Facelift

The best way to prevent harsh signs of aging around the face and the breakdown of elastin and collagen is prevention. A medical grade sunblock can block the sun’s harmful UV rays, which causes the breakdown of collagen, uneven skin texture, and age spots. A full medical grade skin regimen can lightly resurface skin, remove fine lines, even skin color, and reverse existing skin damage.

Other nonsurgical options to help with facial anti-aging include laser skin resurfacing, chemical peels, and injectable fillers such as Juvéderm® and BOTOX®.

Dr. Athré will make an incision in the hair around the temples and ear. A small (less than one inch) incision is made right under the chin to sculpt and tighten the next tissues. After Dr. Athré lifts the skin, the underlying muscle layer is tightened, and the excess skin is trimmed. Meticulous technique, attention to detail, and microscopic sutures all contribute to a natural, nonoperated look.

The goal of a facelift procedure is to restore a very natural appearance, and to have the patient look like themselves, refreshed. No two patients are identical, so no two facelifts Dr. Athré performs are the same. Tailoring the surgery for each patient is the only way to prevent a “pulled” or unnatural windblown appearance.

Before performing a facelift at his Houston surgery center, Dr. Athré’s anesthesiologist places the patient under sedation or general anesthesia. A facelift can be combined with other procedures such as eyelid surgery, fat transfer, or even brow surgery.

The surgery itself takes approximately 3 ½ hours, and swelling will decrease after a few days. One week post-operation, patients should return to the clinic for an assessment. Patients are generally back to work in one or two weeks, and complete healing can take up to one year.