Facelift

Offered at our convenient location in Houston, TX

Our Houston facelifts are tried, trusted, and long-lasting facial rejuvenation procedures. There’s good reason why this is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the US today. If aging has left you with loose skin that makes your face look deflated, it might be your turn for a rhytidectomy, or facelift. There’s no shortage of minimally invasive alternatives to the facelift. However, the facelift remains the best, most effective cosmetic solution to aging. It reliably delivers the most dramatic results and consistently satisfies patients.

If your face looks significantly older and is affecting your self-esteem, Houston plastic surgeon, Dr. Sam Sukkar can help. He is a true facelift expert and can guide you to the best type of surgery for your unique needs. Fellowship trained in the latest surgical innovations, he can shave years off your appearance and help you recapture a youthful look.

Facelifts offer the most substantial facial rejuvenation available and make up a significant portion of the total plastic surgery procedures performed each year. A facelift (formally called a rhytidectomy) is an ultra-effective surgical procedure for patients with concerns related to aging in the face, such as skin laxity, wrinkles, or a hollow or sunken appearance. When performed by skilled and experienced board-certified plastic surgeons like Houston plastic surgeon, Dr. Sam Sukkar, you can expect your Facelift results to look natural and last for many years to come. Houston plastic surgeon, Dr. Sam Sukkar offers some of the most expert Facelift Houston has to offer.

Before and After Photos

Contents

What Is A Facelift?

With age comes a decline in the body’s natural production of proteins, such as collagen and elastin, that contribute to a youthful appearance.

As existing protein structures within the body’s soft tissues deteriorate, this decline in protein production dramatically hinders the body’s ability to repair itself. As a result of this process, you become dissatisfied with diminishing elasticity, fullness, texture, and contour definition in your face. A facelift is a surgical facial rejuvenation procedure in which excess skin is removed and the underlying tissues adjusted to restore a youthful appearance. While there is a multitude of non-surgical facial rejuvenation technologies available, none can compare with the effectiveness of a facelift.

During a facelift, the skin of the face and neck is lifted and restored to a youthful position that reveals your own unique facial structure. Our skilled, board-certified Houston plastic surgeons employ the most advanced facelift procedures to create a look that appears natural and fresh. After all, no matter how “young at heart” you feel, a sagging, lined face can impact your self-esteem.

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reports that rhytidectomy continues to be one of the most common aesthetic procedures performed by plastic surgeons, and ranks within the top 10 aesthetic surgical procedures performed in the United States each year. In fact, more than 100,000 facelifts were performed in 2010. (2)

How The Face Ages

Collagen and elastin are proteins that give skin a vibrant, fresh, and firm quality. With age, the skin loses the ability to produce these proteins, and this leads to deep lines and wrinkles, sagging skin, and the loss of a youthful, defined jawline. (1)

Mini-Facelift

If you’ve noticed sagging around your jawline, and are alarmed by growing jowls, you may be a good candidate for a mini-facelift. A mini-facelift is a great way to target what can often be the biggest giveaways of your age. This procedure addresses the signs of aging on the lower third of the face. A mini-facelift involves less downtime than a full facelift, and is the perfect way to get a little lift that will make a big difference.

Mid-Facelift

A mid-facelift or cheek lift, focuses on the signs of aging that affect the middle third of your face. As the years pass, creases begin to appear from the nose to the corners of the mouth, and the cheeks begin to sink. A mid-facelift restores a firm, youthful look to the cheeks, and smooths deep laugh lines. The procedure is performed endoscopically to lift sagging skin and tissue.

Full-Facelift

full facelift involves far more than just removing excess skin and tightening it. That produces an unnatural effect known as the “done look.” Instead, your facelift entails a tightening of the underlying facial muscles. The skin is then artfully and subtly lifted to smooth deep wrinkles and create a firm, youthful appearance. Patients are left with a face that looks years younger in a very natural way. You’ll be asleep, resting comfortably, and won’t feel a thing!

Choosing A Facelift Procedure

When it comes to a facelift, it’s encouraging to know that you have options. The doctors at the Clinic for Plastic Surgery can advise as to whether a mini-facelift, a mid-facelift, or a full facelift is best for you. During your personal consultation, one of our doctors will examine your facial skin and structure to determine what the best course of treatment is right for you.

Other Facelift Techniques

With an array of options available, it’s critical to be aware of the range in quality and choose wisely. A good surgeon can make all the difference when selecting a procedure – not only for your safety but also to ensure you receive optimal results. Investing time into researching what technique is right for you and who will perform it gives you greater peace of mind and satisfaction with your final outcome.

Endoscopic

Tiny incisions, a microscopic camera (endoscope), and slim surgical instruments are used to perform this cosmetic restoration procedure – perfect for those wanting firmer muscles and fat but not needing excess skin removed. With this technique, you can achieve an ageless look with ease.

