Facelift in Albuquerque, NM

Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Miguel Gallegos offers a full spectrum of facial plastic surgery procedures at his Albuquerque, NM practice. One of the most popular treatments at Hermosa Plastic Surgery is a facelift. To complete this procedure, Dr. Gallegos incorporates his superior technical skills and artistic talents to give you stunning results that you can be proud of. This treatment focuses on precise areas of the face to correct loose skin and wrinkles to create a smooth, more youthful appearance. Based upon your aesthetic goals, a facelift can focus on the areas around the eyes, the mid-face area and cheeks, the bottom section, including the mouth, jowls, neck, and more for an all-around younger look. The type of facelift you receive will depend on your desired outcome, the health and condition of your skin, the degree of your skin's laxity, your lifestyle, age, and other factors. Some individuals want a full facelift while some may only need a mid-face lift. Dr. Gallegos is an experienced surgeon who understands the anatomy and complex intricacies of a facelift procedure so he will be able to recommend the ideal facelift for you and your needs. The objective is to produce a natural result that is smooth, fitting, and appealing. Contact our plastic surgery office for more information about facelift surgery if you think that it could be the solution you've been looking for.

Ideal candidates for facelift surgery are those who find themselves consistently bothered by noticeable facial wrinkles and lines, whether they take over your face as a whole or are only concentrated in a specific section, such as the mid-face and lower face. A facelift can target various sections, depending on the unique signs of aging. It's also important to note that age doesn't always determine the appropriate time to undergo cosmetic facial surgery. There are countless unique concerns and reasons to receive facelift surgery just as there are numerous lift types, depending on what needs are to be addressed. The treatment chosen will often be different for patients who are in their 30s vs. those who are over 60. Skin laxity is one of the key components in the decision-making process. Patients who wish to have facelift surgery should be physically healthy and be a nonsmoker, and they should also have expectations that are realistic. This procedure typically works best for patients who experience facial sagging, have noticeable jowls, creases below their lower eyelids or around the mouth and nose, or loose skin under the chin and jaw. The surgery can also be customized to address the aesthetic issues that bother you most about your face.

Regardless of your aesthetic concerns, there are numerous facelift options for you to consider. Some facelifts treat the upper area of the face while others focus on the lower two-thirds. Moreover, some techniques are more invasive than others, which could be taken into consideration if having a lesser recovery time is important to you. Regardless, every form of facelift recovery will require some amount of downtime. It's very common for some individuals to have a brow lift or BOTOX and fillers to complement their outcomes. Some of the more known facelift techniques include:

• Full Facelift
  A common surgery for older adults, the full or "traditional" facelift usually puts an incision near the hairline, extending down to the temple region, stopping near the base of the ears. The deeper layer of facial muscles is delicately stretched and securely tightened to create a lifted appearance, which diminishes excessive wrinkles and sagging. A full facelift is used for patients who show signs of aggressive aging. During a full facelift, several additional procedures may be performed, including an eyelid lift to address the eyes or a neck reduction for the lower region.
• Mid-Facelift
  Incorporating a similar method to the mini facelift, the cheek lift (known as a mid-facelift) addresses the droopy features around the cheekbones, as well as the upper jaw. The mid-facelift works great for those who desire improvement in the middle to lower region of the face, which also includes the jowls.
• Lower Facelift
  A lower facelift affects the neck region, chin, and sometimes the jowls. Methods of a nonsurgical nature, such as Kybella or laser skin tightening, can also be applied for chin augmentation to attain a younger-looking, smoother neck.
• Mini Facelift
  When undergoing a mini facelift, a tiny incision is placed near the ears to elevate the skin, which helps the mouth and jawline. This technique creates nice and subtle enhancements that look both beautiful and natural.

Following your procedure, we will monitor your health until you can be safely released to be taken home by a friend or family member. Prior to your surgery, Dr. Gallegos will plan out your follow-up visits and give you suggestions to help you heal properly. It is normal to experience bruising, swelling, possible drainage, slight to moderate pain, and soreness, which may be reduced by pain medication. The healing process usually takes several weeks. During this time, patients may take prescription or over-the-counter medication to manage any discomfort they may feel. You should feel and look physically better after about a month following your procedure. Once you are fully recovered, you can expect a smoother and younger-looking facial appearance. Overall, your face will appear rejuvenated and fresh.

How much does a facelift cost?
The cost of your facelift will depend on the technique that is used as well as other factors, such as if your facelift surgery is paired with other treatments to further enhance your results. During your initial consultation, Dr. Gallegos will create your unique treatment plan to match your needs and goals and to suit your skin's current condition. When this treatment plan has been completed, he can then go over estimates of fees. To avoid unnatural-looking results, it is better to concentrate on finding a skilled surgeon, like Dr. Gallegos, instead of just anyone. Both women and men have traveled to Dr. Gallegos's plastic surgery facility because of his experience in performing facelift surgery. Contact our Albuquerque, NM office if you think that you could reap the benefits of this highly sought-out treatment.

Which technique is best for me?
The best facelift surgery technique for you will vary based on your concerns, goals, your level of skin laxity, the areas that you would like addressed, as well as other factors. To produce your best results, Dr. Gallegos will explain the different techniques during your consultation. He will then be able to help you choose which technique is best suited for your needs and goals.

Should I get a surgical or nonsurgical facelift?
Although there are several great noninvasive skin tightening treatments that provide positive results, the results are often not as dramatic as having the surgery performed, and you will likely require multiple sessions and touch-ups to maintain your appearance. For moderate to severe skin sagging, facelift surgery is the most effective option to improve your appearance. During your consultation, Dr. Gallegos will discuss your choices, including nonsurgical procedures, to help you choose which is best for your goals. If desired, Dr. Gallegos can combine your facelift procedure with other treatments, or suggest various facelift alternatives if you are not a candidate for facelift surgery.

What about wrinkle fillers and relaxers over facelift surgery?
Wrinkle fillers and relaxers, such as BOTOX and Juvéderm, have become more popular to improve fine lines and wrinkles. Also known as a liquid facelift, nonsurgical wrinkle treatments usually help with early signs of aging; however, the results won't last more than 1 – 2 years and often have to be redone in order to maintain the results reaped from them. A surgical facelift, however, will produce more significant improvements than injectables with more long-lasting results. Ask Dr. Gallegos about nonsurgical wrinkle treatments that could be performed in adjunct to your facelift surgery during your consultation.

Will my results look natural?
Some patients worry that a facelift will make their skin look shiny, overly tight, or like they are in a wind tunnel. Dr. Gallegos focuses on giving you results that look natural so you appear refreshed. He has an eye for knowing just how to bring out the natural youthfulness and radiance in his patients. Throughout every step of your treatment, Dr. Gallegos will listen to your concerns and goals before creating your custom treatment plan to produce your best results.

A facelift treatment can turn back the hands of time for your face and provide you with a rejuvenated appearance if performed by the hands of a skilled plastic surgeon. There are a wide variety of facelift options for you to consider, depending on your individual concerns and goals, and your facelift can be customized to appropriately suit your individual situation. This procedure is meant to make you look younger and reinvigorated but still natural. To find out more about this ever-popular surgical treatment, we welcome you to contact Hermosa Plastic Surgery in Albuquerque, NM to schedule your consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gallegos.