For many years, the surgical facelift has been performed as the gold-standard of facial rejuvenation. This procedure, above all others, can achieve the most dramatic results and also the longest-lasting. It is for this reason that nearly 235,000 facelift procedures were performed in 2020, and for this reason that we routinely meet with patients who are interested in having a surgical facelift even with so many nonsurgical options available. If you’ve been procrastinating in learning about this procedure but have an interest, there may be a few things you need to stop believing to feel confident taking your next step.

• A facelift will leave me unrecognizable. 

In the early days of facelift surgery, this was a truth that seemed unavoidable. At that time, facelifts focused primarily on the skin. It took time for surgical advances to reach the deeper layers of muscle and fat but, once they did, the results of a facelift became much subtler and natural-looking. Our advanced surgical techniques leave our facelift patients looking like more refreshed versions of themselves. 

• I’m not old enough for a facelift.

Another antiquated idea about facelift surgery is that it is more for older patients. Younger patients in their 40s and 50s can get by with nonsurgical treatments. The truth is there is no age limit on facelift surgery. Studies are showing that people who get this procedure done around mid-life enjoy better and longer lasting results because they have more elasticity and firmness than do most older patients. With so many facelift options available, including the mini lift or mid-face lift, patients are seeing their younger selves sooner than they had imagined and they’re loving it.

• Facelifts are for women only.

Approximately 18,000 of the facelifts performed last year were men. Still, many men ascribe to the school of thought that only women get this procedure. While the goals may be slightly different between all patients, the procedure itself has relevance for both men and women who want to reduce signs of aging like sagging or flattened cheeks and a soft jawline. 

• Everyone will know.

Facelift surgery does not alter a person’s unique beauty nor their natural facial structure. The results of this procedure are most noticeable to the patients themselves, not to those around them. In fact, sometimes patients get frustrated that no one is remarking on their new, refreshed appearance! 

• I can get comparable results without surgery.

Nonsurgical facial rejuvenation has its place, and it has brought some exciting changes to the field of aesthetic medicine. Some treatments come somewhat close to the facelift in terms of noticeable improvements. FaceTite and AccuTite are two examples. However advantageous nonsurgical procedures can be in terms of convenience and limited downtime, their results often do not last nearly as long as a surgical facelift. Patients who understand the limitations of these treatments are often the happiest with their choice of treatment, whether they elect to have surgery or not. 

We would love to talk about facial rejuvenation with you. Contact our Denver office at (303) 839-1616 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Fante.

Facial aging isn’t always correctable with injectables and lasers. At some point, many people consider the value of a surgical facelift. Here, we discuss what may be necessary before and after this procedure to get the best results. 

The first step in the facelift process is our consultation. Dr. Fante spend a good deal of time with each patient to understand their concerns, their desired outcome and expectations, and also their current state of health. A thorough medical history includes talking about previous surgeries, chronic health conditions, and a list of all current medications and supplements. The consultation also involves questions that help the patient determine that we are the right office to address their needs. 

Common facelift questions include:

• What are the risks involved with this procedure?
• Is there a non-surgical alternative that might achieve comparable results?
• What is the typical recovery time from facelift surgery?
• How long will the surgery take?
• What kind of anesthesia is used during a facelift?

Patients should also ask questions about their surgeon’s training and experience performing this procedure. It should not be assumed that every doctor who offers facelift surgery is an expert at performing this technique. Dr. Fante is happy to discuss particulars about their educational background and successful facelift cases with new patients. 

Preparing for Your Facelift

Before your facelift, it is necessary to:

• Pick up prescription medications well before surgery.
• Stop taking certain medications, such as aspiring, at least one week before surgery. If you are taking a prescription blood-thinner, your surgeon may advise you to have this changed for a short time. 
• Stop smoking at least 2 weeks before surgery, ideally 4.
• Get your hair done! This is an easily-overlooked aspect of surgery. Facelift patients cannot get a hair color treatment for several weeks so, if they prefer, should schedule their routine service about a week before surgery.

In addition to these few guidelines, patients can also expect a more detailed outline from our office, which they should strictly follow. 

Post-Surgical Facial Care

Facelift recovery need not be stressful or intolerably uncomfortable. Patients are encouraged to take prescription pain medication as directed for at least 2 days. This prevents pain from developing in the first place and avoids having to “chase” pain unnecessarily. Comfort can also be managed with ice packs, so these should be purchased ahead of time. The doctor may also advise purchasing specific ointments or creams to apply to incisions as they heal.

