Facelift
In Birmingham, AL
Wisdom may come with age, but so often do wrinkles and sagging skin. Over time, the factors of aging, gravity, genetics, lifestyle choices, and environmental conditions take a visible toll on the body. The tissues of the face and neck lose elasticity, leading to a loss of facial definition and the formation of jowls, folds, and creases. Facelift surgery can improve visible signs of aging by treating skin sagging, lax tissue, wrinkles, creases, and excess fatty deposits. Men and women whose faces are a poor reflection of the age they feel they are can undergo a personalized facelift procedure designed to meet their needs. Whatever techniques may be required for you, your facelift with Dr. Cohn can enhance your appearance and provide you with a facial profile that is youthful and rejuvenated.
What Do You Desire?
Youthful, Refreshed Appearance
Too often, a poorly performed facelift leaves the patient with features that appear oddly stretched as though perpetually windblown. Those who do not undergo facelift surgery gradually look older and older as their facial tissues are unable to retain their youthful elasticity. The techniques and skills employed by Dr. Cohn for your custom-designed facelift procedure will not give you an “operated-on” appearance; rather, your facelift will help you look youthful and attractive in a very natural and pleasing way.
Defined Facial and Neck Contours
As a natural result of the aging process, the skin and muscles of the face become lax, losing their youthful tone. Fat can also become displaced and accumulate beneath the chin or along the jowls. The aging individual typically sees a gradual loss in facial definition. Various facelift techniques can restore defined facial and neck contours by improving muscle tone, trimming away sagging skin, removing excess fat, and adjusting the tissues so that they lay naturally and beautifully upon your facial framework.
Greater Confidence
Perhaps one of the greatest challenges associated with aging is the feeling that you are less important, less needed, and less able to accomplish your goals. The years that creep up on you may diminish the amount of confidence you have in yourself. However, after a personalized facelift procedure, you can once again look in the mirror and see the youthful attractiveness and thirst for life that you had in your younger years. Your rejuvenated appearance can inspire greater confidence and help you feel ready to conquer life’s challenges.
Facelift Techniques
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The traditional facelift focuses on full facial rejuvenation and requires a lengthy incision that is hidden in the hairline.
First, anesthesia is administered for patient comfort during the procedure. Once the anesthesia has taken effect, the surgical incisions are made. The incision is placed in the hairline near the temples and continues around the ears, ending in the lower scalp. Through the incisions, Dr. Cohn repositions and lifts the underlying facial tissues, tightening the skin and muscles where necessary to achieve a more youthful facial appearance. He may also perform fat sculpting or redistribution of fat in the face, jaw, and neck. Finally, the skin is redraped, any excess skin is trimmed away, and sutures or skin adhesives are used to close the incisions.
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The limited incision facelift uses shorter incisions for patients who need more moderate facial rejuvenation.
Anesthesia will first be administered for patient comfort. After the anesthesia has taken effect, the surgical incisions are placed. The shorter incisions for the limited incision facelift are placed at the temples and around the ear. Dr. Cohn reposition and adjusts the facial tissues to rejuvenate the face. Limited fat sculpting or redistribution may also be necessary, after which the skin is redraped over the underlying musculature. Excess skin is trimmed away, and sutures or skin adhesives are used to seal the incisions.
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The neck lift focuses on rejuvenation of the neck, jowls, and area beneath the chin.
First, anesthesia is administered for patient comfort during the procedure. After it has taken effect, the surgical incisions are made. Frequently, the neck lift incision starts in front of the earlobe, continues around behind the ear, and ends in the lower scalp. Dr. Cohn repositions the facial and neck tissues to improve the contour of the neck, chin, and jaw. Fat sculpting and redistribution can also help redefine the neck and jawline. If needed, Dr. Cohn can correct muscle banding to create a smoother neckline. After the skin is redraped and excess tissue is trimmed away, skin adhesives or sutures are used to close the incisions.
Concerns
Consultation
In preparation for your procedure, Dr. Cohn will conduct a thorough consultation with you.
Details of your medical history, your personal history, medicinal use, use of herbal supplements and vitamins, drug allergies, drug use, and family medical history will all be discussed, as well as your goals for facelift surgery. Dr. Cohn will also perform a detailed physical examination and take photographs for your medical record. He will discuss your surgical options with you, recommend a treatment plan, and discuss details concerning anesthesia, surgical risks, and your anticipated results. He will be happy to make recommendations based on your personal goals and anatomic realities to guide in making the final decisions about the details of your facelift procedure.
Recovery
Your recovery experience will depend on the surgical techniques used and your body’s ability to heal.
Most patients should reduce their activity for several days and avoid exercise for a few weeks. Soreness and swelling may persist for a few weeks after the procedure. Dr. Cohn will give you specific postoperative instructions that you should carefully follow to ensure the success of your surgery. These will include instructions on caring for your incisions, taking medications, reducing the risk of infection, and observing follow-up appointments. Take care to avoid subjecting your surgical incisions to excessive force, abrasion, or motion while they are healing. Dr. Cohn or a member of his medical staff would be happy to answer any other questions you may have during your recovery.
Scars
The surgical incisions used in facelift surgery typically leave scars.
However, these are hidden in inconspicuous places (such as within the hairline) so that they will be less detectable. Your body’s ability to heal is a significant determining factor in the amount of scarring you can expect. Any noticeable scarring will most likely fade over time.
Pain
General anesthesia or intravenous sedation are administered prior to facelift surgery to prevent any pain during the procedure.
During recovery, soreness and discomfort can continue for up to a few weeks. Oral pain medications can help alleviate any discomfort as you heal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is a good candidate for facelift surgery?
Facelift surgery is a highly individualized procedure. This surgery may be a good option for you if you are bothered by visible signs of aging in your face, neck, upper and lower eye areas, and jowls. Patients who are physically healthy, have a stable body weight, do not smoke, and have realistic expectations are the best candidates for facelift surgery.
Which type of facelift do I need?
Your facelift procedure will incorporate the appropriate techniques to meet your preferences and anatomical needs. During your consultation, Dr. Cohn will go over which techniques are best for the areas of your face and neck that need treatment. Together, you will decide which surgical technique(s) you need.
How should I prepare for my procedure?
Before your procedure, you should follow all of Dr. Cohn’s recommendations that were given to you at your consultation and preoperative appointments. You may need to get lab testing, a medical evaluation, adjust current medications, quit smoking, and avoid taking anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements prior to the procedure. If you follow his recommendations carefully, you should be well prepared for your procedure.
What kind of anesthesia will be used?
Either intravenous sedation or general anesthesia will be used for your procedure. Dr. Cohn will recommend the best choice for your surgery.
How much does a facelift cost?
The cost of Birmingham Cohn Plastic Surgery facelift surgery varies from patient to patient and is affected by surgeon’s fees, surgical technique, facility fees, anesthesia fees, medications, and associated medical testing. We offer patient financing plans for patients who may be interested.
What results can I expect?
Facelift surgery can help you achieve a more naturally youthful appearance. It is important to recognize that this procedure does not promise significant changes to your appearance and cannot halt the aging process. Nonetheless, many of our facelift patients have found that their results help them look years younger.