Facelift

When it comes to aging, collagen and elastin are two of the most important structural proteins in the human body. These two crucial elements are essentially the scaffolding that keeps your skin looking youthful, tight, and vibrant. When you’re younger, you produce plenty of both, but as you age, your elastin begins to break down, and you produce less and less collagen every year. The result is loose, sagging skin, which can be especially problematic in the face and neck areas. 

To address some cases of skin laxity caused by age, weight loss or gain, environmental damage, genetics, or stress, the surgical team at Widder Plastic Surgery may recommend facelift or neck lift surgery. These two highly customizable procedures are particularly suitable for addressing aesthetic concerns in the lower two-thirds of the face and areas around the neck— two areas that do not always respond well to non-surgical treatments. We’ll discuss aspects of each procedure, what the surgeries are like, and how we do them to meet the highest standards and produce the best facelift and neck lift results.

Want to roll back the clock and rejuvenate your skin and naturally beautiful facial contours? Contact Widder Plastic Surgery for a one-on-one consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon in the Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia area. 

Before and After Photos

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What is a Facelift?

A rhytidectomy, or facelift as it’s more commonly called, is a facial plastic surgery procedure used to reposition fat and muscle tissue to address:

• Deep creases in the face
• Jowls
• Loose facial skin, especially in the lower third of the face
• Depressions where a lack of subcutaneous fat has caused a “sunken” appearance
• A “turkey neck” caused by loose skin
• A double chin caused by loose skin or excessive submental fat
• Saggy cheeks
• Skin folds around the nose and corners of the mouth

A facelift is typically done to improve signs of aging, the above list being many of the visible symptoms patients could experience as they get older. 

During a consultation for a facelift, our board-certified plastic surgeon will ensure you’re a healthy candidate for surgery and discuss other common options that may also help complete a full facial rejuvenation. Many patients include BOTOX® or dermal fillers to address issues on the upper third of their face. Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is also commonly paired with a facelift.

What Is a Neck Lift?

A neck lift, referred to in medical terminology as a lower rhytidectomy or submental lipectomy, is also a facial plastic surgery procedure designed to improve the signs of aging. It’s a highly versatile procedure that can be approached in many different ways. For example, a combination of these techniques may be used during your neck lift:

• Cervicoplasty, or the removal of excessively loose skin
• Neck muscles may be altered or sometimes removed using a technique called platysmaplasty
• Pockets of fat deposits may be removed with liposuction
• Fat cells may be redistributed to other areas of the face through fat injections
• Dermal fillers or other non-surgical techniques may be used to improve signs of aging

Like a facelift, during a neck lift consultation with a plastic surgeon, your eligibility for surgery will be determined after a thorough review of your medical history. Once we know you’re a good candidate, we’ll take a look at your specific conditions and see what combination of surgical and non-surgical techniques work best for your situation.

Quality. Beauty. Safety

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Dr. Shlomo Widder has well over 30 years in practice as one of Northern Virginia’s top plastic surgeons. Patients choose Dr. Widder because of his unmatched knowledge, care, attention to detail, safety measures, and results. Discover how Widder Plastic Surgery can help you by scheduling a consultation today!

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What Are Facelift and Neck Lift Surgeries Like?

You will begin the process by receiving general anesthesia or IV sedation. For a facelift, incisions are made around the hairline and ears or just the ears. For a neck lift-only surgery, incisions are typically made around the earlobe and along the hairline that goes down your neck.

After the incisions are made, liposuction, fat transfer, skin removal, or other techniques we use to alter tissue are performed, depending on your treatment plan. Then, the incisions are closed using materials such as sutures or skin glue. When these incisions are healed, they are usually camouflaged by the hairline and become difficult to spot.

We’ll send you home with any prescriptions you’ll need to minimize the risk of infection and to manage any lingering discomfort. Although the recovery process will differ for each patient, the total recovery time for either a facelift or neck lift is usually about three weeks.

