Is Facial Plastic Surgery Painful?

A surgical facelift is done under general anesthesia so that you will feel no pain during the procedure. However, most patients complain of mild soreness, swelling, and bruising for the first few days. Dr. Heringer typically writes a prescription for pain relief medication.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

Dr. Heringer will want to see you for your first post-operative appointment the day after surgery to remove the drains and any dressing and observe your initial recovery. This will be followed by another visit to remove the sutures approximately ten to fourteen days after the facelift surgery. You will then need to follow up one month after surgery and then three to six months after your surgery to monitor your healing and satisfaction with the results.

How Long Until I See Results?

Even though you can see immediate differences post-surgery, the swelling will take a few weeks to resolve before your new face shows. We recommend patients wait for six months to see their optimal facelift results for absolute final looks.

What Will the Scarring Look Like?

After your facelift, scarring should be minimal and well-hidden in your natural creases (i.e., around the ears, along the hairline, under the chin, etc.). Scars usually appear red and raised initially, but they soften and fade over time, becoming less noticeable around half a year. Factors like skin type, surgical technique, and post-operative care can affect scar appearance. Dr. Heringer will discreetly place the incisions to minimize visible scarring, and following his care instructions, such as using sunscreen and scar creams, can help reduce further scarring.

When Can I Exercise Again After My Facelift?

With any surgical procedure, giving your body time to heal before resuming exercise is always important to avoid interfering with recovery or increasing the risk of complications. Light walking is encouraged during the first week or two to prevent blood clotting, but intense exercise should be avoided. About two to three weeks post-surgery, you can gradually start light aerobic activity (e.g., walking or gentle stretching) with Dr. Heringer’s approval, but you must avoid anything that significantly raises your heart rate or puts strain on your face. After four to six weeks, you can resume higher-impact exercises. With Dr. Heringer’s permission, most patients can return to their usual workout routines at this point. To ensure a safe recovery, it’s important to always listen to your body, stay hydrated, and follow post-surgical instructions.

Can I Combine a Facelift With Other Procedures?

Absolutely! Our patients who get a Facelift in Scottsdale will consider combining their Facelift with other cosmetic surgery procedures, such as a neck lift , eyelid surgery , or a brow lift for overall facial rejuvenation. We recommend that you discuss these intentions at your initial consultation so that Dr. Heringer can provide his expert advice on the best combined procedures for your cosmetic needs.

What Are the Risks Associated With a Facelift?

As with any surgery, a facelift also has potential risks that we would like our patients to be aware of. As a top facelift surgeon in Scottsdale, AZ, Dr. Heringer strives for successful surgeries but also believes that safety comes from knowledge, so we openly discuss the potential risks associated with our procedures. Some of the risks with a facelift can include: Anesthesia risks Bleeding Deep vein thrombosis Cardiopulmonary complications Facial nerve injury with weakness Fluid accumulation Infection Hair loss Hematoma Nerve injury Numbness or other changes in skin sensation Persistent pain Scarring If you find yourself experiencing any long-lasting or unexpected reactions, please be sure to contact our office immediately.

Scottsdale, AZ

Facelift

Introduction

Introduction to Facelift

Your face is often the first feature to show signs of aging, but a facelift can bring back your younger appearance. When lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin make you look much older than you feel, expert oculofacial plastic and cosmetic surgeon Dustin Heringer, MD, of Arizona Ocular & Facial Plastic Surgery, has the skill and experience to customize a facelift surgery just for you. Let Dr. Heringer give you a natural-looking, younger appearance that matches your inner spirit.

With two locations in Arizona, getting a facelift consultation in the greater Phoenix & Scottsdale area has never been easier. Call the Scottsdale or Peoria, Arizona, offices today to schedule a consultation.

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Facelift B&A

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What is a Facelift?

Facelift surgery, or rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to reduce signs of facial aging, such as jowling, a poorly defined jawline, and sagging or loose skin. The procedure involves lifting and tightening the skin and underlying muscles to smooth out wrinkles, sagging skin, and deep folds, primarily around the cheeks and jawline, resulting in a more youthful appearance.

Dr. Dustin Heringer devotes himself to creating the most natural-looking surgical results with the shortest recovery times possible. He consistently helps each patient to look as beautiful or handsome as possible without producing any obvious signs that surgery ever occurred. It is Dr. Heringer’s conviction that an attractive face is not limited to the young. He believes that the face is an immensely important personal characteristic that should be maintained and enjoyed throughout life. To him, this does not necessarily mean erasing every facial line and wrinkle but, more importantly, rejuvenating the deep structure and vibrancy of the face that typically fades with time. With his combined expertise and superspecialization, Dr. Heringer has taken the lead in performing facelift surgery that focuses on the deep tissues of the face to provide a more natural and longer-lasting result.

