New York Facelift

A New York Facelift or Rhytidectomy surgery is a facial cosmetic surgery procedure that was designed to help reduce the visible signs of aging due to gravity that create facial skin laxity, sun damage and repetitive facial expressions that are the contributing factors to fine lines and wrinkles, deep nasolabial folds, aging spots, lack of elasticity and volume that appears in the face area. Normally, aging signs happen with people in their 40s and up. Perspective candidates in NYC who have severe facial skin laxity and other problems as mentioned above that are in good health and looking for a facial improvement and boost up self-confidence should consider a facelift procedure in order to regain a fresher and younger look.

Facelift surgery results in improvement in the muscles and facial skin in the mid-face areas (Mid- facelift), a lower- facelift (chin, jaw and neck). It can be a partial facelift or a full-facelift procedure. A Brow lift (forehead lift) is not a member of facelift surgery and should be addressed individually.

There are many types of injectables and fillers that are in the Med-Beauty market that are being used in order to compensate a real facelift surgery such as BOTOX, Juvederm and Restylane. But unlike these injectables and fillers that last only a few months, a good facelift surgery can last long, even over 10 years in some cases. Also, the overuse of injectables may make the face look unnatural, particularly in the lower face near the mouth, where it may worsen a jowl. Injectables do not correct the effects of gravity, as does a facelift. The use of injectables should be to correct some fine lines and for volumizing a thin face and is used in complement to a facelift.

Facelift surgery itself has many types of procedures, for example, the Mini Facelift (weekend lift), Mid-facelift, Lower- facelift, Thread lift (Feather lift), SMASectomy & Imbrication and Deep Plane Facelift.

Before choosing a New York doctor, potential patients should consider these factors:

• Choose one that is a Facial Plastic Surgeon who performs a facelift surgery on a daily basis rather than a general plastic surgeon who performs surgery on the whole body rather than focus on the face and neck only.
• Knowing his/her aspects of beauty is a plus since this is a serious surgery where the results will last long- in this case, the ideal surgeon is one that believes in natural beauty - not just limited to an old- fashioned “Tightness look”.
• Training and qualification is an important role, it should be a NYC surgeon who is double board certified (member of American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and American Board of Otolaryngology- Head & Neck Surgery) since often times regarding candidacy, facelift may be combined with neck lift, eyelid surgery, chin implant and/or neck liposuction.
• The New York surgeon’s reputation - perspective candidates should read reviews or updated online information regarding that specific doctor or try to have an actual talk with his/her post- operative patient(s) and look over before& after surgery pictures that have been performed by that surgeon.
• Your own realistic goals are important- candidate patients should have an overall good health and communicate clearly with the surgeon what is bothering you and what outcome(s) you are expecting from the surgery. The surgeon should go through your medical history and medicines and supplements taken thoroughly. Prior to the surgery, patient’s facial skin (the volume, thickness, texture and elasticity), muscles and bone structure will be evaluated. The surgeon will recommend what is best suited regarding candidacy. Many patients might need to combine a facelift with neck lift and a neck liposuction with chin implant and/or with an eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty).

Dr. Sam Rizk, New York based Facial Plastic Surgeon and our Chief Medical Advisor said that for an overall harmonious appearance, he believes in creating natural looking patients with a younger and more energetic appearance - never an unnatural tightness look. Dr. Rizk pioneered in a Deep plane facelift technique which required a higher and extensive trained surgeon in order to perform this procedure. He incorporates his NYC practice with 3D high definition telescope technology for more precise work and less invasive results in a rapid recovery that allows his patients to go back to their normal activities within a week of post-operative surgery.

During the surgery, after the use of anesthesia (varies based on each individual’s condition and surgery techniques used) the surgeon will make a small incision around the patient’s ear area (frontal, behind or up to the scalp region) in order to hide the chance of visible scar tissue. Following the small incisions, the surgeon then uses small tools to separate the muscles, skin and excess fat from a deeper tissue layers before adjusting them to their origin sites by utilizing 3D- high definition telescopes for a clearer view and safer work. In some cases, excess fat and skin removal is needed, on the other hand, the patient with lack of fat in some region (for example, having hollow cheeks) may also need a fat injection or cheek implants. After that, the skin will be re-draped back in place.

Deep Plane face lift performs in deeper tissue layers above the bone structures and facial nerves, therefore, it needs a highly skilled doctor for this type of surgery, but as a result, deep plane face lift does not create a visible trauma on a superficial skin layer and has a faster recovery than a traditional facelift with help of 3D technology. NYC Facial Expert Dr. Sam Rizk often uses the absorbable Endotine Ribbon and various tissue glues in order to speed up the recovery and healing process. Various Vitamins and herbal supplements used are also important for a pre and post- operative surgery to help patient having less pain, bruising & swelling and being able to go back to a normal routine activities within one week or 10 days after the surgery.