SMAS

SMAS is the definitive technique, and it utilizes tightening, lifting, and trimming of facial tissue to give you a renewed look without any sign of artificiality. This method has been proven to create long-lasting outcomes due to its elevation of underlying structures beneath your skin’s surface. With SMAS, the results are fresh yet sophisticated!

Benefits Of A Facelift

When performed by an experienced surgeon, the results of a facelift can be transformative. The newest surgical techniques ensure a natural-looking result that avoids the excessively tight, windswept look associated with older facelifts. Not only that, the results can be dramatic, offering patients a way to take up to a decade off of their appearance. After a facelift Houston patients report improvements in self-esteem and attractiveness. Looking fresher, younger, and rejuvenated can tremendously impact a person’s confidence. Best of all, the results of a facelift can last ten years or more with proper care.

While other facial rejuvenation procedures may focus on one or a few signs of aging in the face, a facelift addresses multiple concerns in one fell swoop.

Patients complaining of lax or sagging skin, jowls, deep folds or wrinkles, double chin, or a hollow, deflated appearance throughout the face can realize a significantly more taut and contoured look. Facelift surgery is also completely customizable, offering varying degrees of invasiveness as well as the ability to incorporate related procedures. Such procedures often include laser resurfacing or dermal filler injections to enhance your surgical results. When performed with the finesse and expertise of our board-certified plastic surgeons, you can look forward to a naturally rejuvenated appearance. With a fresh, youthful look, you can take a new lease on life, embracing every opportunity and adventure with confidence and vigor.

Advantages of Facelift Surgery

  • The scars are well-concealed
  • The results can last a decade or longer
  • Most patients return to work in two weeks
  • A facelift helps the face look up to ten years younger
  • The face and neck appear more toned, lifted, and rejuvenated

What Can A Facelift Achieve?

The mission of a facelift is to restore your facial features and ensure an age-defying countenance.

Your cosmetic surgeon will focus on the following objectives:

  • Softening wrinkles and sagging skin for a smoother complexion
  • Enhancing muscle definition in the jawline and neck area
  • Diminishing deep folds that create creases or lines around the face
  • Rejuvenating eye contours by tightening eyelid regions
  • Augmenting brows to open up eyes further​
  • Smoothing horizontal/vertical forehead furrows
  • Improving overall skin quality for brighter, natural visage
  • Creating more youthful facial proportions

Am I A Candidate For A Facelift?

To be considered an ideal candidate for a facelift, you need to possess good skin elasticity and a strong bone structure. These two characteristics will ensure that your doctor has the perfect blank canvas to create exceptional results. You should also be in good overall health and have realistic expectations. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are not suitable candidates. If you smoke, you will need to quit before having a facelift. As a top provider of facelifts Houston plastic surgeon, Dr. Sukkar, can help you achieve the results you want.

Rhytidectomy candidates include adults who are generally healthy and display significant signs of aging in the face. Patients with good skin elasticity and strong bone structure will realize the best results, as these traits provide the ideal foundation for a beautifully revitalized look. Patients should have realistic expectations for their procedure outcome. To determine if a facelift is the right fit for you, one of our plastic surgeons will thoroughly assess your skin and facial structure during your consultation.

A Facelift Effectively Treats:

  • Drooping or sunken cheeks
  • Jowls
  • Smile lines
  • Frown lines
  • “Turkey neck”
  • Sagging mouth
  • Loose skin

Consultation and Preparation

A consultation with Dr. Sukkar, is the first step. During your personal consultation, the doctor will examine your facial structure and skin, and discuss your desired results. The doctor will create a custom treatment plan designed to sculpt the exquisite appearance you deserve.

Dr. Sukkar, will answer questions, address any concerns and ensure that you feel entirely at ease before moving forward. You can be confident that you’ll receive results that take years off your appearance. A facelift doesn’t just transform your face- it can transform your life. If you’re ready to rejuvenate your facial appearance, we invite you to schedule a consultation at The Clinic for Plastic Surgery today.

Combining A Facelift With Other Procedures

Complement your facelift by improving the look of your face from the outside in! A rhytidectomy can be combined with other facial treatments to maximize results. Although it is a main component of facial rejuvenation, there is more you can do to revitalize and restore your body’s youthfulness.

Combining a facelift with other procedures can help address multiple areas of the face that are affected by aging. Commonly combined procedures include eyelid lifts, cheek augmentation, dermal fillersneck liftsfat graftingbrow lifts, and chin implants. Each procedure has its own unique benefits and can be tailored to meet your individual needs.

For example, an eyelid lift can help reduce drooping upper lids and puffiness around the eyes, while a neck lift can help tighten skin on the neck and smooth out wrinkles in this area. Fat grafting can also be used to add volume to areas that have lost it due to aging or weight loss.

