A good candidate for a facelift is someone who:

• Feels younger than they look
• Has sagging/banding in the neck
• Has developed a “turkey neck”
• Has jowling and deep facial creases between the mouth and cheeks
• Has an understanding of the procedure, reasonable expectations, and allowable time for recovery

Yes! A facelift is often performed in tandem with other rejuvenating procedures such as blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), brow lifts, lip enhancement, skin resurfacing, dermal fillers, Dysport, and other facial procedures, to achieve the best results. Facial plastic surgery is not a “one size fits all” endeavor. Dr. Indeyeva can combine various surgical and non-surgical methods to formulate a unique plan to suit your individual concerns and goals.

The definition of a “mini-facelift” varies from one surgeon to another, but in general, refers to a modified version of a traditional facelift.  The modification could be a shorter incision, or addressing fewer areas than a traditional facelift.  

The SMAS is an acronym that stands for  “Superficial MusculoAponeurotic System”.  It is an organized collagenous network located below the facial skin, that also incorporates facial muscles that affect expressions.  It is considered a key structural component of the face, and involved in age-related changes. The SMAS plays a key role in facelift surgery. Surgical maneuvering and tightening of the SMAS allow for complete facial rejuvenation.

Yes! Dermal fillers can often be used in conjunction with surgical procedures to restore volume or enhance various facial features. Dr. Indeyeva was specifically chosen to be a member of Galderma Aesthetic Injector Network (GAIN), an exclusive team of providers that are selected to provide education and training to other aesthetic providers on the safe and effective use of injectable products. Because of her exceptional knowledge and qualifications, she can add the right amount of filler in the perfect areas to augment your facelift results even more.

Liquid facelift refers to injection of dermal fillers into the face strategically to improve volume deficiencies and enhance certain facial contours with the goal of imparting a more youthful appearance.  It does not involve skin incisions or manual repositioning of drooping tissues.    A traditional facelift utilizes skin incisions and surgical dissection to reposition lax and drooping tissues and restore them to more youthful positions.

A deep plane facelift is a variation of a facelift technique which involves dissecting further below the SMAS and platysma muscle before lifting and tightening.

The initial consultation allows Dr. Indeyeva the opportunity to examine you, obtain your medical history, and determine the best way of addressing your aesthetic concerns. Prior to your consultation, you will be asked to complete questionnaires that provide important information about your health. Please complete them before coming to our clinic, as doing so expedites the consultation process. You should then analyze your face in the mirror and write down the features that are bothersome to you or those that you would like to have corrected.  Lastly, write down a list of questions you would like to have answered during your consultation.

Please feel free to bring a friend/significant other/family member along to your consultation appointment.

It is essential to stop all blood thinners and anti-inflammatory medications/supplements (Advil, ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve, Naproxen, fish oil, vitamin E, green tea, garlic, ginkgo, ginseng) 2 weeks prior to the procedure.

We instruct patients not to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before their scheduled surgery. They will be given a set of special instructions at the office, which will outline several things they should and should not do, before coming to the surgery. We ask that you follow these instructions carefully and bring them on the morning of surgery. We will provide instructions and forms for obtaining laboratory tests and medical clearance prior to surgery. Please have these documents and results sent to us two weeks before your surgery date.

Your procedure begins with meeting Dr. Indeyeva in the pre-operative area so that she can answer any new questions. She will place markings on your face and neck to plan incisions and highlight all of your areas of concern. Upon waking up, a facial dressing will be in place to decrease swelling and facilitate healing.

Surgery time varies based on individual anatomy, degree of aging changes, and specific procedures performed.  On average, a facelift can be expected to take approximately 3 hours.

Dr. Indeyeva will discuss your options regarding anesthesia during the initial consultation. The factors in deciding the specific type of anesthesia include your particular concerns, sense of comfort, and medical history. The surgery may be performed at our office-based procedure room using only local anesthesia, or in an outpatient surgical facility with conscious sedation or general anesthesia. Certain candidates are better suited for one type over the other. The final decision as to what type is used will rest with the anesthesia team, although Dr. Indeyeva can provide her preferences.

Surgery may be performed at our office or in an outpatient surgical facility, depending on the type of anesthesia and the specific concerns to be addressed on an individual basis. This will be discussed at your consultation with Dr. Indeyeva.

Facelift procedures are considered to be routine and safe. As with any type of surgery, there are potential risks such as bleeding, pain, infection, and nerve damage. However, a facelift performed by a trained, skilled, and educated surgeon, such as Dr. Indeyeva, greatly minimize these risks.

Each patient will be provided with written post-operative instructions specific to their procedure. In general, you will be given prescriptions for antibiotics, pain relievers, and stool softeners. Facelift patients will have a facial compression dressing overnight after surgery, which is removed the following morning. Dr. Indeyeva does not use drains for facelift surgery.