We have the goal to provide our patients with the best surgical experience and the most satisfying outcome possible. To learn more about this procedure, schedule an appointment at our Denver office by calling  (303) 839-1616.

We often try to remind ourselves that there are many benefits to getting older. We have wisdom to share and memories to make us smile. It is possible to recognize these benefits and still be frustrated with the ways that aging affects appearance. No one is expected to love every little thing about their aging process, nor dislike every little thing. If you’re frustrated with the way your face is changing, a facelift can help.

Often, we believe that lines and wrinkles will be our biggest concerns as we approach midlife. Once there, we realize that a few creases are the least of our worries. Age doesn’t just cause the skin to get a little thinner, it also decreases the skin’s “bounce.” This is referred to as elasticity. Like a rubber band contracts after being stretched, so should the skin. For this to happen, the skin needs appropriate chemicals, including collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid (which keeps the skin plump). When these chemicals are not made in the dermis anymore, not only does the skin change but so does the muscle and fat under the skin. For sufficient rejuvenation, each of these layers of tissue must be addressed. A facelift can do that.

Are You Ready for a Facelift? Here Are Some Clues!

You’re unhappy with what you see in the mirror.

As you’ve gotten older, you may have noticed some wrinkles on your forehead or between your eyebrows. You may have some laugh lines around your nose and mouth. These are somewhat tolerable for most people. What many of our patients claim to be their biggest concern is seeing a face in the mirror that doesn’t look like them anymore. This happens because the cheeks lose fat and the jawline gains it. It happens because the loss of tissue firmness and volume in the midface can make the corners of the mouth turn down. The face may look wider and longer over time. All of these changes alter appearance, and this is precisely what drives many people to get a facelift. They want to look like themselves again.

Your touch-up schedule has changed.

If you’ve been relying on injectables and facials or other treatments to help you age gracefully, you may now be noticing that you’re not getting the same results you used to. Another concern that our patients express is that they feel like they are seeing us for injectables every few months. Some people don’t mind periodic injections but have started to see that the amount of filler that they need is making their face look unnatural. Each of these instances is a good reason to consider a facelift. A minimally invasive procedure and a short recovery period lead to results that can last many years.

Facelift surgery can give you back your friendly, youthful appearance. For more information, schedule a consultation at our Denver office at (303) 839-1616.

Having a facelift is an exciting experience. It can also feel slightly stressful. Patients know that they will need to schedule some time off and that they may experience some short-term side effects from surgery. On the other side of these minor inconveniences, though, are years of looking and feeling younger and more attractive. We know our patients want to gather all the details they can about their facelift experience before the day of their procedure. Here, we discuss two specific mistakes that we hope all of our patients can avoid as they heal from their surgery.

Mistake #1 – “Wait and See”

There are some situations in life where we can take a “wait and see” approach. After a facelift is not the time. And yet, it is something too many patients do. What are they waiting to see? How they tolerate pain. If you see a facelift in your future, now is the time to commit to taking pain medication as prescribed, regardless of how good you feel on surgery day. There is a reason for the comfort that is felt once patients return home from their procedure, anesthesia. Facelift surgery is often performed under general anesthesia. This blunts pain reception in the brain and can last for several hours. Feeling good at home after a facelift is something we want to last, which is why the first dose of pain medication is often taken before the full effects of anesthesia wear off. Don’t wait and see how uncomfortable you may get after a facelift. Take pain medication as prescribed and avoid unnecessary stress.

Mistake #2 – Not being Selfish

People who schedule a cosmetic plastic surgery procedure often struggle with feeling selfish, at least to some degree. This sense of needing to put rest and recovery on the back burner can kick in strongly once at home and amid family, pets, and chores. If you are used to taking care of everyone else’s needs before your own, expect to face some level of guilt. When you expect it, you can understand that it is a normal effect of devoting time to your healing and you can process it healthily. Remind yourself that, in a week or two, you will be right back to your normal routine and you’ll feel even better than you did before because you’ve prioritized your needs, too.

Looking younger often goes hand-in-hand with feeling more confident and alive. To explore facial rejuvenation, contact our Denver office at (303) 839-1616 for an appointment.

Although we’ve got a plethora of dermal fillers, laser and light therapies, and other modalities at our fingertips these days, the facelift has not been replaced. For many people, the time comes when problems like jowls and nasolabial folds are too much to look at anymore. A facelift can correct these and other concerns in a way that nonsurgical treatments can’t. So the question of when is sometimes more related to “when is the best time to schedule my facelift?” Here, we discuss recovery and the timing of returning to work and other normal activities.

What is facelift recovery like?

