Men or women who are unhappy with loose or sagging skin around the neck, jawline, or midface are excellent candidates for facelift and necklift surgery.

Ideal candidates are nonsmokers in good overall health. Good skin elasticity and strong bone structure are preferred.

Heavy smokers will be required to quit in preparation for surgery—smoking slows recovery time and could lead to complications when undergoing general anesthetic.

This procedure may not be suitable for people who suffer from specific medical conditions. Schedule an appointment to discuss your specific cosmetic goals.

Before the procedure, medication will be administered to ensure your comfort—patients are asleep for the duration of the surgery.

Next, your Indiana surgeon will make the appropriate incision, which will be hidden in the hairline or around the natural contours of the ear and neck.

Fat may be sculpted or redistributed on the face and neck. Deeper layers of muscle may also be tightened, depending on the patient. Sometimes a second incision under the chin is necessary for best results.

Finally, skin is pulled tight over the new facial contours and excess skin is carefully removed. Small sutures or skin adhesive close the incision.

Total surgery time lasts between two and four hours.

Patients should feel minimal discomfort immediately after surgery. Transportation should be arranged ahead of time as you will not be able to drive.

The head and neck will be bandaged. The neck and face will feel tight and tender as the anesthesia wears off. Expect mild discomfort in the hours and days after surgery. The face will likely appear bruised and swollen; your doctor will prescribe pain medication to manage any discomfort. Antibiotics will be given to stave off infection.

Swelling is most prominent on the third day after surgery. It's common for a patient to look worse before they look better after a facelift and necklift procedure.

Patients will be asked to keep their head in an elevated position during sleep for at least two weeks following surgery.

While patients may need help around the house, most are up walking around within two or three days. We encourage patients to walk around several times a day to support healthy blood circulation.

During recovery, patients should avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting until a doctor says it's safe. Avoid alcohol and non-prescription drugs during the recovery process.

Patients typically return to work within two weeks of the procedure, although full results will appear in one to four months post-surgery.

If you'd like to dramatically reduce the signs of aging and live in or are traveling to the Elkhart and South Bend area, a facelift and necklift could be the ideal cosmetic solution.

Call The Centre, P.C. to schedule a complimentary consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon.