Facelift plastic surgery is an effective and proven procedure to mitigate facial signs of aging, tighten sagging facial muscles, and create a more youthful looking face.

During the pre-operative consultation, the surgeon will explain the various steps involved in the procedure to the patient.

After the patient understands the facelift surgery steps, they are likely to feel more confident and reassured about the procedure.

Modern Body Contouring & Laser Center, led by board certified plastic surgeons Dr. Burton M. Sundin and Dr. Reps B. Sundin, provides facelift to patients in Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Vienna, McLean, Loudoun, Ashburn, Tysons Corner, Reston, Arlington, Chevy Chase, Richmond, Fredericksburg, and surrounding locations.

Anesthesia

The initial step in any significant surgery, such as facelift, will be administering the anesthesia. The surgeon will decide between using general anesthesia or local anesthesia with intravenous sedation beforehand and evaluate the patient’s fitness to undergo general anesthesia prior to the procedure.

An anesthesiologist or a certified anesthetist nurse will administer the anesthesia and remain in attendance in the operating room during the procedure to monitor the patient’s response.

The patient will remain asleep during the surgery and will be brought out of the anesthesia when the procedure is complete.

Placement of Incisions

Upon placing the patient under anesthesia, the facelift surgeon will make the incisions as discreetly as possible to make sure that any future scarring remains inconspicuous. The incisions are usually made within the hairline. The facelift technique that the surgeon uses for the procedure often determines the extent of the incisions.

The surgeon may make smaller incisions in the facial creases as these areas heal more rapidly and hide the scars in a more efficient manner.

In a traditional facelift, the surgeon will make an incision starting behind the hairline on one side of the head, just above the temple. This incision will follow the hairline and extend down to the ear, continuing into the lower scalp beneath the hair.

Muscle and Skin Tightening

Through these incisions, the surgeon will lift the facial skin to excise or redistribute excess fat, tighten sagging muscles, and remove extra facial skin.

They will improve the facial contours and re-drape the skin tautly using staples and sutures. After this, the surgeon will wrap the incision site in a bandage for better healing.

Multiple Procedures with Facelift

At times, the patient may decide to undergo a facelift plastic surgery along with another procedure for more comprehensive outcomes.

The surgeon may perform facial and neck liposuction to remove excess fatty pockets in these areas and enhance the contours of the face.

In addition, the patient may undergo cheek, chin, or lip implants, facial fat transfer, or lip enhancement with soft tissue fillers along with facelift surgery.

Certain patients may also require upper face procedures such as brow lift or eyelid lift to attain more complete and natural looking results. The steps involved in the facelift may vary slightly depending on the additional procedures.

Mini Facelift

A mini facelift targets smaller facial areas. It focuses on the lower cheeks, jaw, and neck. The surgeon will typically make the incisions behind the ear and along the hairline.

They will also eliminate undesirable fatty deposits, lift sagging muscles, and remove excess skin through these incisions. Certain surgeons use endoscopic techniques to perform mini facelifts.

Plastic surgeons at MBody receive patients from Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Vienna, McLean, Loudoun, Ashburn, Tysons Corner, Reston, Arlington, Chevy Chase, Richmond, Fredericksburg, and nearby areas for facelift surgery.

For more information on the surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments by Board Certified Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. Reps Sundin and Dr. Burton Sundin please visit

• www.drsundin.com
• www.m-body.com
• www.plasticsurgerywashingtondc.com

Serving Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Vienna, McLean, Fairfax, Loudoun County, Ashburn, Tysons Corner, Reston, Arlington, Fredricksburg, Chevy Chase, Potomac, Maryland Richmond, VA and surrounding communities.

The patient can attain excellent facelift surgery results by preparing for the procedure beforehand. Facelift plastic surgery starts from the minute the cosmetic surgeon establishes a patient as a candidate for facelift surgery and gives them their approval to commence with the procedure.

The patient should follow the surgeon’s pre-operative guidelines in a dedicated manner for safe, consistent, and predictable outcomes.

Modern Body Contouring & Laser Center, led by board certified plastic surgeons Dr. Burton M. Sundin and Dr. Reps B. Sundin, provides facelift to patients in Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Vienna, McLean, Loudoun, Ashburn, Tysons Corner, Reston, Arlington, Chevy Chase, Richmond, Fredericksburg, and surrounding communities.

Temporary Restrictions

The surgeon will require the patient to discontinue the use of tobacco for a specified period before and after facelift surgery. Nicotine obstructs proper blood circulation, which increases the surgical risks and leads to slow healing.

If the patient takes blood thinners such as aspirin or NSAIDs or certain herbal supplements and vitamin E, they may need to discontinue their use for some time. The surgeon may also change the schedule of prescription drugs in discussion with the prescribing doctor.

Practical Arrangements

Working professionals should budget for one to two weeks of leave from the workplace to heal from the facelift plastic surgery. Patients who are non-working will also need to postpone any social engagements for a minimum of one to two weeks.

The patient should ask a responsible person to drive them home following the surgery as well as arrange for aftercare for the first few days of the recovery period if required.

