What is a facelift?
A facelift is a cosmetic surgical procedure to remove or smooth lines and wrinkles to reduce visible  signs of aging. It also reduces the amount of excess fatty tissue or loose skin on your face. The muscles  beneath the areas of sagging skin may also be tightened.

Why combine a facelift with a necklift?
Combining a facelift and a necklift provides lift to the lower part of the face. Tightening the skin of the  jawline, cheeks, and neck provides a smoothness that can make you appear years younger.  Furthermore, by firming up the neck area, Dr. Kim can eliminate the “turkey gobbler” look most  people get as they age. These two procedures can be combined with others simultaneously to get rid of wrinkles in the forehead or crow’s feet around the eyes.

Am I a candidate for a facelift and a necklift?
If you have facial or neck skin that appears to be sagging, and you would like to have a more youthful appearance, then you may be a candidate. Patients whose skin is still relatively supple and are in good general health will usually see the best results. By combining a facelift with a necklift, patients will see a more dramatic result. People in their 40s, 50s and 60s are the most common patients for these procedures. However, younger patients who have lost a lot of weight also consider a facelift with a necklift. You also need to have realistic expectations about what can be done.

What are the risks?
Because these are both surgeries, there is a small amount of risk involved. Some of the risks include:
 

• Allergic reaction to the anesthetic

• Nerve damage, although this is extremely rare

• Excessive bleeding, though this is usually limited to hematomas (bruising) below the skin

• Infection

• Delayed healing of the incisions
   

Smokers must refrain from smoking for four to six weeks both before and after the procedure, to reduce the likelihood of complications.

How long will recovery take?
Combining a facelift and a necklift is major cosmetic surgery, and healing will take time. By following Dr. Kim’s orders you should have no serious complications. Dr. Kim will provide you with post-operative care instructions before your surgery. After surgery, you will be given a prescription for pain medication. Bruising and swelling may last a couple of weeks as the wounds heal. By taking frequent showers and keeping your wounds clean you will promote healing. Try to minimize your movement for the first two weeks following your procedures.

Combining a facelift and necklift can dramatically improve your overall appearance and boost your self-esteem. If you are interested in a facelift and necklift and are in the Atlanta, Georgia area, please contact Kim Facial Plastic Surgery to set up an initial consultation.

What is the Best Alternative to a Face Lift?
Obviously there is no simple answer to this question. A surgical face lift remains the gold standard by which every other non-face lift procedure is measured against. You have to keep in mind that everything else is just a substitute and a temporary one at best!

Having said that, there are many alternatives to a surgical face lift for facial rejuvenation. In order to select the best procedure for you, you must consult with someone who is competent and performs face lift along with many other non-surgical methods. In other words, if you consult with a one trick pony, that pony will only show you the only trick he knows!

Botox and fillers (Juvederm, Restylane, Radiesse) are good, simple options in most cases. Next to this comes laser resurfacing (CO2, Erbium, Fractional, etc). Thermage is also an option but in my opinion, for what you pay, it probably does not give you enough improvement.

Among minimally invasive procedures, thread lifting comes to mind but the longevity of this has not been proven. Autologous fat injection to hollowing areas of your face (under eyes, cheeks, etc) can often produce very nice results.

Honestly, to find the best answer to your specific needs, you should consult with a facial plastic surgeon or a plastic surgeon who specializes in facial surgery.

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Dr. Kim works with each patient to create the ideal procedure plan to create their aesthetic goals Ready to start discussing your options with Dr. Kim? Contact our Office Today 770-458-4255 to schedule your consultation.