Facelift
—In MIAMI—

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What is a Facelift?

The undeniable impact of aging affects us all, prominently evident in the face. Initially, fine lines appear around the eyes, which then progress to deeper creases, lines, and folds as the skin's elasticity diminishes, facial muscles weaken, and collagen production declines. The mid and lower face lose their taut contours as the underlying tissues respond to gravity. Minimally invasive treatments like injectables, laser, or microneedling can help your skin look younger. However, as sagging becomes more of an issue, a Facelift, or rhytidectomy, may be the most effective way to rejuvenate your appearance.

At Dr. Zuriarrain's practice, we understand the profound impact aging can have on a patient's self-confidence. Both men and women can be potential candidates for a facelift procedure. In a comprehensive consultation, our team collaborates with each patient to determine the specific goals for their facial rejuvenation journey. Our Miami Facelift procedure involves lifting the soft tissues, redistributing fat, tightening facial muscles, and removing any excess skin, resulting in a remarkably more youthful and refreshed look.

Miami Facelift model with blonde hair
Miami Facelift model wearing sun hat

Facelift Benefits

After our Facelift Miami patients find they look a decade younger or more.

Sagging skin and heaviness in the mid and lower face are reduced, producing more sculpted, youthful contours. Results are considered permanent. The skin of the face will still respond to the ongoing aging process, of course, but the lift and reduction in excess skin and muscle tissue keep this area looking more taut, firm, and athletic for years to come.

This surgical procedure carries many possible benefits:

  • Wrinkle reduction, especially in the mid-face
  • Tightening of loose skin, sagging, and jowls
  • Improved facial contours
  • Long-lasting results
  • May be combined with other procedures (e.g., neck lift, brow lift, eyelid surgery, injectables, and more)
  • Today's highly customizable techniques provide more natural-looking outcomes
  • Improved self-esteem, emotional well-being, and confidence in social situations

Facelift Candidates

There is no right age to have a facelift. The decision to have this procedure is personal and will depend on many factors. The best way to understand whether a facelift is the right choice for you is to schedule a consultation to discuss your needs and goals. Dr. Zuriarrain will walk you through your options, the benefits and drawbacks of various approaches, and the results you can expect to achieve. He will also learn about your medical history to ensure that a Facelift is a safe choice. Most adults who are non-smokers, enjoy generally good health, and are experiencing moderate to advanced signs of facial aging are good candidates for a facelift.

The Facelift Procedure

Facelift procedures come in various types, but the process and duration remain consistent. Typically performed under the supervision of a medical professional, the surgery takes place with the patient under general anesthesia.

This outpatient-based procedure can last anywhere from a few hours up to six hours, depending on the patient's specific needs and the extent of the required work. The incision sites may differ, but the goal is always to minimize visible scarring.

During your facelift with Dr. Zuriarrain, a skilled plastic surgeon in Miami, facial tissues will be lifted, and fat pockets will be strategically redistributed to achieve the best results. Lines and wrinkles will be smoothed out, followed by the repositioning of the skin over the newly adjusted tissues. Any excess skin will be carefully trimmed away. In some cases, a facelift may be combined with other facial surgical procedures, a decision that will be made during your initial consultation.

Choosing a certified and experienced surgeon is the crucial first step toward your Facelift in Miami. Dr. Z leads a skilled team at Zuri Plastic Surgery, utilizing proven surgical techniques to help you achieve the desired look you've always wanted. Take the first step on your journey to a rejuvenated appearance by contacting us at Zuri Plastic Surgery in Miami.

Palm trees in front of Dr. Zuriarrain's office

New Surgical Techniques

- Meet the Deep Plane Facelift and the Mini Facelift -

Facelift techniques have been evolving for more than 100 years. Earlier techniques addressed only the skin, sometimes resulting in an unnatural, overly stretched, or "windswept" appearance. Today's leading surgeons focus on making fine-tuned adjustments to the various layers of tissue, including the deeper muscle and SMAS layers. A Deep Plane facelift lifts these layers together for more comprehensive and longer-lasting results. It is also possible to perform a Mini Facelift with smaller incisions localized to the ear area rather than extending farther up into the hairline. This more limited procedure is perfect for lifting away less widespread signs of sagging in the cheeks and mid-face.

Results, Recovery, and Aftercare

Alexander Zuriarrain, MD, FACS

Consultation for Facelifts

At Zuri Plastic Surgery, every plastic surgery journey commences with a comprehensive consultation. For a facelift procedure, meticulous consideration is given to both the patient's expectations and the doctor's understanding of the underlying facial structures to be addressed.

During this consultation, the procedure will be thoroughly explained, and photographs will be taken for reference, including before and after pictures. A careful review of the patient's current and past medical history will also be conducted to assess their suitability for the facelift. This evaluation takes into account any medications, herbal supplements, or other factors that could potentially affect the procedure's outcome. With Dr. Zuriarrain's expertise, you can rediscover a youthful appearance through a facelift in Miami.

Candidates should be aware that certain lifestyle habits, such as excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and recreational drug use, will be prohibited before and after the operation. Adherence to these guidelines is crucial for ensuring successful results, and patients who are unable to comply may not be considered suitable candidates.

