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Total Lift® Facelift

Facelift Experience in the Augusta, GA area

Our patient, Brenda, has facelift surgery by Dr. Achih H. Chen at the Georgia Center for Facial Plastic Surgery, located in the Augusta, GA metro area. She shares her facelift experience in this video:

*Individual results and recovery may vary.

**This is a patient of Dr. Achih H. Chen who has given consent to use these photos.

The Total Lift® Facelift

As we age, so many of us have stood in front of the mirror and used our hands to lift the skin on our faces and necks upward and backward. This seems to help those pesky jowls and that loose neck skin or turkey wattle. It even seems to help us look younger. Why? The telltale signs of aging often show themselves in areas that make the first impression: the jawline and neck. With age, the smooth jawline of youth begins to sag, forming jowls. The skin on the neck begins to hang downward, forming a wattle. The most effective treatment for addressing these signs of facial aging is a lifting and tightening procedure known generically as facelift surgery.

In the Augusta, GA area, Dr. Achih H. Chen, our Beverly Hills-trained facelift surgeon, can help you significantly reverse signs of the aging neck and jawline using the latest innovation of the deep plane facelift called the Total Lift®. This is a technique performed by a limited number of highly trained facelift surgeons for a refreshed, natural-appearing facelift. Patients travel from to Columbia or Charleston, S.C., or the Atlanta metro area, to have Dr. Chen perform facelifts using this technique.

In addition to the Total Lift®, Dr. Chen also performs a spectrum of different types of facelifts tailored to address each individual’s goals. The Total Lift® is often combined with the Total VolumeLift and the Total LaserSmooth for the Total Face Rejuvenation. Contact Dr. Achih Chen at our Augusta, GA area office to schedule a consultation to discuss your facelift goals today!

Facelift

The medical term for a facelift is rhytidectomy, which when translated from Greek literally means removal of wrinkles. Every year tens of thousands of individuals in the United States undergo facelift surgery to achieve a more youthful appearance.  As more and more people are working hard to stay healthy and energetic, they want their outward appearance to reflect their youthful energy.  Overexposure to the sun, gravity, and aging can all result in sagging of the skin and underlying tissues of the face. While a facelift does improve wrinkles, it is really better thought of as an operation to remove sags and bulges. The facelift is the most effective way to eliminate the dreaded jowls and loose neck skin to recreate the neck and jawline of youth. As an innovator of facelift surgery, Dr. Achih H. Chen has developed the Total Lift®, a facelift procedure that lifts and tightens the underlying muscle layer instead of only pulling the skin. This innovative procedure helps ensure a rejuvenated, natural-appearing result, not a tight, windswept look. Contact Augusta, GA area facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Achih Chen to schedule a consultation to discuss facelift surgery.

There Are Different Types of Facelifts

Why do some facelifts look so natural and other facelifts look so pulled or tight? Not all facelifts are the same. There are a number of different types of facelifts that are performed. The type of facelift performed may depend on surgeon training or on the individual’s anatomy or goals. The difference between each type of facelift lies in the plane of surgical dissection or the layer of the face being lifted.  Some types of facelifts simply tighten the skin, others tighten the deeper tissues using sutures, while still other types of facelifts involve elevating the sagging deeper layers and repositioning them.

Dr. Achih Chen uses the Total Lift®, the latest advancement in the state-of-the-art facelift technique known as the Deep Plane Facelift, to elevate and tighten the sagging deep tissue of the face known as the SMAS or superficial musculoaponeurotic system. The Total Lift® requires extensive surgeon experience and complete knowledge of facial anatomy as this is the most complex type of facelift surgery. In the hands of an experienced facelift surgeon such as Dr. Chen, the Total Lift® is a very routine procedure, but it requires careful surgical elevation of the sagging deep facial tissue or SMAS to preserve the delicate facial nerves. While the latest advancement of the deep plane facelift technique, the Total Lift®, requires extensive surgeon experience, it is a facelift procedure that creates a very natural-appearing, longer-lasting facelift to help you look refreshed and great! Located in the Augusta, GA area, Dr. Achih H. Chen, our Beverly Hills-trained facelift surgeon can help you dramatically reverse signs of the aging neck and jawline using the leading-edge facelift technique, the Total Lift®, a technique performed by a limited number of highly trained facelift surgeons for a refreshed, natural-appearing facelift. Unlike traditional facelifts which primarily tighten the skin, the Total Lift® repositions, lifts, and tightens the underlying sagging connective tissue of the face and sculpts the neck, producing a fresh, natural, longer-lasting result than a traditional facelift.  You will never look “pulled” or “tight.”  Friends and family will only notice that you look great!*

*Individual results and recovery may vary.

Why the Deep Plane Facelift Technique, the Total Lift®?

