Face Lift Plastic Surgery (Rhytidectomy)

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, David P. Rapaport, MD is one of Manhattan, New York's most sought after face lift surgeons.  The best candidate for a facelift is a man or woman whose face and neck have begun to sag, but whose skin still has some elasticity and whose bone structure is strong and well-defined. Most patients who seek the NYC plastic surgeon's expertise are in their forties to sixties, but facelifts can be done successfully on people in their seventies or eighties as well.

Click Here to See Examples of Dr. Rapaport's Face Lift Work

Face lifts are performed by plastic surgeons to reduce the slackness in the tissues of the face; a face lift tightens or excises muscle, fat and skin, producing a more youthful, rested appearance. The face lift procedures only address the two-thirds of the face, although a surgery can combine both face lift and eyelid surgery or brow lift.

For individuals interested in reducing sagging in the facial area, face lifts may be the best way to address the problem. For many patients, the key issues corrected by face lift surgery include sagging jowls, loose neck skin, and fat accumulation under the chin (double chin). Face lifts work in essentially the same manner, although there are some variations in face lift techniques, depending upon the specific individual facial constructions, and the intended outcome of the face lift surgery.  Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, David P. Rapaport will discuss the various techniques as well as options to your during your consultation at his Manhattan, New York office.

The Manhattan, New York Plastic Surgeon, David P. Rapaport, MD primary concerns when performing facelift plastic surgery are twofold:  the patient's safety always comes first, both in terms of anesthesia and the surgery itself.  With regard to anesthesia, the Board Certified Plastic Surgeon generally believes that "less is more".  He will frequently perform facelifts under IV sedation / local anesthesia; of course monitored by a Board Certified hand-picked anesthesiologist.  IF general anesthesia is indicated, preoperative assessment and intra-operative care will be meticulous.

In terms of the surgery itself, the Manhattan, New York Board Certified Plastic Surgeon employs techniques which minimize the risk of complications to skin and muscle.  The surgeon emphasizes that facelift surgery is elective surgery which should not risk nerve, muscle, or skin damage.

After facelift surgery, the Board Certified Plastic Surgeon's concern is to achieve a natural result.  Doctor Rapaport's facelifts result in a truly natural appearance.  There need not be fear of a "wind tunnel", "pulled lips" or other unnatural look.

Facelift Plastic Surgery Frequently Asked Questions

Where will my face lift surgery be performed?  Your facelift surgery will be performed by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, David P. Rapaport at his fully accredited Manhattan, New York out-patient facility.

Can I have other facial plastic performed at the same time as my face lift? Yes, in fact many of the Board Certified Plastic Surgeon's  face lift patients choose to have their face lifts performed in conjunction with other facial cosmetic surgery procedures such as browlift surgery.

How long does a facelift procedure take? The length of the face lift surgery this will depend on the individual. Typically, a facelift can be completed in less than three hours. However, the amount of work you will require will directly affect the amount of time the operation takes.

After a facelift, are bandages used?  Yes, bandages may be applied to the head and neck with the purpose of maintaining the area and keeping it stationary. The bandages are usually removed a day after the procedure.

What to expect after facelift surgery? After a facelift, many patients are astonished by the lack of  pain there is after surgery. For several weeks, expect some swelling around the eyes; however as the swelling goes away, you'll begin to see the surgery's progress. Measures are necessary during your recovery. Bending or lifting can extend swelling and is not suggested for three weeks after surgery. Running, cycling, or exercises should not resume for three weeks. Driving is permissible when the swelling goes down and does not get in the way of your vision. After ten days you may fly.

Is a facelift permanent? Yes and no. Obviously, facelifts do not stop the aging process, so that as time goes by, the facelifted face will show signs of aging, such as jowls and loosening skin.  On the other hand, the person who has facelift surgery will always appear more youthful than they would if they hadn't had the facelift surgery, even years later.  The Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, David P. Rapaport, MD' s favorite analogy is to imagine two identical twins needing a facelift.  Only one decides to have facelift surgery, and they both return every year to been seen by the plastic surgeon.  The patient who had facelift surgery will always appear younger than her "identical" twin, even when she feels she is ready for another one, 7-10 years after the first facelift.

If you have questions about face lift  plastic surgery, or would like to schedule a consultation with the Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, please phone David P. Rapaport's Manhattan, New York Plastic Surgery office at 212-752-1129 or email the NYC Plastic Surgeon at info@drrapaport.com.