For the first 24 to 48 hours after facelift surgery, most patients are quite fatigued. Sleepiness stems from a combination of physical stress (a natural byproduct of surgery) and prescription pain medication. During this time, it is important that an adult caregiver is present at all times. This person will help administer medication, serve food, and provide assistance to and from the bathroom. After 1 to 3 days, most patients can switch from prescription pain medication to over-the-counter pain relief.

Due to fatigue and early side effects, patients are encouraged to rest as much as necessary for the first 3 to 4 days after surgery. Driving is not allowed until prescription pain medication is no longer being taken. patients should also resume driving only after it is comfortable to turn their head enough to operate a vehicle safely. For the first 3 weeks of recovery, activity must be no more strenuous than walking.

Pain subsides to soreness, numbness, and a tight sensation within a day or two. These side effects can last for weeks. Bruising and swelling typically peak by Day 5 before gradually improving over 2 to 4 weeks to a point of being undetectable.

Returning to Work

Once it is safe to drive, the question about returning to work revolves around strenuous activity and personal comfort. Most patients with a desk job are back to work in 10 to 14 days after their procedure. At this time, scars from incisions will still be pink but can be disguised with makeup. Patients should also be aware of their energy level and gauge their return to full-day activities based on their recovery.

A facelift can be a life-changing decision. To learn more about this procedure, call our Denver office at (303) 839-1616.

Beauty trends tend to change every so often. However, certain areas of the face and body are usually involved in the widespread perception of beauty. The eyes are one such area. Over decades of time, we’ve seen trends evolve from bushy, unkempt eyebrows to ultra-thin curves above the eyes. Makeup has been used for centuries to make the eyes “pop,” and trends have even changed in the cosmetics world. However we dress up the eyes, problems arise when the structure of the face changes.

There is no way to avoid the anatomical changes that occur with age. Studies show that various parts of the face, including the eye area, transform over time. Primarily, the concern with these changes is the loss of volume they bring. The eye area consists of a bony rim called the orbit. Inside the orbit are muscles, fatty tissue, and the eyeball globes. Here, fatty tissue cushions the eyeballs and muscle enables us to move the eyes. Just like fat diminishes on the cheeks and temples, the fat within the orbital socket can also decrease. Without the proper cushion, the eyeballs recede back into their sockets. The farther back the eyeballs sit, the more pronounced the upper orbital rim may become. As this bony structure seems to protrude farther, the eyes look sunken and hollow.

Fat decrease doesn’t just occur inside the upper orbital socket. Most people experience some type of change to their lower eyelids, as well. When this change involves fat depletion, the lower eyelids may also sink in slightly. Additionally, dark circles may develop.

Correcting Hollow Eyes

As science has learned more about the facial aging process and role of volume loss in cosmetic aging, innovative solutions have been developed. Decades ago, the only way to rejuvenate the face was to reposition tissues via a facelift. Today, focus is placed on volume restoration. One way Dr. Fante’s patients can correct hollow eyes is to undergo dermal filler treatment. Dermal fillers immediately contour the upper or lower eyelids by bringing water molecules into superficial tissue where they can be held for several months. Another option, one that achieves permanent results, is to inject fat cells into the area where hollowness has occurred. Fat injection treatment is a two-part process that involves harvesting fat from an area of the body, such as the tummy, and processing those cells to extract the most vital, pure fat. The processed substance is then carefully injected into the areas needing correction.

Learn more about how we can help you refresh the appearance of your eyes. Schedule a consultation in our Denver office at (303) 839-1616.

Facelift surgery has been a common method of restoring a more youthful appearance to the face for many years. Fortunately, techniques that prevent a windblown, overly-tightened appearance have been developed over time and those who undergo facelift surgery today have multiple options for how they refresh their appearance. Here, we want to discuss the differences between a mid-face lift and a full facelift.

Facelift Terms to Know

If you’re doing research on facelift procedures, you may come across three specific terms, “upper facelift,” “midface lift,” and “full facelift.” The term full facelift can be deceiving. It portrays a procedure as one that treats the entire face. This is not accurate. A full facelift actually focuses on the lower two-thirds of the face, from the cheeks down. An upper facelift corrects the signs of aging above the eyes, and a midface lift focuses on the cheek area. None of the facelift techniques correct aging on the neck or around the eyes. These areas can be addressed with additional procedures like a neck lift or eyelid rejuvenation surgery, conducted at the same time as the facelift.

