If you’ve been considering a facelift, you probably want to know more about what to expect. Here, we answer the most commonly asked questions our patients have about facelifts. You can also request a consultation with us for more information.

A facelift, more technically known as a rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that addresses the most visible signs of aging throughout the lower face and upper neck. During a facelift, any laxity in the facial muscles is repaired, along with removing excess skin and fatty deposits. The remaining skin is redraped for a slimmer, smoother and younger-looking profile.

The best candidates for a facelift are Tampa-St. Petersburg men and women who are in good physical and mental health, yet have noticed permanent changes in their facial appearance due to a combination of gravity and growing older. Although no one can stop the aging process completely, a facelift removes several years from your appearance so you look refreshed and rejuvenated. The ideal candidates for a facelift should have noticeable muscle laxity or excess skin in their lower face, yet still retain good skin elasticity for optimum results.

The best facelift results will look good and complement your natural features, without a “windblown” or overly pulled appearance. Dr. Castellano is one of the top facelift surgeons in Tampa because his patients have been able to achieve very natural-looking results. Dr. Castellano and his team have decades of aesthetic experience and hundreds of satisfied repeat patients. During your consultation, you can see more before and after images and find out the surgical technique we recommend for you to get the most out of your facelift surgery.

Although this is a common misassumption about facelift surgery, your upper face isn’t improved by a facelift. Instead, a brow lift, either with or without eyelid surgery is ideal for rejuvenating the upper face and eye area.

Absolutely. Although a facelift is commonly thought of as a one-size-fits-all solution for all the signs of aging in your appearance, this really isn’t the case. In reality, a facelift is a highly customized procedure that needs to be tailored to the needs of each individual patient for the best results. This often means combining procedures that address the upper face as well as the lower, or even including rejuvenation procedures that address different age-related concerns entirely, like laser skin r esurfacing to improve skin tone and minimize age spots. In some cases, Dr. Castellano may use liposuction to fine-tune your facial contours, or recommend a neck lift for an additional level of correction. Taking a combination approach is not only common, but is often preferred by cosmetic surgeons.

Before your procedure, Dr. Castellano will discuss your appearance goals so that he has a clear understanding of your hopes following the procedure. The surgery itself will vary in technique and time, depending on which approach is used and whether additional procedures are being performed, as well as the level of correction needed. Dr. Castellano will go over your surgery with you in more detail so you know exactly what to expect.

Facelift incisions are most commonly placed behind the ear or hairline. Through these access points, Dr. Castellano is able to tighten lax muscles using carefully layered internal stitches. Next, fatty deposits are excised surgically or with liposuction. The skin is pulled smooth and redraped over the now-firmer framework of the face, and any excess is removed before the incisions are closed with ultrafine sutures.

Following your facelift, you can expect to feel a little sore and uncomfortable at first, usually accompanied by some bruising and swelling. Dr. Castellano may ask you to sleep with your head and neck elevated for the first week to help reduce swelling and promote healing. Most facelift patients are back to their normal daily routine within a week or two, but more vigorous activities should wait until you feel more comfortable.

Scars after any surgery are inevitable, but Dr. Castellano makes every effort to ensure that you’ll heal beautifully. He also carefully places incisions where they’ll be hidden within your hairline or by the natural structure of your face (for example, behind the ears). Most men and women are so pleased with their end results that scars are not a concern.

You should notice a difference almost right away after your surgery, with the effects becoming more apparent as post-operative swelling dissipates. Most patients can see their final results after a few months.