Even those men and women who feel like they’re getting better instead of getting older may not feel quite as thrilled about the effects that aging and gravity can have on their appearance. If you’re troubled by loose skin through the lower face and upper neck, prominent jowling or frustrated that your reflection looks much older than you feel on the inside, a facelift could be the right solution for you. A facelift can leave you looking revitalized and refreshed so you can feel confident you’re putting your best face forward.
Recognized as a facial plastic surgery specialist and one of the top cosmetic surgeons in the Mobile-Pensacola metro area, Dr. James Koehler is a board certified cosmetic surgeon serving patients from Gulfport to Gulf Shores and beyond. Dr. Koehler offers a wide range of plastic surgery procedures for both men and women, and is known for his caring commitment to a patient-first approach.
Are You a Candidate?
The best candidates for a facelift are men and women who have noticeable or advanced signs of aging through the lower face like saggy skin and loss of firmness. Although there isn’t a specific age that’s considered ideal for a facelift, the best results are seen in those candidates who are young enough to still have good skin quality and elasticity, typically between the ages of 40 and 60. It’s also important to be in good overall physical and mental health, and to have realistic expectations about your results.
While a facelift can deliver a very impressive outcome in the right candidate, the surgery does have some limitations. Specifically, a facelift won’t improve issues related to the upper face such as crow’s feet, droopy eyes or frown lines. In these cases, Dr. Koehler may recommend including upper facial cosmetic surgery like eyelid surgery or a brow lift at the same time as your facelift for more comprehensive results. Nonsurgical med spa treatments like BOTOX® or laser resurfacing can help extend the results of your facelift after your surgery as well. During your consultation, Dr. Koehler will explain how these procedures can complement each other so you’ll be fully informed about your options before proceeding with surgery.
About Face Lifts
Facial aging might be associated with wrinkles, but there’s a lot more to the aging process than these fairly minor surface changes. In fact, it’s the changes that occur in the deeper soft tissues of the face that are responsible for the more pronounced indications of age that would necessitate a facelift. Collagen production declines, causing the skin to lose elasticity and firmness and begin to sag. The constant pull of gravity only exacerbates this downward migration. Over time, this causes laxity and softening in the skin itself that leads to droopiness and deep wrinkles.
A facelift smoothes away loose skin folds and creates a firmer texture while simultaneously tightening the underlying supportive layers of the facial structure for long-lasting results.
Face Lift Costs
The price for a facelift from our practice starts at $4,700. Your price may vary depending on your specific goals and whether additional facial cosmetic surgery procedures are performed at the same time. Dr. Koehler and his staff are happy to answer any questions you may have about cosmetic surgery pricing and help you fully understand the costs associated with your facelift.
What to Expect
A facelift is not a one-size-fits-all surgery, so Dr. Koehler will begin with a personal consultation along with a comprehensive physical evaluation in order to determine the best approach to take for your procedure. He’ll also explain what you can expect from surgery through your recovery.
For a traditional facelift, Dr. Koehler typically places incisions behind the ear and hidden within the hairline for the utmost discretion after healing. In many cases, he may include an incision below the chin as well. Next, Dr. Koehler can reposition fatty deposits to a more youthful placement over the cheekbones. In some cases, fat grafting may be included to restore volume loss through the cheeks and temples as well. Finally, Dr. Koehler tightens the underlying structural soft tissue and muscular layers of the face before removing any excess skin and tissue and closing the incisions. There are limited incision facelift techniques that Dr. Koehler may use instead if he feels better results may be possible through those methods.
Since facelifts are usually performed as an outpatient procedure, you can plan on returning home after your surgery. Dr. Koehler may recommend wearing a supportive bandage initially to help you stay more comfortable and reduce any fluid buildup. By about 1 week after your surgery, swelling should be greatly decreased and you should be able to cover any residual bruising with makeup. By the 2-week mark, you should be able to enjoy a dinner with close friends and have no one the wiser that you underwent a facelift at all.
Risks and Complications
The most likely risks associated with a facelift are the same as those that could occur after any surgery, including a negative reaction to anesthesia, infection or poor healing response. Less common side effects include the possibility of hair loss at the incision points or permanent changes in sensation, although these are rare. Dr. Koehler will discuss all the risks and benefits with you during your consultation so you’re informed about what you can expect.
Your New Look
Right away after your facelift, you should see a difference in your appearance. Hanging jowls or loose skin will better accentuate your bone structure and have a firmer look and improved texture, and deep wrinkles should be minimized. The ideal goal of a facelift is to reveal the best possible version of yourself so that your inner vitality shines through every aspect of your daily life.