Facelift Surgery in Atlanta, GA
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, can make your face look years younger by correcting sagging in the cheeks and jawline and smoothing facial lines and wrinkles. Facial skin, underlying muscles, and connective tissues tend to lose resilience through aging. Hardened lines and creases begin to form. Gravity pulls the skin down to form jowls under the jawline, drooping cheeks, and other telltale signs of aging. A facelift is a highly customized procedure to correct the specific effects of aging in your face for subtly rejuvenating results.
Mark Crispin, M.D., at Crispin Plastic Surgery, performs facelift surgery in Atlanta to help men and women achieve an attractive, more youthful appearance and renewed self-confidence. Dr. Crispin is a board-certified plastic surgeon who consistently delivers beautifully natural-looking results for his patients. He and his staff run a warm and welcoming practice where patients are listened to and valued for who they are.
To learn more about how facelift surgery with Dr. Crispin might make you look and feel better, contact Crispin Plastic Surgery today to schedule a consultation in Atlanta.
Consider a Facelift with One of the Best Surgeons in Atlanta, GA
Facial creams, lotions, and other superficial cosmetic skin care treatments can only do so much. Over time, facial skin tends to stretch, loosen, and succumb to the pull of gravity, as do the face’s underlying muscles and connective tissues. Early signs of wrinkling can harden into noticeable lines and creases. High, round, youthful cheeks can droop and flatten. A firm jawline can sag and soften, with displaced fat from the cheeks settling to form jowls. Any of these changes can make you look older and often occur in combination.
A facelift reverses these unwanted changes of facial aging by:
- Repositioning displaced fat and underlying muscles for more youthful facial contours
- Subtly lifting and tightening stretched, loosened facial skin
- Smoothing wrinkles, fine lines, and creases below the eyes, in the cheeks, and around the nose and mouth
- Eliminating jowls for a more defined and younger-looking jawline
A facelift can be combined with a neck lift to correct redundant skin, remove excess fat under the chin, and smooth and tighten the skin of the neck. A facelift can be combined with a brow lift or an eyelid lift to raise sagging eyebrows and eyelids and to smooth forehead lines and vertical creases between the eyebrows.
The changes made in a facelift can make you look and feel younger and more attractive, a transformation that can boost your self-esteem and self-confidence.
Am I a Good Candidate for a Facelift?
Dr. Crispin can tell you if you are a good candidate for a facelift as part of your consultation with him. You may be a good candidate if you:
- Are you dissatisfied with the appearance of your face and neck because of sagging skin, jowls, or wrinkles and lines caused by loss of skin resilience
- Are in overall good health
- Have realistic expectations for the results of the procedure
If you smoke, you must be able to quit for several weeks before and after your surgery.
Exceptional Results & Compassionate Care
For over 25 years, Dr. Crispin has been the top choice for plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures in the area. You’re provided with professional and compassionate care at the office, and it’s no wonder Dr. Crispin is named one of the Top Doctors in 2023 by Atlanta Magazine.
Planning Your Facelift
How Is Facelift Surgery Performed?
Facelift surgery is performed under general anesthesia or (for less extensive changes) local anesthesia with sedation. The specific approach and technique used will depend on the areas of the face that need treatment and the improvements being made.
- A mini facelift treats the lower part of the face without removing excess skin and is often the choice for younger patients with moderate signs of facial aging. Mini facelifts can correct the early stages of skin laxity below the eyes and in the cheeks, but they do not address jowls or loose skin below the jawline. In a mini-facelift, short incisions are made around the ears, through which the muscles and connective tissues of the lower part of the face are repositioned to create a younger look. A mini facelift is sometimes called a “weekend facelift” because the recovery time is comparatively short.
- A full facelift, better termed a face and neck lift, addresses moderate to significant signs of facial aging in the lower portion of the face and below the jawline. A full facelift can correct skin laxity in the neck, cheeks, and below the eyes; jowls; hanging skin and excess fat below the chin. In a full facelift, incisions are made in front of and behind the ear, ending in the hairline. An additional incision may be made along the natural crease below the chin. Through these incisions, facial and neck muscles and connective tissues are raised, displaced fat is repositioned, and excess skin and fat are removed.
When all changes have been made, the incisions are closed and protected with a sterile dressing. After you awaken from the anesthesia has worn off and are fully alert, you will be released to go home. You should arrange to have a friend or family member drive you home and stay with you for at least the first night.
What to Expect After Your Facelift
Plan to rest at home for 10 to 14 days after your surgery (a bit less for a mini facelift). You can expect some discomfort in the days right after your surgery, which can be managed with pain medication. You can also expect some swelling and bruising at first. Many patients experience a sensation of tightness as they heal. You’ll be able to resume light activity after a few days; then you can gradually build up to your normal level of physical activity over the next few weeks.