As each individual ages, sagging of the lower face and “jowling” inevitably occurs. In Dr. Achih Chen’s experience, this is not primarily a problem of excess skin, but a deeper problem. Underneath the facial skin lies a layer of fat and muscle called the SMAS (superficial muscular aponeurotic system.) It is the laxity in the SMAS that is responsible for the jowling and sagging of the face. Facelifts involving simply tightening the skin can create an operated appearance that is “tight-looking” or “wind-blown.” Relying only on sutures to tighten the deeper tissues to lift the sagging jowls and neck can produce only temporary results, as sutures can pull through over time. Dr. Chen uses the state-of-the-art facelift technique known as the Total Lift®, the latest advancement of the deep plane facelift. In this technique, Dr. Chen elevates and repositions the sagging SMAS to create a facelift that smooths the jowls and sculpts the neck, yet is natural-appearing and longer-lasting.*

As there are many important and vital structures in the face, the latest in deep plane facelift technique, the Total Lift® requires specialized training and extensive knowledge of facial anatomy. Dr. Chen performs the Total Lift® to reposition the deep facial layers of fat and muscle in a manner that smooths the jowl and sculpts and tightens the neck while providing a natural, “un-operated” postoperative appearance.  Incisions are placed discreetly along the hairline and behind the ears, so patients should not be concerned about any visible scarring from the procedure. The Total Lift®, the latest innovation in the deep plane facelift technique, can be performed on an outpatient basis at the Georgia Center for Facial Plastic Surgery in our AAAHC-certified surgical center in Augusta, GA, ensuring patients the highest standard in safety they want and need in a surgical facility.

The Total Lift® is not the right procedure for every patient. Some patients may require a different angle of lifting or a different procedure to achieve their goals. Many patients will focus on a single area of concern, such as sagging skin under the chin, but find that combining a facelift with another procedure will ultimately serve them better in achieving their goal. Many patients will choose to add a neck lift to their procedure to address sagging skin or excess skin in the neck.  For others, addressing the midface or cheek area recreates the fullness of youth to achieve their ultimate goal. A brow lift or eyelid surgery helps some patients achieve the refreshed look of youth by showing off their eyes. Dr. Chen carefully evaluates each patient’s individual anatomy and discusses his or her goals in order to achieve the ultimate rejuvenation they desire. Because Dr. Chen is highly skilled and experienced in so many procedures specific to the face, he is able to customize your surgery to achieve the best result for your specific goals.

Natural Appearing Facelift Results

One of the most common concerns patients have when considering a facelift is looking “done” or very operated on. Often the most obvious sign of a facelift is a pulled look on the cheeks known as a lateral sweep deformity. This is usually the result of pulling the skin too tight or tightening the wrong areas of the face. A facelift performed correctly should leave no evidence of surgery other than a refreshed, youthful appearance. Dr. Chen’s goal is to always produce a natural, un-operated look. Because of his extensive experience and knowledge of the anatomy of the face, he is able to produce a more natural appearing, longer-lasting result than a traditional facelift. Just as you will notice the attention to privacy from the moment you enter our office, your decision to have facial rejuvenation surgery will be your secret to tell — family and friends will only wonder what you’ve done to look so rested and fresh!*

A dreaded tell-tale sign of a facelift is often the scars left by the incisions. Dr. Chen carefully hides the facelift incisions at the front border of the ear canal and behind the ear in the hairline. After complete healing, these incisions will be virtually undetectable.* Often your hairdresser will not even notice.  At the Georgia Center, we strive to make your facial rejuvenation as private and personal as you choose for it to be. Our goal is to give you a refreshed, youthful appearance without the suggestion of surgery.

Please browse our facelift before-and-after photo gallery to see the natural, refreshed appearance that can be achieved with our award-winning facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Achih H. Chen.  Unlike many surgeons who display only stock photographs of facelift results, all of our gallery photos are taken of actual patients who underwent surgery by Dr. Chen. These are only a few of the photos released with patient consent; each highlights a particular aspect of the surgeries performed by Dr. Chen. If you have specific areas of interest or concern, please contact The Georgia Center, located in the Augusta, GA area for more information about facelift surgery.

*Individual results and recovery may vary.

*Individual results and recovery may vary.

