Facelift Plastic Surgery Recovery Time | Huntsville | Athens | CullmanAfter the facelift procedure is over, the patient will usually receive detailed guidance for post-operative care from the cosmetic surgeon. The patient should follow the instructions diligently in order to ensure safer and faster recovery. When the patient has a clear understanding of what to expect during facelift recovery, they can be better prepared for it.

Double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain providing facelift surgery to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations. Dr. McLain will discuss the recovery process at length with the patient.

 

Immediately after the Facelift

Following the facelift procedure, the cosmetic surgeon will loosely bandage the patient’s head and face to help minimize bruising and swelling. Drainage tubes may be placed behind the ear to prevent fluid build-up under the skin. Pain medications will be prescribed for the first few days to keep the patient comfortable.

Some degree of post-operative swelling, skin discoloration and numbness in the treated areas is expected after facelift. Showering or bathing must be avoided until the surgeon approves it. The head should be kept immobile and elevated as far as possible for the first few days.

 

First Week

In the first week after a facelift, any strenuous activity should be avoided, but the patient should not be overly sedentary. Mild walking in the room a few times a day will support blood flow and prevent clotting. Stitches and drains are typically removed around one week after the surgery. During the first week, the patient should:

  • Keep the bandages clean and dry and change them often
  • Empty the drainage tubes regularly as instructed
  • Avoid getting the face wet until the surgeon allows
  • Use cool compresses on the eyes
  • Return as scheduled for a post-operative follow up

Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon receiving patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas.

 

Subsequent Weeks

Bruising will disappear in about two to three weeks, but mild swelling is likely to persist for several weeks after a facelift. Most patients can resume their regular activities or return to work in about 10 to 14 days after a traditional facelift surgery. However, they will still be required to observe certain restrictions, which may include:

  • Sleeping with the head in an elevated position for the first two weeks
  • Refraining from vigorous exercises and heavy lifting of weights for three to four weeks
  • Avoiding the use of pools, saunas and hot tubs until approved by the surgeon
  • Avoiding aspirin, anti-inflammatories, tobacco, and alcohol as per the surgeon’s advice
  • Not wearing certain types of makeup as per the surgeon’s advice

 

Complete Recovery

The patient should attend all follow-up appointments with the surgeon in the months following a facelift. If any signs of post-op complications are noticed, the surgeon should be informed promptly. As the recovery progresses over several weeks and months, swelling will disappear and the full results of the facelift will be visible more clearly.

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here. Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Facelift Plastic Surgery Before and After Photos | Huntsville |MadisonA facelift is a plastic surgery procedure designed to reduce sagging facial skin and restore a more youthful facial appearance. At the time of initial consultation, the cosmetic surgeon will discuss all aspects of the procedure with the patient. The surgeon may also present facelift surgery before and after photographs during the first appointment.

Double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain provides facelift and various other procedures to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas. Dr. McLain’s first goal is to help the patient make a well-considered decision.

 

What are Facelift Surgery Before and After Pictures?

Before and after pictures in case of facelift plastic surgery refer to a set of images pertaining to an earlier patient who has undergone the same procedure with satisfactory results. The set includes pictures taken before the surgery and after the surgery at a stage when the bruising and swelling has been eliminated and full effects of facelift have appeared.

The cosmetic surgeon will ensure that facelift before and after photographs are obtained with the patient’s explicit consent, and presented before new patients in an appropriate manner. The patient’s identity will be kept confidential in most situations. The surgeon will prefer to provide a transparent and realistic view of the procedure to new patients. Therefore, before and after pictures will be used without any touch-up or manipulation which could misrepresent the real results.

 

Benefits

Face is the most prominent and noticeable part of the body from an aesthetic perspective. It is natural for a patient to be concerned about how a facelift surgery may impact their facial look and how far it could help them meet their personal aesthetic goals. Choice facelift techniques will differ for each patient. Some patients may need a full traditional facelift, while a few may only require a mini facelift.

Facial fat transfer or implants may be required in some cases. Neck lift or an upper facial procedure may be combined with facelift. Double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations.

