Q - What is a facelift?
A facelift is a procedure to lift sagging tissues of the face. It is a generic term that patients and some surgeons use to describe more specifically brow/forehead lift, midface lift, or lower facelift. We use the term facelift to refer to the lower face and usually call it a lower facelift. It is a procedure that addresses the neck and jawline, or if you draw an oblique line from the corner of the mouth to the upper ear it improves everything below that line. Many different kinds or degrees of facelifts can be performed and are tailored to the particular patient. Some involve incisions only in front of the ear while others involve a small incision under the chin to perform a submentoplasty followed by an incision around the ear and a deep plane facelift.

Q - Who is the best candidate for a facelift?
The best candidate for a facelift is someone who is medically fit. Facelifting can be beneficial for patients experiencing pre-mature aging of the jawline and neck in their late 30s up to patients with more severe aging extending into their 80s assuming good health. The younger patients often undergo an S-lift or mini-lift while the older patients often need a deep plane facelift.

Q - What can I expect during the consultation?
During the consultation, you will meet our patient care coordinator who will tell you about our practice and walk you through the process. Our nurse will then get a medical history. Dr. Buckingham will then first listen to your concerns and then address them with a focus on providing the most effective and economical procedure with the least down-time to meet your cosmetic expectations. Doctor Buckingham will also review many before and after photos of his patients with you focusing on patients with similar appearance and concerns. Once the consult is complete you will receive a written quote describing your procedures and have the ability to select a surgery date if desired.

Q - Where is Facelift surgery performed?
The S-lift and mini-lifts are perfomed in our private office surgery suite with local anesthesia and if desired oral sedation. The more extensive lifts are best performed under IV sedation and are therefore performed at and outpatient surgery center, usually Central Park Surgery Center.

Q - What kind of anesthesia is used for facelift surgery?
The more limited procedures are performed under local anesthesia and if desired oral sedation. The more involved procedures are better tolerated utilizing IV sedation. General anesthesia is not required or recommended.

Q - How is facelift surgery performed?
Facelift surgery is performed by making an incision of variable length around the ear hiding it in natural creases and around the hairline. The deeper facial layers of the face are then addressed and tightened. These are the layers that are responsible for facial sagging. Once these layers are tightened excess skin is removed in just enough quantity to allow the edges to lie together without any tension on the skin. This allows for beautiful post-operative scars.

Q - Where are the incisions for a facelift. Will there be scars?
The incisions are hidden around the ear and the hairline and with certain lifts under the chin. Anytime an incision is made there will technically be a scar, but if performed correctly they can be completely hidden. The way we perform our procedures allows our patient to wear their hair in any style without the incisions being visible. Many before and after photos demonstrating this are available on our website. We encourage you to review them.

Q - Is facelift surgery painful?
The actual surgery is not painful at all because of the anesthesia used. Most patients are pleasantly surprised at how mild the post-operative pain is and many take only extra-strength Tylenol after 1-2 days. Post-operative pain medication is prescribed for those who need it.

Q - What is the recovery period for facelift surgery?
For lower facelift surgery sutures remain in place for 6-7 days. With the more limited procedures bruising is usually resolved in this time. For the deep plane facelift some bruising may persist for up to 10 days. Most patients are able to resume their social activities in 7-10 days although improvement in incision appearance and swelling will still improve beyond this time frame.

Q - How much time will I need to take off work for facelift surgery?
This depends on if you want to keep your secret. Most patients feel able to work at least a partial day (assuming a non-physical job) after 2-3 days. If you do not want your colleagues to know you had a facelift then 7 days or perhaps a few more are advised.

Q - When can I exercise after facelift surgery?
Light walking can begin one week after a facelift. More vigorous exercise can begin after two weeks and full heavy activity after three.

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