A facelift is a cosmetic surgical procedure that improves the signs of aging on your mid-to-lower face. Board-certified Dr. Mark Karolak has helped thousands of men and women recapture a smoother, more youthful appearance. You can enjoy looking younger for longer with facelift surgery.

After having a well performed facelift by a skilled facelift surgeon, patients should always look better than if it was never performed. However, aging will continue from a new set point. A facelift can help restore a youthful appearance and recapture the way a patient used to look, but not stop the aging process. Bone loss, fat loss, collagen “loss”, and loss of muscle tone will continue from this new “set point”. 

 A good way to think about it would be that if you had an identical twin, after your procedure, you will look more refreshed, and the areas treated will look better. As aging continues, and you both age (3, 5, 10, 15 years etc), you should always maintain that edge. There will come a time when surgery may be the best treatment option again, but the results and benefits do not just “go away”.

Facelift Wall Township

*Individuals Results May Vary

What Kind of Results Should I Expect After My Facelift?

It is important to maintain reasonable expectations for the procedure. While a facelift can address signs of aging that cannot be addressed by nonsurgical treatments, it by no means corrects all of the signs of aging. 

A facelift will address sagging facial muscles, a facial volume that has migrated, and excess skin. Anyone who decides to undergo a facelift must understand that the goal is to look like a better version of yourself at your current stage of aging. While a well-performed facelift by a skilled facelift surgeon can help reposition facial volume by repositioning facial muscles, it will not replace bone or fat loss. FIllers and sometimes fat transfer are helpful additions to a facelift. 

In addition, a natural-looking facelift requires supporting and repositioning the underlying muscles to a youthful position.  This allows excess skin to shift and be removed without tension. The skin should not be pulled. This helps avoid the pulled, operated-on look that is so common today after Traditional Facelifts and more aggressive facelifts. 

While excess skin is removed during a facelift, the age and quality of the skin in the face and neck remains unchanged. This can be further helped with skin care, lasers, and other nonsurgical “collagen building” treatments. Sometimes patients have skin that has been badly damaged from sun exposure and lifestyle for over 30, 40, 50+ years. For some patients, it’s genetics.  Even surgery has it’s limitations when it comes to years of skin damage. After a facelift, the skin will look much better and smoother because of the removal of excess, but there will always be residual looseness or wrinkles because of “weak” collagen.

What Can I Expect After My Facelift?

Dr. Mark Karolak uses his advanced surgical skills and years of experience with different facelift techniques to create a specialized approach for each patient. The procedure typically takes about two hours to complete and is done under local anesthesia, so you do not have  the lingering groggy effects that are common after general anesthesia.. 

After the surgery, you may or may not experience pain and discomfort, along with swelling and bruising. While this is normal, Dr. Karolak may prescribe pain medication. Most patients require two weeks of recovery before resuming normal activities.

Once the swelling has subsided, you’ll be able to see real improvements in your facial contour. Gradual improvement will continue over the course of several months.

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Long-Lasting Results

Our natural aging process continues even after the procedure. Most agree that after a well-performed facelift by an experienced facelift surgeon, it can be 8-15 years before a patient may find benefits to having another surgical facelift. However, even at that point, patients should still look better than if they never had a facelift.

How Can I Help Maintain My Results?

It’s important to note that subsequent treatments may be necessary to achieve your desired results such as lasers, botox, fillers, nonsurgical skin tightening procedures, and in some cases other surgical procedures. However, you can extend the lasting effects of your procedure by protecting your skin from the sun, moisturizing daily, and living a generally healthy lifestyle.

Other recommendations for prolonging the effects of your facelift:

  • Reduce stress
  • Limit contact with pollutants
  • Avoid smoking and limit alcohol intake
  • Incorporate a balanced diet and sufficient exercise

Dr. Karolak will speak with you about what you can reasonably expect from the surgery and how you can help ensure the best possible result.

Am I A Good Candidate?

Ideal candidates are healthy individuals who are bothered by the visible signs of aging on their face. It is recommended that candidates refrain from smoking, as activities like this can increase the risk of complications after surgery and interfere with wound healing. Most importantly, patients should have realistic expectations regarding results that can be achieved and of what the surgery entails.

Ready to Move Forward?

If you’re on the fence or ready to move forward, you’ll benefit from a consultation with Dr. Karolak, a board-certified facial plastic surgeon. After discussing your desired results, he may recommend additional  procedures, such as a neck lift, to enhance your rejuvenation results. Dr. Karolak will address your concerns and answer all your questions before creating an individualized treatment and recovery plan.

“I got tired of viewing my jowls and loose neck. I asked my plastic surgeon what options were available. He recommended the lower face and neck lift. I had so much confidence in my surgeon since he was amazing with fillers. He is so kind and a true artist with his work. I look like a refreshed version of myself. I wasn’t one bit nervous. He explained the entire procedure to me. He is the best and I would highly recommend him.”

 

Take the Next Step

Would you like to learn more about Facelift procedures? Schedule a consultation with board-certified surgeon Dr. Karolak by calling Karolak Facial Plastic Surgeon at (732) 955-9500, or simply fill out the form on this page. Karolak Facial Plastic Surgeon is located in Wall Township, NJ, along the Jersey Shore in Monmouth County, and treats patients from all over the U.S. and the world.  We look forward to seeing you!

*Individual results may vary