Face Lift in Miami, Florida

As we age, the effects of gravity, exposure to the sun, and the stresses of daily life take their toll on our faces. Sagging skin, folds or creases in your face and neck can make you look older than you feel. Dr. Ellenby, a Miami, Florida board-certified plastic surgeon, can set back the clock with a surgical Face Lift.

A face lift (technically known as rhytidectomy) can improve the most visible signs of aging by removing excess fat of the face and neck, tightening underlying muscles, and shaping the skin of your face and neck. Very often a face lift is combined with eyelid surgery, forehead lift, or rhinoplasty to achieve the results you desire.

If you are considering a face lift surgery to enhance your appearance, this page will answer some of the most common questions we receive from our Florida patients. Of course we can't answer all of your questions online, so we encourage you to schedule your courtesy consultation with out office as soon as you are ready.

Am I good candidate for face lift surgery in Miami?

• your face or neck skin have begun to sag
• you have undesired lines and wrinkles and excess laxity in the face and neck tissues
• you have a tired or aging appearance
• you are in relatively good health

Most patients are in their forties to sixties, but face lifts can be done successfully on people in their seventies or eighties as well.

Many people are still good candidates for a face lift even when they don't fit neatly into one of the categories mentioned above. The best way to determine if the procedure will benefit you is to request your courtesy consultation with Dr. Ellenby at his plastic surgery practice in Aventura, Florida.

What should I expect from face lift surgery?

Most people experience minimal after face lift surgery, and any discomfort can be lessened with the pain medication as desired. Some numbness of the skin is normal and should disappear in a few weeks or months.

Right after surgery your face will be somewhat swollen and bruised. In a few weeks this will subside and your appearance will be enhanced. All of your stitches will be removed within 10 days. And even though you will be up and about a day after surgery, plan on taking it easy for the first two weeks. You will want plenty of rest to allow your body to spend its energy on healing.

At the beginning, your face may look and feel rather strange. Your features may be changed from the swelling, your facial movements may be slightly stiff and you'll probably be self-conscious about your scars. Some bruising may persist for a few weeks, and you may tire easily. Generally by the end of the second week you can apply makeup and return to work or social activities.

You'll have some scars from your face lift, but they're usually hidden by your hair or in the natural creases of your face and ears. In any case, they will fade within time and should be scarcely visible.

By the second week, you'll look and feel much better. Most patients are back at work about ten days to two weeks after surgery.

How is the face lift performed?

With Dr. Ellenby, every face lift is a very individualized procedure. Dr. Ellenby will evaluate your face carefully, consider your goals, and discuss the specific techniques and incisions for your procedure during your consultation. A face lift usually takes one or two hours.

While every face lift is unique, the incisions usually begin above the hairline at the temples, extend in a natural line just inside the cartilage of the ears, and sometimes behind the earlobe to the lower scalp. If your neck needs work, a small incision may also be made under the chin.

In general, the Dr. Ellenby lifts the face by gently separating the skin from the fat and muscle below. If necessary to improve the contour, he may trim or suction fat from around the neck, chin and jowls. Dr. Ellenby then tightens the underlying muscles and tissues, removes the excess skin, and carefully adjusts the lifted, tightened skin.

Dr. Ellenby will wrap your head in bandages and an elastic face and neck binder to minimize bruising and swelling. All patients begin to shower and shampoo the day after surgery.

Can I combine face lift surgery with other procedures?

Complete financial information, credit card payment options and financing programs will be discussed during your courtesy consultation.

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