Types of Facelifts We Perform

Mini-Facelift

A mini-facelift is a less invasive version of a standard facelift that targets the lower face, including the jawline. Dr. Heringer uses smaller incisions during the surgery to lift the deep tissues of the face and sagging skin. This procedure reduces the appearance of jowls, tightens the lower facial area, and conveniently results in a shorter recovery time.

This procedure is ideal for patients experiencing early signs of aging. It provides a more youthful appearance and minimizes disruption to daily life, making it ideal for those seeking subtle but effective results.

Deep Plane Facelift

A deep plane facelift in Scottsdale & Phoneix is a more advanced and comprehensive facial rejuvenation procedure that targets the deeper layers of the face, including the underlying muscles and connective tissues called the SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System). This technique lifts and tightens the entire face, rather than just the skin, to restore a youthful contour with more natural, long-lasting results.

Patients typically choose a deep plane facelift when they have significant signs of aging, such as deep jowls, heavy nasolabial folds, and sagging in the midface, and want a more comprehensive rejuvenation.

Liquid Facelift

A liquid facelift is a non-surgical approach to the facelift that uses injectable fillers, such as hyaluronic acid, and is a popular option for those seeking facial rejuvenation without the need for surgery. A liquid facelift can expertly address issues like hollow cheeks, deep wrinkles, fine lines, and loss of facial volume.

This procedure is ideal for patients looking for a subtle and temporary improvement in their appearance or aren’t quite ready for more invasive procedures like the traditional facelift.

Results are immediate, require little to no downtime, and can last from several months to over a year, depending on the type of injectables used.

What are the
benefits of a facelift

Our patients who have received a Facelift in Scottsdale & Phoenix at Arizona Ocular & Facial Plastic Surgery have seen huge benefits, some of which are outlined below:

A more contoured jawline
Lifted cheekbones
Overall tightening up of facial skin
The overall youthful facial look
Reduction in deep creases
Creates a more youthful and vibrant appearance

Who are the
best candidates

You may be a good candidate for a facelift in Scottsdale & Phoneix if you meet the following criteria:

Overall good health
Nonsmoker
Realistic expectations of outcome
Desire a younger-looking appearance
Sufficient skin elasticity
Understand the recovery process

Dr. Heringer reviews your medical history, health concerns, and questions to help you decide which procedure is best for you.

Your Facelift Journey with Dr. Dustin Heringer

What’s the first step?

The first step in getting a facelift with Dr. Dustin Heringer is to schedule a consultation at our Scottsdale practice. On the day of your consultation, Dr. Heringer will evaluate your medical history, unique aesthetic and functional goals, and expectations. He will then examine your unique facial structure and features, including skin quality, laxity, soft tissues, sagging jowls, and chin and neck contours.

If you are deemed a good candidate for a facelift, Dr. Heringer will discuss the procedure, the various techniques, the pros and cons, where he will hide incisions, and what scars to expect. He might also show you photos of past patients.

Once you and Dr. Heringer are satisfied with the direction of your procedure, he will create your custom procedure plan. Our Patient Coordinator will then help you schedule the procedure, price it for you, and share any pre-operative instructions that you might need.

These instructions include stopping certain medications, avoiding sun exposure, and maintaining a thorough skincare routine before and after the procedure for optimal recovery and results.

What to Expect On the Day of Facelift Surgery

On the day of your Facelift surgery, you will first meet with Dr. Heringer and his friendly staff. They will welcome you, review your surgical plan once more, and answer any final questions. The surgery is performed in a surgery center and typically under general anesthesia, although IV sedation may be used in some cases to make your experience as comfortable and painless as possible.

Depending on the facelift technique used, Dr. Heringer will make an incision along your hairline, starting in front of your ear near your temples, under the earlobe, and taking it behind the ear. He will then gently lift the skin to tighten the underlying muscle and tissue, removing excess skin and fat along the way.

The incisions will be placed in natural skin folds to minimize the appearance of scars after healing. Dr. Heringer uses great pain and nuance to shape your face according to your gender, ethnicity, and physical anatomy. Once the excess skin and fat are removed, he will close the incisions with sutures, focusing on creating minimal scar tissue.

After your surgery, a compression dressing and often one to two surgical drains will be gently applied to protect the incisions and prevent the collection of excess fluid.

The process can take four to six hours, depending on the complexity of the surgery and the number of additional procedures.

Expectation

Your Guide to Post-Facelift Care

Facelift Recovery

Dr. Heringer and his staff will monitor you in the recovery room until the sedation wears off. You will need a family member or friend to help drive you back home. The recovery period for a facelift varies depending on the complexity of the procedure and the number of combined procedures carried out.

You will be sent home with one or two drains placed on your face. Drains are used during the facelift procedure to minimize swelling and bruising. They typically come out within one to two days.