 

Reasonable Expectations

Facelift is designed to reduce the signs of aging from the lower two-thirds of the face. It will not address anomalies or disharmony between facial features. To ensure that the patient forms reasonable expectations from a facelift surgery, the cosmetic surgeon will prefer to provide before and after photos at the very outset. This will mitigate the risk of any disappointment occurring for the patient at a later stage.

 

Photos on the Website

If the facelift surgeon has an independent practice website, they can provide facelift plastic surgery before and after photos on the site in a separate Photo Gallery section. New patients can visit the site and review the photos online even before they are ready to visit the surgeon’s office for a personal facelift consultation.

Because of digital technology the anxiety and nervousness of any patient has all but been eradicated. It is normal to be a little nervous because of website photos patients know almost exactly how this procedure is going to look on them. The surgeon no longer has to explain what to expect in such detail and length because the patient can obtain so much information and understand from the poignant pictures on the website. A picture truly does speak a thousand words.

 

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here. Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Facelift Plastic Surgery Before & After Photos

Faelift before and after photos alabama

Rhytidectomy, commonly known as facelift, is a procedure performed by a cosmetic surgeon to reduce the telltale aging signs from the face and restore a youthful facial appearance. The surgery usually involves reduction of excess fat and skin, and may additionally involve tightening and repositioning of the underlying facial muscles.

Dr. Landon D. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon providing a wide range of surgical procedures, including facelift. His specialized training and expertise in procedures related to the face and jaw place him in a strong position to perform facelift surgery. Dr. McLain provides facelift to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations.

Candidacy

Facelift surgery is usually sought by people in the age group of 40 to 70, but sometimes people in their thirties may also be appropriate candidates. Any individual who is bothered by the appearance of sagging facial skin and visible wrinkles and fine lines on the face may benefit from facelift, provided the procedure is performed by an experienced cosmetic surgeon.

The ideal candidate will have some degree of elasticity and suppleness in the facial skin to achieve optimal outcomes. The underlying bone structure should also be strong enough to provide stability and contribute to a desirable aesthetic result.

Types of Facelift

Double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. McLain will recommend the appropriate facelift surgical technique according to the unique needs of the patient. He receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas.

Endoscopic Facelift

This is a relatively less invasive technique involving smaller incisions. A microscopic camera will be inserted into the target area to enable the surgeon to clearly view the underlying facial structure on a screen. Three minor incisions are generally required, and the surgeon will remove excess tissue and lift the sagging muscles through the incisions.

Cutaneous Facelift

This is a limited procedure that will only be used to remove excess facial skin. The surgeon will make a long incision in a discreet area along the hairline. The skin will be gently lifted and sutured tightly at a raised position. No changes to the muscular structure are involved in this procedure.

SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) Facelift

SMAS facelift is a highly popular technique today because it can create more substantive outcomes in less invasive manner. The surgeon will remove loose skin as well as lift and tighten the underlying muscles to improve facial contours. SMAS technique procedures long lasting and natural looking results.

Focus on Lower and Mid-face

Facelift surgery is designed to enhance the appearance of the lower two-thirds of the face. Dr. McLain will ensure that the results of facelift blend naturally with the upper face. In some cases, upper face surgical or non-surgical procedures may be combined to create more comprehensive outcomes.

Recovery

A facelift generally involves a downtime of about a week to 10 days. During this period, the patient can perform light movements at home. Vigorous exercises should be avoided for about three weeks.

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here. Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Practice Overview

McLain Surgical Arts, led by double board certified cosmetic and oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Landon D. McLain, is a premier practice providing cutting edge procedures in aesthetic as well as oral and maxillofacial surgery. The practice offers the dual benefits of cosmetic surgery as well as oral health procedures under the same roof.

As an experienced cosmetic surgeon, Dr. McLain provides customized treatments that are tailored to meet the specific health and aesthetic needs of a patient. The practice is equipped with latest technologies to help deliver the safest and most effective outcomes in every procedure. Dr. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, AL and surrounding communities.

