Facelift

*According to the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Many patients achieve their weight loss goals only to struggle with stubborn fat and sagging skin in highly visible areas like their neck and face. A facelift after massive weight loss typically requires more significant refinements in terms of tissue removal and tightening. Treatment will likely need to be paired with other treatments such as a neck lift. During your consultation, Dr. Stephen P. Hardy can recommend the best course of action to achieve your desired results.

What Does the Procedure Entail?

A facelift, clinically known as a rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure to correct sagging facial skin and muscles, remove excess fat, and restore firmness to the face and neck. Most facelift procedures at our Missoula practice can be performed using local anesthesia, which allows the patient to remain relatively alert. Dr. Hardy and our staff begin each facelift by making an incision and separating the patient's facial skin from the tissue underneath. Once this step is completed, fat and skin are removed, and the facial muscles are tightened. The patient's skin is then repositioned with sutures or staples and bandaged. Recovery from a facelift procedure may take several weeks, and during this time activity may be initially limited.

Reasons to Consider a Facelift

A facelift is designed to correct features of aging including:

• Deep creases below the lower eyelid and between the nose and mouth that make you appear tired and sad
• Fallen or displaced fat and loss of muscle tone in the lower face that creates jowls
• Loose skin and excess fatty deposits under the chin and jaw that create the appearance of a double chin

Facelift surgery is recommended for adult men and women who:

• Are in good overall health and do not have life-threatening illnesses or medical conditions that could impair healing
• Are nonsmokers
• Feel that their outward facial aging no longer reflects the youth and vigor they feel both physically and emotionally