A facelift can help you “turn back the clock,” improving the most visible signs of aging by lifting and repositioning underlying facial tissues and redraping the skin of your face and neck. A facelift in Charlotte can be one of the best procedures to address significant jowling, drooping facial tissues, or a “turkey neck” to restore a more youthful, refined appearance.
A facelift can dramatically improve jowling, sagging skin or help eliminate a “turkey neck.”
Most patients are back to their usual routines about 2 weeks after surgery.
Facial fat injections or eyelid surgery or non-surgical treatments such as Botox can enhance the results of a facelift.
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Ditesheim has extensive experience enhancing facial structures with a facelift surgical procedure. It takes special training and experience to work with variations of the face successfully. Different face shapes require attention to different details. Dr. Ditesheim will take the time to discuss your facelift procedure options in order to obtain the look you desire.
Our suite is certified with the highest level of accreditation by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc. (AAAASF).
learn moreCharlotte, NC plastic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey A. Ditesheim is a highly accomplished, board-certified plastic surgeon with a reputation for excellence. In choosing a plastic surgeon, you want to be completely confident that your procedure will be performed with advanced surgical skills and true artistry. Dr. Ditesheim has an impeccable reputation in Charlotte, North Carolina and beyond, drawing discerning patients to his exclusive clinic in Ballantyne.
learn moreUsing advanced facelift techniques, Dr. Ditesheim creates beautifully natural results to restore a person’s youthful facial contours. During a facelift, both the facial skin and underlying structural tissues, call the Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System (SMAS) are repositioned separately. The SMAS is a layer of gliding, connective tissue. By lifting and tightening the SMAS, the skin can be repositioned in a natural way, addressing sagging, drooping skin and deep lines on the face and neck while avoiding a “pulled” look.
A mini facelift is an excellent choice for patients who have modest aging changes in the lower cheeks, but otherwise have a near-normal neck contour and minimal loose skin. This less-involved procedure eliminates most of the longer scars that are placed behind the ears in a traditional facelift, and the recovery time is typically shorter.
Dr. Ditesheim and his experienced staff will provide you with pre-surgical information that includes guidelines about drinking, smoking, and avoiding certain vitamins and medications. Dr. Ditesheim’s caring staff has a wealth of experience in preparing patients and their families for the cosmetic surgery recovery process and ensuring a predictable, smooth process.
Facelift procedures differ depending on your individual desired outcome for your facial features. Surgery times typically take between 2 to 5 hours. Dr. Ditesheim performs facelift surgery in our fully accredited on-site surgical suite, which operates according to strict standards to ensure the highest level of safety and comfort. The procedure is done using general anesthesia, provided by a board-certified physician anesthesiologist.
The typical facelift incision pattern starts within the scalp an inch above the ear and courses downward following the curve of the ear. It then disappears inside the ear behind the small protruding cartilage to emerge at the top of the earlobe, where it courses within the earlobe crease to the bottom of the ear. If prominent neck “banding” is present, another small incision under the chin may be necessary.
During a surgical facelift, the underlying muscle system will be lifted, tightened, and repositioned, and excess fat pads will be removed or redistributed. Loose or excess skin will also be trimmed prior to closing the incisions with sutures.
Once the facelift is complete, your face will be dressed in order to minimize swelling and bruising. The bandaging may include drainage tubes, which should be removed within a couple of days. All sutures and/or staples will be removed within 5 to 10 days.
While recovery usually takes a few weeks, it may take a few months for the last of the swelling to subside and to fully see the complete results of your facelift. It is important to wear sun block to enjoy more of a long-lasting result from your facelift. Our nurses will walk with you through your facelift recovery to ensure rest, relaxation, and peace of mind. We have established a “no surprises, predictable recovery process.”
If you’re ready to discuss your options for facial rejuvenation, we invite you to schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Ditesheim. He will listen closely to your goals and concerns and go over all of your options to achieve a more youthful appearance. Please call or contact us online the schedule your appointment.
If you’ve wondered whether you could benefit from scheduling a facelift with our Charlotte practice, you likely have many questions on your mind. At Ditesheim Cosmetic Surgery, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey A. Ditesheim will take the time to address all your concerns so you can feel confident and secure about your decision to move forward with your plastic surgery procedure.
Patients whose faces show noticeable signs of aging may be good candidates for a facelift. Common issues that are correctable with a facelift include drooping skin, deep lines on the face and sagging skin near the chin, jowls and below the neck. The best facelift candidates should be old enough to see signs of aging, but still young enough to enjoy the natural skin elasticity necessary for the best results. If you notice signs of aging through the upper face, Dr. Ditesheim may suggest including eyelid surgery for even better results. Smaller lines and wrinkles may be improved with nonsurgical treatments such as BOTOX® Cosmetic, but a consultation will be needed to decide which option will work best for you.
Facelift candidates aren’t determined based on a particular chronological age, but rather by how the aging process has affected the individual. If you have sagging jowls, a loss of definition between your jaw and neckline or saggy “turkey neck,” you could be a good facelift candidate whether you’re 40 or 70. Most people who schedule facelifts are around age 60, but an in-person consultation is always best way to decide if a facelift is right for you.
Dr. Ditesheim prides himself on the care and attention to detail he puts into each and every surgery. A facelift should never appear “pulled” or tight, and instead should simply restore a youthful and refreshed appearance to your natural features. It’s important to choose a highly experienced, board certified plastic surgeon who performs facelifts regularly in order to see the best possible outcome from your procedure.
Using med spa treatments like BOTOX® or injectable fillers can be a great option for patients who want to update their look without committing to surgery. However, more advanced signs of aging, like sagging skin or hanging jowls, can only be improved with a facelift. Sometimes, Dr. Ditesheim may recommend a combination approach of both surgical and nonsurgical treatments to ensure that all your concerns are addressed.
You should see a difference in your appearance almost right away after your facelift, though your final results will take some time to fully develop. You’ll need to wear bandages for several days after your procedure. Initial swelling and bruising are common, but should subside within a few weeks. Lingering mild swelling that’s noticeable only to you may last for several months longer.
Facelift surgery is more individualized than many other plastic surgery procedures, and costs depend on the extent of surgery needed to achieve your goals. Typically, the total costs will include professional anesthesia care (MD), credentialed, accredited surgical facility (OR and Recovery) and surgical fees (all professional care) for a facelift.