Facelift Surgery in Orlando

When patients visit my practice in Orlando for a facelift, I tell them that choosing this procedure should not be based on their age. That decision is more dependent on how you look. The aging process is unique, and people show signs of aging at different stages of their lives. For example, a very fair-skinned individual with significant sun exposure may be ready for a facelift at 40, while patients with darker complexions and thicker skin may not need a facelift until 55.

As a consumer, don't be confused by "branded" facelifts, or the different names. What's important is how the surgeon performs the procedure. I recommend asking the surgeon about the average longevity of his facelifts: in general, the more sophisticated and extensive the facelift, the longer-lasting the results. So-called "lunchtime facelifts" and small skin-tightening procedures do not last as long because they lack the anatomical support.

To extend the success of my patients' facelifts, I precisely loosen the skin from the muscle below (SMAS), and then tighten the muscle meticulously to achieve a more youthful appearance that lasts longer than most facelifts. To learn more, read about my method for facelift surgery.

Almost every surgeon shows only their best photographs on their sites. Here are some helpful tips to know what to consider:

• Beware of glamorous photos in the "after" photo section, such as the use of designer gowns and excess make-up. A small amount of make-up is acceptable, but hiding flaws with elaborate cosmetics is a cause for concern.
• Look at the photos related to the procedure you are considering and make sure they match. For example, if the physician has a section titled "Facial Rejuvenation" that has eyelid surgery, facelift surgery, and brow lift – without captions – ask to clarify which results correlate to which procedure.
• Is the hair styled differently in the after photo to hide scars?
• Is the patient in a similar position in the before and after photos? Bending the neck in the before photo and extending it in the after photo, for example, can be deceiving.
• Is the lighting the same in the before and after photographs?

To perform a component facelift, I address each component of the aging process. For example, if the skin is sun-damaged, I repair the skin. If volume is lost from the face, I restore volume using fat grafting. If the cheeks are sagging, I re-suspend the cheeks, and so on. This is vastly different from traditional skin tightening procedures in that the approach is much more comprehensive and more detailed with a much longer lasting result.

In the state of Florida, there are very few restrictions on who can do cosmetic surgery. Because there is no law stopping your family doctor from doing your liposuction or other procedure, it is left to the consumer to protect themselves. In general, make sure your provider has formal training, not just a weekend course. Choose a plastic surgery specialist who is equipped and capable of handling emergencies. Their facility should be accredited and regularly inspected. Protect yourself.

Those vertical lines, sometimes called lipstick lines or smokers' lines (even in non-smokers), are best treated with laser resurfacing. To achieve the goal of smoothing away those specific signs of aging, we favor Palomar® fractional Erbium laser skin resurfacing because of its dual benefits: faster healing time and excellent results.

The length of time needed depends on the type of facelift:

• A component facelift typically requires 10 to 14 days.
• A MACS lift typically involves 5 to 7 days.

Yes, laser resurfacing can be done with your facelift. We often use laser resurfacing to address lip lines and eyelid wrinkles at the same time as a facelift.

The recovery time is shorter because the surgery is less extensive - more like a mini face lift. However, we advise our Orlando patients to only have a procedure if it addresses all of their concerns - not just for convenience. Patients who are good MACS lift candidates have less dramatic signs of aging, and so will see great improvement with shorter recovery from a MACS lift.

No, we do not require all patients to follow a customized skin care regimen. However, we have found that by repairing the signs of aging skin using a skin care regimen prior to your procedure, we can dramatically enhance the results of your facelift.

Yes, a facelift can be repeated. However, it's important to choose a specialist experienced in revisionary facelifts. Be sure to ask your plastic surgeon for those details.

Yes, garlic, fish oil, aspirin, vitamin E and any medications that would interfere with wound healing should be stopped before your facelift. Consult your primary care doctor before changing any medications.

Yes, cigarette smoke has many toxins which impair healing and prevent adequate blood flow and hence oxygen to the tissues. For that reason, Dr. Spence does not perform facelift surgery on active smokers. You must stop smoking for a minimum of four months before surgery.

Stop all blood-thinning agents before surgery, such as fish oil and aspirin. I suggest starting arnica prior to and continuing after your procedure to limit bruising from facial surgery.

I offer a variety of techniques and technologies to minimize facelift scars, including lasers, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), topical silicone, and mild steroids.

Yes. I customize the component facelift to address the specific patterns of aging evident in the individual patient's face. For example, if the patient's neck is youthful but the middle of the face is sagging and has lost volume, then I design a mid-facelift with fat grafting to the cheeks to restore a youthful look.

Yes, bands in the neck are a common finding with aging. Sometimes these are masked by a fatty neck. These concerns and other signs of aging can be corrected with a component facelift.

BOTOX Cosmetic is used both in the upper and lower face for our Orlando patients. A lower facelift will eliminate some of the need to use BOTOX Cosmetic in the lower face, such as bands in the neck. However, it does not address a wrinkled forehead or deep lines between the brows. You may want to consider other procedures, such as brow lift, to address such concerns, or you may continue with the use of BOTOX Cosmetic.

In such cases, I specifically design the component facelift to address those areas. The result: a slender, youthful neck with a sharp but elegant jawline.