Steps of a Facelift Procedure

Dallas board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Azouz always wants his patients to be prepared for their plastic surgery procedures with their questions answered and their minds at ease. Dr. Azouz likes his patients to know what to expect before, during, and after their cosmetic procedure. Facelift surgery in Dallas is a day surgery procedure performed by Dr. Azouz to rejuvenate the face and neck.

What are the Steps of a Facelift Procedure?

So what exactly are the steps of a facelift procedure? The true answer is that everyone’s facelift surgical plan is slightly different, being tailored to their unique anatomy and desired results. Dr. Azouz always strives for a beautiful and natural result. Here’s a general outline of what steps Dr. Azouz takes during facelifts.

Consult

During a facelift consultation, Dr. Azouz takes the patient’s history and performs a physical examination. Dr. Azouz will show the patient on their face what they might expect with different facelift options. Dr. Azouz discusses the procedure in general and then focuses on the patient’s specific concerns and anatomy. The patient’s questions are answered, and Dr. Azouz arranges a certified facility and anesthesia provider for the facelift procedure.

Step One: Administer Anesthesia

Facelift procedures are almost always performed with a local anesthetic in the treatment area and twilight intravenous sedation to make patients comfortable. Dr. Azouz can even tweak the level you’re sedated depending on your specific anesthesia needs.

Step Two: Make the Incisions

At this point, a facelift procedure can go down several different treatment paths. The traditional facelift incision lies in the hairline around the temples, passing in behind the ear and down toward the neck. However, the incision is smaller for mini facelifts, providing a shorter scar but limiting Dr. Azouz’s access to underlying tissues.

Facelifts are often performed in combination with neck lift when issues like sagging skin, neck banding, or double chin are causes for concern. In some cases, a neck lift incision may be made in an inconspicuous indentation under the chin.

Dr. Azouz performs a drainless double-layer facelift. This involves a surgical technique that eliminates drains at the incision sites following the procedure and minimizes scarring.

Step Three: Make Surgical Adjustments

The tissues of the face are delicate, intricate structures that Dr. Azouz will meticulously adjust to eliminate wrinkles, sagging skin, and hollow areas that bother facelift patients. This process involves removing the skin, tightening facial muscles, re-defining the deeper tissues, and removing or redistributing fat pockets throughout the skin.

Step Four: Close Incisions

Many facelift patients worry about the long-term appearance of their incisions, which is why Dr. Azouz takes special care to close facelift incisions in such a way to prevent bad scarring and allow your facelift to look as natural as possible.

Step Five: Enjoy the Results!

The many aesthetic benefits of a facelift can be seen almost immediately. However, you will notice bruising and swelling throughout the treatment area that obscure the natural look you’ll have once you’re fully recovered. Most patients can go back to light work within a week of their procedure when they’re feeling like their normal selves. Results of a facelift take just a few weeks to substantially appear, with a tiny amount of residual swelling and scar refinement lasting up to a year or eighteen months.

Facelifts in Dallas, TX

For people in the Dallas-Ft. Worth corridor, a facelift is a highly effective and long-lasting way to take the signs of aging off your complexion, revealing a more youthful, vibrant face that boosts your self-confidence for years to come. Learn more about your options for facelift surgery and how it can help you feel great when you look in a mirror by scheduling a consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons today.