Ideally, the patient should complete any urgent or work-related tasks in advance of the procedure to enjoy a stress-free recovery period. In addition, they can create a recovery kit at home with the following items:

• Prescription meds and antibiotics
• Over-the-counter pain medications
• Ice packs
• Bandages
• Comfortable, front-open clothing
• Extra pillows to keep the head raised

The Day before the Surgery

A day before the facelift cosmetic surgery, the patient should wash their hair properly to reduce the risk of infection. They should also avoid alcohol intake for at least 48 hours before the procedure. In addition, they should get plenty of rest and a good night’s sleep on the night before the surgery.

The Day of Surgery

Diabetic patients should have their vital parameters evaluated on the morning of their facelift surgery. The surgeon may put the patient on antibiotics prior to the surgery.

The patient and their attendant should plan for a complete day as the surgery may take nearly two hours with additional hours of observation in the recovery area. The surgeon’s team will provide the patient and their attendant with in-depth post-op recovery instructions before they leave for home.

Advance Arrangement for Aftercare

Patients, specifically those with little children, may consider arranging aftercare for the first few days of the recovery phase. With assistance in daily household chores in the initial few days, the patient can enjoy a relaxed recovery period.

Stemming from this, the patient should undertake any urgent tasks prior to the procedure to enjoy a stress-free recovery phase.

Plastic surgeons at MBody receive patients from Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Vienna, McLean, Loudoun, Ashburn, Tysons Corner, Reston, Arlington, Chevy Chase, Richmond, Fredericksburg, and nearby areas for facelift surgery.

For more information on the surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments by Board Certified Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. Reps Sundin and Dr. Burton Sundin please visit

• www.drsundin.com
• www.m-body.com
• www.plasticsurgerywashingtondc.com

Serving Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Vienna, McLean, Fairfax, Loudoun County, Ashburn, Tysons Corner, Reston, Arlington, Fredricksburg, Chevy Chase, Potomac, Maryland Richmond, VA and surrounding communities.

Over the years, advancements in surgical technologies and techniques have made facelift plastic surgery safer and less invasive.

Facelift plastic surgery also has certain associated risks, similar to any surgical procedure. At the time of the pre-op consultation, the surgeon will explain various aspects of facelift surgery to the patient, including its potential risks and complications.

Patients should unhesitatingly ask the surgeon questions on the risks and safety of this procedure and feel fully satisfied prior to commencing with facelift surgery.

A responsible surgeon will answer all questions and clear any doubts that the patient may have regarding the facelift.

Modern Body Contouring & Laser Center, led by board certified plastic surgeons Dr. Burton M. Sundin and Dr. Reps B. Sundin, provides facelift to patients in Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Vienna, McLean, Loudoun, Ashburn, Tysons Corner, Reston, Arlington, Chevy Chase, Richmond, Fredericksburg, and surrounding locations.

Common Risks

Poor Response to Anesthesia

Surgeons usually perform facelift surgery under general anesthesia. Administering anesthesia is a safe procedure, but in some rare cases, it may cause a poor response. This risk is higher in patients with pre-existing medical issues.

Infection

Any surgical procedure has an inherent risk of infection development, including facelift plastic surgery. To mitigate this risk, it is vital that the surgical venue maintains the highest standards of hygiene and cleanliness.

On their part, patients can minimize this risk by following the surgeon’s post-operative instructions in a dedicated manner to ensure that the incision areas are protected against germs and contaminants.

Hematoma

Hematoma occurs if the patient experiences bleeding underneath the skin in the incision areas. It can lead to discomfort in the affected areas in addition to swelling and skin discoloration. The patient may need additional treatment to address this condition. To minimize the risk of hematoma, the surgeon may place temporary drain tubes.

Nerve Damage

In exceptional cases, an aggressive facelift plastic surgery procedure may lead to a nick or cut in a facial nerve. This can cause numbness in the face and even lead to facial paralysis in extreme situations. However, it is possible to treat this condition, and the damage will likely be temporary.  

Unwanted Scarring

A facelift is a major surgical procedure, which will involve a certain level of scarring. But an expert surgeon will make incisions in a discreet manner to make sure that any future scarring remains hidden. But in rare cases, the scarring may be visible, and the scars may not be hidden in the hair or the hairline.

Minimizing the Risks

To reduce the risks associated with facelift surgery, the patient should work with a skilled and experienced cosmetic surgeon.

Board certified plastic surgeons typically invest in the latest surgical techniques, maintain top-notch quality standards, pursue continuing education, and follow the latest safety protocols.

The patient, on their part, should truthfully reveal all relevant information that the surgeon requires pertaining to their health condition, drug intake, and smoking and drinking habits. This will enable the surgeon to make the necessary changes to reduce surgical risk.

Plastic surgeons at MBody receive patients from Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Vienna, McLean, Loudoun, Ashburn, Tysons Corner, Reston, Arlington, Chevy Chase, Richmond, Fredericksburg, and nearby areas for facelift surgery.

For more information on the surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments by Board Certified Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. Reps Sundin and Dr. Burton Sundin please visit

• www.drsundin.com
• www.m-body.com
• www.plasticsurgerywashingtondc.com

Serving Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Vienna, McLean, Fairfax, Loudoun County, Ashburn, Tysons Corner, Reston, Arlington, Fredricksburg, Chevy Chase, Potomac, Maryland Richmond, VA and surrounding communities.