Facelift Specialists in Savannah

Ready to get a facelift in Savannah? At The Georgia Institute for Plastic Surgery our skilled plastic surgery specialists offer natural-looking facelifts to help you look your best. On this page we’ve assembled an exhaustive overview of the facelift procedure and the expected outcomes. You can also view before and after photos and see the results of Savannah facelift patients as well as see the incredible results from our actual patients.

Watch What Our Patients Are Saying About Facelifts

What is a Facelift

Face Lift (rhytidectomy) has been called by many names and encompasses a variety of surgical rejuvenation procedures for the face including: Deep Plane Face Lift, SMAS Face Lift, Mini Face Lift and the Mid Face Lift. The term Mini-Lift has become popular because of our society’s demand for facial enhancement with less surgical intervention. The less invasive nature of these procedures also produces smaller improvements than through a standard face lift. Our practice focuses on matching the appropriate operative procedure with your needs.

The fundamental purpose of a facelift is to improve the most visible signs of aging. Signs of aging that can be improved through a face lift or variation of a face lift would be sagging cheeks, folds between the nose and mouth, sagging skin around the jaw and excess fat deposits in the facial area. Some people elect to have plastic surgery on other areas of the face to achieve a fully satisfactory outcome. The forehead or brow lift focuses on improving the brow and wrinkles of the forehead area. Eyelid (blepharoplasty) surgery removed the excess skin and fat of the eyes. A neck lift may be performed to smooth out the excess skin of the neck. Rhinoplasty reshapes the nose to a more natural balance and silhouette. Face lifts may be performed in conjunction with one or more other procedures to add total balance and harmony to your face.

Facelift Cost

Face Lift Candidates

The ideal candidate for a facelift in Georgia is usually in the age range of forties to seventies with good supporting bone structure and supple skin. We recommend that you explore all cosmetic surgery facial options and set reasonable expectations for the outcome of your face lift procedure. We are often asked “How long does a face lift last?” They actually last forever – you will always look younger than you would have if you did not have one performed. Sure you start aging all over again and your face lift begins to age as you do. You may opt for a touch up secondary procedure eight–15 years later. A face lift repositions all the soft tissues of the face, but it cannot bring back the health and vitality of your skin. We recommend a medical grade skincare program, and in some cases, non-surgical facial treatments to refine your skin for a complete comprehensive treatment. Face lifts do enhance your appearance by improving signs of aging and help bring out the best in you.

Pre-Surgery – Before the Facelift

Your consultation in our office will help set reasonable expectations for the outcome of the face lift procedure. It is important to inform your surgeon if you smoke or are taking any prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins or supplements. You should especially inform your doctor if you are taking aspirin or other drugs that affect blood clotting. Bring a picture of yourself and identify the traits that are important to improve through the procedure. Our surgeons will review your medical history to accommodate for any medical conditions requiring attention before, during or after the procedure. These medical conditions may include, but not be limited to: uncontrolled high blood pressure, blood clotting problems or the tendency to form excessive scars. You may be required to cease certain medications and/or take other medications prior to and after the facelift surgery procedure. Many patients comment on how they feel renewed and have a fresh, more youthful look following recovery from a face lift procedure.

About The Face Lift Procedure

Face lift procedure are to some degree an art and are highly individualized. The procedure is performed at our state-of-the-art outpatient Savannah plastic surgery center – The Plastic Surgery Center. Most of our patients spend the night in our overnight facility. The procedure requires a few hours and is usually performed under local anesthesia with intravenous sedation medication. This allows you to breathe for yourself throughout the procedure and is safer that having it performed under general anesthesia.

The incisions for a standard facelift are dependent on the hairline of the individual and the skin deformity that we are treating. Our standard procedure includes an incision in front of the ear in an inconspicuous location of the face. It than extends behind the ear and into the posterior scalp. If your neck is being treated, an incision may be made under the chin. Your surgeon will elevate the skin of the face and neck from the underlying fascia and muscle so that the excess fat can be trimmed or suctioned. The muscles are then repositioned and the lax fascia tightened. The loose skin is then re-draped and the excess is then trimmed, lifted back and sutured into place. Many patients may have their correction with a shorter scar or an “S Lift.” Stitches are used in front and behind the ear, and usually the hair bearing scalp is held together with surgical metal clips.

Post Surgery

You will need someone to drive you home following the procedure and may require assistance with daily living activities for a few days thereafter. The sutures are usually removed in the pre-auricular area on day four or five and the metal clips are usually removed within seven to 14 days after the procedure. You will be asked not to bend over and will need to refrain from strenuous activity for approximately two weeks after surgery. Most individuals can return to work with makeup at 10 days and can return to a normal social calendar at 14 days. You will be advised to refrain from saunas and hot tubs for several months.

Complications may occur with any medical procedure, and include: hematoma (a blood clot), infection and an adverse reaction to anesthesia. Yet, complications can usually be managed by your surgeon. In addition, you may feel some temporary numbness after the procedure. Poor skin healing may affect some individuals, especially smokers. Scars will usually be hidden within the hair and along natural skin creases. Complication risks are reduced by following the pre- and post-operative instructions provided by your surgeon.

Other Facial Cosmetic Surgery Procedures

In addition to facelift, our surgeons at The Georgia Institute For Plastic Surgery have also treated many Savannah neck lift, forehead lift, rhinoplasty and blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) patients. Please visit these other pages in our website to learn more about other facial cosmetic surgery procedures.