Facelift
Boston, MA
Introduction to Facelift
Vickram Tandon, MD offers his Boston patients a treatment for facial aging with the ever-popular Facelift procedure. Please read the information we have provided below to learn more about the surgery and determine if you’re a good candidate.
What Is A Facelift?
Facelift surgery (medically referred to as a Rhytidectomy) is a very popular facial rejuvenation surgical procedure that lifts your facial muscles to reduce drooping facial skin, and sagging jowls, and removes extra skin for a more refreshed appearance.
Since not every patient will require a full facelift, Dr. Tandon can utilize different techniques when performing facelift surgery that can help each patient achieve the appropriate amount of rejuvenation.
Deep Plane Facelift
Widely considered to be the most invasive technique by many plastic surgeons, Deep Plane Facelifts produce the longest-lasting results, capable of lasting up to 15 years. This technique is used to smoothen out the “Smile lines” or “Laugh lines”, and targeting the mid-face region to reach the deeper layers of your facial muscle.
After you’ve been administered general anesthesia, Dr. Tandon will mark the locations on your skin where he intends to make the incisions around the hairline and ears. The layer of connective tissue and underlying muscle beneath your skin will be tightened and secured as he strategically releases ligaments at a deeper level to lift and rejuvenate your appearance and reposition the underlying layer of muscle and tissue. Once finished, Dr. Tandon will carefully close the incisions.
A deep plane facelift does have a longer recovery time but does produce longer-lasting results from your standard facelift. During the initial three weeks of your recovery, there will be significant bruising, swelling, and discomfort. You will need to continuously wear a compression garment, drain, and neck support during the first few weeks, or until Dr. Tandon removes them.
You will need to avoid working for the first two weeks so you can recover comfortably, and avoid any strenuous activity for six weeks. It is not uncommon to see ongoing swelling or bruising lingering up to a year, but if you have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact our office.
Mini-Facelift
Sometimes referred to as the “weekend facelift” or limited incision facelift due to the fact that it’s a faster procedure and recovery. This cosmetic surgery is a variation of a full facelift procedure but is a less invasive alternative.
A mini-facelift can be a good option for patients who want to address mild to moderate signs of aging but don’t require a full facelift. Patients who get a mini facelift are generally younger and have less sagging skin. A mini-facelift procedure typically involves a quicker recovery time than a traditional facelift and can be done using a local anesthetic and intravenous sedation.
What Are The Benefits Of A Facelift?
Our patients who struggle with considerable sagging in the mid-face, or are looking to address the signs of aging in their lower face have seen the following benefits from their Facelift in Boston:
A more contoured jawline
Improves the appearance of the nasolabial folds
Natural results for a more youthful appearance
Reduces and can eliminate deep creases
Restores and lifts cheeks
Tightens up sagging skin
Who Are The Best Candidates For A Facelift?
The best Boston Facelift candidates should be in overall good health and have some of the following characteristics:
- Committed to good skincare
- Dissatisfied with their facial appearance
- Has sagging facial tissues (i.e. deep wrinkles, jowls, double chin)
- Keep a positive mentality throughout your experience
Maintain realistic expectations - Near desired target weight
- Understands the procedure, recovery time, and risks
- Non-smoker
What's the first step?
The first step in getting a facelift in Boston is to schedule a consultation at Vickram Tandon, MD. On the day of your appointment, Dr. Tandon will evaluate your unique needs, goals, and your unique facial structure and features. He will review your medical history to ensure you are a good candidate for facial surgery if you are better served with nonsurgical facelift options if you have high blood pressure, and if you are taking any current medications. Next, a physical examination of your unique facial features, including skin quality, skin laxity, soft tissue, sagging jowls, and neck muscles.
If you are deemed a good candidate for a Facelift, Dr. Tandon will discuss what a surgical facelift involves, the pros and cons of the latest surgical techniques available, and which method would be best for you. Some of the techniques that he may discuss with you include a mini facelift, classic facelift, SMAS facelift, deep plane facelift, or neck lift. He will also show you where the various incisions will be placed and what you can expect from scarring.
Once you and Dr. Tandon are satisfied with the direction of your procedure, he will create your custom procedure plan. Our Patient Coordinator will help schedule your surgical date and provide you with detailed instructions on how to prepare for your surgery.
These tips may include stopping certain medications in the days leading up to the procedure and avoiding sun exposure (skin loses elasticity when exposed to UV rays, which can negatively affect your facelift). You will also be encouraged to moisturize your skin to help smoothen the lines and facial wrinkles as much as possible.
What To Expect On The Day Of Facelift?
On the day of your Facelift surgery, you will first meet with Dr. Tandon, who will discuss the details of your surgery. When you are comfortable and ready to go, you will be administered general anesthesia to make your experience as comfortable and painless as possible.
Once you are inside the surgical suite, Dr. Tandon will make an incision in front of your ear near your temples, continuing it under the earlobe towards the back of your ear, allowing it to blend in with your hairline. He then gently lifts the skin to reposition and tighten the underlying muscles and connective tissue. Dr. Tandon may remove some fat and excess skin if needed.
Your incisions will be placed in the natural crease of your skin to camouflage their appearance. Dr. Tandon will take your gender and physical proportions into consideration when performing your facelift surgery.
