Cleveland Facelift Patients Choose Dr. Joyesh Raj
The success of your facelift surgery largely depends on the surgeon you select to perform the operation. Dr. Raj is a top facelift surgeon in the Cleveland area. He has the training, experience and skill to deliver consistently great results. Always at the forefront of the industry, Dr. Raj stays up to date with all advances in technique and technology through his membership in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. He is also the former chief of plastic surgery at Fairview Hospital in Cleveland and a renowned speaker and writer.
Are You a Good Candidate for Facelift?
Facelift is designed to minimize visible signs of aging on the face and neck, and restore youthful contours. It can also improve the effects of gravity, environmental damage and stress. You may be a good candidate for facelift if you are bothered by the following:
- Loose skin and sagging in the mid/lower portions of the face
- Creases beneath the eyelids
- Displaced fat
- Excess fat along the jawline and underneath the chin
- Creases between the nose and corners of the mouth
- Loss of smooth, healthy skin tone
To qualify for surgery, you should be in good general health and not smoke. You should not have any uncontrolled medical conditions that could jeopardize the safety of your operation. You should understand what facelift can and cannot accomplish, and you should expect reasonable improvement (not absolute perfection).
If you are interested in discussing your facelift candidacy with Dr. Raj, please call or email our office and schedule an in-person consultation.
Preparing for Facelift
After Dr. Raj has determined you are a suitable candidate for facelift and you have scheduled your surgery, you will receive a set of instructions to prepare for the procedure.
You will need to stop taking certain medications, such as aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs, that can increase the risk of complications during and after surgery. If you smoke, you will need to stop a few weeks prior to the operation (and should refrain from smoking after surgery, too). You may need to undergo lab testing or a medical evaluation with your primary doctor in anticipation of your facelift.
To help ensure an easier recovery, there are a few things you should do ahead of time. First, you must make arrangements for your transport to and from the surgery center or hospital, and for someone to stay with you the first 24 hours after surgery, because you may feel tired or woozy from the anesthesia. Also, it’s helpful to run errands ahead of time, like filling prescriptions and grocery shopping, so you do not have to worry about these details after surgery.
Surgical Techniques
Traditional facelift is usually performed through incisions made at the temples, extending down and around the front of the ears. The incisions are hidden in the natural hairline so any resulting scarring is inconspicuous. Through the incisions, the deep layers of tissue are lifted and tightened to create more youthful contours. Displaced or sagging fat is repositioned and loose skin is removed. The skin is re-draped more smoothly over the facial tissues, and the incisions are closed with small sutures.
Facelift usually incorporates neck lift techniques to address loose skin, fat deposits, cords or horizontal bands on the neck and right underneath the chin. Many people that have signs of aging on the face also need improvement on the neck, and it makes sense to treat all of these concerns simultaneously.
Cheek lift, otherwise known as a midface lift, is a variation of facelift that targets the area between the bottom of your eyes to the corners of your lips. It is intended to improve sagging tissue primarily in the cheek area, and add youthful fullness and volume to the cheeks.
Facelift can be combined with other facial rejuvenation procedures as needed. For example, if you are concerned about tired or aged-looking eyes, in addition to mid-face sagging and loose neck skin, you might want to consider combining full facelift surgery (that includes neck lift) with eyelid surgery. Or, if you desire a stronger and more defined chin and more youthful facial contours, you might opt to have a facial implant placed along with your facelift.
Dr. Raj will work one on one with you to identify your specific areas of concern on the face and neck. Together, you will define your aesthetic goals, and based on that information, Dr. Raj will develop a suitable plan of treatment. He is committed to exceeding your expectations as a patient.
Recovering from Facelift
Immediately after the operation, a bandage will be placed around your face. You will be given written instructions about if or when to remove the bandage.
