Facelift

Offered at our convenient location in San Antonio, TX

A facelift is a cosmetic surgery that reduces signs of aging in the face. This popular procedure turns back the clock by repositioning the underlying structures of the face and removing loose, aged skin for a fresher, firmer complexion. Sadly, the aging process, dramatic weight changes, or genetics can change the contours of our face, making us look older, or more tired than we feel. Luckily, loose, lax skin and lines and wrinkles can be banished with a lift! A facelift is also known as a rhytidectomy, and while it’s been performed for decades, modern techniques have made the results more natural-looking than ever. If you’re ready to keep them guessing about your age, Dr. Wendie Grunberg is ready to help. Alluring Aesthetics offers a variety of cosmetic procedures to help patients achieve the best version of themselves. To get started, contact us for a consultation at our office in beautiful San Antonio, TX. Call (210) 714-5390 today!

About Rhytidectomies

History of the Lift

Facelifts are popular now, but they’ve come a long way: their history dates to the early 20th century! In the early 1900s, German surgeon Eugen Hollander introduced the facelift, but her technique only removed excess skin from around the hairline. Like many cosmetic surgeries, improvements were needed, and so surgeons kept innovating. In 1974, Swedish plastic surgeon Dr. Tord Skoog created a technique that finally went further, lifting the deeper layer of tissues along with the skin. [1][2] Unfortunately, there was still a long way to go, and Dr. Skoog’s technique never quite caught on. But by a few years later, more and more surgeons were investigating the many layers of structural tissue that make up the face. Most notably, the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) was identified. By addressing this group of muscles and connective tissues, surgeons were able to develop facelift techniques for more natural-looking and effective results. These developments were pivotal in creating the facelift as it is performed today. 

Reasons for Facelift

As we age, there’s a lot going on under our skin. Less collagen and elastin let wrinkles form and skin begin to droop. The natural fat pads of our face, like the ones that give us plump cheeks, begin to atrophy and also suffer the effects of gravity. And, our facial muscles begin to weaken. This can all seem like a grim fate, but a facelift can put it all back into place! More and more patients are taking advantage of the benefits of modern facelifts. But with today’s advanced techniques, you’d never know it. Gone are the days of the “had work done” whispers, or the “windswept look.” 

Benefits

A facelift at Alluring Aesthetics provides patients with a refreshed countenance and jawline. After patients complete their recovery, they enjoy a vibrant, youthful look without lax skin, wrinkles, and lines. Advantages of a facelift include:

  • Can be adapted to suit the facial structure of male and female patients
  • Lifted and tightened facial structures for a revitalized look
  • Repositioned facial fat pads that produce fuller, uplifted cheeks
  • Reduced the appearance of deep facial wrinkles
  • Long-lasting, attractive results

Candidates

Healthy men and women can redefine their facial contours and turn back the clock with a facelift procedure. Before moving forward with the procedure, you’ll meet with Dr. Grunberg to confirm your eligibility. Patients will be asked to:

  • Not have underlying conditions that may hinder the surgical and recovery process
  • Be willing to quit smoking or other nicotine products several months before their facelift surgery and for the entirety of their recovery 
  • Be able to devote the necessary time to healing and rest
  • Have a good understanding of what the surgery entails and the kind of results that can be obtained

Personal Consultation

We handle each patient’s concerns with a high level of compassion and commitment to results. 

We’ll discuss your concerns in-depth when you come in for your initial consultation. Dr. Grunberg will examine the facial texture of the skin and review your medical history. This is an important step to determine whether you are a good candidate for surgery, whether you would benefit from a facelift, or whether another treatment would best suit your needs. If we feel a facelift will serve your aesthetic goals, we will explain the entire process step by step. At the end of your consultation, we’ll schedule your surgery and provide you with a list of instructions so that you’re perfectly prepared.

Come to our office on Sonterra Boulevard and start envisioning your new look. You can call us directly at (210) 714-5390 with any questions, and schedule your personal consultation! Fill out the easy form and submit photos of your face at different angles, and our office will contact you within a few business days.

Preparation

Alluring Aesthetics makes sure each patient is taken care of, has the support they need, and has the best experience possible. That is why we recommend accomplishing the following steps before you come in.