Dr. Crispin and his staff will provide you with detailed instructions on:
- Self-care and wound care as you heal
- When to return follow-up appointments
- How to get answers to any questions or concerns
- When and how to resume normal activities
It will take some time for residual swelling to resolve and for the skin and underlying tissue to settle into their new position. You can use makeup to hide any initial discoloration, taking care to keep the incisions clean until they heal. Final results will be visible six months to a year after your surgery.
Schedule Your Atlanta Facelift Consultation Today
Contact Crispin Plastic Surgery online or by calling (404) 257-0064 to schedule a consultation for a facelift with Dr. Crispin. He will ask questions to understand your goals for treatment, examine you, and give his recommendations for the best and safest approach. Patients throughout the Atlanta area choose Dr. Crispin because of his caring approach, surgical expertise, and beautifully natural-looking results.
Atlanta Facelift - FAQs
Think ahead about questions you have and your specific goals.
Avoid blood thinning medications and vitamins at least 2 weeks prior to surgery, and have your hair colored before surgery.
Roughly 2.5hrs
There is no specific age range; it depends on how you have aged and when you have enough loose skin on the face to justify this procedure.
Three related facial rejuvenation procedures are often performed in combination with a facelift:
- A neck lift corrects loose skin and displaced or excess fat below the chin and jawline, and banding and loose muscles of the neck.
- A brow lift rejuvenates the upper part of the face, above the eyes, by raising drooping eyebrows and smoothing forehead lines and creases.
- Eyelid surgery corrects sagging and puffiness in the eyelids and below the eyes.
A mini facelift only addressed the midface and jowl area. A full facelift addresses this, as well as the neck.
Most people are not candidates for a liquid facelift-his does not remove or tighten skin like a traditional facelift. Liquid facelifts are done with injectable fillers and give very minimal results.
In the hands of an experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Crispin, your face will appear younger and refreshed. The goal is to look rested, not pulled or startled.
The results of a facelift can be long-lasting, generally around ten years. However, factors like aging, sun exposure, skincare, and lifestyle choices can affect the longevity of your results.
This is different for each patient as everyone heals differently, and some may bruise more than others-typically people are non-surgical looking in roughly 7-10 days.
One month after surgery.
This is dependent on your job and preference. Typically half a week to a week off work is enough.
Medical grade skin care, spf protection, and minimal weight gain or loss.
Dr. Crispin will artistically and strategically place incisions around the ear and behind the hairline.
You must discontinue smoking as soon as possible before any surgery, especially a facelift. You are required to discontinue a minimum of 2 weeks before surgery and 2 weeks after surgery to avoid significant complications in healing.
While Dr. Crispin makes every effort to minimize scarring, it’s essential to understand that any surgical procedure has the potential of creating scars. However, facelift scars are typically well-concealed within the natural contours of the face and hairline. These scars will fade over time.
Yes, there are non-surgical alternatives, such as dermal fillers, Botox, and laser treatments, that can help improve facial appearance to some extent. However, these options may not provide the same dramatic improvements as a surgical facelift.
Like any surgical procedure, a facelift carries certain risks, including infection, bleeding, scarring, and anesthesia-related complications. Your surgeon will discuss these risks with you during the consultation process.
While you may notice some immediate improvement after the procedure, it can take several weeks to months for swelling and bruising to resolve fully and for the final results of your facelift to become apparent.
During the facelift procedure, you will be under anesthesia, so you won’t feel any pain. After the surgery, some discomfort and tightness are common, but Dr. Crispin will prescribe appropriate pain medication to manage any discomfort during the initial stages of recovery.
Yes, a facelift can address some facial asymmetries by repositioning and tightening facial tissues. However, achieving perfect symmetry is not always possible or advisable as some degree of natural asymmetry is common and can contribute to a more natural-looking result.
Drainage tubes, or drains, may be placed during surgery to help remove excess fluid and reduce swelling in the initial stages of recovery. Dr. Crispin will determine if drains are necessary based on your case and provide instructions on their care and removal.
Patients with well-controlled medical conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, may still be suitable candidates for a facelift. However, it’s essential to discuss your medical history and current health status with your surgeon during the consultation. Dr. Crispin will work closely with your primary care physician to ensure your safety and optimize your surgical outcome.
Dr. Crispin may recommend following a specific diet before and after your facelift surgery to promote optimal healing and recovery. This may include staying well-hydrated, eating a balanced diet rich in nutrients, and avoiding certain foods and beverages that can increase the risk of complications, such as alcohol and foods high in sodium. Be sure to follow any dietary guidelines provided by your surgeon.