Most facial surgery will require icing your face and sleeping with your upper body elevated (in a recliner or adjustable bed or wedge pillow) for about 6 weeks post-op. You will need to cleanse your incisions with hydrogen peroxide about 6 times each day, followed by the application of bacitracin ointment. Dr. Indeyeva typically removes sutures and surgical staples 1 week after surgery. Dr. Indeyeva makes herself available for her patients to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

 You should expect some degree of swelling, bruising, lumpiness, tightness, numbness, skin discoloration, and soreness after your facelift procedure. You will receive post-operative instructions and specific medications to ease any discomfort and facilitate recovery. These symptoms are usually temporary, disappearing as healing progresses. It is normal to feel little pings, zings, and itches as the recovery progresses. This is a normal part of healing, and it is important not to scratch or disturb these areas.

Most patients should be able to return to work and carefully resume driving in 14 days. Makeup can be worn after 10 days. Patients should not turn their heads against tightness, lie on their sides, or engage in heavy lifting during this time. Doing so can interfere with healing and place tension on the deep sutures beneath the skin, which could cause them to loosen, widen scars, and generally lead to less than favorable results. For the best results and better scars, these activities should be avoided for at least 6 weeks following surgery.

As a general rule, about 80% of swelling dissipates in 2 weeks, and 90% of swelling is generally gone by 2 months. While you will look younger right away, facelifts continue to show subtle refinement for a significant period of time. Therefore, it is critical not to evaluate the results of your surgery too soon.

You may experience some hair thinning in areas adjacent to the suture lines at the temple, forehead/scalp, or behind the ear. This usually occurs when surgical trauma “shocks” the hair follicles. The incisions are designed so that the hair in the temporal and post-auricular areas should grow right through the scars, and the hair generally re-grows over time.

Vigilant sun protection and medical-grade skincare are vital in maintaining the results of your facelift and preserving your investment. Dr. Indeyeva will be happy to customize a medical-grade skincare regimen for your unique skin type and concerns.

Most patients feel fairly normal after 10-14 days and are comfortable going out in public with make-up and appropriate hair styling. Some degree of swelling follows any surgical procedure. When the dressing is first removed, the face will appear swollen, and there will be varying amounts of discoloration and lumpiness. These conditions will subside to a large extent within two (2) weeks after surgery. However, the final refinement in your results will take several months up to a year after surgery, as the last bit of swelling and “settling” occurs in the tissues.

Most facelift procedures take 3-4 hours to perform. However, the exact time of the surgery varies depending on each individual’s anatomy and the areas to be addressed. During your initial consultation with Dr. Indeyeva, you can obtain a more specific estimate of surgery time expected for your particular anatomy and surgical approach.

Absolutely!  In fact, the majority of these cases are performed together at the same time. A facelift procedure provides an improvement to the cheek and jowl area, while a neck lift tightens and rejuvenates the neck.  Most, but not all patients with a problem neck, require concurrent lifting in the cheek/jowl area for best results.

After facelift surgery, most patients resume their preoperative routine within 1-2 weeks depending on which procedures are performed and the nature of your specific occupation.

We advise a break from strenuous exercise for 2 weeks after surgery.  After this time, you may ease into your previous workout routine slowly and gradually.   Leisurely walks and light household activities are typically allowed after 1 week.

Most patients feel comfortable going out in public after 2 weeks with make-up and appropriate hair styling.  Some degree of swelling follows any surgical procedure. When the dressing is first removed, the face will appear swollen and there will be varying amounts of discoloration and lumpiness. These conditions will subside to a large extent within two (2) weeks after surgery.

When an incision is made through the full thickness of the skin it can only heal by producing a scar which mends the two edges together. Every attempt is made to keep the scars narrow and camouflaged in natural creases and facial folds or hidden by the hairlines.  During the initial healing period, scars will be pink and somewhat swollen and lumpy. They usually become less conspicuous with time as they “mature.” In most cases they eventually become barely visible to the casual observer.

Facelift results will technically last a lifetime. The individual who has undergone surgery to reverse the signs of aging should never appear as old as he/she might have if the operation had not been done. 

However, the “time belt” of aging continues to move forward, and the clock keeps ticking. In time, an individual will “catch up” again to his/her original position. However, had the surgery not been done, he/she would have been farther down on the conveyor belt.

You can expect to appear similar to the way you did approximately 10-12 years ago; in advanced cases patients can often look up to 15 years younger.

Absolutely!  Dr. Indeyeva has a large patient population that travel from various regions of the nation and the world to see her, and is very proficient when it comes to caring for the needs of her out of town patients. We do offer virtual consultations and will be delighted to schedule that for you.