Facelift & Neck Lift in New Jersey

Neck Lift

Facelift and Mini-Facelift (Rhytidectomy) in Princeton, New Jersey by Dr Jill Hazen

As the years go by and people age; time, gravity, stress, and sun exposure alter skin and features which can be seen in their faces. Each person is unique in appearance and anatomy and changes occur at different rates in different people and are unavoidable. Lines and wrinkles develop, and the skin and deeper tissues lose their youthful tone, loosen, and sag. Fatty deposits in the cheeks shift downward. Jaw lines soften and become jowls. Double chins and folds appear under the chin and in front of the neck. Achieving the most appropriate result for each face requires the ability to evaluate facial anatomy, and then to apply scientific principles, skill, and artistry. Dr. Jill Hazen customizes the facelift procedure to each of her patients’ desires and goals and she is known for her expertise and skill. She has performed this procedure for women and men wanting a rejuvenated, more youthful appearance giving them a younger and fresher look while preserving their natural characteristics.

Early facelift operations tightened only the skin, placing all the tension on the incision and suture line. This stress frequently widened the scars, making them and the facelift operation very obvious. Since the skin has an amazing capacity for expansion, results were not only less than optimal; they were also short lived and many times had the appearance of an overdone mask. With a better understanding of anatomy, the tension in a facelift operation has been transferred to the deeper anatomic layers, so no excessive tension is applied to the skin.

Facelift Consultation

During a facelift consultation, Dr. Jill Hazen will personally listen to your desires and expectations. She will then evaluate your anatomy and physical appearance to create a custom treatment plan for each individual person. As performed at our renowned Princeton practice, the goal of the facelift is to improve the overall facial appearance, in a natural manner. Once Dr. Hazen evaluates you, she will make recommendations and discuss with you whether you are a candidate for a full or mini facelift.

The Procedure

Dr Hazen performs the facelift procedures at her surgical center in Princeton New Jersey. Whether a mini or full facelift , the procedure is precise, natural, and longer lasting than prior types that only tightened the skin. The operation is performed by making incisions behind the ear, and in the natural crease area just in front of the ear. By making the incisions in these locations, healing occurs with virtually undetectable scars. The supporting deeper tissue, the SMAS (superficial muscular aponeurotic system), is tightened, lifting the underlying muscle layers of the cheek and the neck. The fullness of the upper cheek area is corrected by elevating it into a more youthful position. The skin is then redraped without tension, and any excess tailored. Fat is aspirated from the chin and jawline to make these areas more defined. The muscles of the neck are tightened, getting rid of the bands or cords associated with aging.

Anesthesia

The operation is performed under local anesthesia with sedation allowing you to sleep while breathing on your own, but usually not requiring deeper general anesthesia. Procedures that may last from 2 ½ to 6 hours are performed more comfortably and safer with sedation rather than general anesthesia.

Newer and more effective medications will be prescribed pre-operatively, and administered during surgery and after surgery to make the patient more comfortable, reduce postoperative side effects, and speed recovery.

Postoperative

A bandage is applied for the first 24 hours which will be removed the following day. A new bandage is applied for an additional 24 hours to minimize swelling. There is usually very little pain however; you will be given a prescription for pain medication. Most patients do not need pain medication for more than a day. Bruises are usually gone by the end of the first to second week. Although most of the swelling disappears within the first two weeks, final results are seen at about 3 months after the surgery. Most people are able to return to their job by the second week with the help of camouflage makeup.

Facelift Results

A facelift is not meant to completely alter your appearance and make you look like someone else. It is a way to turn back the hands of time and restore a more youthful, vibrant appearance making you look as young as you feel.

The facelift does not improve the complexion or smooth all wrinkles, however, Dr. Hazen offers procedures, such as injectable fillers, skin resurfacing, and laser peels to improve skin texture. In conjunction with the facelift, the cheeks, chin, and lips can be selectively enhanced and augmented with other tissue, such as fat. Additional procedures such as browlift and eyelift can be performed at the same time as a facelift to enhance the results.

Women and men who show early signs of aging want to restore the firm tight skin they had and want to attain a significant improvement and rejuvenation. The goal is to restore balance and harmony producing a natural improvement (refreshed look) with a brief recovery time. Dr. Hazen customizes the mini and full facelift or mid-facelift procedure for women and men that notice drooping of the cheeks and mid-face.

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Necklift Princeton, New Jersey by Dr Jill Hazen

If the eyes are the first place we begin to show our age, then the neck is arguably the second. Some women and men inherit the appearance of a double chin and/or poorly defined neckline. For others, the muscle and skin of the neck begin to sag and lose definition in the jawline. Fat deposits sometimes form creating fullness or a double chin. The neck muscles can weaken and separate, creating vertical "cords." Some individuals feel self conscious about these characteristics; fortunately, the neck lift procedure can improve all of these cosmetic issues by eliminating them and creating youthful and natural definitions as well as improving and sharpening the contour of the jawline. Neck lift surgery is the perfect procedure for sculpting areas of the chin or neck that will not improve with diet and exercise or that have sagged with age. Necklift surgery is most commonly performed at the time of a full facelift or mini-facelift, but may be performed alone in certain patients.

The Procedure

Necklift surgery is performed in an outpatient surgical suite under local anesthesia with light sedation. A small incision is made under the chin and inconspicuously placed incisions behind the earlobes. Liposuction is used to remove the excess fatty tissue. The bands or cords are tightened with sutures. A small amount of skin is then removed from behind the earlobes. Necklift surgery takes approximately 1 ½ to 2 hours to perform.

Postoperative

A chin strap or light dressing will be placed after surgery to help reduce swelling. Normally, there is minimal discomfort; most patients are back to work within 5 - 7 days.

From your very first consultation, Dr. Jill Hazen will work with you to help you achieve the look that you desire. Every person is an individual, with different facial structure, skin texture and skin elasticity. We all have different goals and desires with regards to facial rejuvenation. During your consultation at our Princeton office, Dr. Hazen will speak with you about your expectations and goals for necklift surgery. She will create a customized treatment plan allowing you to have the highest likelihood of achieving your own most beautiful idea of what your neck should look like. Let her show you how to obtain the look you want to achieve.

This procedure can also be performed in conjunction with other surgeries such as a browlift or eyelid lift (blepharoplasty) to correct "tired" looking eyes. Skin resurfacing procedures such as the MicroLaserPeel™ and ProFractional™ lasers may be suggested to improve the overall look and feel of the skin. Results may also be enhanced through the use of Botox® and Juvederm® injections, or non-surgical skin tightening using laser technology.

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