Facelift in Rockford, IL
Most people’s faces eventually lose elasticity and smoothness due to factors including aging, gravity, sun exposure and genetics. Those who wish to restore youthfulness to their face may seek plastic surgery to reverse these signs of aging. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Pedro Rodriguez performs facelift for these patients in Rockford, IL. His facelift patients enjoy a sleeker neck, a more defined jawline and evenly distributed volume in the lower half of the face.
The Pedro Rodriguez Difference
Dr. Pedro Rodriguez is an elite plastic surgeon who performs cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. He specializes in breast, body and face procedures. Merging advanced techniques with his keen eye, he produces transformative results for his patients that are both attractive and natural-looking.
Patients in Rockford choose Dr. Rodriguez because of his outstanding surgical skills and attentive care. Through decades of experience, he understands precisely how to rejuvenate the face and achieve appealing breast and body contours. He takes pleasure in helping his patients build confidence by reaching their aesthetic goals.
Candidates for Facelift
The ideal candidate for facelift is a non-smoker in good health who has developed lines and wrinkles on the lower portion of the face, as well as sagging skin around the jawline and neck. Facelift is an effective procedure for minimizing lines, reducing jowls and eliminating loose skin that detracts from the contours of the neck.
In patients whose signs of aging are limited to the lower half of the face rather than the neck, Dr. Rodriguez may perform a modified version of facelift (aka mini facelift) to reduce skin laxity and emerging jowls. Mini facelift, which does boast an easier recovery, is typically appropriate for younger patients with early signs of aging.
Facelift Procedure
Dr. Rodriguez typically makes incisions on the hairline and along the ear so that any scarring is easily concealed. Through these incisions, he can lift fat that has sunk lower in the face to restore volume to the cheeks and around the mouth while reducing the jowls that round the bottom of the face. He can also excise loose skin along the neck.
Dr. Rodriguez utilizes advanced techniques to reposition tissues and muscles to achieve nice, natural contours, before redraping the skin over the new shape of the face. The remaining skin is pulled taut but not too tight to avoid an artificial appearance. He then sutures the incisions to hold the face in place.
Facelift Recovery and Results
Patients typically return home on the same day of their operation. Dr. Rodriguez will bandage the face to help minimize swelling and bruising, although patients should expect those side effects to persist for a week or two post-surgery. Most patients feel and look well enough to return to work in that same timeframe. Follow-up appointments allow Dr. Rodriguez to check on the patient’s progress.
Facelift does not stop the aging process. Most patients enjoy their results for approximately a decade, but eventually see their facial skin become lax again. Patients who wish to extend or maximize their results should maintain a good skin care routine, drink plenty of water and stay out of the sun as much as possible. When sun exposure is unavoidable, wear sunscreen and/or cover up. Patients who remain a good candidate for the procedure may consider revision facelift to rejuvenate the face once again.
Cost Factors and The Price of Facelift
Facelift can provide a long-lasting, youthful appearance that can make you look 10 years younger than your given age. Many factors contribute to the cost of a facelift because it’s an invasive surgery involving an operating room, anesthesia, and multiple medical professionals. Facial plastic surgery expenses vary due to location, experience level, and surgical fees.
Some areas of the United States have a higher cost of living or more demand for experienced plastic surgeons, which can lead to additional dollar signs. Surgeons board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) with extensive training in facial plastic surgery tend to provide better-quality results than less educated or inexperienced surgeons and charge accordingly. Dr. Pedro Rodriguez is a premier plastic surgeon certified by the ABPS. He has extensive experience in facelift surgery through his general surgery residency, plastic surgery fellowship, and years of practice in Rockford, Illinois. He is an associate professor of surgery at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, where he teaches aspiring surgeons the latest techniques in plastic surgery.
The cost of facelift also involves surgery-related expenses. Surgical fees include pre-operative medical testing, hospital facility costs, and anesthesiologist expenditures. Dr. Rodriguez offers financing to help patients realize their dreams for their face and body, including plans with PatientFi, Alphaeon Credit, CareCredit, and LendingUSA. Our office will provide a detailed price estimate for your procedure after your consultation.
Facelift FAQ’s
Can I combine facelift with other procedures?
There are several procedures that can complement facelift and may be combined for more facial rejuvenation in a single surgery. Facelift focuses on the mid- and lower face, jawline, and upper area of the neck. However, it won’t address concerns with the upper face and eye areas or provide substantial neck improvement. Blepharoplasty, brow lift, and neck lift are often performed simultaneously with facelift to improve the entire face for comprehensive results.
Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, can address under-eye bags, sagging upper eyelids, and dark circles. Brow lift elevates sagging brows that may make you appear older, tired, or angry and smooths horizontal forehead lines and creases between the brows. Neck lift can address vertical neck bands, Venus rings, double chin, and “turkey wattle” and removes loose skin tissue. There are also non-surgical options that can enhance facelift results, such as Botox and dermal fillers.
How long is facelift surgery?
Facelift surgery may take three to six hours in the operating room, depending on the extent of the procedure and whether it’s combined with other facial plastic surgeries.
What type of anesthesia is used for facelift surgery?
Facelift is an invasive procedure that requires general anesthesia. The patient is completely asleep and feels no pain during the surgery.
How much time do I need off work for facelift recovery?
Dr. Rodriguez recommends patients take 10 to 14 days off from work, or longer if they work a physically demanding job that requires heavy lifting. Patients are often off pain medicines after the first week, and the swelling starts to go down around that time. Most patients feel comfortable in public two weeks after facelift surgery, and people with desk jobs typically return to the office the second week after their facelift. You may still have swelling and bruising at the two-week mark, but makeup can usually disguise signs of the procedure.
How long will my facelift results last?
Men and women enjoy their younger appearance for about 10 years, but the results may last longer with excellent skincare and sun protection. Facial plastic surgery doesn’t stop the aging process but helps you age more gracefully. Your skin tissues will continue to thin and wrinkle, but you should still look younger than your peers for many years.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are interested in smoothing out your neck, reducing unwanted lines around your mouth and reviving your formerly strong jawline, then you may benefit from facelift surgery. Dr. Rodriguez is renowned for helping his patients attain natural, appealing results with facelift. To learn more about this procedure from an expert, please contact his office to arrange an appointment.