**This is a patient of Dr. Achih H. Chen who has given consent to use these photos.

Total Lift® — The Facelift Procedure

Anesthesia

Dr. Achih H. Chen performs the majority of facelift surgery procedures under IV (intravenous) sedation enhanced with local anesthetic. During IV sedation, you are completely unaware of your environment and, as a result, you will have no memory of your surgery. Once the IV sedation is started by our highly experienced anesthesia team, Dr. Chen places local anesthetic blocks into the surgical area to limit the amount of medications needed to maintain your comfortable sedation. In using IV sedation enhanced with local anesthetic, the post-operative nausea and slow wake up that may accompany general anesthesia is usually avoided. After more than a decade of experience using IV sedation enhanced with local anesthetic at the Georgia Center for Facial Plastic Surgery, post-operative nausea is a very uncommon event and occurs in less than 1 % of our surgical patients at the Georgia Center and patients feel alert and well much quicker. Facelift surgery is performed under deep IV (intravenous) sedation in which the individual is completely unaware of their environment. The post-operative nausea and sore throat that may accompany general anesthesia is usually avoided with surgery performed under deep sedation. Following the facelift, a cotton dressing is placed around the neck and face, leaving the central portion of the face uncovered so that the individual may watch television, eat or talk to their family or friends. The dressing is removed the following morning and replaced with a smaller, lighter dressing. This second dressing is removed on the third morning, after which the hair may be washed. Pain is minimal for most patients.* Light activities may be resumed a few days following surgery. If discretion is desired, individuals should plan to take at least 10 days off before returning to public life.* It is safest to delay public engagements such as weddings or speaking appearances until four weeks following surgery.*

*Individual results and recovery may vary.

Recovery

Following your facelift, a cotton dressing is placed around your neck and face, leaving the central portion of your face uncovered so that you may watch television, eat or talk to your family or friends (Brenda, a patient of Dr. Chen’s, shares her facelift experience in the video). Your dressing is removed the following morning and replaced with a smaller, lighter dressing. This second dressing is removed on the third morning, after which you may shower and wash your hair. Light activities may be resumed within a few days following your surgery. Dr. Chen advises his facelift patients to allow a 2-week recovery period before returning to work or public life, although most of his patients are able to resume these activities within seven to ten days.* He feels two week is prudent amount of time to allow following your facelift surgery so that you may have a restful recovery without feeling pressured to return to work before you are ready.* It is safest to delay major public engagements such as weddings or speaking appearances until 4 weeks following surgery.* Makeup may be used within 1 week of your surgery.* You may resume light cardio exercise within 2 weeks of your surgery and you may resume lifting weights within 3 weeks of your surgery.*

*Individual results and recovery may vary.

Facelift Post-Operative Follow-Up

Following your facelift, Dr. Chen will typically see you the morning following your procedure to change your dressing and to examine the surgical site. He will then see you again on the third day following your surgery to remove your dressing. As cosmetic facial plastic surgery patients often desire absolute privacy, and facelift patients have a visible dressing until the third post-operative day, Dr. Chen and his staff sees local facelift patients in their homes and out-of-town patients staying locally at their hotels for their first 2 follow-up visits. Out-of-town patients choosing to go home immediately following their facelift surgery are also able to maintain their privacy with a separate, private entrance at the Augusta, GA based, Georgia Center for Facial Plastic Surgery, where they may park their vehicles and enter the office without being seen by passers-by or other patients. Although Dr. Chen most commonly uses all dissolvable sutures, he will most commonly see you again at one week following your facelift surgery. Longer term follow up visits with Dr. Chen are usually scheduled at 4 weeks, 3 months and 6 months following your surgery.

The follow-up appointment schedule serves only as a general guide; however, Dr. Chen will tailor your post-operative facelift follow-up visits to meet your travel and schedule needs.

The Total Lift®, An Innovative Advance in the Deep Plane Facelift Technique

Over a decade of extensive facelift experience has led to the development of the Total Lift®, an innovative advance in facelift technique which goes beyond the deep plane facelift to offer you the best possible result in facial rejuvenation. The Total Lift® combines the best of the deep plane facelift techniques with advance sculpting techniques of the neck for a natural, un-operated, refreshed look that often gives patients more youthful-appearing neck profiles than when they were younger!*

We are excited to offer the Total Lift® at the Georgia Center for Facial Plastic Surgery, located in the Augusta, GA area; when combined with the Total Laser Smooth and Total Volume Lift to create the Total Face rejuvenation, you will see a remarkable result in facial rejuvenation. Dr. Chen and the Georgia Center are excited to be amongst a few exclusive centers in the country offering this innovative advance in facelift surgery and facial rejuvenation techniques. Contact the Georgia Center today to learn more about this exciting option!

Our Award-winning Facelift Surgeon

Dr. Achih Chen has been recognized as a Castle Connelly® Top Doctor, an award distinguishing a very select group of physicians in the United States; fewer than 4% of all physicians in America receive this prestigious award. He has also been recognized as amongst the Best Doctors in America®, an award distinguishing the top 5% of physicians and a Distinguished Doctor by the Expert Network®, awarded to the top 3% of physicians in America. In addition, he is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a Fellow of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgeons. He is Clinical Associate Professor of Facial Plastic Surgery at Augusta University and is an innovator of new techniques and the refinement of time tested techniques in the field of Facial Plastic Surgery, including being amongst the key innovators developing the Total Face rejuvenation and associated techniques. He has published dozens of research articles in the area of facial plastic surgery in peer-reviewed journals and has been a invited speaker at numerous national cosmetic surgery and facial plastic surgery meetings . When you come to the Georgia Center in the Augusta, GA area, you can feel confident that you will be in the care of one of the country’s top facial plastic surgeons.

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