  • Prescriptions: You’ll be given prescriptions for an antibiotic and pain medication to ease your post-surgical symptoms. Make a trip to your local drug store and pick them up before your surgery date.
  • Adjust Current Medication: Your current medication schedule (if any) will have to be adjusted until recovery ends. Certain anti-inflammatories and pain relievers may affect your healing. 
  • Work: You will need 1-2 weeks off to recuperate properly.
  • Transportation: Get a ride home from a loved one or trusted friend for after you’re finished with surgery.
  • Fast as Directed: Facelifts are performed under general anesthesia, so you’ll need to stop eating and drinking after midnight the night before surgery.

Procedure

Once the anesthesia, has taken effect, we’ll get started. Incisions will be made around your ears, and behind the hairline to give the surgeon access to the internal facial structures. [3] Then, the skin is separated from the tissues underneath, and the necessary tissues are repositioned. [1] Finally, any excess skin and fat are removed, and the remaining skin is pulled taut. Incisions will be closed when finished, and the incision areas will be wrapped in a supportive dressing. [3]

Recovery

Patients typically have a two-week recovery period with mild symptoms of discomfort, bruising, swelling, and slight numbness in the treated area. These symptoms tend to be the most prominent during the first few days after surgery, but the medication prescribed will help! You’ll return to our offices throughout your recovery so that we can monitor your progress. In 1-2 weeks, you should feel ready for light activities, and in a month, you’ll be ready to resume workouts and your social calendar with no one being the wiser. 

Results

Once the last traces of swelling have diminished, you’ll be able to see your final results. Patients will enjoy smoother, firmer skin, better-defined facial features, and enjoy their rejuvenated complexion for many years. As always, a healthy lifestyle and good skincare (and always wearing an SPF) will keep you looking refreshed.

Corresponding & Complementary Procedures 

Alluring Aesthetics is committed to providing procedures that restore youth, beauty, and self-confidence. At your initial consultation, we’ll have the chance to discuss other treatments that can assist in providing your desired aesthetic, including: 

  • Neck Lift: A neck lift procedure can be performed separately or at the same time as a facelift to provide youthful contours under the neck. The surgery removes excess skin and fat as well as repairing the muscles of the neck that cause “turkey neck” and neck banding.
  • FaceTite: Patients who prefer a less invasive alternative to a Facelift may benefit from a FaceTite procedure. Only a small incision is required so a small wand can be placed under the skin to emit targeted radiofrequency (RF) to tighten skin and liquefy fat cells. Then, the fat is liposuctioned out to reveal defined facial contours. 

Cost of Facelift in San Antonio, TX

Every facelift procedure is tailored to the patient’s unique needs, and so pricing does vary slightly from patient to patient. The final cost of your facelift will depend on your individualized treatment plan. You’ll be given a comprehensive breakdown of pricing and an accurate estimate at the end of your personal consultation at Alluring Aesthetics. Patients can also contact our office for a general quote ahead of time.

FAQ

I see that you offer both a Facelift and a FaceTite? What is the difference?

Both treatments address signs of aging in the face but do so differently. A facelift is a surgical procedure that removes excess and tightens muscle to manage moderate to severe wrinkles and lines. FaceTite aims to solve mild to moderate facial folds by applying radiofrequency heat to fat cells underneath the skin. The heat generated causes the fat to dissolve and is subsequently removed by liposuction.

Who is eligible for a facelift?

Ultimately, facelift patients want to correct moderate to severe signs of aging in the face. We ask patients to be in good health, and without medical issues that would interfere with surgery and recovery. The best way to determine your eligibility is to schedule a consultation with a board-certified surgeon.

References

  1. Hashem, MD, A. M., Couto, MD, R. A., Duraes, MD, PhD, E. F., Çakmakoğlu, MD, Ç., Swanson, BS, M., Surek, DO, C., & Zins, MD, FACS, J. E. (2020, January). Facelift Part I: History, Anatomy, and Clinical Assessment. Academic.oup.com; Aesthetic Surgery Journal. https://academic.oup.com/asj/article/40/1/1/5370568?login=true
  2. Pourdanesh, F., Esmaeelinejad, M., Jafari, S. M., & Nematollahi, Z. (2016). Facelift: Current Concepts, Techniques, and Principles. In www.intechopen.com. IntechOpen. https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/50616
  3. Sanan, A., & Most, S. P. (2018). Rhytidectomy (Face-Lift Surgery). JAMA, 320(22), 2387. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2018.17292