Oral and Maxillofacial Procedures

McLain Surgical Arts provides a comprehensive range of oral and maxillofacial procedures, including the following:

Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Wisdom teeth are also called the third molars. Very often these teeth may come in impacted, requiring extraction. Dr. McLain is highly trained and experienced in performing this procedure with satisfying and sustainable results for his patients.

Dental Implants

Dental implant surgery is a complex procedure, but it is by far the most effective procedure for teeth replacement. Dr. McLain provides advanced dental implants to restore both function and aesthetics.

Jaw Surgery

As a leading double board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. McLain specializes in procedures that repair jaw related irregularities, improve bite and breathing ability, and enhance orthodontic outcomes. He provides this surgery to patients in Huntsville, AL and nearby areas.

Facial Trauma Surgery

Dr. McLain puts his extensive training in dental, medical, and cosmetic surgery to full use when performing advanced and complex procedures such as facial trauma surgery. He can achieve corrective results while maintaining the aesthetic balance at the same time.

Aesthetic Surgery Procedures

McLain Surgical Arts is fully equipped to provide the latest and proven aesthetic surgery procedures. Dr. McLain is a trained and experienced cosmetic surgeon providing these procedures.

Breast

Breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction, breast augmentation with lift, and breast revision are some of the key breast cosmetic surgery procedures offered by Dr. McLain.

Body

Major body contouring procedures performed at McLain Surgical Arts include liposuction and tummy tuck surgery. Liposuction is the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the US today. Both women and men can benefit equally from these procedures.

Face

With his strong training background in oral and maxillofacial surgery, Dr. McLain is in the perfect position to provide facial cosmetic surgery as well as oral and maxillofacial procedures.

Skin

A number of non-surgical skin rejuvenation procedures are also provided at Dr. McLain’s practice. These may be performed independently or in conjunction with facial plastic surgery procedures. The procedures include Botox, dermal fillers, laser skin resurfacing, and other aesthetician and skin care services and products.

Dr. McLain practice is based out of Huntsville, AL, and serves Birmingham and Decatur, AL, as well as parts of Georgia and Tennessee. Dr. McLain is a recognized leader in the field, who is involved in multiple lecturing, training, and research activities, in addition to providing cutting edge treatments to his patients.

Link to Business Insider Article

I recently came across this online article on Business Insider, about what physical features make men attractive to women.  Below are the 5 features discussed in the article.

  1. Facial Symmetry  which is an indicator of good genes and health.  This is a common feature of attractiveness in both sexes.
  2. Voice–  deeper voices were more attractive to women.  This clearly explains the fascination of many women and Barry White love songs.
  3. Jaws  large, well defined jawlines were deemed to be a good indicator of reproductive health.  Certainly, a more prominent and well defined lower jaw has been pretty ubiquitous to Hollywood’s leading men over the years
  4. Eyes  the outline of the colored portion of the eye is termed the limbal ring.  A prominent limbal ring, which is only visible in lighter eye colors, signals health and youth.  Advantage to the blue-eyed beaus.
  5. Height–  a recent study showed men with kids were, on average, one inch taller than men without kids.

None of this is very earth-shattering and follows most of our assumptions about male attractiveness.   Interestingly, there is only one feature that can be “easily” altered.   And, no, I’m not suggesting we all go and get colored contact lenses with prominent limbal rings.  Those look pretty fake once your within 3 feet of a person wearing them.  I’m referring to the jaw or jawline more specifically.  The good news is, there are several procedures that can increase the prominence of the lower jaw and render a more attractive appearance.  Consider these options before buying platform shoes or having leg lengthening surgery.

Neck Liposuction

As men (and women for that matter) age, especially with a little weight gain, the fat pockets underneath the chin and jaw may enlarge.  This hides the once prominent jawline that was so well defined in our youth or when we were more physically  fit.  Liposuction to the neck is one of the easiest cosmetic procedures to undergo and has a very high satisfaction rate with minimal downtime.

Chin Implants

For those who have a small retruded chin, placement of a anatomically contoured chin implant can make the world of difference.  Despite what you may have seen in the movies, most chin implants are very natural looking without any stigma of surgery.  There are even implants to improve the angle of the jaw.  These solid silicone implants are very safe and most types can be easily removed if the patient desires.

