Question: The Cost of Face Lifts |
| Genetically, my face
looks just like my mother's. I am 51, but I have lots
and lots of lines, wrinkles, etc. on my face - the skin
is very soft. What is the best solution? What is the cost? |
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Doctors' Answers |
|
Dear Connie,
If the problem is mainly textural, laser resurfacing
would give you the best result. If there is a large
amount of excess skin, then a facelift of some sort
with skin removal and redraping would give you the best
long-term improvement. The former treatment costs $3-5000
and the latter $5000 to $8000 depending upon what needs
to be addressed.
Gregory
Caputy Chief Surgeon
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|
Connie,
There are many options, depending on such factors as
your appearance, complexion, goals, available recovery
time and many others. It will be necessary for any Plastic
Surgeon to see you, or at least quality photos, to begin
to answer your questions.
It is possible to send photos through my website and
probably others.
David M. Metzner, MD
www.drmetzner.com
(504) 885-9555
(985) 892-4675
(866) 298-5249 toll free
David
Metzner M.D.
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Question: Male Face Lifts |
| I need information on
facelift for men, and what I can expect if I do have
one. I am 50 years old and feel that I need one to stay
in the work force I am in. |
|
Doctor's Answer |
| Male facelift can be
extremely gratifying. The loose, hanging skin of the face
and neck can be repositioned to give a more youthful appearance.
Try looking at yourself in the mirror and pulling on your
face and neck skin in an upward and backward direction.
This may give you some idea of what could be accomplished.
Expect to take 2 or 3 weeks off work to recover from the
surgery. |
|
Question: Tightening the Jawline |
| Is there a procedure
that merely tightens the jawline. Is so, what is the approximate
cost, amount of time needed for procedure, and recovery
time. |
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Doctor's Answer |
| Variations on the standard
facelift operation will tighten the jawline. The operation
takes 2 to 3 hours and requires 1 to 2 weeks recovery
from bruising and swelling. Costs vary significantly and
quotes of cost are meaningleing.
David
Ross MD
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Question: Surgery for a Saggy Neck |
| I would like to tighten
my neck, its a little saggy...what does it entail...Thanks. |
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Doctor's Answer |
|
Dear Gary,
If the excess is mainly skin, what is entailed is a
neck lift with essentially the same incisions and down
time (about 2 weeks) as a facelift. Often the muscles
of the neck also need to be addressed and this is done
through a small incision under the chin. Liposuction
and "week end" facelift will
not help with the skin excess.
Gregory
Caputy Chief Surgeon
|
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Question: Botox and Face Lifts - Are there Risks? |
| I have been using restylane
and botox for 6 months with good results.I am considering
a facelift.Do the botox and restylane interfere with the
surgery?Thank you. |
|
Doctors' Answers |
Dear Lainie,
I would suggest that you consider a brow lift so that
you no longer require the botox injections. These should
have no interference with face or brow lift procedures.
The restylane is a different story. As long as a large
amount been injected for a long time, there should be
little problem as long as the surgeon stays very deep
to the plane where it is present in your skin. There can
be problems with infection and extrusion after the procedure
with areas so treated. I thought that Restylane was only
available in Canada so far?? Where did you have the injections
performed.
Gregory
Caputy Chief Surgeon
|
| Thank you for your information.My
hope is that the botox will have softened the lines and
broken my frown habit by the time I have the brow lift
or facelift.My two year divorce goes to trial next month
and an unreadable face is an asset! My Restylane injections
were performed in NYC. My doctor gets the Restylane from
Canada.They are injected in the nose lines and in my chin
around the lower lip where there are lines from sun damage. |
|
The botox will help with facial expressions but the
long-term cure of removing the minor muscles of frowning
should be done at the time of the brow lift. Be careful
using non-FDA approved drugs since you would not be
covered in any way from long-term possible complications.
