Facelift FAQ

Facelift Surgery – Our Doctor Serving Atlanta, Dunwoody, and Beyond Answers Your Questions

It is understandable that people considering classic facelift or endoscopic mid facelift surgery have many questions about the procedure. After all, plastic surgery is a significant investment in one’s appearance and quality of life, and it is important to find out as much about it as possible. Here to answer your questions, Dr. Burke Robinson is a leading facelift surgery doctor serving the Dunwoody and Atlanta areas who performs only facial procedures and has extensive experience in providing facelifts to patients.

• At what age is facelift surgery best performed?
• Is a classic facelift or an endoscopic mid facelift the right option for me?
• What is the recovery from facelift surgery like?
• If I undergo facelift surgery, how will I look several years down the road?
• How long will the results of my facelift last?

At what age is facelift surgery best performed?

According to Dr. Robinson, "It really depends on the individual. Some people are good candidates in their early 40s; other people in their 50s may still not need one. The important point is that you operate on the tissue, not on a number." While the most common facelift patients are between 40 and 60 years of age, the surgery has been successfully performed on patients in their 70s and beyond with great results.

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Is a classic facelift or an endoscopic mid facelift the right option for me?

What kind of facelift you get depends on the results that you want and on the recommendation of Dr. Robinson. A classic facelift benefits those who have sagging and fat deposits in the jowls and neck area. An endoscopic mid facelift may be more beneficial to patients who would like to improve the appearance of the middle area of the face, between the brows and upper lip. This type of facelift can restore the youthfulness of the cheekbone region.

Most importantly, people interested in any kind of facelift surgery should visit one of Dr. Robinson’s Atlanta-area offices in Dunwoody and Alpharetta. A personalized consultation is necessary in order for you to receive customized advice from our doctor based on your desired results and facial structure.

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What is the recovery from facelift surgery like?

Facelift patients do not experience extreme discomfort post-surgery. Still, they are given pain medication to manage any discomfort they may have during the recovery process. Some complain that their bandages feel tight the first night after surgery, but this sensation is normal and is completely gone the next morning when the bandages are removed. It is also common after a lower facelift for there to be some numbness around the ears, but this is temporary and quickly resolves in time.

The length of the recovery period depends on the type of facelift that the patient has undergone. Classic facelift patients will return to our Dunwoody or Alpharetta office to have their initial set of sutures and staples removed several seven days after surgery and the final set of staples removed at day 12. These patients are not permitted to drive until 12 days have elapsed since the procedure. In about two weeks, they typically feel and look well enough to return to work. Endoscopic mid facelift patients also experience relatively quick recovery times due to the smaller incisions involved. It is not uncommon for patients to return to work 10 to 14 days after endoscopic mid facelift surgery.

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If I undergo facelift surgery, how will I look several years down the road?

This is a common question for people considering facelift surgery – naturally, they want to keep their results for as long as possible. While no surgery can stop the aging process, Dr. Robinson performs the facelift procedure in such a way as to enable patients to age gracefully and naturally for many years down the road. "If they have the procedure, they will always look better than they would if they didn’t have it," says Dr. Robinson. "It’s like taking the big hand of a clock and turning it back a few hours. As soon as you leave the operating room, the clock starts to tick again, but the time is always going to be earlier than reality."

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How long will the results of my facelift last?

A facelift will last seven to ten years on average. At that time, patients may choose to have the procedure performed again. Dr. Robinson advises, "You don’t burn a bridge in having a facelift. If you come back in seven to ten years and it’s time to do another one, the scar tissue from the first facelift will give your surgeon something strong and tight to work with. It’s the one time that scar tissue is favorable."

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Contact Dr. Robinson for Facelift Surgery

Robinson Facial Plastic Surgery has helped many individuals take renewed pride in their appearance with facelift surgery. Our offices in Dunwoody and Alpharetta are conveniently located in the Atlanta area. If you are interested in facelift surgery, please contact our cosmetic surgery office for more information.