Click here for the Facelift/Necklift Photo Gallery (Before and After)

Description: The goal of face lifting is to provide a more youthful and rested appearance for the patient. The face lift operation improves sags, bulges, and deep folds of the face and neck. More superficial wrinkles are treated best through other non-surgical options (i.e. skin resurfacing, botox, fillers). The facelift operation is meant to turn back the clock of aging but it will not stop it. Many patients comment that they look ten years younger after surgery.
Goals: Dr. Lin’s aesthetic goal is to help you feel better about yourself by helping you look both younger and fresher, while maintaining a very natural appearance.

Preoperative and Postoperative Considerations

Aging of the face is inevitable. As the years go by, the skin begins to loosen on the face and neck. The jawline may soften into jowls. Beneath the chin, another chin or vertical folds may appear at the front of the neck. Heredity, personal habits, the pull of gravity and sun exposure contribute to the aging of the face.

My goal is to reposition the sagging tissues to give a more natural and youthful appearance, instead of a stretched over-operated look. Most face-lifting procedures involve liposuction of the face for better facial contouring as well as supporting the sagging muscles of the face to improve the appearance of jowling. The actual time necessary to perform a facelift is between three and four hours, depending on the extent of surgery.

Commonly asked questions before Surgery:

• How long will it take for me to be presentable in public?
  Most patients return to work or social activities in one to two weeks after surgery. This may require makeup to cover the bruising if it still exists. A change in hairstyle can be beneficial during this period for two reasons. First, it can help camouflage the incisions as well as direct attention away from scrutinizing friends and neighbors. All bruising and swelling eventually goes away and 80% of the swelling is gone after two weeks, with another 10% disappearing over the next two to three months.
  
• Where will my scars be after the surgery?
  One goal of facial plastic surgery is to create desired changes in appearance without obvious scars. The incisions are well-concealed in the natural skin folds around the ear as well as in the hair-bearing scalp. When healed, the incisions usually are not observable by the lay person. I will discuss the placement of incisions with you during the consultation, as several options are available.
  
• When can I return to exercise and strenuous activity?
  Most patients can return to exercise in two weeks after their surgery. We recommend that you return gradually to your workout schedule
  
• Is there much pain associated with a face lift?
  Discomfort associated with this procedure is usually minimal. Most procedures are performed under conscious sedation (twilight anesthesia) in a licensed, state of the art facility. Local anesthesia provides additional comfort during the procedure. Oral medication is usually provided to relieve post-operative discomfort. You can expect some tightness in the neck and jaw region, which will diminish as swelling diminishes. Some numbness, which resolves with time, can be expected.
  
• What are the risks?
  There is risk associated with any surgical procedure, but these are usually minimal in facial plastic surgery. Rare complications, such as bleeding, infection, scarring, nerve injury and asymmetry, will be discussed during your consultation.

Photo Gallery (Before and After)

Contact us

• Dr. Lin practices at our East Side New York office. If you are interested in making an appointment with Dr. Lin, or would like more information, please call our 86th Street office at (212) 722-5570.
  
• Medical insurance may be applicable in some cases and should be discussed with the office manager during your appointment. Dr. Lin accepts most insurance plans; please call to verify your insurance plan with us.
  
• If your interest is purely aesthetic, please schedule a cosmetic consultation with Dr. Lin.

back to Dr. Lin’s Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Introduction