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Facelift

The facelift has long been considered the "gold standard" of facial rejuvenation. No other cosmetic procedure can compare to its profound rejuvenating effect. Improving skin laxity, reducing facial wrinkles, smoothing out deep lines, and restoring youthful facial contours are just a few most notable benefits of a facelift. However, looking years younger does not have to mean looking entirely different. A double board-certified facial plastic surgeon and facelift specialist in Manhattan, NYC, Dr. Konstantin often tells his patients: "Your face will still be your face, it will just look years younger."

Modern Techniques

The best part of the modern-day facelift technique is that it achieves significant facial rejuvenation without changing the patient's unique facial features. Long gone are the days of the results that look pulled or stretched. The face that appears "done" or "lifted" is not acceptable in today's cosmetic surgery world.

When designing each patient's customized facelift plan, Dr. Konstantin prioritizes natural-looking results while preserving one's distinct facial character.

How Much Does a Facelift Cost in NYC?

An expertly performed facelift generally costs $30,000 to $80,000 and up. Facelift prices in NYC can vary significantly from one facial plastic surgeon to the other. The same surgeon's office can quote different prices to different patients depending on the type of facelift performed, the extent and the complexity of surgery, and the facility where the procedure would be performed. A higher price does not necessarily ensure better quality of the procedure. However, the fees of most top facelift surgeons who are considered to be NYC experts in facial rejuvenation likely fall within this price range.

Speaking from Experience

"There is no one facelift technique that fits all. Each procedure is individually tailored for each patient. This individualized, targeted approach enables me to achieve the utmost rejuvenation possible in a minimally invasive fashion." – Dr. Konstantin

Who Is a Good Candidate for a Facelift?

Facelift surgery is the most effective and reliable cosmetic procedure that can reverse the physical changes of aging. If you think a facelift may be right for you, take this easy test: While standing in front of the mirror, place your fingers on the sides of your face and lift the skin upward and slightly back. If doing so makes your face look years younger, a facelift might be just the right procedure for you. If you see no significant difference, you might want to look at other means of facial rejuvenation.

Why Choose Dr. Konstantin for Your Facelift?

• Specializes exclusively in enhancement of the face and neck
• Performs more than 1,000 facial cosmetic procedures each year
• Proficient in a range of modern facelift techniques
• Double board certified: Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Otolaryngology (Head-Neck Surgery)
• Member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS)

What Areas Can Be Improved?

As with any other cosmetic procedure, evaluation for a facelift starts with Dr. Konstantin's thorough analysis of a patient's facial features, skin texture and elasticity, the amount and distribution of excess of fat, and the degree of facial aging. Photographs are taken and reviewed to establish and prioritize the goals of facial rejuvenation procedures.

The specific areas targeted by a facelift may vary from patient to patient, so for each case, Dr. Konstantin develops a highly individualized surgical plan. Although unique characteristics of each patient's face necessitate an individual approach, some areas nearly always require attention. Some of the most common targets for improvement and rejuvenation are:

• Visible muscle bands in the neck
• Neck skin laxity (often paired with a neck lift)
• Excessive fullness under the chin
• Noticeable jowls
• Sagging of facial tissue

Once Dr. Konstantin performs a facial analysis and determines the areas where most improvement is needed, he can select a proper facelift technique. He can also make recommendations about other procedures at this time, including upper face treatments such as brow lift and eyelid surgery. Dr. Konstantin may incorporate fat transfer or dermal fillers to restore lost volume around the eyes and on the cheeks.

Facelift Techniques

Several types of facelift can be used to rejuvenate the face. Deep plane, high SMAS, SMAS lift, lower facelift, mini lift — these are just a few commonly used techniques. Dr. Konstantin also offers an endoscopic-assisted facelift using advanced technology. It can be overwhelming to understand the differences between all the facelift terminology for procedures and treatments, both surgical and nonsurgical.

Patients often ask "What is the best facelift technique out there?" Some patients may come for a consultation with already formed opinions and ask for a specific type of facelift. Such preferences are often based on the opinions of other patients found on the Internet or after seeing a friend who had a certain type of facelift and "now looks just great."

However, keep in mind that choosing a particular facelift type because it worked well for somebody else may not give you the best result. Each method of facial rejuvenation was developed to meet a specific set of goals, and each technique was designed to rejuvenate patients with a certain type of facial structures. An experienced surgeon should be able to take into account each patient's unique characteristics and select a facelift technique that would work best for him or her.

Your Procedure

Most facelifts start with making skin incisions. Typically, one incision hides in a skin crease under the chin and another is placed around the ear starting at the temple and extending into the hairline behind the ear. The length of incisions may vary from patient to patient. As a general rule, a longer incision would be necessary for people with more advanced facial aging. The main goal and the reason for a particular choice of incision placement would be to make them as discreet as possible.

After making the incisions, excess fat is removed (typically through liposuction) and the underlying muscle (or SMAS) is tightened; this can be accomplished through various methods. The main goal of this step is to create a youthful contour of the face and neck and get rid of tissue laxity.

Once he establishes the facial contour, Dr. Konstantin removes the excess skin and closes the incisions with specially designed sutures. A contour dressing consisting of cotton and soft bandages is then placed. Most patients choose to bring a scarf or a hat to cover the bandages for the trip home.

A Few Words About Anesthesia

Previously, facelifts have been performed in a hospital using general anesthesia. However, in recent years with the development of newer, less-invasive facelift techniques, there has been a trend toward using less and less anesthesia for cosmetic procedures.

Many surgeons who specialize in facial rejuvenation believe that avoiding general anesthesia improves the safety of the procedure and helps to speed up the recovery. Dr. Konstantin believes using less-invasive anesthesia for cosmetic surgery can make the patient's experience with facial rejuvenation much easier. That is why a great many of his patients prefer a safer alternative to deep general anesthesia.

What to Expect After a Facelift

You will need to take some personal time for healing after a facelift procedure. The time needed for healing varies significantly between patients; however, most people are able to get back to work in 1 to 2 weeks.

In the immediate postoperative period, it is advisable to stay within driving distance to Dr. Konstantin's the office in New York in case and additional postoperative visit becomes necessary. The majority of Dr. Konstantin's facelift patients can expect a fairly smooth recovery, particularly if they take prescribed pain medications and follow instructions. Nevertheless, it's wise to remember that individual experiences may be different and some people might heal much faster than others.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best age to get a facelift?

There isn't really a specific age that is "best" for a facelift. Even people in their 30s begin to see signs of aging that can make them appear much older than they are. What matters when considering a facelift is whether patients have jowls or a double chin that truly bothers them. If so, a facelift may be an appropriate procedure.

How long before an important social event should I get a facelift?

It's best to schedule any facial plastic surgery procedure at least 6 weeks before the event. Even though the initial recovery takes only a week or 2, residual swelling and bruising typically need several more weeks to resolve.

If you're looking for the best facial plastic surgeon in NYC to perform your facelift, contact us online for a consultation with Dr. Konstantin or call (212) 380-3634 to speak to a member of our team.

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