The process of aging changes all of us in a myriad of ways. While acquiring knowledge as we get older is something to be desired, wrinkles and sagging skin are not. Of course, each of us ages in our way and at our speed. However, by the time most people reach “middle age” they are far from satisfied with what they see in the mirror and wonder if a surgical facelift is right for them.
Is a facelift right for me?
What prospective plastic surgery patients need to realize is that every procedure is not right for every individual. Certain things need to be taken into consideration, such as pre-existing health conditions, lifestyle and the chosen procedure itself. This is exactly why it’s important to have a consultation with an experienced plastic and reconstructive surgeon.
At the New York Center for Facial Plastic & Laser Surgery, prospective patients are asked to consider the following:
- Are you in good health for your age – both physical and mental?
- Are you looking to enhance your looks for yourself, rather than a spouse or others?
- Do you look older than your chronological age?
- Do you feel younger than your physical image?
- Do you seek permanent results?
- Are semi-permanent fillers and lasers not delivering desired results?
What is a facelift procedure?
Your face ages as a result of gravity. Facial muscles droop and soft tissue areas of the face lose their youthful volume. Where your skin was once smooth, folds and contours develop. A taut jawline becomes thicker and loses definition as jowls change the shape of the face.
Plastic surgery can restore one’s appearance by lifting drooping skin from the face, jawline, and neck. This eliminates shadows, creases, and sagging skin. While no treatment will return you to your teenage years, patients generally enjoy results that revert their looks a decade or so.
What type of procedures are available?
There are several varieties of facelifts that plastic surgeons recommend for their patients. These types of surgery differ and may not be perfect for every patient. This is why it is necessary to be seen by a well-trained surgeon who is experienced and knowledgeable.
Mini Lift: A smaller version of this surgery is recommended for patients who do not require extensive surgery to attain rejuvenation. Sometimes described as “short flap” plastic surgery, it recreates a youthful visage for patients with sagging that primarily affects the mid to lower part of the face. It is especially advantageous for those patients who experience drooping around the jawline and neck areas.
Because the treatment is based on the mid part of the face down, surgical scars can be placed behind the ears. Since few people see behind your earlobes, scars are hidden from view and are usually obstructed by your hair. As well, many patients choose to wear earrings after their healing period has completed additionally obstructing that view.
Flap Face Lift: This type of surgery is recommended for patients with an advanced degree of aging or with heavier folds of drooping skin and tissues. A “flap” is created to lift muscles off the face and place them back in a smoother manner. Once skin and muscles are smoothed and reset, they are secured higher on the face and sutured permanently in place. While this is a more involved degree of plastic surgery, the results are drastic and long-lasting than that achieved with a Mini-Lift.
Deep Plane Lift: This surgical procedure is the most rejuvenating of all facelifts. It corrects the aging process by moving the underlying fat and muscles together as a single entity. The procedure lifts the cheek area, as well as lower areas of the face. The surgeon creates what is referred to as a “vertical vector” to lift the face and defy the natural gravity of aging.
A Deep Plane Lift works by lifting the deep tissues of the facial area. In addition to scars that are hidden behind the ears, there are often hidden scars extended into the hairline. This type of procedure delivers the most natural and longest-lasting results but may incur a longer healing period as well.
Which Facelift is best for me?
Your journey to rejuvenation begins with a consultation at the New York Center for Facial Plastic and Laser Surgery. During your appointment, Dr. Andrew Jacono carefully examines your facial structure, as well as your skin and individual bone structure. In addition to studying your skin, he will make a point of discussing what your personal rejuvenation goals are.
During your consultation, any of your questions are answered. Before and after photographs are explained in detail too. If you are not ready for a surgical facelift, Dr. Jacono will suggest other nonsurgical treatments that offer incredible results and noticeable enhancement in your appearance.
Dr. Andrew Jacono and the New York Center for Facial Plastic & Laser Surgery
Dr. Andrew Jacono M.D., F.A.C.S is respected as a leading surgeon in the field of plastic facial and reconstructive medicine. Also, he is one of a small number of plastic surgeons who hold prestigious dual board certification in both Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Jacono not only practices at his surgical centers but is associated with such world-renowned medical centers as the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary in New York City. On Long Island, the doctor is also a practicing surgeon at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset.
To have a consultation to learn which procedure is right for you, schedule an appointment for a consultation with the New York Center for Facial Plastic & Laser Surgery. Contact his office in Manhattan by phone at (212) 570-2500, or visit the doctor as his office in Great Neck, New York by contacting them at (516) 773-2424.