The Midface Lift

A midface lift, or cheek lift, is a minimally invasive procedure that may be ideal for the middle-aged adult who has begun to notice hollowing beneath the eyes and flattening of the cheek area. The usual midface lift patient does not have significant sagging at the jaw line and beneath the chin. Because a very localized area is treated in a midface lift, the surgery can be conducted through tiny incisions. These are often made right in front of the ears. Using small instruments, Dr. Fante manipulates the muscle and fatty tissue in the midface to sit across bony structure as it did years before.

The Full Facelift

Full facelift procedures are excellent for those who want a natural result but one that is more pronounced than a midface lift can achieve. Full facelift surgery addresses problems in the underlying structure of the face, the area known as the SMAS. This layer of tissue, the Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System, is a deeper plane of the face and one that weakens with age. As a result of sagging, overlying tissue droops along the jawline and around the nose and mouth, causing deep creases. By tightening the SMAS, a full facelift also lifts the layer of muscle and fat that sits above this deep plane of tissue, resulting in younger looking but not overly tightened contours.

Discover your best approach to beat the signs of aging. Schedule a facelift consultation in our Denver office to discuss your goals.

Even in light of the recent advances in aesthetic medicine, facelift surgery continues to be one of the Top 10 procedures performed each year. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons annual report has revealed that more than 125,000 patients underwent facelift surgery last year. Of those, 15% of patients were men.

We are proud to serve men and women from the Denver area with aesthetic treatments that can provide them with their intended outcome. Every treatment is personalized to help us achieve this. Furthermore, our understanding of the differences between men and women enable us to plan appropriately. Here, we break down a few of the particulars that are considered for men interested in facelift surgery.

Facial Anatomy

Most people can recognize that the facial structure of men and women differs. Just how much it does may be a mystery to the general public, but not to us:

• Women’s faces typically have weaker ligament and skeletal structure than men’s faces. Knowing this, we carefully plan the extent of repositioning for each patient. Too much lift on a man’s skeletal structure may lead to an overly-tight appearance. Our objective is to refresh the face, not make it look “done.”
• The skin and fatty tissue on a man’s body also differ slightly from a woman’s. Here we see more significant thickness and density. This is something we take into account if liposuction will be performed on the neck as a part of the facial rejuvenation process.

Facial Hair

When performing facelift surgery on a man, we must take into account the current or future existence of facial hair and also the prevalence of short haircuts. Here, the critical detail is how we make incisions in an area and manner that will be most easily hidden. It is important to work carefully around hair follicles to prevent scarring that disrupts hair growth.

Preferences

Although we conduct a thorough consultation for every patient, there is an understanding that most men who seek facelift surgery have a preference for maintaining the sharp angles of their lower face. Women, on the other hand, seek tightening that is noticeable but does not alter the softness of their jawline.

Facelift surgery is a leading cosmetic procedure because the techniques used today reverse the signs of aging in a way that looks natural. To learn more, contact us online or at our Denver office at (303) 839-1616.

Most people realize that, at some point, they will start to look older. Aging is not something we can stop, nor do we want to. At the same time, there are certain changes that come with age that many of us would like to avoid – at least as long as we possibly can. Fortunately, the cosmetic effects of aging have become easier to manage. The question is often a matter of timing. When is it time to look beyond the temporary fixes like dermal fillers and consider something permanent, like a midface lift? We explore that question by pointing out a few of the concerns that are addressed in this procedure.

Smile and Marionette Lines

Lines on the face are small nuisances to most people, a sign of aging that can be tolerated, even revered. Some people love the small crease the appears when they smile, and wouldn’t dream of erasing it. When lines can become a problem is when they are visible even when the face is resting. Creases between the nose and mouth, or between the mouth and nose, change the landscape of the lower face in a way that often feels too frustrating to live with. By repositioning the superficial muscle and connective tissue at the cheeks, a midface lift can significantly decrease, if not erase, these lines.

Jowls

The jawline is a pivotal area that reflects the overall youthfulness of the face. Sometime during mid-life, most people begin to see a certain softening at the sides of their jawline. We call this softening jowls, a problem that is characterized by pockets of fat that hang from one location along the lower jaw. Jowls are only partially a skin problem. At their core, they are a fat problem. Fatty tissue from the cheeks gradually migrates downward once collagen strands age. This tissue migration is the ultimate cause of jowls. A midface lift does not completely rearrange the structure of the fat, but it does lift the position of tissue at the cheek, which subsequently lifts the tissue at the jawline. To further reduce the appearance of jowls, we may introduce fat or dermal fillers into the midface.

Your Denver facial and oculoplastic surgeon understand the nuances of facial structure that culminate in natural beauty. Learn more about the facelift procedure at (303) 839-1616.