Facelift

What Is A Facelift?

Facelift surgery, also called a rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic surgery to remove excess skin while sculpting and restoring the soft, underlying tissues of the face and neck to provide a revitalized appearance. This widely sought-after surgery effectively diminishes wrinkles and creases while addressing the various signs of aging that can result from natural aging, sun exposure, gravitational effects, and numerous other factors that accumulate over time. The procedure can effectively address concerns such as sagging necks, issues in the lower face such as jowls, and mid-face or cheek deflation, as well as a drooping brow. A facelift can also smooth facial skin and rejuvenate your appearance so you look like a younger, more refreshed version of yourself.

Drawing from his extensive experience of performing over 2,500 facelift procedures, Dr. Bucky employs a combination of facelift techniques, including the tumescent method and deep plane surgery to efficiently and precisely elevate facial structures. This innovative, antigravity approach results in a more refreshed and energized appearance for patients. Furthermore, Dr. Bucky is a pioneer in the use of autologous fat grafting and dilute regenerative fat injections that allow him to restore the natural contours of the face and neck. His latest breakthrough of harnessing the regenerative potential of processed dilute fat to rejuvenate the neck and facial skin from within, is achieving unprecedented results. This dilute fat technique can be used in isolated neck lifts or in conjunction with facelift surgery, not only enhancing skin quality but also rekindling a youthful radiance. Dr. Bucky ensures swift recoveries while maintaining a personalized and meticulous approach that tailors each patient’s outcome to perfection.

Benefits of a Facelift With Dr. Bucky

Dr. Louis P. Bucky, MD, FACS, stands as a preeminent authority in facelift surgery, having performed nearly 10,000 successful facial surgeries throughout his illustrious career. Dr. Bucky’s unparalleled surgical expertise addressing facial aging lies in his ability to customize the deep-plane facelift surgery to meet the specific aesthetic goals of each patient. Dr. Bucky’s patients can expect to receive discreetly hidden incisions and a personalized approach that emphasizes a natural look over a “pulled” or “overdone” appearance. You can trust in Dr. Bucky’s outstanding surgical skills and experience to achieve the youthful, vibrant look you’ve been seeking. Potential benefits of facelift surgery include:¹

• Restore a youthful appearance
• Correct loss of skin elasticity
• Erase fine lines, wrinkles and furrows
• Improve facial contours
• Eliminate jowls
• Reverse signs of aging
• Regain confidence
• Improve positive expression
• Look less tired
• Smooth neck
• Improve appearance of lower eyelids
• Results that last 8-10 years

Transform your appearance with Dr. Bucky. Schedule a consultation for your personalized facelift experience.

Am I A Good Candidate for Facelift Surgery?

Ideal candidates for facelift surgery are those who wish to diminish noticeable signs of aging in the facial region and improve the appearance of their neck and jawline. Often, Dr. Bucky’s facelift candidates express concern about their “always tired” or “unhappy” appearance. His favorite patients are individuals who describe themselves as “not looking as good as they feel.” Facelift patients may have previously tried non-surgical treatments or injectable fillers, but are now seeking longer-lasting results. At our practice, candidates for facelift surgery typically seek treatment for one or more of the following:

• Sad, tired, or unhappy appearance
• Sagging, loose skin of the face, neck, and jowls
• Accumulation of excess fat in the cheeks, neck, and jowls
• Volume deficit in the cheeks and/or midface

Candidacy for a facelift is not dependent on age, gender, or background; in fact, many facelift patients are seeking Dr. Bucky’s expertise earlier in life to maintain a more youthful appearance and achieve long-lasting results, without drastically altering their look. These patients are particularly well-suited for Dr. Bucky’s surgical approach, which is designed for a swift and seamless recovery, enabling them to quickly return to their busy lifestyles. Moreover, undergoing facelift surgery while the skin is still in optimal condition can result in a more enduring and authentic outcome.²

Discover a more youthful you. Check if you’re a candidate for a facelift with Dr. Bucky. Schedule your consultation today.

What to Expect From Your Facelift Experience

Before Your Facelift

During your consultation, Dr. Bucky will take the time to discuss goals and expectations that can be realistically achieved with facelift surgery, often employing the most advanced imaging technology and providing examples of other similar patient outcomes. As facelift surgery is often performed in conjunction with other facial rejuvenation procedures, Dr. Bucky will also help determine which additional procedures may benefit you the most to achieve the best results.

The Facelift Procedure

Dr. Bucky and his team prioritize patient comfort and safety during every surgical procedure. The facelift is an outpatient procedure typically performed with general anesthesia, by a board-certified anesthesiologist and nurse anesthetist. The length of surgery will depend on several factors, including any additional procedures that are being combined with the facelift.

Dr. Bucky makes strategically placed small incisions to remove redundant tissue and create a smooth appearance. He utilizes the tumescent surgical technique, infiltrating a water-based solution to gently separate tissues from underlying muscles, which significantly reduces discomfort and bruising. He then utilizes a deep-plane approach to elevate the underlying tissues in order to avoid a “pulled” appearance and create the most natural-looking results. Dr. Bucky often uses a patient’s own fat to restore the flattened areas of the face associated with atrophy of aging. Finally, in patients with wrinkled or sun-damaged skin on the face and neck, Dr. Bucky will often place regenerative dilute fat to improve skin quality. Throughout the surgical process, Dr. Bucky will be aided by his board-certified operating team.

Facelift Definitions

Tumescent technique: This method involves the use of a specialized fluid to gently separate tissues, reducing the likelihood of bruising and bleeding during surgery while facilitating the procedure.