Candidate

While facelifts are generally reserved for older adults, the common age range for patients is between 50 – 70. Younger patients may opt for a brow lift or a neck lift, or possibly a mid-facelift before considering a full facelift procedure. In addition, there are numerous nonsurgical procedures that can help delay surgery, such as BOTOX®, fillers, laser treatments, and nonsurgical skin tightening. If your skin laxity is in poor condition, if you are older in age, and have droopy features that a nonsurgical approach cannot treat, it is safe to say that a facelift may be a suitable procedure for you. On average, a facelift will allow you to look 5 – 10 years younger.

What to Expect

Today’s facelift surgeries are much different than in the past. There are numerous techniques used, depending on the age of the patient, as well as the condition of the skin, and amount of laxity. Some techniques address the skin’s surface only, while others go deeper into the underlying tissues. In addition, a full facelift will address the entire face, while a forehead lift, cheek lift, or neck lift, addresses the top, middle, and/or bottom sections alone. Some of the more common variations are Skin Only, SMAS Facelift, Deep Plane Lift.

Types of Facelifts

Skin only

Also known as a cutaneous facelift, this facelift procedure is less invasive due to the fact that it addresses the skin only. The recovery is much quicker and the results are a bit more subtle than some of the other more invasive facelift procedures. Scarring is minimal as it is placed in the hairline just near the temple. This particular facelift offers the lowest risk to patients.

SMAS facelift

This is considered a traditional facelift approach, which in many cases is the gold standard for facelift surgery. It is a process that goes beneath the superficial layer of skin and manipulates a group of muscles known as the superficial musculo-aponeurotic system (SMAS). This surgery does garner more dramatic results with a longer recovery period. The incision is placed along the hairline from behind the earlobe to the temple so that the skin can be separated and lifted. Once the facial structures are in their new position, sutures are used to tighten, and secure the skin for a natural appearance.

Deep plane lift

The deep plane lift is appropriate for older patients with severe sagging and drooping. Facial cosmetic surgeons who are experienced in facelift surgery can create natural results even though this is the most invasive of all facelift procedures. This procedure goes deeper than the other approaches and adjusts the tissues and muscles so that deeper wrinkles can be addressed. Loose skin is removed and pulled gently tight for a rejuvenated appearance.

Why Choose Dr. Widder?

Safety Above All

Many patients choose to bundle multiple surgeries together for a complete facial rejuvenation. If multiple procedures are needed to meet your goals, Dr. Shlomo Widder will space your treatment plan out so that only one major procedure is performed at a time. This will enhance your final results and ensure your safety and comfort. 

Superior Techniques

For facelifts, Dr. Widder prefers to use the minimal access cranial suspension, or MACS, facelift technique whenever possible. This method is slightly different than the superficial musculoaponeurotic system, or SMAS, facelift. The MACS approach tends to produce less scarring and may have a shorter recovery time. 

Experience and Training

Dr. Widder is board certified and has been one of the leading plastic surgeons in the area for over 30 years. He is wholly dedicated to patient satisfaction, safety, and results. 

Outstanding Results

 If you’d like to see more of Dr. Widder’s work, be sure to browse his catalog of before-and-after photos: Facelifts by Dr. Widder

How Much Do Facelifts and Neck Lifts Cost?

The cost for each surgery varies greatly, as each procedure is tailored to meet the patient’s needs and goals. Factors such as anesthesia, prescription medication, or garments factor into the final cost. The best way to see how much the procedure costs is to get evaluated by Dr. Widder in a consultation. Here, our team will provide you with a detailed cost breakdown.

Let’s Talk about All Your Facial Plastic Surgery Options!

A youthful facial appearance and a neck absent of loose, sagging skin can be an enormous confidence-booster when you look in the mirror. Looking the way you feel can also lead to profound changes in your life, including better interactions with people, better relationships, and even better professional opportunities.

Take control of your appearance and age with grace with facial plastic surgery. Get in touch with Dr. Shlomo Widder, a board-certified plastic surgeon, to learn more about your plastic surgery options. Make sure you read our patient reviews to learn more about the experience at our Northern Virginia office. 

Call Widder Plastic surgery at (703) 506-0300. You’re also welcome to reach out and send us a message through our website if you simply want more information or if you have questions about our surgical and non-surgical treatment options. Our practice is conveniently located near many travel hubs, just west of the Capital Beltway in Vienna, VA.