Restore a Youthful Appearance With Advanced Facelift Surgery in St. Louis

There is not an ideal age for facelift surgery, it’s really about each patient’s aesthetic concerns and goals for improvement. A consultation with Dr. Cabbabe will confirm your compatibility, candidates for facelift surgery are typically looking to reverse moderate to more severe signs of aging in the midface, jawline, chin, and upper neck and include those individuals who:

• Are in good general health
• Are non-tobacco users or willing to quit temporarily
• Have realistic outcome expectations
• Have facial tissue that has enough structure and elasticity
• Have a stabilized body weight and do not anticipate significant fluctuations
• Are seeking long-lasting facial rejuvenation

Dr. Cabbabe will start with a review of your health and medication history to ensure your suitability for surgery and will evaluate signs of aging throughout your entire face. If you are deemed to be a candidate for facelift surgery, specific determinations regarding the following will be made and incorporated into a personalized treatment plan.

1. Dr. Cabbabe’s recommended facelift approach or combination of advanced techniques that may include deep plane, extended deep plane (includes the entire neck) the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) facelift, vertical lifting techniques or the “short scar” or “mini” facelift
2. Whether your facelift in St. Louis will be conducted as an outpatient surgery and if it will be performed at the hospital or an ambulatory surgical center. The complexity of your treatment plan along with any underlying health factors and your personal preferences are all factors taken into consideration when determining the surgical location, on what basis your procedure will be performed and the anesthesia method used.
3. A detailed price quote that includes a breakdown of all fees related to Dr. Cabbabe’s services as well as the cost for anesthesia and any other fees related to services or care at the surgical center or hospital.

Instructions regarding the use of certain medications or supplements before and after surgery, the requirements for any additional health history documentation or lab testing that is needed, and information regarding surgery day are provided and discussed.

Facelift procedures are highly customized so the cost varies among patients, and yes, Cabbabe Plastic Surgery is pleased to offer patients the convenience of financing their procedure. Conveniently located to serve patients in St. Louis, contact our office today to inquire about financing or to request a facelift consultation and obtain a personalized price quote.

The procedure usually takes between four and six hours to complete depending on the details of your case and if any additional treatments are included. After the administration of either general anesthesia or twilight sedation, here’s what to generally expect during a facelift:

1. Incisions: Incisions are made on each side of the face, extending as needed to accommodate the amount of excess skin. These incisions are strategically placed to minimize visible scarring.
2. Separation of Skin and Fat: The skin and fat of the face and neck are separated to address each independently, allowing for customized contouring.
3. Cheek Repositioning: Cheeks may be lifted and repositioned to restore fullness to the cheekbones, improve the jowls, and shorten the lower eyelid skin. This also helps turn the corners of the mouth upward for a rejuvenated appearance.
4. Tissue Tightening: Deep tissues are tightened to improve the contour of the face and neck, giving a long-lasting and naturally lifted look.
5. Partial Gland Removal (if necessary): In some cases, partial gland removal is performed to prevent visible bulging in the neck.
6. Chin Adjustment: If a droopy or “witch’s” chin is present, it will be addressed and lifted to improve the profile.
7. Skin Redraping: Once the underlying facial structures have been repositioned and tightened, the overlying skin is redraped and excess skin is precisely reduced to ensure incisions are able to be sutured closed without creating excessive tension that looks unnatural.
8. Drains and Incisions: To prevent fluid buildup and promote more efficient healing, one or two small drainage tubes may be put in place for a few days, fine sutures are then used to close the incisions and will be removed in our office five to seven days after surgery.

After facelift surgery, patients typically return home the same day, though some may choose to stay overnight based on the length and complexity of their procedure. You will be provided with a detailed recovery plan that is designed to optimize healing and the aesthetics of your results, but here is a general overview:

• Medication Management: Dr. Cabbabe will prescribe pain medication, antibiotics, and steroids as needed to manage discomfort and reduce swelling.
• Bruising and Swelling: It is normal to experience bruising and swelling for 2 to 3 weeks. Applying ice to the treated area at consistent intervals for the first 48 hours helps minimize swelling.
• Head and Neck Care: Keep your head elevated to reduce swelling and use antibiotic ointment on the incision lines. If eyelid surgery was performed, eye drops may be necessary to keep the eyes moist.
• Bandaging and Drains: The head and neck will be wrapped for 48 hours and you may have a facelift strap with neck compression. More extensive rejuvenation of the neck may also require temporary drain placement to prevent fluid buildup.
• Showering and Hygiene: Once bandages are removed, typically within 48 hours, patients can shower. Apply antibiotic ointment to incisions or specialized eye ointment as directed.

There is approximately a week to ten days of downtime in which prioritizing rest and recovery is essential for initial healing and patients shouldn’t drive while taking prescription pain medication. However, the period of initial healing may be longer if other procedures are included. Following is general timeline of the recovery and results:

• After Ten days: There is significantly less swelling and bruising. Many patients feel comfortable going out in public with light makeup, and continue to follow your aftercare instructions for gentle skincare and non-strenuous activities.
• After Two Weeks: Some swelling may persist, particularly in the area around the jawline or in the neck, if you received fat injections, they have settled and will start to enhance your overall result more noticeably.
• Weeks Three to Four: You likely feel much more like yourself, results are becoming more defined, revealing a smoother and more youthful profile. It’s usually ok to start increasing participation in physical activities that require minimal to moderate exertion.
• After Six Weeks: Your face will have settled into a more natural and rejuvenated appearance. You can usually resume all normal activities, including high-impact exercises. Scars will continue to fade, and any lingering tightness typically resolves.
• After Three Months: Your results are considered long-term and stable. The full impact of the facelift and fat injections is evident, showing a refreshed and youthful appearance. Sensation and facial movements should feel completely normal. At this point, scars are minimal and often barely noticeable. Maintaining a good skincare routine, staying hydrated, and diligently protecting your skin from sun exposure will help preserve your refreshed look for years to come.

Yes, just as with any medical procedure involving surgery, there are risks with a facelift that are beyond the anticipated swelling and bruising, these include:

• Bleeding after surgery or hematoma
• Asymmetry or irregular contours
• Reabsorption of injected fat or fat embolism
• Delayed healing or infection
• Poor incision healing

Although rare, nerve injury or muscle impairment that does not show improvement after several months may require a surgical intervention.

By first choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon who utilizes advanced surgical techniques and conducts a thorough pre-surgical assessment. Secondly, by diligently following all pre- and post-surgical instructions.