Facelift in Atlanta, GA

How young is too young for a facelift in Atlanta?

A. The youngest of facelift patients are typically in the early 40s. Patients younger than this getting a facelift is exceedingly rare, and is usually done for genetically inelastic skin, not for cosmetic reasons. Patients younger than 40 are in their youth! If interested in improving the elasticity of your skin at this age, use medical skin care products such Retin A and an antioxidant with a good sunscreen and consider microneedling or ultherapy for skin tightening. Or, if a specific part of your face bothers you, consider a small volume of facial filler to lift the area.

How old is too old for a facelift?

A. The oldest patient to receive a facelift at Northside Plastic Surgery was 88 years old. Age, however, is less of a factor than one’s overall health and vitality. If you are over 40-years-old and wake every morning to a feeling of wanting to change your face and look more youthful, you’re likely a candidate for a facelift — particularly our Natural facelift, which aims to maintain the underlying anatomy and give patients a long-lasting youthful appearance.

How Long Does a Facelift Last?

A. Our mini-facelifts, Natural facelifts, and Natural Deep Plane Facelift last 7 or longer. It can last much longer if you take care of your skin using medical grade treatments and maintaining appropriate volume support in the skin. The difference in the range of years depends upon your skin type and elasticity, your ethnicity, age, weight, genetics, rate of volume loss and maintenance routines. Medical grade skin care and complementary procedures including Botox, fillers, and chemical peels will improve the appearance of the skin and support structures, and maintain the health and quality of your facelift.

Are there any non-surgical alternatives that match the results of a facelift?

A. There are several nonsurgical facelift options available today. These options can get close to a facelift result but they will not completely parallel the results of a surgical facelift. The most popular nonsurgical facelift options include Ultherapy, Genius RF, liquid facelifts using fillers such as Sculptra, thread facelifts, and ThermiRF. Which option is right for you depends on a number of different factors so consulting with an experienced facial plastic surgeon to select the most appropriate therapy is of paramount importance. A good skin care regimen and the use of topical creams will give a more youthful appearance and prolong the life of any nonsurgical facelift that is performed: Glycolic acids, retin-A, antioxidants and sunscreens can help with spots, fine lines and wrinkles, textural changes, skin color and subtle tightening.

How long will it be before swelling is totally gone after a facelift?

A. As with all surgical procedures, swelling after a facelift is very normal and to be expected. Patients will typically be presentable with makeup, on average, within 14 days of their facelift. There are patients on either side of these numbers, as well as actions patients can take to speed healing. Patients with a fuller face (and thus more soft tissue) will retain fluid longer and experience extended swelling, closer to 20 days. Patients who bruise easily will also have heavier than normal swelling. The degree or severity of swelling you experience, in itself is not a sign of how long swelling will last, as a robust immune system will likely cause more swelling, as it quickly removes fluid from the face (a good thing) as you heal. Patients with thicker skin, including African Americans, Asians, Hispanics, and Caucasians will oily skin, will likely take longer to return to normal as well. While every patient is different, most average 14 days for noticeable swelling to dissipate and be presentable. Here is a helpful guide:

• 60% improvement of swelling within 14 days. Very presentable, with makeup.
• 70% within 4 weeks. Resuming most social activities.
• 80% within 3 months. Ready for video and cameras.
• The almost unnoticeable remaining 20%, in 6 months.

How can I improve swelling after a facelift?

A. For 2 weeks before and after your surgery: Minimize your salt intake and minimize medications or supplements that promote bruising: Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Green Tea, Turmeric, Chia seeds, Ginkgo Biloba, Flax Seed, Fish Oil and multivitamin, particularly those with Vitamin E. After the procedure, apply cold compresses or ice packs religiously for the first week, and minimize your activity while still working in a daily walk or light exercise for circulation. Keep your head elevated for the first 2 weeks post op. Use a steroid pack from your doctor as well as a prescription version of arnica montana and bromelain. Ten days after your facelift, get a lymphatic massage to help mobilize fluid and minimize swelling, and try to repeat this once weekly until swelling has subsided entirely.

How can I avoid bruising after a facelift?

A. Swelling and bruising after a facelift typically lasts 14 days. Some younger patients only bruise for 7 days, while older individuals may bruise for 3 weeks, however on average, in 14 days the vast majority of swelling and bruising will have subsided. The length and degree of swelling and bruising depends on one’s pre- and post-op diet, medications, supplements, activity after the procedure, age, the extent of the procedure, lifestyle habits including smoking or alcohol, and environmental factors including heat and pollen that stimulates sneezing. To improve an existing bruise, get a lymphatic massage, apply topical arnica montana, and topical Vitamin K, and increase your intake of leafy green vegetables. To reduce the degree and longevity of bruising, increase your consumption of pineapple, arnica montana, and papaya extract. All of them minimize the formation of bruises.

How much does a facelift cost in Atlanta?

A. Facelifts typically range between $8,000 - $15,000. The variance in cost accounts for the type of facelift and where it is done, and your surgeon's experience, credentials, and reputation. Choosing the right surgeon the first time around is often worth the cost. Dr. Majmundar specializes in Natural Facelifts and Natural Necklifts to give patients a natural, youthful appearance to their face after surgery, and can provide an exact cost after a personal consultation.

How long after a facelift can I get Botox?

A. If a lower facelift was done, Botox on the upper face can be done shortly after surgery. If a browlift was done, it’s best to wait 2-4 weeks before considering Botox.

What happens if I lose a lot of weight after a facelift? Will my face become saggy again?

A. This is a difficult question to provide a definitive answer to, as each patient responds differently. Losing 10 - 15 pounds is unlikely to affect the outcome of a facelift at all. At greater weights, some of the loss will come from the face (and other areas of the body), however it’s best that a cosmetic surgeon answers this for you in person, after a careful review of your health, genetics and facial skin.

When is the best time to have a facelift?

There is not a perfect time to have a natural facelift. Successful surgery has been performed in women in their early 30’s to their late 80’s. Each person ages differently based on genetics and environmental factors.

If you see sagging of your cheeks (jowling) and lines in your neck that are bothersome to you, then it’s a good time to consider our natural facelift. The earlier you address these changes, the better your results are likely to be.