Facelift

Spending time outdoors throughout the year is one of the benefits of living in South Florida. Sun exposure combined with the natural aging process, though, can result in appearing older than you feel. Our facelift specialist in Boynton Beach, FL, uses advanced techniques—including performing facelifts with only local anesthesia—to create attractive, natural-looking results that can take years off your appearance.

How Is a Facelift Performed?

Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Andrew H. Rosenthal customizes each facelift procedure after consulting with patients and listening to their concerns. The techniques he uses emphasize elevating and tightening the “superficial musculoaponeurotic system” (SMAS)—the layer of fat and connective tissue below the skin.

A full facelift and neck lift using either a SMASectomy or SMAS plication—which describes an advanced suturing technique—reduces jowls, minimizes nasolabial folds and other wrinkles on the lower face. It also creates a smoother, slimmer neck and a more defined jawline.

Dr. Rosenthal begins the procedure by making discreet incisions concealed along the hairline and in the natural creases in front of the ear. He then gently lifts the skin and repositions and tightens the SMAS layer before carefully re-draping the skin and removing any excess without pulling the skin too tight. This prevents the unnatural, “windswept” appearance that older techniques often created. Instead, you’ll look like a more youthful version of yourself. We also combine a facelift with skin rejuvenation treatments and fat grafting to restore volume.

The Beauty-FUL (Facelift Under Local) Facelift

We typically perform facelift surgery using local anesthesia with sedation to keep patients comfortable during the procedure. This conservative approach reduces the risk of complications and results in a faster recovery than facelift surgery performed with the patient under general anesthesia. Studies have shown that this technique is very safe and produces excellent results.

Why Do People Get a Facelift?

The reasons women and men get facelift surgery vary quite a bit from person to person. Some people believe a more youthful appearance will help them remain competitive professionally. A facelift can also boost a person’s confidence in social settings, in addition to better reflecting the youthfulness they feel.

A facelift and neck lift address concerns about the mid and lower face. Specifically, it will:

• Reduce jowling
• Minimize sagging skin on the cheeks
• Eliminate vertical neck bands
• Create a more youthful profile
• Restore volume when combined with fat grafting

It’s important to have realistic expectations about the results and understand that a facelift doesn’t address signs of aging around the eyes or on the forehead. You may want to combine a facelift with a brow lift or blepharoplasty (upper and lower eyelid surgery) to produce comprehensive results.

How Much Does a Facelift Cost in Boynton Beach?

The cost of a facelift depends on your specific concerns and the technique your surgeon uses to accomplish your cosmetic goals. The cost for a full facelift starts at $34,000*. Dr. Rosenthal creates a personalized surgical plan after consulting with you, and we provide a detailed price quote that you can review before scheduling surgery. We work with various companies that specialize in financing cosmetic surgery, including CareCredit®, PatientFi®, and Yes Doctor.

What Is a Mini Facelift?

Dr. Rosenthal may recommend a mini facelift if a less invasive approach can accomplish your goals. A mini facelift involves shorter incisions, less discomfort, and a shorter recovery and reflects the trend of many plastic surgery procedures. The goals remain the same, but Dr. Rosenthal adapts his techniques to optimize the rejuvenating effects of the surgery while minimizing its downsides.

What Happens During Facelift Recovery?

Many patients are surprised that they experience minimal discomfort after facelift surgery. This is especially true when the procedure is performed using a local anesthetic with light sedation. You can expect swelling and bruising to peak about 3 to 4 days after the procedure and then gradually dissipate. You’ll have stitches removed about a week after the surgery, and you can return to work at this point if you’re not self-conscious about swelling.

One thing to keep in mind is that if you’re planning to attend a significant social or professional event, such as a wedding, we recommend scheduling the procedure several months ahead of time. This will ensure you’re completely healed in time for the occasion.

*Because we customize each procedure based on the individual patient’s needs, these are estimated prices. Average fees for the OR and anesthesia as well as breast implants are INCLUDED where applicable. Compression garments, pre-op workups, and lab work may be separate costs.