Once the excess skin has been removed, Dr. Tandon will close the incisions using fine sutures to create precise, thin scars that should be virtually invisible once fully healed. After your surgery, a compression dressing will be gently applied to protect the incisions and prevent any collections of fluid. You will also have one to two surgical drains to promote the removal of excess fluid.
Depending on the extent of the surgery and the number of additional procedures, the process can take from four to six hours.
Facelift Recovery
After your procedure, you’ll need to rest and allow your body to heal. The surgery is typically an outpatient procedure. Drains are necessary for the facelift procedure to minimize swelling. Drains also minimize bruising. They typically come out within 1-2 days.
The recovery period for a facelift can vary depending on the complexity of the procedure. During facelift recovery, you can expect swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the first few days after the procedure. Dr. Tandon will provide detailed instructions on caring for the treated area, which includes keeping your head elevated as you sleep to reduce swelling and keep stitches secure. You will also be guided on how to manage any pain, swelling, and bruising.
Avoid strenuous activity and exercise for a few weeks. This allows your body to heal fully. Dr. Tandon and his team will be available to answer any questions or concerns you may have during the recovery process. Following Dr. Tandon’s instructions is the best way to achieve faster recovery.
The time it takes to return to work after a facelift surgery depends on the extent of the procedure and your healing process. Patients expect to take at least a week off work to recover from the procedure. For more complex facelift procedures or patients with physically demanding jobs, it may be necessary to take additional time off.
How Much Does Facelift Cost In Boston, MA
The cost of a Facelift in Boston is widely determined by the facial rejuvenation techniques that Dr. Tandon uses and the degree of change necessary to meet your desires, anesthesia fees, surgeon’s fee, and a few other factors. The best way to find out how much it will cost for you is to come in for your initial consultation and let Dr. Tandon create your surgical plan. Once made, our Patient Coordinator will be able to show you the price breakdown for your procedure.
Why Choose Dr. Tandon?
Dr. Vickram Tandon is a highly skilled facial plastic surgeon who has dedicated his career to helping patients enhance their appearance and improve their self-confidence through the art of plastic surgery. He has written book chapters on the facelift procedure and has witnessed firsthand the positive outcomes and joy facial plastic surgery can bring to his patients, solidifying the facelift as one of his favorite operations. The ability to help individuals enhance their natural beauty and achieve their aesthetic goals is a privilege he holds dear, and it is this gratifying aspect that has deepened his passion and expertise in these specific areas of plastic surgery.
Facelift FAQS
Facelift procedures are not considered to be painful by most patients because the surgery is performed under general anesthesia.
Dr. Tandon will want to see you for your first post-operative a day or two after surgery to remove any dressing and observe your initial recovery, followed by another visit approximately one week after facelift surgery to remove the sutures. You will then need to follow-up up one month after surgery and usually every three to six months for the first year after your surgery to monitor your healing and satisfaction with the results.
Some patients may be able to see visible changes after their surgery, but there will also be bruising and swelling during the first few weeks post-surgery which affects the appearance. While recovery should only take about three weeks, most patients will require about six months to see their optimal facelift results.
The best way to achieve optimal results is to follow our post-op instructions and attend your routine check-ups with Dr. Tandon.
Of course! Our Facelift Boston patients will combine their Facelift with other cosmetic surgery procedures such as a Neck Lift, Eyelid Surgery, or a Rhinoplasty for a better profile. If you have a specific area of interest that you would like Dr. Tandon to examine, please let him know during your Facelift consultation and he will be able to provide you with his expert recommendations.
As a highly trained plastic surgeon, Dr. Tandon takes each surgery very seriously and strives to provide a safe recovery with stunning results for every patient. Keep in mind though, as with any kind of surgery, a facelift does have potential risks associated with it that we like our patients to be aware of.
Some of these risks include:
Anesthesia risks
Bleeding
Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
Facial nerve injury with weakness
Fluid accumulation
Infection
Hair loss
Hematoma ( collection of blood hematoma under the skin)
Nerve injury
Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
Persistent pain
Scarring
While many of these side effects should heal on their own over time, if you do find yourself experiencing any long-lasting or concerning reactions, please be sure to contact our office immediately.
Every patient will have different needs when it comes to their facial augmentation surgery. A Facelift can treat skin laxity and lower facial from the cheeks to the jawline, whereas a neck lift surgery will create a smoother and more refined neck and chin without making any other changes to the face. Dr. Tandon will examine your face and skin to help you determine which plastic surgery will produce better results.
Dr. Tandon Understood What I Wanted
I saw Dr. Tandon for Botox and lip filler and couldn’t be happier with my results. I was looking for a skilled doctor who would give me a natural look, and Dr. Tandon understood exactly what I wanted. He took a lot of care and time with my consult, it’s very clear that he cares so much about the quality of his work. I was also happily surprised that procedure was practically painless. I highly recommend working with Dr. Tandon!
I Highly Recommended Him
Dr. Tandon was truly one of the most personable and professionals doctors I hvae been treated by! He took the time to carefully understand the procedure I wanted and what I felt my problem areas are, then adjusted to address those. He both asked insightful questions to understand my needs and answered all my questions with patience to make me feel comfortable and confident. My results demonstrated all of that care and I could not be more pleased. I highly recommend him!
I Am Very Pleased With My Results
Dr. Tandon is a compassionate, personable and highly skilled plastic surgeon. irecently had an appointment with Dr. Tandon to get Botox.