Gregory
Caputy Chief Surgeon
|
|
Question: Is Liposuction Enough |
| how can you get rid
of the flab under your chin. does it require plastic surgery |
|
Doctor's Answer |
Dear Rose,
Yes it does. If your skin is in excellent condition and
there is not too much of it a simple liposuction procedure
may be all that is required. If there is a large amount
of excess skin as well, then a facelift type of procedure
would be necessary to correct the problem.
|
|
Question: What to Expect After Face Lift Surgery |
| I am having a complete
face lift. How long does the swelling and healing process
take before I will see complete results? And what precautions
should I take? How can I obtain the surgeons records?
And could you add anything to my questions that might
be benificial to my situation.. I am having my surgery
Oct.24th.. Thank you, |
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Doctor's Answer |
|
Dear Bobbi,
It seems a little late to be checking into your surgeon's
qualifications but you should make certain that he/she
is a member of ASAPS (the group of plastic surgeons
specializing in cosmetic procedures) and that he/she
does often and does facelifts well. You should not take
any aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) etc. for two
weeks prior to the procedure. You will take about one
month to heal although most of the swelling and scarring
will be much better after two weeks. I would suggest
that you make certain with your surgeon where the incisions
will be placed and that your hairline will not be raised
by the procedure (a particular problem with the old
way of doing facelifts). Also, there are often many
ancillary procedures and also many different types of
facelifts (depth and extent of the procedure). You should
make certain that the appropriate type is being planned
for you. The best way to do this is to have multiple
consultations with qualified surgeons.
Gregory
Caputy Chief Surgeon
|
|
Question: What is a Mini Face Lift? |
| What is the difference
between a facelift and a mini facelift? |
|
Doctor's Answer |
|
Dear Holly,
There are about 17 different ways of performing facelift
surgery involving different planes, different incisions,
different associated procedures and with very different
results. A mini-lift is usually done after a true facelift
for a small amount of redundant skin that was not well
handled with the first procedure.
Gregory
Caputy Chief Surgeon
|
|
Question: What is a Weekend Face Lift? |
| Would you explain the
procedure known as the "weekend facelift"? I
hear it can be done in the office, that recovery is just
a couple of days and it's a third the cost of a regular
facelift. Would it be appropriate if one's only problem
is so-called "turkey neck"? |
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Doctors' Answers |
|
The so called "weekend facelift" is basically
liposuction of the neck combined with suturing the neck
muscle bands together in the midline and sometimes using
the laser on the undersurface of the sin of the neck.
It can work well in individuals who are on the young
side (30s and 40s), dont' have a lot of excess skin
and have good skin tone. The so called "turkey
neck" would probably not be a candidate, but you
could consult with a local plastic surgeon.
Joshua
Korman MD
|
|
Dear Marie,
That is exactly not what it is good for. The weekend
facelift is vigorous liposuction coupled with inner
surface laser resurfacing. Many of us are seeing the
aftermath of these procedures and they are nearly impossible
to correct. I would suggest that you speak with a local
plastic surgeon in order to determine if liposuction
alone would help you. If not, a facelift and necklift
is the route to go - heal-up time is only about 7 to
10 days even from the more extensive procedure.
Gregory
Caputy Chief Surgeon
|
|
Be skeptical about any "weekend, lunchtime procedure."
Caveat emptor!
Jonathan
Berman MD
|
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Question: Finding a Qualified Plastic Surgeon |
| I am interested in Composite
Face Lift. Looking for specialist in that area of surgery.
Any info would be appreciated. |
|
Doctor's Answer |
|
Dear Marci,
A great many of us are trained in the area of composite
and deep plane facelifts. The surgeon who has been championing
this technique for many years is Dr. Sam Hamra in Houston,TX.
Gregory
Caputy Chief Surgeon
|
|
Follow-Up Question |
How do I find out who
else performs this type of facelift? Also, what is the
approximate cost?I live in Asheville, NC, and would like
to find a surgeon closer to where I live, but will travel
if I have to. I would also need to know how long the surgeon
has been performing this type of facelift.
Thank you
Marci Robertson |
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Doctor's Answer |
|
Dear Marci,
There are a large number of plastic surgeons in your
area. I would suggest that you call their offices first
and then consult with three or more of them and ask
them how many and what training they have to perform
this type of facelift. Also, I would suggest that you
ask them if, indeed, you need this type of facelift.
Gregory
Caputy Chief Surgeon
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