Also known as a rhytidectomy, a facelift is a subtle repositioning of the facial skin combined with some tightening of underlying muscle and removing fatty tissue. The modern facelift has evolved tremendously from its roots of simply tightening the skin.
Dr. Fred Coville often combines his surgical techniques with radiofrequency, internal laser, or superficial lasers to tighten and smooth your skin and bring your rejuvenation to a stellar level.
In addition to tightening your skin, Dr. Coville will reshape and reposition the subcutaneous fat. Frequently, he will transfer fat taken from elsewhere in your body to restore age-related volume loss in the face. Dr. Coville may also add platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from your blood, microfat, or nanofat from your own fat cells to create a stem cell facelift. This additional procedure will also rejuvenate your skin.
Facial cosmetic surgery aims to give a more youthful appearance without looking overdone or unnatural. It is in this regard that Dr. Coville excels. His combination approach to facial surgery results in a powerful, refreshed, and, most importantly, natural appearance.
Dr. Coville will perform your facelift on an outpatient basis at one of the accredited surgical centers where he operates in Toms River and Linwood, NJ. Before your procedure, you will create a plan with Dr. Coville, including whether you’ll have the facelift with sedation and local anesthetic or under general anesthesia.
Where your incisions are placed, which tissues need the most attention, and how to achieve your overall goals successfully will determine which advanced surgical techniques Dr. Coville employs while minimizing trauma to surrounding tissues for faster healing. Drains are rarely required after a facelift. However, you will likely awaken with bandages and a compression wrap around your head to ensure Dr. Coville’s careful facial sculpting remains in place.
Our instructions for surgery will cover eating, drinking, smoking, taking or avoiding specific vitamins and medications, and washing your face. If you are a smoker, you must discuss this very openly with Dr. Coville.
More than just about anything else, smoking will interfere with the results of a facelift. The risk of complications is much greater in smokers than in non-smokers. You will have absolutely nothing to gain by concealing a smoking habit from your surgeon since the risk of infections, delayed wound healing, and even facial skin loss can be devastating. If there is any question regarding your smoking, Dr. Coville may order some laboratory tests to determine your nicotine levels before surgery. Remember, smoking inhibits blood flow to the skin and can interfere with healing.
Be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after your South Jersey Shore surgery and help you for a few days if needed. Additionally, by way of preparation, Dr. Coville is a strong believer in restoring healthy skin before any facelift procedure. He likens it to preparing a canvas before creating a work of art. If you start with healthy skin, every other treatment will look better. During your consultation, he will happily discuss all available treatments and options with you.
As we age, gravity, sun, and stress can accumulate to produce deep creases between the nose and mouth, marionette lines from the corners of the mouth down the chin, and folds and fat deposits around the neck. There is also a downward migration of tissues and loss of mid-face volume, which causes deflation of your facial features.
Facial cosmetic surgery can reduce some of these more visible signs of aging—excess fat is removed or repositioned, the underlying muscle is tightened, and volume is almost always restored. Finally, the skin of your face and neck is subtly repositioned.
During your consultation with Dr. Coville at Cornerstone Plastic Surgery in Atlantic County, you’ll discuss all the available treatments and techniques and decide together what can and should be done in your particular situation. Dr. Coville’s goal will always be to leave you with a youthful look that enhances your natural beauty without appearing overdone.
There is a range of facelift options tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual. Understanding the differences between each type of facelift can help you decide which procedure might be the best fit for your aesthetic goals. Here’s a detailed look at some of the most common types of facelifts.
Feature |
Mini FaceliftShort Scar Facelift |
Deep Plane FaceliftSMAS Facelift |
Liquid Facelift |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surgical/Non-Surgical | Surgical | Surgical | Non-Surgical |
| Length of Surgery | 1-2 hours | 3 to 6 hours | Varies, typically under 1 hour |
| Ideal Concerns Addressed | Mild to moderate sagging in the lower face and neck | Significant facial aging, deep wrinkles, sagging | Fine lines, wrinkles, mild facial sagging, volume loss |
| Incisions | Small, hidden around the earlobes and hairline | Extensive, around the hairline and possibly under the chin | None (injections) |
| Scars | Minimal, well-hidden | Visible initially, they will fade significantly | None |
| Recovery Time | 1-2 weeks | 2-4 weeks | No downtime, minor swelling, or bruising may occur |
| Longevity of Results | 5-7 years | 10+ years | 1-2 years, depending on the products used |
| Anesthesia | Local with sedation or General for a mini or short scar facelift | Local with sedation or General anesthesia, depending on the patient’s requirements | Liquid facelift requires none or topical anesthetic |
| Post-Op Care | Compression garment, limited activity, follow-up visits | Compression garment, more extensive care, follow-up visits | Minimal care, immediate return to activities |
| Ideal Candidates | Younger patients or those with moderate aging who want minimal downtime | Patients with more significant aging seeking comprehensive rejuvenation | Patients looking for quick, reversible enhancements without surgery |
| Benefits | Less invasive, shorter recovery, cost-effective for early signs of aging | Comprehensive rejuvenation, long-lasting results, address deeper structures | Immediate results, no incisions, customizable, minimal risk |
It’s entirely normal for swelling and bruising to obscure your results initially. Don’t panic, and be patient. It will take up to one week for the swelling to begin resolving and the bruising to fade. Dr. Coville will prescribe pain medication before your procedure, so you’ll have it available as soon as you need it and can manage any discomfort as necessary.