Preparing For Facelift Surgery

Patients are instructed to avoid the use of aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for at least 2 weeks before surgery. Smoking must be discontinued for at least 4 weeks before surgery. The Mayo Clinic advises that all vitamins and herbal preparations or homeopathic treatments should also be avoided for two weeks before surgery to reduce the risk of bleeding.(1)

BEFORE YOUR FACELIFT

Houston Facelift model with blonde hair

As with any surgical procedure, there are some preparatory steps you will need to take to undergo treatment as safely as possible and ultimately optimize your results.

All facelift patients should avoid aspirin and NSAIDs for a minimum of two weeks before their surgery. In addition, the Mayo Clinic suggests that all facelift patients temporarily discontinue all vitamins, herbal supplements, and homeopathic treatments two weeks prior to surgery. Finally, patients who smoke will need to quit at least four weeks of their procedure. By adhering to these instructions, you can minimize your risk of bleeding.

Dr. Sukkar’s Technique (Procedure)

In most cases, Dr. Sukkar recommends general anesthesia so you will not have any painful sensations or memory of your procedure. The exact technical approach varies based on the type of facelift you agreed upon. In some cases, he blends techniques to ensure a seamless outcome.

What To Expect On The Day Of Your Surgery

Dr. Sukkar ensures that the focus of your Houston facelift surgery suits your specific needs by offering mini-facelift, mid-facelift, and full facelift procedures.

Mini Facelift

mini-facelift is a much less invasive procedure than a full facelift, and utilizes small incisions that are virtually invisible once healed. These small incisions are placed behind the ears, and the skin around the jawline is lifted to create a smooth, streamlined edge of the face.

Mid Facelift

Your surgeon will place small incisions at the hairline, just large enough to insert a tiny camera that allows them to view the pertinent area. He will reposition the tissues in the mid-face and cheeks to restore a youthful contour.

Full Facelift

To begin, your doctor will create well-hidden incisions, usually above your hairline. These incisions wrap around the ear and extend down to your lower scalp. Once fully healed, they will be virtually impossible to detect. The skin is then gently lifted, and the underlying tissue is manipulated. Excess fat is removed, lax muscles are tightened, and your doctor will create a set of beautiful, youthful facial contours. The incisions are then carefully sutured, and the doctor will apply bandages to control bleeding and place drains to prevent the buildup of blood and fluid. You’ll then be ready to begin the healing process.

Results, Recovery, and Aftercare

Make plans for someone to drive you home and stay with you for the first night after your facelift.

Patients can expect swelling, bruising and discomfort in the days and weeks following their facelift, but these symptoms will improve each day. Most people get back to feeling like themselves and are ready to return to work and begin doing light activities within two weeks of their surgery.

You will begin to see the benefits of your facelift on the first day of facelift recovery. As the swelling and bruising goes down, in the following days, you will be able to observe your youthful new features take shape.

Facelift Recovery Tips

  • Do not smoke
  • Avoid salty foods
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Do not pick at the incisions as they heal
  • Discontinue herbal supplements such as Vitamin E
  • Attend all follow-up appointments with your surgeon
  • Sleep on your back with your head elevated on pillows
  • Limit physical exertion and heavy lifting for four to six weeks
  • Avoid prolonged sun exposure and wear SPF until the scars fade
  • Let your surgeon know immediately if you notice signs of infection

Recovery From Facelift Surgery

As facelift surgery is performed under general anesthesia, you will need a trusted companion to drive you home and provide care after your procedure. You will experience bruising, swelling, and discomfort during your recovery, though you can expect these conditions to improve daily. Most patients return to work and other social activities within two weeks of their facelift.

Your Facelift Results

While you will begin to notice the effects of your facelift as soon as one day after surgery, your full results will continue to appear as swelling and bruising subside, revealing smooth, lifted facial contours. You will enjoy your results for years, even decades to come.

Facelift Scars

While scarring is an inevitable part of any invasive surgical procedure, Dr. Sukkar makes it a point to reduce scars as much as possible so this doesn’t get in the way of your beautiful results. There are a number of ways he does this:

Incisions: During surgery, Dr. Sukkar takes care to place the incisions in locations that are minimally noticeable. This can be along the hairline, behind the ears, under the jawline, etc. Carefully placing the incisions ensures that the resultant scars are kept out of the way, allowing your results to shine.

Aftercare: During your recovery period, the facelift scars from surgery will gradually fade to virtually invisible lines. However, following aftercare instructions set by your doctor is crucial to ensure scarring is minimized. Refraining picking at your incisions, staying out of the sun for prolonged periods and being sure to use sunscreen, avoiding heavy lifting that can put stress on the incisions, are all essential to minimizing scarring. Following all of your doctor’s instructions for aftercare ensures you have long-term results that will look beautiful, with minimal scarring that is nearly invisible.

