Whether because of age or a life event (such as pregnancy or weight loss), many men and women develop loose, sagging skin and wrinkles and fine lines on the lower portion of their face.
While injectable treatments and dermal fillers can help correct some of these facial issues, the most effective long-term solution for sagging skin and blemishes is facelift surgery.
A facelift is a cosmetic procedure in which the lower two-thirds of the face (from the cheeks to the neck) is surgically tightened to give a smoother and more rejuvenated facial appearance.
This is accomplished by tightening the underlying muscles, removing or redistributing fat, trimming excess skin, and tightening the remaining skin.
I just want to thank Dr. Gonzalez and his Staff! He is an excellent surgeon, definitely one of best!!! But most importantly he really cares about his patients and of course very professional. His nurse Giovanny is really sweet and caring! I have had 2 procedures done with them and I would recommend him100% to family and friends! Thank you so much for everything
The best and professional Plastic Surgery in town .. happy and grateful with 10 years and counting since my surgery
Probably one of the best experiences I’ve ever had at a Dr’s office. I was a new patient so I had to do all the usual paperwork. My appointment was for 2pm by 2:06 I was in the room. Dr Gonzalez came in 5 mins later he was very nice and knowledgeable. I left after he actually said I didn’t need anything done. That’s pretty rare for a Dr not to sell you something!
If you suffer from loose or sagging skin in the lower portion of your face (including neck, cheeks, and jowls) and are looking for long-lasting correction to these issues, then facelift surgery may be the right choice for you.
Ideal candidates for this procedure are men and women who:
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As with any plastic surgery procedure or cosmetic treatment, your facelift consultation is the first and most crucial aspect of the process.
At your consultation, you will be able to discuss your aesthetic frustrations and goals with Dr. Gonzalez and ask any questions you may have about the procedure and recovery process. During the consultation, Dr. Gonzalez will evaluate your condition to see which facelift techniques are best for you.
Facelift surgery generally takes two to four hours to complete, depending on the extent of correction needed and whether this surgery is being combined with any other procedures. A facelift is performed under general anesthesia to ensure that you do not experience any pain or discomfort during the procedure.
At Le Contour Surgery, Dr. Gonzalez is proud to offer four different options of facelift surgery.
A full facelift, also known as a traditional facelift, is ideal for patients with visible signs of aging (wrinkles and fine lines) and sagging skin. This procedure addresses issues in the entire lower two-thirds of the face.
After the anesthesia is administered, Dr. Gonzalez will make an incision along the hairline, which extends down to your temples. This incision will stop at the base of the ears. At this point, Dr. Gonzalez will stretch and tighten the underlying facial muscles with internal sutures to give a tighter, more youthful appearance. This also helps correct loose and sagging skin. Excess skin is removed, the skin is redraped, and the incisions are closed.
As the name suggests, a mid-facelift helps to address the area in the middle of the face (primarily the areas near the cheekbones and down into the upper jaw).
Loose skin in these areas, as well as wrinkles and fine lines, are corrected to give you a more balanced facial appearance. This procedure is performed with the help of an endoscopic camera that is inserted through small incisions in the hairline and ears.
This procedure is not as extensive as a full facelift, which means that the results will not be as dramatic, though the surgery and recovery will not be as involved either. This procedure is ideal for patients who are suffering from mild skin laxity.
A lower facelift targets correction in the lower one-third of the face, including the neck and jowls. For this type of facelift, small incisions are made in front of the ear. These incisions then extend down the face a short distance. Through these incisions, an endoscopic camera is used to aid in removing fat, tightening the underlying muscles in the surgical area, and removing any excess skin. The remaining skin is tightened to give you a smooth and natural appearance.
One of the most popular facelift choices available is the mini facelift. For this procedure, a small incision is made near the ear (on both sides). The skin is then lifted to a higher position while the underlying muscles are tightened with internal sutures. Excess skin is removed, though it will not be as extensive as it would be for a full facelift. The remaining skin is tightened, and then the incisions are closed to give you a more natural and youthful appearance.
“We welcome our patients as family.”
Le Contour TeamTo determine if you are a good candidate for a Facelift, schedule your consultation online or call us at (407) 447-1628.
Depending on the type of facelift procedure you have done, your recovery can take anywhere up to three weeks for a mini facelift or four weeks for a full facelift. Most patients are able to return to work after one week. During your recovery, it is important that you allow your face to heal. This means getting the rest you need.
After your procedure, you will experience some swelling and bruising in your face, as well as some discomfort. These side effects will dissipate within a week or two. Any pain can be alleviated with prescription and over-the-counter medication. During the first two weeks of your recovery, it is important that you do not engage in any strenuous activities, including exercise or lifting heavy objects. You will slowly feel like yourself again and be able to return to your normal, daily activities after two to three weeks for a mini facelift or three to four weeks for a full facelift.
You will have significant swelling and bruising on your face for the first week or two, which will hide some of your results. However, as the swelling and bruising subside, you will begin to see your new, more defined and youthful facial appearance.
After about three weeks for a mini facelift and four weeks for a full facelift, you should see your final results. These results are long lasting, though they cannot keep away the natural effects of aging.
By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a good diet and regular exercise, you can help prolong your stunning results.
Nationally, facelift surgery typically ranges from $7,000 to $20,000+ depending on technique (mini vs. full vs. deep plane), whether a neck lift is combined, and geographic location. Le Contour offers competitive pricing relative to these national averages — Dr. Gonzalez can provide an exact quote tailored to your goals during your consultation.
Good candidates for a facelift are generally in good overall health, don’t smoke, and have realistic expectations about their results. Facelifts work best for patients experiencing mid-to-lower face sagging, jowls, and deep folds — most candidates range from their 40s to 70s, though the right age depends on your individual signs of aging rather than a strict number. Dr. Gonzalez will evaluate your skin quality, facial structure, and goals during your consultation to confirm you’re a good fit.
Facelift surgery itself is performed under anesthesia, so you won’t feel pain during the procedure. Afterward, most patients describe tightness, pressure, and mild-to-moderate soreness rather than sharp pain, and this is well controlled with prescribed medication during the first several days.
Expect bruising and swelling for the first one to two weeks, with sutures typically removed within 7 to 14 days. Most patients feel comfortable returning to work and normal social activities around two to three weeks post-surgery, though strenuous exercise should wait about four to six weeks. Final results continue to refine over several months as residual swelling fully resolves.
Facelift results are long-lasting, with most patients enjoying their results for 7 to 10 years or more. Your face will continue to age naturally afterward, but the foundational improvement holds up well over time, especially when paired with good skincare and a stable weight.
Facelift incisions are strategically placed along the hairline and around the ear to stay hidden within natural contours. While the scars are permanent, they fade significantly over time and are typically very difficult to notice once fully healed.
Yes. Facelift is commonly combined with complementary procedures like a neck lift, brow lift, or eyelid lift for a more complete facial rejuvenation, and many patients choose to address multiple areas in a single surgery to minimize overall downtime and cost.
As with any surgery, facelift carries some risk, including bleeding, infection, reactions to anesthesia, and changes in skin sensation. Temporary numbness is common and typically resolves within a few months. Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon significantly reduces these risks.
Modern facelift techniques focus on repositioning the deeper facial tissues rather than simply pulling the skin tight, which produces a softer, more natural-looking result. Dr. Gonzalez’s approach is designed to avoid the overly tight or “windswept” look historically associated with older facelift techniques — the goal is for you to look like a well-rested version of yourself.
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