Jaw Surgery

Otherwise known as orthognathic surgery, which is primarily intended to improve the patient’s bite and function.  The “extra” benefit to this procedure is that in many situations we are moving the lower jaw forward, creating more prominence to the jawline and significantly improving the patient’s appearance.  This procedure is almost always combined with a period of braces applied by an orthodontist before and after the surgery and although this has a bit more recovery, the results are lifelong.

Facelift

This is the gold standard in facial rejuvenation.  With the passage of time, the soft tissues of the face and neck descend and literally hide the chin and jawline even if your bone structure is ideal.  If you are in your fifties or sixties, you most likely know what I am referring to.  A facelift or rhytidectomy, addresses the sagging tissues and restores a more youthful contour to the jawline.

Many times, some of the aforementioned procedures are combined to yield an even more significant result.  If you are interested in improving your jawline or any other aspect of your appearance, please contact our office by phone or email.  While we cannot make you a Hollywood’s A-lister, we can definitely improve your attractiveness.

-Landon McLain MD, DMD

Contemporary Rhytidectomy (Facelift Surgery)

Facial cosmetic surgery has become an increasingly promi­nent tenant of oral and maxillofacial surgery training and in practice. This is no doubt due to not only the increasing social acceptance and demand for rejuvenative procedures (both surgical and nonsurgical) but also with the contemporary oral and maxillofacial surgeon’s unique training and focus on esthetics. Esthetic demands are innate in dentistry and the precision, technical demands, and attention to detail involved in even the most basic dental procedures are the exact same qualities required to excel in the arena of facial cosmetic surgery. We all remember the painstaking time and effort required to shape, contour, and color even simple dental restorations in dental school. This is not dissimilar to the basic principles required in cosmetic facial surgery. Moreover, the additional hospital-based medical and surgical training impart a singular advantage to the oral and maxillofacial surgeon who desires to include cosmetic surgery as part of his/her daily practice. Few, if any, other surgical specialties involve such a variation of hard tissue and soft tissue management as oral and maxillofacial surgery. Typically, oral and maxillofacial surgery training is very trauma heavy, which requires complete anatomic and physiologic knowledge of the face and neck, as well as sound surgical principles and judgment. Other tradi­tional surgical procedures, such as orthognathic surgery, have an inherent esthetic component. Thus, the ever-increasing presence of facial cosmetic surgerytraining in residencies and beyond is quite logical. It is my opinion that facial esthetic procedures should be as common for the oral and maxillofa­cial surgeon as it is for the otolaryngologist, plastic surgeon, dermatologic surgeon, and ophthalmic surgeon.

Facelift Techniques

In the surgical arena, the rhytidectomy or “facelift” is the workhorse of facial rejuvenation and must be mastered to have a complete facial esthetic surgery practice. Truth be told, rhytidectomy techniques have evolved very little in the last few decades. It is the addition of complementary and more minimally invasive techniques that has truly advanced the procedure in recent years. Yet, the nomenclature sur­rounding these procedures can be quite confusing, even among surgeons. Perhaps the most precise terminology is to categorize the lift or rhytidectomy by location and degree. For example, the most common “facelift” performed would be correctly termed a lower face and neck lift. This is the procedure that is the focus of this text.

The goal of this issue is to offer the reader an introduction to the most common rhytidectomy techniques used today, as well as some of the most common complementary pro- cedures that should be an integral part of any lower facial rejuvenation plan. Although many of these techniques are congruent, the reader will notice some conflicting opinion among the articles. This is due to the fact that no two surgeons
are the same and different techniques perform differently in different hands. I thank all the authors (all accomplished and reputable surgeons with an exceptional dedication to facial cosmetic surgery) and it is my sincere hope that this text will contribute to the reader’s expanding knowledge and interest in the rhytidectomy as well as esthetic surgery as a whole.
Landon D. McLain, MD, DMD, FMCS
McLain Surgical Arts
2045 Cecil Ashburn Drive
Suite 101
Huntsville, AL 35802, USA

E-mail address: IdMcLain@yahoo.com