Facelift

When most people think of facial plastic surgery, they envision the most dramatic means of facial rejuvenation – a facelift that  simultaneously redefines and accents the youthful contours of the face- as the ultimate solution for facial aging..

What is a facelift?

A facelift is designed to address the lower two-thirds of the face such as sagging neck, jowls, chin, and folds and creases around the mouth. This procedure can be combined with eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) or brow/forehead surgery for comprehensive facial rejuvenation. During a facelift consultation at our office in Springfield, Missouri (southwest Missouri) or Rogers, Arkansas (Northwest Arkansas), your surgeon will meet with you to discuss your cosmetic goals and recommend the procedure (or combination of procedures) that will best meet your needs. There is no one procedure that fits everyone. Younger patients may be better suited for a mini-lift while some of our older patients will benefit most from a standard lift or deep plane lift. We invite you to scroll down for a detailed explanation of each procedure.

Which lift surgery is right for me?

One size does NOT fit all!

Over the last decade, facelift surgery has evolved to include a number of surgical techniques that produce incredibly natural-looking results. During your consultation at our office in Springfield Missouri or Northwest Arkansas, Drs. LaFerriere and Kienstra will customize your surgical procedure to meet your specific needs.  

Remember, if it doesn’t look natural, it doesn’t look good.

Facelift Procedures

The "mini" facelift

This procedure is designed to address the early signs of aging near the neck and jaw line. The "mini" lift is best suited for patients with small amounts of excess neck skin. Incisions around the ear and undermining of the skin are limited. Recovery time is between one and two weeks, and once healed, incision lines are virtually undetectable.

The standard lift procedure

The standard lift procedure addresses more extensive aging changes in the neck and jaw line. Incisions begin in the hair of the temple and extend to the ear or just in front and extending behind the ear, into the hairline. The SMAS (thin layer of muscle and tissue underneath the skin) is elevated and tightened, allowing the skin to be re-draped for a more youthful, but natural looking facial contour. This repositioning of the SMAS is what helps to prolong the results. Recovery time is at least two weeks.

The deep plane lift

The deep plane lift procedure is the method of choice for patients with more extensive aging changes, including heaviness and sagging in the cheeks along with sagging in the neck and jaw line. The incisions mirror the standard procedure and recovery time is at least two weeks.

The mid facelift

This lift procedure is designed to elevate the cheeks to a more youthful position. Incisions can be made near the temple or eyelid, and recovery takes approximately three to four weeks. Where neck drooping and jowls are also present, this lift procedure can be performed in conjunction with the standard procedure for more comprehensive rejuvenation.

What about the neck?

The neck is always evaluated separately, but rarely treated individually. Quite often, Drs. LaFerriere and Kienstra recommend a procedure called “corset” platysmaplasty to significantly improve sagging of the neck. Since the face and neck are companions in the aging process, the corset procedure is almost always performed in conjunction with a “mini,” standard, or deep plane lift.

Ready to schedule a consultation?

If you would like to meet with a facial cosmetic surgeon, contact our Springfield, MO or Rogers, AR facial plastic surgery center today. We would be happy to help you schedule a consultation with one of our surgeons.