Average Cost Of A Facelift

When considering a facelift in Houston, the cost of your surgery will be contingent on the type and magnitude of treatment you receive. It can range as low as $6,000, or $25,000 or higher for a procedure that incorporates additional cosmetic surgery procedures to achieve a final result. At the Clinic for Plastic Surgery, our expert surgeons are devoted to creating a unique plan tailored specifically for you to meet your aesthetic goals.

Why Dr. Sukkar? A Top Doctor Featured In Realself

When selecting your Houston facelift surgeon, it pays to be highly selective. Dr. Sam Sukkar is an award-winning Houston plastic surgeon who has performed over 5,000 plastic surgery procedures during his illustrious career spanning nearly two decades. Through advanced fellowship training in the latest surgical techniques, he achieves outstanding, natural-looking facelift results for his patients. He has been featured on RealSelf as one of America’s Top Doctors owing to his refined surgical methods and uncompromising standards of patient care.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much does a facelift cost in Houston?

Depending on the kind of facelift and the extent of your surgery, the cost of your facelift in Houston will vary. During your personal consultation, the doctors at the Clinic for Plastic Surgery will devise a treatment plan tailored to your individual needs.

Can I combine a facelift with other cosmetic treatments?

A rhytidectomy is easily packaged with other facial procedures. Although the central part of your facial rejuvenation, there are many additional treatments that can help reinvigorate your visage. Other cosmetic procedures, like laser resurfacing, or the injection of fillers, can address the appearance or quality of the skin itself.

Is a facelift painful?

Due to the anesthetic, the procedure is painless, although there can be some discomfort afterward. However, most patients find that any facelift pain during recovery is minimal and well-controlled with prescribed analgesics.

What are the risks associated with a facelift?

In a 2015 study evaluating more than 11,300 facelifts, only 1.8 percent of patients had complications. Most issues were minor and not life-threatening. The most common risks include hematoma, infection, and mild bleeding. Serious complications are rare but possible.

Is a facelift permanent?

A facelift is a long-lasting way to look younger, but it won’t stop the aging process. Most patients find the results of a facelift last approximately a decade or more.

What is a good age to get a facelift?

Most patients consider a facelift between the ages of 40 to 60s when advanced signs of aging appear. However, every patient is different, and it is possible to have a facelift later in life as long as you are in good health.

Will everyone be able to tell that i’ve had a facelift?

Dr. Sukkar and the doctors at The Clinic for Plastic Surgery have years of experience in creating natural looking results. Rather than just stretching, or removing excess skin, careful artistry of the underlying muscles and tissue ensures that you have the most natural, youthful visage possible.

How long does it take to recover completely from a facelift?

Everyone is different, and will have a unique experience. Make sure that you always follow the directions provided by your plastic surgeon. The bruising and swelling that naturally accompany a facelift will improve each day after your surgery. After a month, you’ll be back to your normal routine and enjoying your new, youthful look. Very minor swelling, bruising, tightness and numbness may linger for up to a year, to reside, but are typically not noticeable.

Are there any effective non-surgical facelift alternatives?

If you are not ready to commit to a full facelift, there are numerous non-surgical options available that can help address many signs of aging.

Non-invasive treatments such as laser resurfacingchemical peels, and dermal fillers can all be used alone or combined with other treatments to improve wrinkles, sagging skin, and volume loss.

These procedures are quick and require no downtime, making them a great alternative for those looking for less invasive options. However, the results will not be as long-lasting compared to surgical procedures.

What kind of facelift is right for me?

During your personal consultation, the doctor will examine your facial structure and skin, and discuss your desired results. The doctor will create a custom treatment plan designed to sculpt the exquisite appearance you deserve.

What are the risks and side effects associated with facelift surgery?

As with any surgery, there are some risks and side effects related to rhytidectomy. The most common side effects include swelling, bruising, bleeding, and discomfort. Rare, serious risks include infection, scarring, nerve damage, and tissue death. It is important to note that risks can be reduced with treatment from an experienced, reputable, board-certified plastic surgeon, such as the experts at The Clinic for Plastic Surgery.

What is the best age to get a facelift?

While adult patients of all ages may be candidates for a facelift, those in their 40s, 50s, and 60s generally achieve the most substantial improvement in the appearance of facial aging. Patients who undergo facelift surgery too early or too late won’t realize as significant of a change. The ideal time for a patient to get a facelift is when signs of aging in the face are prevalent, and the skin is still thick and elastic enough to support natural-looking rejuvenation.

References

  1. Face-lift. (2018, August 29). Retrieved January 18, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/face-lift/about/pac-20394059
  2. Chaffoo RAK. Complications in Facelift Surgery. Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America. 2013;21(4):551-558. doi:10.1016/j.fsc.2013.07.007