Expect some bruising, swelling and a mild to moderate amount of discomfort after the operation. You can take oral pain medication as prescribed to alleviate discomfort. Keeping your head elevated and applying cool compresses to your face can help to control the bruising and swelling. You should sleep with your head elevated for approximately two weeks after surgery, and avoid bending, lifting, straining or any activity that elevates your heart rate and could lead to complications.
Attend all post-operative follow-up appointments with Dr. Raj so he can check your healing progress and answer your questions. He can also provide a timeline for resuming work, exercise, socializing and other activities.
Although every patient recovers at his or her own pace, most resume work within approximately two weeks and light exercise within three to six weeks.
Facelift Results
Most of the bruising and swelling should resolve within 10 to 14 days of surgery. At that point, you will probably notice visible improvements, and can conceal any residual side effects with cosmetics.
It can take two to three months for your facelift results to stabilize.
During your initial follow-up appointments, Dr. Raj can explain how best to prolong your facelift results. In general, it is recommended that you protect your face from the sun, follow healthy lifestyle habits and consider complementary non-surgical skin care treatments (e.g., Botox or filler injections, laser skin resurfacing) to extend the life of your facelift.
To view results from our previous Cleveland facelift patients, visit our facelift before and after photo gallery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Facelift
When is the “right” time to have a facelift?
Facelift patients are usually in their 40s, 50s or 60s. However, there is no perfect age at which to undergo facelift. The right time for you is based on your individual anatomy, health and expectations. If you have noticeable signs of aging, are in good health and have realistic goals, it is likely a good time to pursue facelift.
What happens during a facelift consultation?
During a facelift consultation, you will meet with Dr. Raj to discuss your needs and treatment goals. He will examine your face, noting your personal areas of concern (e.g., sagging cheeks, jowls) and determine whether facelift can give you the results you expect. Dr. Raj will also explain his surgical techniques and recommendations. You will have the opportunity to ask questions you have about facelift or bring up specific concerns you would like addressed.
Does facelift surgery hurt?
No. Anesthesia is used so you will not feel or remember anything from surgery. Dr. Raj will prescribe pain medication to help alleviate any post-operative discomfort.
How can I avoid looking artificial or frozen after facelift?
Your facelift surgeon’s skill and experience determines the quality of your results. Under the care of a talented facelift surgeon like Dr. Raj, you can expect to look naturally rejuvenated and younger after surgery. Instead of simply pulling back the skin and trimming off the excess, Dr. Raj uses sophisticated techniques to lift and tighten the underlying facial muscles and restore lost facial volume. This comprehensive approach produces exceptional results.
Will facelift improve wrinkles around my eyes or low, heavy eyebrows?
No. Facelift treats the mid-face and lower face without altering the appearance of the eyes and forehead. If you are bothered by lines or wrinkles around the eyes or sagging of the brows, consider combining facelift with eyelid surgery or brow lift.
Will I have noticeable scarring?
Dr. Raj carefully plans out the surgical incisions in key areas so that resulting scarring is discreet. The incisions are hidden in the natural hairline and around the front of the ears in the curves and creases of the skin.
Initially after surgery, the incision lines will look red and raised. But with the proper care, the incision lines will fade and flatten in the months following surgery.
How soon will I be able to return to work after facelift?
Most patients return to work within 10 to 14 days of surgery. If you have a physically strenuous occupation, you will need to take additional time to recover before returning to work.
How soon will I be able to resume exercise after facelift?
You can start taking short walks as soon as you feel ready after surgery. You can resume other light exercise, including stretching and yoga, within three weeks. More strenuous forms of exercise should be avoided for up to six weeks.
When will I be able to resume socializing after facelift?
Most patients feel comfortable socializing two to three weeks after facelift. At that point, most of the post-operative swelling and bruising has resolved and any residual bruising or swelling can be camouflaged with cosmetics or a scarf.
Schedule a Consultation
If you would like to learn more about the impressive anti-aging effects of facelift surgery, contact our Cleveland office to schedule a consultation by calling (440) 808-8030.