Deep plane surgery: A surgical approach that focuses on elevating the deeper structures of the face, aiming to avoid an overly tightened appearance and enabling a more natural repositioning of tissues that have sagged over time.

Facial fat grafting: This technique involves the extraction and careful processing of a small amount of a patient’s own fat, which is then reintroduced to specific areas of the face to restore lost volume associated with the aging process.

Dilute regenerative fat: This unique fat processing method is designed to optimize the regenerative aspects of fat to be placed just beneath the skin to effectively smooth wrinkles and enhance the overall quality of the skin, providing rejuvenation from the inside out.

Recovery After Facelift Surgery

Recovery time after a facelift procedure will vary depending on additional procedures and each patient’s unique medical history. In general, recovery after a facelift is relatively quick, and over the past two decades, Dr. Bucky has developed an innovative aftercare program aimed at ensuring a swift and painless recovery period for his patients. He has established a dedicated recovery center that employs advanced techniques to expedite the healing process. These techniques include a vitamin and supplement regimen, the use of MLD (manual lymphatic drainage) to reduce swelling, and red light stimulation, all of which have proven effective in accelerating recovery. Dr. Bucky’s patients often express surprise at how well they feel the morning after surgery when he visits them at the Ritz. Furthermore, our highly skilled skincare specialist provides top-tier post-operative care and provides additional non-surgical cosmetic procedures to help your skin achieve a revitalized appearance following the procedure. This comprehensive program is designed to cater to both local and out-of-town patients, ensuring their utmost comfort and satisfaction. Dr. Bucky and his clinical team will also schedule follow-up appointments with you to monitor your healing and ensure that your results are optimal.

Facelift Revision or Secondary Facelift Surgery

A facelift is the gold standard for restoring a youthful appearance. However, we do continue the aging process throughout our lives, and patients who were happy with their facelift results may notice signs of aging several years later. Certain lifestyle and environmental factors such as smoking, extreme weight loss or gain, sun exposure, or stress, can speed up aging or impact the longevity of facelift results. Additionally, patients who were originally treated by another surgeon and are not happy with their facelift results may seek Dr. Bucky’s expertise to correct issues such as a distorted or overly done look. Dr. Bucky offers facelift revision surgery for patients seeking a second procedure years after their original surgery and for patients seeking corrective surgery.³

Schedule A Consultation For Facelift Surgery

To effectively and safely achieve the rejuvenating effects of a facelift, it is imperative to consult with a trusted and reputable plastic surgeon. With his expertise and dedication to achieving natural-looking results, Dr. Bucky has become a top choice for those seeking facelift surgery in the Philadelphia area. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation and learn more about the options available to you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Facelift Surgery

How much does a facelift cost?

Facelift surgery should not be a one-size-fits-all procedure. Dr. Bucky takes great care to treat each patient as a unique individual while taking into account their specific needs and goals. Since facelift surgery is so personalized, and is often combined with other procedures, costs may vary and will be discussed during a consultation appointment. We offer payment and financing options with flexible payment plans through PatientFi – the most patient-friendly, financing program available.

Will I have visible scars from Facelift surgery?

Dr. Bucky will take care to place incisions and sutures in areas they can be easily concealed, such as the hairline and inside the ear, concealed within the natural fold of the earlobe. Most patients report that Dr. Bucky’s facelift incisions are hidden and “undetectable.”

What type of sedation will I have for facelift surgery?

Facelift surgery is typically performed with general anesthesia to ensure safety and comfort.

How long will my facelift results last?

A facelift creates permanent changes, but it does not stop the aging process from occurring. Patients typically enjoy the results of their lift surgery for 8-10 years. Most importantly, Dr. Bucky’s facelift patients age more gracefully and naturally and can easily undergo secondary procedures later in life without looking overdone. You can prolong your results with a consistent, high-quality skincare routine, and additional skincare services that our practice develops for you. Bucky Plastic Surgery offers an extensive array of skincare and non-invasive rejuvenating services.

What makes Dr. Bucky a highly qualified facelift surgeon?

Dr. Bucky’s internationally recognized expertise has earned him invitations to teach, operate, and lecture about facelifts to other leading surgeons around the globe. He has also been the Chairman of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Annual Face & Rhinoplasty meeting.

Dr. Bucky has received numerous accolades for his facelift work, including the consecutive selection by Newsweek Magazine as one of “America’s Best Plastic Surgeons,” in each eligible surgical category, ranking #13 in 2023 and #11 in the country for facelift surgery, as of 2022. His facelift technique has also been recognized by Philadelphia Magazine, which has repeatedly named him “Top Doc” since 2001. Dr. Bucky’s surgical expertise has been featured in other prominent publications like Goop, Allure, and Self, and has appeared on FOX, NBC, and ABC, further cementing his status as a leading figure in the field of plastic surgery.

His outstanding surgical skills and exceptional patient care have earned Dr. Bucky a reputation for providing an unparalleled patient experience and superior results. Trust Dr. Bucky to help you achieve your aesthetic goals and the rejuvenated appearance you desire.

Is facelift recovery painful?

The experience of facelift recovery can vary from person to person. However, many individuals do report some discomfort, which general subsides within several days with adherence to Dr. Bucky’s rapid recovery program. Pain medication can also be prescribed if necessary. Facelift recovery often involves a downtime period during which patients may experience swelling, bruising, and tightness in the facial area.

Ready for a refreshed look? Schedule a facelift consultation with Dr. Bucky. Your transformation begins here.