Considering a facelift? Get started with a simple consultation.

63 year old female. Underwent an upper and lower Blepharoplasty as well as a face and neck lift.

Facelift in NYC

Aging is simply part of life, and our skin is one of the first areas that tend to give away our age. As the skin of the face loses its elasticity, fine lines, and later- noticeable wrinkles begin to appear. As the jawline loses definition, the laugh lines come in, the jowls come down– and we begin to look our age. Sun exposure, genes, lifestyle choice and gravity itself all combine to produce these effects, leading many to seek solutions designed to help turn back the clock.

A facelift (“rhytidectomy”), is one of the most popular methods of facial rejuvenation, correcting skin that droops, sags or has wrinkled with age. NYC plastic surgeon Dr. Aviva Preminger performs both full and “mini facelift” procedures in her Upper East Side office.

Full facelift

A standard facelift is a more complex procedure meant primarily for patients interested in enhancing the appearance of their entire face, including the forehead region. This type of surgery can reposition the skin, muscle and fat of the entire face in order to create a tighter, firmer appearance.

Mini facelift

The mini facelift, by contrast, is best suited to those who simply wish to achieve a more targeted reduction of sagging near the jawline, neck and/or cheek areas. It can also be ideal for patients who cannot set aside time for the lengthier recovery period required by the full facelift. Dr. Preminger works closely with each patient to assess their individual goals and determine which procedure is most appropriate.

BEFORE AND AFTER GALLERY

Quick Facts

Procedure Length

Full facelift: 2-6 hours
Mini facelift: 45-120 minutes

Anesthesia

Full facelift: General anesthesia
Mini facelift: Local anesthesia

IN/OUT Patient

Full facelift: Varies
Mini facelift: Outpatient

RISKS

Full facelift: Excessive bleeding, nerve damage, skin necrosis, ongoing numbness, infection, complications with anesthesia

Mini facelift: Bruising, excessive swelling, blood clotting, infection

SIDE EFFECTS

Swelling, bruising, bleeding, scarring, pain

RECOVERY

Full facelift: return to work in 2-3 weeks
Mini facelift: return to work in a few days

DURATION OF RESULTS

Full facelift: 10-15 years
Mini facelift: 5-7 years

Preparing for a facelift

A thorough consultation is essential in order to decide whether a full facelift or a more limited mini facelift is desired. At this time, Dr. Preminger will take a comprehensive patient medical history, discuss desired outcomes and expectations and make treatment recommendations.

Patients should disclose risk factors such as high blood pressure, tobacco use or previous complications related to anesthesia. Potential complications such as adverse reactions to anesthesia, excessive bleeding and infection will be fully explained to help patients make informed medical decisions.

Face lift procedure

For the full, conventional facelift, general anesthesia or intravenous sedation will be administered, as will a local anesthetic intended to numb the skin. An incision will be made that begins near the temple and runs around to the front portion of the ear. Dr. Preminger will then raise the skin, tightening the tissues and muscles that lie beneath. It is often advisable for certain amounts of excess skin and fat to be removed at this time. Lastly, the skin will be re-draped over the entire face before the incision is closed. In total, the procedure is likely to take several hours, with some patients requiring a short hospital stay.

Conversely, the mini facelift is considerably less invasive, as it requires just a few small incisions made to accommodate surgical instruments inserted endoscopically in the lower portions of the face. Excess amounts of fat are removed and facial muscles are repositioned and shaped to achieve the desired contours. For mini facelifts that are not performed endoscopically, the necessary incisions are considerably smaller than those used in the traditional procedure. Many patients are also attracted to the mini facelift because it can be done under local anesthetic as opposed to general, and is typically performed as an outpatient procedure.

Recovery from facelift surgery

Following a full facelift, patients can generally expect swelling and bruising that may last for several weeks. Cold compresses and traditional pain medication can be used to ameliorate discomfort, and it is often useful to keep the head in an elevated position for a prescribed period of time. The duration of healing varies for individual patients, but in most cases it will be possible to be up and about in just a few days post-surgery, with a return to most activities within a few weeks. Bandages will be removed in the days following the procedure, and follow-up appointments will be necessary so that the doctor can monitor progress and healing.

Recovery from a mini facelift procedure is not terribly different from that following a full lift, though it is likely to be somewhat abbreviated. Because the incisions and affected areas are typically much smaller, recovery is quicker, though bruising and swelling are common. Most patients who elect to undergo a mini facelift are able to resume work or other social obligations a few days after their procedure.

"One of the reasons so many of my patients choose a facelift over other, perhaps less invasive methods of facial rejuvenation is the longevity of the results."

- B. Aviva Preminger, MD

Impressive, long-lasting results

The restorative, age-defying effects of a facelift can last for upwards of ten years. Many patients relish the idea of looking a full decade younger than they would if the procedure had never been done.

Despite their comparatively limited scope, mini facelifts deliver long-lasting results. It is not uncommon for those who have undergone the procedure to continue enjoying the benefits for 5-7 years.

Sun avoidance and good skin care are vital to preserving results, though some patients elect to undergo a secondary facelift 10 or 15 years after their initial operation.

Facelift in New York

If your face is beginning to show noticeable signs of aging and you wish to take decisive steps to reclaim a fresh, glowing appearance, you are not alone. A facelift procedure, whether conventional or “mini” can successfully address the stubborn wrinkles, sagging skin and creases that have been damaging your self-esteem.

To schedule a private consultation with Dr. Preminger, please call her Manhattan office at (212) 706-1900.