Facelift surgery, which is also known as a rhytidectomy, helps decrease visible signs of aging in the face and neck region. If you live near Mount Lebanon, Wexford, Pittsburgh, or the surrounding areas in PA and have considered a facelift procedure, Premier Plastic Surgery has the best doctors around to help you achieve the appearance you desire.

What Can A Facelift Procedure Do?

A facelift can bring back youthful contours in the face and neck area to counteract the effects of stress, age, heredity, and much more.

A facelift procedure also can correct conditions such as:

Creases below the lower eyelids
Smile lines between the nose and mouth
Double chin because of loose skin and fatty deposits under the jaw
Sagging skin in middle of the face
Hollow appearance because of lost facial fat
Jowls due to loss of skin tone in lower face

To make for a more complete and total rejuvenation, facelift surgery will frequently be combined with brow lifts, facial implants, or eyelid surgery.

Who Is An Ideal Candidate For A Facelift?

Individuals near Mount Lebanon or in Wexford, and the Pittsburgh, PA area who are generally in good health, do not smoke, and have no prior medical conditions that would impair the healing process are ideal candidates for this procedure. Regardless, it is important to consult with your surgeon to see if facelift surgery is the right choice for you.

What Happens During A Consultation?

During your consultation, the surgeon examines your overall health and looks for any pre-existing conditions that determine if you’re a candidate for the procedure. We take a patient-based approach, and our surgeon will do everything from measure your face, take photographs, and explain in great detail exactly what the procedure will entail. They also will ask you detailed questions regarding your surgical goals, drug allergies, current medications, previous surgeries, alcohol and drug use. Our consultations also provide you with an opportunity to ask any questions you have about the procedure.

What is the cost of a Pittsburgh facelift?

Facelift surgery, as performed by Dr. Heil, is an intricate and complex procedure that is highly personalized to your anatomy as well as your aesthetic wishes. The doctor will ensure that you receive a detailed quote for your surgery at the time of your consultation. Surgery costs may include surgeon’s fees, facility fees, anesthesia fees and others.

Bilateral face and neck lift with platysmaplasty $14,400-$17,000
Bilateral mini facelift $8900-$13,000

What Takes Place During The Procedure?

During a facelift procedure, the first thing administered is the anesthesia. Patients have the option for general anesthesia or intravenous (IV) sedation. Both provide a safe option for patients, but general sedation is considered to put the patient in a deeper sleep. You and your surgeon will discuss which sedation option is best for you based on your weight and medical history.

Once anesthesia is administered, the surgeon will begin to make the incisions. The surgical goals that you and the surgeon agreed upon will determine where and how many incisions are made. There are two methods of performing the incisions:

A traditional facelift involves one incision that reaches from the temples to the lower scalp.
The alternative method uses shorter incisions near the temples and possible additional incisions under the upper lip or lower eyelids.

After all the incisions are made, the surgeon is able to sculpt or redistribute the fat and underlying tissue in the face and neck. Skin is then redraped over new contours and held in place with sutures. The last part of the process is simply trimming away the excess skin.

Before & After

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What Should I Expect During The Recovery Period?

Immediately following your facelift surgery, your face and scalp will be dressed in a compression garment and drains may have to be put into place. Within 36 to 48 hours of the surgery, expect bruising, swelling, and pain to peak, but subside over the next 10 to 14 days. In the unlikely event that you experience an increase in pain following two weeks, you should contact your doctor.

During your first postoperative visit, any dressing and drains will be removed, and you’ll be told personalized recovery instructions, such as cool compresses in 20-minute intervals, how long to remain sitting, standing, or walking, and much more. As you continue your follow up visits, your doctor will let you know when you can begin your normal activities again.

Patients are always concerned about scarring, and it’s important to know it takes about a full year for scars to reach their final appearance. Scars from a facelift are concealed within the hairline and natural facial features. For the first four to six weeks after the procedure, they will appear red in color and feel slightly firm and raised.

Why Should I Choose Premier Plastic Surgery?

For people who have been thinking about a facelift procedure, the doctors you can trust to get your appearance to where you want it to be are at Premier Plastic Surgery. We have countless satisfied patients throughout Western Pennsylvania, who have either experienced the rejuvenating feeling of a plastic surgery procedure or have seen results with their skin due to treatment administered at our practice.

Whatever you are looking to have done, contact us today for a consultation.