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.
Full Facelift
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.
Mid-Facelift
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.
Lower Facelift
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.
Mini Facelift
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.