Why have a facelift?

The goal of a standard facelift is to lift the skin around the cheeks, nasiofold and jaw line area. As a surgical procedure, it's designed to target sagging skin, jowls, deep wrinkles and loose facial skin that has lost its elasticity.

By making an incision along the temple line, a facelift seeks to pull back the facial skin, cut out excess skin and make the patient look younger. Typically, the number of wrinkles are reduced along with the aging appearance of non-elasticized skin.

How much is a facelift?

In Manhattan, facelift procedures cost, on average, between $7000 and $15000, including hospital fees and the cost of anesthesia. Because a facelift is so highly visible, you may want to avoid budget, bargain-basement practitioners and instead, opt to evaluate surgeons based on their experience, not their prices.

What is the pre-surgery preparation for a rhytidectomy?

According to the Plastic Surgeon's Practice of Manhattan, facelift patients must give up smoking at least one month before their surgery. The carcinogens in cigarettes actually stops the flow of oxygen to the skin, which can cause irreparable damage during the healing process, including skin death. You should also avoid alcohol and stimulants for at least a week before your surgery.

After the facelift, patients should continue to cease smoking for at least a month. They should also avoid strenuous exercise, prolonged sun exposure, exfoliants and any other skin irritants.

What is the after-surgery recovery period like?

In Manhattan, facelift patients take an average of 4 weeks off work. This allows them the initial one to two weeks for surgery recovery, followed by a two to three week period to allow the swelling and bruising to subside. Some patients continue to exhibit bruises after the 4 week mark, but this is easily camouflaged with makeup.

If a facelift only affects my cheeks, jaw and nasal area, what about the rest of my face?

A standard facelift will only affect your cheeks, jaw line and nasal region. Areas that are typically untouched include the brow, neck and eyelid area. Instead of opting for more surgical procedures, like a brow lift, many patients use injectable fillers like Botox, Artefill or Collagen to compliment their rhytidectomy.

How long does a facelift last?

Facelift or not, the aging process will continue. The typical life span is about ten years for a quality, Manhattan facelift. Once a facelift has ceased to be effective, many patients opt for a second lift, which is referred to as a secondary procedure.

Where can I hire a Manhattan facelift plastic surgeon?

If you're looking for an experienced Manhattan facelift plastic surgeon, try asking the American Board of Plastic Surgery for a recommendation. They are a nonprofit, independent entity that requires its members to have at least five years of relevant experience before being certified. You can also view their members' list online at http://abplsurg.org.