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Recovery from a Facelift

Following the facelift procedure, most Miami patients can return home on the same day, although some may choose to stay overnight in the hospital. The incisions will be closed using sutures or staples, and a drain tube might be inserted to manage excess fluids and blood.

For pain management, Dr. Zuriarrain will prescribe oral painkillers for the initial days until swelling starts to subside. During the recovery period, patients will have scheduled follow-up visits to assess their progress and potentially remove any tubes, sutures, or staples.

By diligently adhering to the recommended self-care guidelines, patients can typically expect to resume work after approximately two weeks. Within one week, most of the swelling should have diminished. It's essential to avoid strenuous activities for up to six weeks, and additional recommendations will be provided to ensure patients properly care for the results of their facelift as they gradually resume their regular activities.

Miami Facelift model wearing red dress

Week One

Rest is the focus of the first week after surgery.

Day 1: You will be groggy from the anesthesia and will need support from a friend or family member around the house. Discomfort is usually greatest at this time and can be managed with pain medication recommended or prescribed by Dr. Zuriarrain.

Day 2: You will attend a follow-up visit around this time to check your incisions, change your dressings, and check your comfort levels.

Day 3: Although you should continue to get plenty of rest, you may feel ready to move around more. Post-procedure swelling and bruising are normal and may be at their worst around days three and four. We will provide you with safe guidelines for taking medication as needed to lessen discomfort.

Day 4: Swelling subsides, and comfort levels increase. You may no longer need pain medication. You may feel up to activities like light housework.

Week Two

Post-surgical swelling remains, but energy and comfort levels are closer to normal. Sutures may be removed.

Days 7 to 14: Swelling and bruising will continue and may be accompanied by sensations of numbness, tingling, or tightness. Sutures may be removed during this period (although, in some cases, they will be left in place until as late as week three). People with office jobs can usually return to work after two weeks. Those with physically demanding jobs may need a little more time.

Weeks Three and Four

Any remaining sutures are removed. As you return to normal activity levels, swelling and bruising subside, and your final results begin to emerge.

Days 15 to 30: Sutures may be removed as early as the end of week one or as late as the end of week three. The timing of this step depends on various individual factors. Your face may feel tight and have residual swelling, but these side effects are greatly diminished, and your appearance is closer to the final result. You should feel more comfortable in social settings as the incision sites begin to fade in color.

Month One

As your newly sculpted facial contours emerge, you start to enjoy the full results of your surgery.

Day 30 and on: Healing will be significant, and you will soon be able to return to your full range of activities, including a return to strenuous exercise around week six. Swelling will be greatly reduced, and you will be able to enjoy the look of your lifted and sculpted facial contours.

Year One

Your results continue to subtly refine themselves.

Mild swelling may be present in the treatment area for up to one year after surgery. This side effect is very mild and is not usually perceptible. As the area fully heals and the repositioned tissues settle into position, your results may continue to improve and look more defined.

Post-Op Instructions

Non-Surgical Facelift Alternatives

Not everyone is a candidate for a Facelift. If you aren't sure about committing to surgery or are experiencing less advanced signs of aging, you may benefit from a "liquid facelift." In this minimally invasive, non-surgical technique, injectable dermal fillers are administered in key areas of the face to fill in hollows and creases, improve the definition of your facial contours, and build volume in places like the cheeks or chin. Similarly, a liquid rhinoplasty offers a non-surgical method of enhancing the shape and proportions of the nose.

Depending on the product used and where it is placed, the results of a liquid facelift usually last between six months and two years before requiring touching-up. Because a liquid facelift does not remove and tighten lax skin and underlying tissue, the results are less comprehensive than those of a full facelift. However, impressive facial recontouring and rejuvenation can be achieved with this minimally invasive technique. At your consultation, we will educate you about your many options and the results you can expect from each, helping you feel confident in any decision you make about treatment.

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Facelift FAQs

Is a Facelift safe?

Like any surgery, a facelift carries risks of rare but serious complications such as infection, adverse reaction to anesthesia, tissue damage, or an unsatisfactory result. It is imperative that you research your options and select a highly qualified surgeon to perform your procedure. Following aftercare instructions and attending all follow-up appointments help ensure a safe recovery and optimal results. Dr. Zuriarrain takes time to learn about each patient's medical history to ensure they can safely proceed with surgery.

How long does a Facelift last?

Facelift results are considered permanent and will provide a noticeable improvement in facial tone and contours for many years to come.

What is the downtime after a Facelift?

Most people take two weeks off of work and will need to refrain from strenuous exercise for up to six weeks. We will provide detailed aftercare instructions for your individual procedure and check your healing at post-operative visits.

Are there any activity restrictions after a Facelift?

You will need to refrain from heavy exercise for the first few weeks after a facelift, with a return to full activities around the six-week mark. People who work in office jobs can usually return to work about two weeks after surgery.

How much does a Facelift cost?

The average cost for a facelift in the United States is $8,005, but the total cost can vary greatly depending on the details of your procedure and where you are having it performed. The best way to learn about the cost of your individual procedure is to schedule a consultation at our office. After assessing your needs, Dr. Zuriarrain can propose an individualized treatment plan, and our office team can give you an estimate of the associated costs.

Get a one on one consultation with Dr. Z in his beautiful practice in Miami, FL

7540 SW 61 Ave, South Miami, FL 33143

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