Deep Plane Facelift
in virginia beach

The Art of Aging Gracefully

As the most perceptible feature of your body, the face represents all you take in and all that you wish to put out into the world. It can also show telltale signs of aging over the years. Patients with advanced signs of facial aging may consider surgical options like a facelift.

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74 year old female desiring facial rejuvenation. Patient underwent deep plane rhytidectomy, temporal brow lift and lip lift.

Surgeon: Dr. Virginia Teti
Patient Age: 74
Patient Gender: Female

What is a Facelift?

A facelift or rhytidectomy, is a surgical technique designed to combat these conditions in a holistic way. The procedure tightens and lifts the structures in the mid-to-lower face, resulting in a youthful and natural-looking outcome. Keep in mind that a facelift will not fundamentally change your appearance; Instead, it helps restore features typically associated with youth.

Am I a candidate for a Facelift?

While a facelift isn’t suitable for everyone, candidates typically have one or more of the following aesthetic concerns:

  • Double chin
  • Marionette lines
  • Nasolabial folds
  • Vertical neck bands
  • Loose, sagging jowls
  • Crêpe-like skin texture
  • Sagging neck skin, or “turkey wattle”

Deep Plane Facelift

To address the three fundamental signs of aging, Dr. Teti performs the newest technique, the “modified deep plane” facelift. The goal is to achieve an age-appropriate facial appearance and never overdone. By going under the muscle, releasing tension points from the ligaments, and redistributing the skin, the incision has a better chance of healing without tension, resulting in a finer scar.

Choosing a Facelift Procedure

Dr. Teti specializes in various facelift techniques, from mini facelifts to traditional SMAS facelifts and the newer modified deep plane facelift approach. Armed with extensive fellowship training and surgical expertise, she makes carefully thought-out recommendations based on each patient’s specific needs. Dr Teti is uniquely skilled in blending different facelift techniques.

THE FACELIFT PROCEDURE

Most facelifts take place under local anesthesia or general anesthesia. The exact steps of the operation vary based on the type of facelift performed. In a traditional facelift, the surgeon makes incisions at the hairline and around the ears. Through the incisions, Dr. Teti gently manipulates and suspends the underlying tissues. She then re-drapes the skin and removes any excess if needed. Finally, she applies sutures and sterile bandages to close the incisions.

Benefits of a Facelift

Patients should be made aware that a facelift is designed to rejuvenate key areas of the face that are subject to aging, without making the person look different or losing their unique beauty.

Consultation and Preparation

The goal is to treat your entire look, and Dr. Teti will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan to fit your needs. Whether that includes a facelift or other complementary treatments as well, Dr. Teti has the skill and versatility to ensure your surgical plan matches your aesthetic goals. It is crucial to completely understand the procedure, know its limitations, understand the risks, and maintain realistic goals regarding results and downtime. You will have the chance to review all this and more with Dr. Teti during your consultation. Afterward, you should have a clearer idea of what to expect if you move forward.

You may need to temporarily adjust prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary supplements in preparation for facelift surgery. Smokers will need to quit well in advance and remain dedicated to a nicotine-free lifestyle for several weeks afterward. Dr. Teti will provide a complete list of pre-operative instructions ahead of time.

Complementary Procedures

Dr. Teti frequently performs other procedures simultaneously with a facelift to achieve a harmonious result. A possible advantage of combining procedures is that patients may save money on anesthesia fees and only have to endure one recovery period. Procedures that might be combined with a facelift include:

  • Neck Lift
  • Rhinoplasty
  • Temporal brow lift
  • Dermal treatments
  • Modified upper lip lift
  • Upper and lower blepharoplasty

Brow Lift

A facelift primarily addresses the mid-to-lower face. A brow lift (also called a “forehead lift”) may also be considered when it comes to deep forehead creases and sagging brows.

Blepharoplasty

The eye skin is thin and delicate. As such, it is one of the first parts of the face to show signs of aging. As the muscles, fat pads, and skin in the periorbital area lose firmness and sag with age, the upper or lower lids may take on a tired appearance. Upper eyelid surgery, lower eyelid surgery, or both can be combined with a facelift to promote a more rested, alert appearance.

Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty can address cosmetic issues affecting the nose, including a drooping nasal tip, flared nostrils, a crooked nasal bridge, or a prominent dorsal hump. If you are concerned by your nose’s appearance, Dr. Teti may be able to address it at the same time as a facelift.

Neck Lift

By elevating the SMAS, a facelift can lift and tone the upper portion of the neck to a limited extent. However, some patients have a more desirable result by combining a facelift and neck lift into one procedure. During a neck lift (also called platysmaplasty), Dr. Teti surgically tightens the platysma muscle with sutures and removes any excess tissues.

Lip Lift

Surgical lip augmentation involves removing a small wedge of skin from under the nostrils and then suturing the wound closed to raise the lip border, increasing the upper lip’s surface area.

Facial Fat Grafting

Redistributing the facial fat pads during a facelift might not be enough to address facial volume loss—especially in patients with a significantly hollowed appearance. For the right candidates, facial fat transfer may be combined with a facelift to restore volume to the lips, cheeks, under eyes, or temples. Facial fat grafting entails harvesting excess body fat from areas such as the abdomen or love handles with liposuction, then purifying the fat and injecting it into the face.

Results, Recovery, and Aftercare

Following your facelift Virginia Beach plastic Surgeon Dr. Virginia Teti will provide you with comprehensive aftercare instructions (and prescriptions for any necessary medications). While every patient heals differently, here is a quick overview of what most patients generally experience as they recover from facelift surgery.

Week 1
Swelling, bruising, discomfort, and a tight sensation are most pronounced during the first week of recovery. There can also be some numbness. The sutures usually come out at seven days post-op.

Week 2
Much of the swelling and bruising starts to fade. Some patients are ready to go back to sedentary job duties, while others find they need a few extra days to heal before venturing out into public.

Weeks 3 and 4
By now, most patients look socially presentable and feel comfortable enough to return to work and light social activities. Bruising is generally absent. Any lingering swelling is usually minor and should continue to resolve in the coming weeks.

Week 5 and Beyond
Most patients are cleared to engage in strenuous exercise and heavy lifting at this stage. With each week that passes, the final results begin to emerge. The final outcome is usually apparent at three to four months after making a complete recovery.

Maintaining the Results of a Facelift

While a facelift counteracts the visible effects of aging, it cannot stop the process altogether. A healthy lifestyle (diet, exercise, and a quality skincare regimen) are wise investment, even for patients that have had the surgery. You should also protect your skin from the sun. Prolonged sun exposure is proven to degrade collagen and elastin, exacerbating how quickly the skin ages.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The procedure is virtually painless due to local anesthetic, which may be combined with sedation. In some cases, Dr. Teti may opt for a general anesthetic if combining multiple procedures or if the patient prefers not to be awake for the operation.

A facelift can usually take place at the same time as eyelid surgery, a forehead lift, a neck lift, laser skin resurfacing, and many other facial rejuvenation procedures.

Dr. Teti utilizes refined surgical techniques such as the modified deep plane facelift. Using this approach, she has found that the windblown look associated with older facelift techniques is generally less of a concern. As with any surgery, the exact results can be unpredictable. Some patients may achieve a more natural-looking outcome than others.

All surgical procedures carry risks, and facelift surgery is no exception. Before your surgery, Dr. Teti’s office will provide you with a consent form to sign that lists all known risks and complications associated with facelifts, some of which may be life-threatening. Here are some potential complications to watch for:

  • Skin flap necrosis
  • Collection of blood
  • Numbness or nerve injury
  • Compromised blood supply
  • Bleeding, infection, sudden increase in swelling

If you suspect you may be having an abnormal reaction to surgery, call the office immediately, and they will see you for a follow-up right away.

Facelifts can be expensive, but their costs cover a broad range. Factors such as the extent of the surgery, any supplemental procedures, and the skill and expertise of the surgeon all play a role in determining the cost.

Consultation

Coastal Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics in Virginia Beach

Prepare for an incredible journey as you embark on a personalized beauty transformation! It starts with an exclusive one-on-one meeting with Dr. Teti, where you can delve into your unique needs and desires. With her expertise in plastic surgery, Dr. Teti will thoroughly explore every aspect of your personalized genetic makeup and lifestyle circumstances.