is considered a safe procedure. During your consultation, Dr. Cha will explain the risks and benefits of a facelift at length so you can make a confident and informed decision about your procedure.

How do I choose a facelift surgeon in NY?

Choosing a facelift surgeon is an important decision; You want to look for someone with the credentials and experience that make you feel confident that you are in good hands. You also want someone who you can trust–your safety should be their number one priority.

Dr. Cha is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, an achievement that only the most dedicated and skilled surgeons can attain. In addition to this, Dr. Cha has been practicing plastic surgery in New York for over two decades, continually innovating his technique, skills, and surgical technologies.

However, aside from that, the best way to choose a plastic surgeon is to meet them in a consultation. You need to feel comfortable, confident, and cared for. Dr. Cha makes a difference in his patient’s lives by listening to their needs and making their surgical process a positive, empowering experience.

Why choose Fifth Ave Plastic Surgery for a facelift?

Fifth Ave Plastic Surgery is the premier plastic and reconstructive practice in New York City. Led by our compassionate and experienced board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Eric Cha, we aim to make each interaction with members of our staff a positive, helpful experience for our patients. Dr. Cha’s unparalleled surgical skill will make your facelift a truly custom, harmonious enhancement of your natural features while our support team makes every effort to help you through the consultation, pre-op, and post-op process as easy and enjoyable as possible.