Face and Neck Lifts in Austin, Texas
Dr. Antunes, our double board-certified plastic surgeon, demonstrates technical skill and understanding of facial anatomy when performing facelift surgery. A facelift is a repositioning procedure where the deeper structures and muscles are shifted to a more youthful position and the skin is simply draped without any tension over the tissues. Dr. Antunes is dedicated to paying meticulous attention to every detail to give the patient a natural-appearing result.
Dr. Antunes understands the aging process and how it affects the facial structures at all levels – from skin, muscles and ligaments – down to the facial bones. Extensive planning tailored to address each patient’s specific concerns allows for the best results. Consideration of the patient’s unique facial features and overall facial symmetry personalize the facelift procedure. This honors individuality while providing patients with a fresh, revitalized appearance.
Face Lift
Within a facelift procedure, your plastic surgeon addresses the deep layers of skin. The plastic surgeon will usually separate the muscle from the skin, lifting and/or trimming what is necessary, drape the skin again, and finally suture and or staple the skin in place.
The Schedule
The facelift is performed in an outpatient surgical center for the safest results. Facelift recovery time is typically seven weeks. After two weeks, the initial swelling and bruising will subside. Generally, it is recommended to have a facelift done no sooner than three months prior to a major event.
Precautions
You may expect some swelling and bruising, but complications are infrequent. They include hematoma, infection, nerve damage, skin dimpling or skin loss, and scarring.
Neck Rejuvenation
We have several options to restore your youthful neck.
Patients are always amazed at the dramatic difference this low-impact makes toward rejuvenating their neck to its youthful form. It’s quick but high impact and requires just a few days for recovery. Patients often schedule their treatment at the beginning of a long holiday weekend so they don’t have to miss any work.
Conditions
Loss of skin elasticity, loose skin, excess fat accumulation. Vertical bands in the neck muscle.
The Treatment
Modern medicine has provided us with six excellent ways to give you back a well-defined neck. These can be combined with even more dramatic results.
Method #1: Nonsurgical
Kybella is a nonsurgical option that injects a synthesized form of deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring molecule into the fat pocket below the chin. The injections work to dissolve fat cells, resulting in tightening of the skin.
Resurfacing: skin texture can be improved with a neurotoxin (Botox or Dysport) and microneedling with PRP or Sculptra.
Method #2: Tumescent Liposuction
Using three tiny incisions tumescent liposuction removes fat cells permanently. This results in profound tightening of the skin.
Method #3: Tumescent Liposuction with tightening of the neck muscle
This combination is designed for those with thickened neck muscles, vertical banding, or fat located beneath the neck muscle. A small one-inch incision is made to remove fat cells beneath the chin to provide a natural look.
Method #4: Neck Lift
If there is too much excess skin for the procedure above a neck lift may be the solution. The surgeon excises the skin around the ear, to remove any excess. The remaining skin is then trimmed and pulled back adjacent to the ear, to minimize scarring.
Method #5: Neck Lift in conjunction with a Face Lift
This gives the overall face a naturally youthful look.
Method #6: “Grecian Urn” – Type excision
Skin is removed directly from the skin at the front of the neck. This method is usually reserved for patients with extreme laxity and poor skin quality.
The Schedule
After just a few days of recovery, we will remove your bandages and you will be free to resume normal activities.
Precautions
In addition to the complications associated with any type of surgery (infection, bleeding, scarring, drug reactions), this procedure could result in damage to a branch of the facial nerve that runs along the jawline, resulting in drooping, usually temporary, of one or both sides of the mouth. The skin could heal with an irregular contour. Vertical neck bands could not disappear completely or could recur. A chin implant could migrate from its original position.