Facelifts: Limited vs. Complete

The most common myth regarding facelift Santa Barbara surgery is that it only improves the appearance of what most people consider their face. A facelift is actually a neck and jowl lift that only affects the lower portion of the face or neck. Facelift surgery is not a one-size-fits-all procedure. Facelifts are available in a range of variations that are tailored to the individual needs of each patient. Each facelift has little changes that make it a little different.

Despite the various differences in each patient's facelift surgery, there are two basic types: limited and full. The distinction is in the amount of work done in the neck area.

The loose skin in the jowls is mostly affected by limited facelifts, with a modest effect on the neck. Neck liposuction is frequently performed as part of the operation. Various surgeons and companies have popularized this form of facelift, which is also known as the Lifestyle Lift, Quicklift, and a variety of other names. Despite the changes in names, the operations are fundamentally the same. It's a wonderful operation for people who have mild to moderate signs of aging on their face (neck and jowls). The recuperation time is roughly a week, and restricted facelifts account for nearly half of all facelifts performed in my Indianapolis cosmetic surgery office.

A full facelift, often known as a classic facelift, is a variation of the full facelift. In the neck, more skin is exposed, and the platysmal muscle is frequently sewed together. It's realistic to estimate that a full facelift will cost around twice as much as a restricted facelift. The surgery takes twice as long and requires almost twice as much work. When one is older and the aging process of the face (neck and jowls) has progressed, this is a superior operation. If you have a lot of loose skin on your neck, you'll probably need a full facelift.

Many patients are concerned that a facelift may result in a lot of pain, edema, and a long recovery time. In actuality, this isn't the case. One of the key reasons for this is that many individuals have a misunderstanding of what a facelift is. (There are no operations above the mouth, and while many other cosmetic treatments can be combined with a facelift, they are not considered a facelift.) Isolated facelifts are far less difficult than most people believe. Even a complete makeover takes only a few minutes longer than a partial one.

Unfortunately, some people are afraid of what a facelift will involve following surgery, which prohibits them from adopting this highly successful technique. When I describe in detail the type of facelift a patient may require and what it takes to complete it, these worries fade away, and the process of achieving one's goals becomes less frightening.