Lower Facelift Details

Columbus Lower Facelift – Procedure Details

When Dr. Michael Sullivan examines a patient’s face, he divides it horizontally into thirds: upper, middle, and lower. The lower area extends from the upper lip to the lower neck. Dr. Sullivan refers to a surgical lift in this area as a “lower facelift.”

Why have a lower facelift?

This procedure can improve four areas of your face:

  1. The nasolabial fold (the crease between your cheek and upper lip)
  2. The marionette lines (the crease just below the corners of your mouth)
  3. The jowl (any sagging along your jaw line)
  4. The neck down to the level of an Adam’s apple (your lower neck)

Procedure:

Dr. Sullivan customizes the Columbus lower facelift procedure for you, based on the specific desires you expressed in your facelift consultation. For optimal results and comfort, general anesthesia is recommended for most patients. During the procedure, the skin of your face and neck is elevated to identify the underlying muscle and fascial layers. These deeper layers act like suspenders to tighten your face more effectively without a stretched or pulled look. Depending on the extent of your surgery, the process can take from 2–4 hours.

Post-Op Results:

Since post-operative bleeding is always a concern, you will remain in the recovery area for 1–2 hours after the surgery for observation. A facelift dressing—and sometimes a small drainage tube—help to minimize bruising. The dressing and tube are both removed in 1–2 days. Most facelift patients experience little pain after surgery, although Dr. Sullivan often prescribes pain medication.

Some swelling and bruising is unavoidable and expected. Ice and head elevation helps minimize both. You should limit activity for 4–5 days, and then begin light walking. All sutures are removed within 7–8 days, at which time you can camouflage the incision with makeup. Most facelift patients confidently resume work and social activities within 7–14 days. You can resume full physical activity in 2 weeks. While you may look good at 10–14 days, you will see improvement every day thereafter. It may take 4–6 months to experience the final surgical result.

Dr. Sullivan takes care to hide the facelift scars in your hairline and along natural creases. Women who like to wear their hair pulled back can expect to be able to do so confidently after a facelift. We never shave your hair for this procedure.

The incision for men is slightly different to accommodate beard patterns. Men may have to alter their shaving slightly after a facelift because a small area of bearded skin may be pulled up behind the ear. Because of the beard and ruddy skin color in most men, male facelift incisions usually blend in very soon after the procedure.

Additional Information:

Associated Procedures:

We encourage you to experience the special environment at the Sullivan Centre by calling 614-436-8888 or contact us online.