It’s best to rest comfortably for the first 24-48 hours. Elevate your head on a few pillows, which helps with swelling and circulation. While it’s important to rest, you should also try to get mobile and walk around for short periods to help prevent blood clots.
You will receive comprehensive post-op instructions, which you should closely follow to minimize the risk of complications. These will include bandage changes and wound care, when it’s safe to shower again, and a timeline of resuming moderate activity and exercise. Most patients return to work 10-14 days after their facelift.
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While it does take up to six months for your tissues to settle fully into their new, more youthful contours, most of the swelling and bruising will have faded in the first month. Your jawline will be more defined, and your cheeks will have restored volume in the rightful position. Your skin will be smoother with fewer wrinkles, and your overall appearance will look younger and fresher.
The results of a facelift can last years, particularly with a healthy lifestyle, regular sunscreen application, and good skincare. Your face will still age normally but will continue to look younger than it would have if you hadn’t had the procedure.
A facelift can make you look younger and enhance your self-confidence. Remember, however, that it can’t alter your appearance completely or give you back your youth. Before deciding, please thoroughly discuss your facelift expectations with Dr. Coville and his staff at Cornerstone Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine in New Jersey.
If your face and neck have begun to show the effects of aging, but your skin still has some elasticity, and your bone structure is well-defined, a facelift may be right for you. Most facelift patients are in their 40s, 50s, or 60s, but facelifts can be performed successfully on people in their 70s or 80s. Most people are happy with their outcome, particularly the realistic patients who accept that the body takes time to heal. For most patients, the effects of a facelift are so successful that, years later, they’ll continue to look and feel younger.
Remember, your face will continue to age with time, and gravity will continue to exert its influence. You may want to repeat the facial cosmetic surgery after ten years or so. Dr. Coville has many well-honed techniques to prepare your skin for maximized results that last longer.
Facelift surgery, while generally safe, carries both risks and side effects. Dr. Coville is committed to prioritizing patient safety throughout the process to ensure the best possible results.
Potential risks include nerve damage, which may cause temporary numbness or changes in facial movement, hematoma requiring surgical intervention, infections needing antibiotics or additional surgeries, and the possibility of noticeable scarring.
Common side effects are generally less severe and include swelling and bruising that typically diminish within weeks, mild to moderate pain managed with medication, and sensations of tightness or numbness that usually lessen as recovery progresses.
For those seeking alternatives to traditional facelift surgery, several non-surgical options can rejuvenate the face without the need for incisions or extended downtime. Here are some popular alternatives:
Each of these alternatives has its benefits and limitations, and the best choice will depend on individual skin concerns, desired outcomes, and tolerance for downtime.
There is no “best” age to have a facelift, as it depends on individual signs of aging and personal goals. Most facelift patients are in their 40s, 50s, or 60s, as these are the ages when visible signs of aging typically become more pronounced. However, facelifts can be effectively performed on individuals in their 70s and 80s, depending on their health and skin condition.
The choice of facelift depends on your aesthetic goals, the degree of aging signs, and your general health. Consulting with Dr. Coville will help determine the best approach for your specific needs.
The cost of a facelift in New Jersey can vary widely based on the type of facelift, the surgeon’s experience, and the facility where the surgery is performed. It’s best to discuss the specific costs with Dr. Coville’s Patient Care Coordinator at the time of your consultation, as prices can vary based on individual treatment plans.
Yes, facelifts do leave scars, but they are generally well-concealed within the hairline, behind the ear, or in natural skin creases. Dr. Coville employs advanced surgical techniques to minimize scar visibility. Most scars fade significantly over time and can be easily hidden by hair or makeup. Proper care and following post-operative instructions can further help in reducing scar visibility.
Written By: Dr. Frederick Coville
Frederick A. Coville, M.D., Cornerstone Plastic Surgery’s Owner and Medical Director
Frederick A. Coville, M.D., Cornerstone Plastic Surgery’s Owner and Medical Director, has been an Aesthetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon for over 25 years. He firmly believes each of us possesses an inner “Foundational Beauty.”
As a student of beauty all his life, he calls upon his naturally artistic eye and God-given talents as a surgeon to deliver the results you demand. Dr. Fred likes to say, “It’s my job to help you find Your Beautiful!”
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Dr. Fred Coville, is a renowned Aesthetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon. He proudly extends his services to Toms River, Atlantic County, Cape May County, Ocean County, South Jersey and the greater Philadelphia area. With a distinguished career spanning 25 years, Dr. Coville is a trusted professional delivering personalized and natural-looking results. His expertise caters to clients in locations such as Atlantic City, Trenton, Toms River, Vineland, Bridgeton, Hammonton, Cape May, and Cherry Hill.
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