Facelift

In recent years, we have come to understand that the face ages not only by gravitational descent, but also by a noticeable “sinking in” due to the loss of volume. This volume depletion has led to the popularity of dermal fillers to restore facial volume. However, a patient’s fat is the most widely available “filler” for use during facelift surgery. Dr. Grotting commonly uses small amounts of tummy or hip fat to smooth out some of the creases and depressions around the mouth, the dark circles under the eyes, and even the temples and lips. The use of fat has revolutionized facial rejuvenation and gives patients a youthful and soft appearance.

Healthy, youthful, and plump skin contains ample amounts of collagen and elastin, two essential proteins that help the tissues maintain their strength and ability to contract after being stretched. Due to the natural depletion of collagen and elastin over time, aging skin becomes progressively more lax and is unable to retract as it could in its youth. Sagging jowls, a turkey neck, and an ill-defined jawline are just a few of the manifestations of facial aging with skin and tissue laxity. Facelift surgery removes the skin that is in excess and tightens the remaining soft tissues to improve facial definition, refine facial lines, and rejuvenate the appearance.

Fine lines, wrinkles, creases, and folds have long been despised as being the first definitive signs of facial aging. As the skin loses elasticity, soft tissues of the face droop, and fat deposits shift and diminish, facial lines inevitably develop and betray the passage of time. Using a unique surgical approach that repositions the soft tissue and tightens the skin, facelift surgery corrects wrinkles and produces smoother skin. The incorporation of fat with the delta facelift surgical technique improves the quality of the skin, helping it to appear soft, full, and healthy.

The confidence of youth can gradually become replaced by discouragement and self-deprecation as time goes by. Unwanted changes to your physical appearance, endurance, strength, and mental clarity can subdue youthful zeal and replace it with insecurity and diffidence. Restoration of a youthful appearance allows the face in the mirror to reflect a younger version of yourself, and this can foster a positive self-image, a powerful sense of self, and unwavering self-confidence.

Before the surgery begins, you’ll be given IV sedation or general anesthesia to ensure your comfort during the procedure. Then, Dr. Grotting will make incisions on the face in the locations that correspond to the type of facelift you’re getting. The incisions allow Dr. Grotting to reposition the underlying tissues, tighten drooping skin, and remove excess sagging skin. After the adjustments have been made, your incisions will be closed.

As your comfort and safety are our highest priority, we prefer that you spend the first night after your surgery in the Countrywood Inn & Suites behind our facility with one of our caregivers to make sure that your first evening of recovery is as easy for you as possible. We will monitor you to make sure that your recovery is as smooth as it can be.

Most patients will experience some bruising, discomfort, tightness, swelling, and redness for the first few days or weeks of recovery. You can expect to feel (but not usually see) a few little bumps on the skin that will even out over time. You should be able to go out in public wearing makeup within a couple of weeks, but this will vary from patient to patient. It is important to limit your activities for several days and not drive until your doctor gives permission. It will probably be two to three weeks before you can return to work. You may have decreased sensation in your face for a month or so, but the feeling will gradually return to normal. The recovery timeline may be shorter after a mini lift than after the delta facelift.

Facelift surgery rejuvenates the facial tissues and can lead to a naturally youthful appearance. The results of facelift surgery are highly dependent on the elasticity of the skin and may be more significant in patients younger than 50. With the modifications that Dr. Grotting has made to the delta facelift based on patient feedback from the FACE-Q questionnaire, his facelift results are now even more pleasing and yield a defined neckline, youthful facial contours, and rejuvenated facial skin.

Prior to the facelift procedure, patients meet with Dr. Grotting for a one-on-one surgical consultation. Personal details are discussed, including your facelift goals, medical history, medicine or substance use, and other critical factors. Dr. Grotting will conduct a preoperative analysis to evaluate the quality of your skin, looseness at the jawline, the angle from the chin to the bottom of the neck, and the amount of fat and excess skin present in the neck area. This evaluation determines the details of the facelift procedure. Your treatment plan will be determined, and you will be instructed on how to prepare for the procedure and recovery.

Preparation for your facelift may include getting a lab test, a medical evaluation, or adjusting your medications. You’ll also need to stop the use of any anti-inflammatory drugs before your procedure to avoid increasing bleeding. If you are a smoker, it is essential that you stop smoking at least six weeks before and after surgery.