When to Consider a Facelift in Tampa
Though individuals who request facelift procedures are typically over forty years of age, more and more under-forty clients are expressing their interest in facelift surgery as an early or preventative approach to maintaining a youthful, healthy appearance.If you can see a loss of skin elasticity and firmness in your face, you may be a candidate for facelift surgery. Ideally, you will have retained some elasticity so that it is possible for the skin to respond to reshaping efforts.
A facelift can address cosmetic concerns such as:
- Deep nasolabial folds
- Excess skin
- Fat deposits or folds around neck
- Sagging face and/or neck
If you’re considering a facelift, you should be a healthy, non-smoker with realistic expectations about cosmetic surgery. It is important to keep in mind that while a facelift will improve your appearance considerably, it cannot permanently or completely rid your face of aging signs.
Your Facelift Procedure with Dr. Albear
Facelift surgery can be completed in about 2 - 3 hours. The procedure is often done under local anesthesia. Each patient’s needs are addressed individually; some patients do not, for example, require fat removal, while fat removal may be the primary concern for other patients.
To gain access to the tissues of the midface, chin and neck, the doctor performs incisions above the hairline at the temples, which then follow the natural contour in front of the ear and continue behind the earlobe to the lower scalp. For rejuvenation of the neck, he will make small incisions under the chin, then separate the skin from the fat and muscle below. Fat is trimmed or suctioned from the neck and chin to improve contour.
Finally, the underlying tissues will be tightened, the skin lifted, and the excess skin removed. Dr. Albear first sutures the tissue layers, and then the outermost skin layer. For the best results, he may recommend preoperative and postoperative skin care and rejuvenation treatments like laser skin resurfacing, chemical peels, or microdermabrasion.
What to Expect After Surgery
Dr. Albear will provide detailed, individualized aftercare instructions. He will likely ask you to keep your head elevated, get plenty of rest and limit physical activity during recovery. Most patients recover within a 2-3 week period. Immediately after surgery, loose bandages are applied to minimize swelling. You can expect symptoms such as numbness, bruising, and puffiness which will gradually disappear.
If you are interested in learning more about the facelift procedure and the associated risks and benefits in Pasco County, please contact Dr. Albear for a personal consultation. His office is conveniently located to serve the greater Tampa Bay area.