During facelift recovery, you can expect swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the first few days after the procedure. Dr. Heringer can write a prescription for pain-relief medication and provide detailed instructions on caring for the treated area. This includes keeping your head elevated as you sleep to reduce swelling and keep stitches secure.

The time it takes to return to work after a facelift surgery depends on the extent of the procedure and your healing journey. Most patients expect to take at least a week off work to recover from the procedure and around two weeks for any strenuous exercise. Please plan to take additional time off for more complex facelift procedures or patients with physically demanding jobs.

Expect some bruising, swelling, and discoloration near your incisions. However, as long as you follow your post-operative instructions and rest so your body can heal, you should be able to minimize discomfort and prevent infection.

You will need to sleep with your head elevated, which helps reduce swelling and pain and promotes healing so that you can be back to your daily activities in a week or two. As Dr. Heringer prescribes, you will be provided with antibiotics and other pain management medication.

How Much Does a Facelift Cost in Scottsdale, AZ?

The cost of a facelift in Scottsdale & Phoneix will vary based on Dr. Heringer’s facial rejuvenation techniques, the complexity of the case, and the type of anesthesia used, among various other factors. The best way to find out how much it will cost you is to come in for your initial consultation and let Dr. Heringer create your surgical plan so that our Patient Coordinator can price it out for you.

Cost

Why Choose Dr. Heringer?

Dr. Dustin Heringer is a board-certified oculofacial plastic and cosmetic surgeon at Arizona Ocular & Facial Plastic Surgery in Scottsdale, AZ. Known for his precision and tailored approach, he enhances his patients’ natural beauty and confidence.

Dr. Dustin Heringer holds the unique distinction of being board-certified in not just one but in all three of these prestigious societies: the American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery, the American Board of Ophthalmology, and the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.

A summa cum laude graduate from Concordia College, Dr. Heringer completed two fellowships in oculofacial and cosmetic surgery, performing over 1,300 procedures during his training. His expertise includes oculofacial plastic surgery, skin rejuvenation, and injectables.

Why us?

Facelift FAQ’s

Dr. Heringer will want to see you for your first post-operative appointment the day after surgery to remove the drains and any dressing and observe your initial recovery. This will be followed by another visit to remove the sutures approximately ten to fourteen days after the facelift surgery. You will then need to follow up one month after surgery and then three to six months after your surgery to monitor your healing and satisfaction with the results.
After your facelift, scarring should be minimal and well-hidden in your natural creases (i.e., around the ears, along the hairline, under the chin, etc.). Scars usually appear red and raised initially, but they soften and fade over time, becoming less noticeable around half a year.

Factors like skin type, surgical technique, and post-operative care can affect scar appearance. Dr. Heringer will discreetly place the incisions to minimize visible scarring, and following his care instructions, such as using sunscreen and scar creams, can help reduce further scarring.
With any surgical procedure, giving your body time to heal before resuming exercise is always important to avoid interfering with recovery or increasing the risk of complications.

Light walking is encouraged during the first week or two to prevent blood clotting, but intense exercise should be avoided. About two to three weeks post-surgery, you can gradually start light aerobic activity (e.g., walking or gentle stretching) with Dr. Heringer’s approval, but you must avoid anything that significantly raises your heart rate or puts strain on your face.

After four to six weeks, you can resume higher-impact exercises. With Dr. Heringer’s permission, most patients can return to their usual workout routines at this point.

To ensure a safe recovery, it’s important to always listen to your body, stay hydrated, and follow post-surgical instructions.
Absolutely! Our patients who get a Facelift in Scottsdale will consider combining their Facelift with other cosmetic surgery procedures, such as a neck lift, eyelid surgery, or a brow lift for overall facial rejuvenation. We recommend that you discuss these intentions at your initial consultation so that Dr. Heringer can provide his expert advice on the best combined procedures for your cosmetic needs.
As with any surgery, a facelift also has potential risks that we would like our patients to be aware of. As a top facelift surgeon in Scottsdale, AZ, Dr. Heringer strives for successful surgeries but also believes that safety comes from knowledge, so we openly discuss the potential risks associated with our procedures. Some of the risks with a facelift can include:
- Anesthesia risks
- Bleeding
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Cardiopulmonary complications
- Facial nerve injury with weakness
- Fluid accumulation
- Infection
- Hair loss
- Hematoma
- Nerve injury
- Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
- Persistent pain
- Scarring
If you find yourself experiencing any long-lasting or unexpected reactions, please be sure to contact our office immediately.

Send a message to AO&FPS

Schedule a Consultation

If you need a vitality boost for your facial appearance, a Facelift procedure from Dr. Dustin Heringer at Arizona Ocular & Facial Plastic Surgery could be an excellent solution. Please contact our office to schedule your initial consultation. We look forward to taking the first step with you in achieving your desired facial aesthetic.