Over time, gravity and sun exposure take their toll on the face and neck. Deep creases that run from each side of the nose to the corners of the mouth appear, the jawline slackens, and the neck develops loose folds and fat deposits.
A facelift (rhytidectomy) counteracts these signs of aging by tightening muscle, removing fat, and trimming excess skin. In the right hands, facelift surgery can have transformative effects. Our triple board-certified surgeon, Dr. James Lowe, uses advanced methods and endoscopic tools to perform facial plastic surgery at our private on-site surgical center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
What a Facelift Can Improve
A facelift focuses on the lower two-thirds of the face and the neck, helping correct issues such as:
- Mid-face sagging and loss of volume
- Deep creases beneath the eyes
- Prominent nasolabial folds (lines from nose to mouth)
- Jowls or softening along the jawline
- Loose skin or fat under the chin
While a facelift can significantly improve these areas, it does not correct aging around the eyes or forehead. Many patients choose to combine their facelift with procedures like blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), a brow lift, or nonsurgical treatments such as fillers or laser resurfacing for a more comprehensive rejuvenation.
Who Are Good Candidates for a Facelift?
You may be a strong candidate for facelift surgery if you:
- Notice sagging skin or jowls, but still have some skin elasticity
- Are in good overall health and do not smoke
- Want to restore a firmer, smoother facial contour
- Have realistic expectations for natural-looking results
How Dr. Lowe Performs Facelift Surgery
Most facelifts are performed as outpatient procedures under IV sedation or general anesthesia. The surgery typically takes about two to three hours, depending on your needs. Dr. Lowe places incisions discreetly around the hairline and ears, following the natural curves of your face to minimize visible scarring.
Dr. Lowe uses several surgical techniques, including:
- Traditional facelift: Ideal for more advanced sagging and deeper folds, this approach allows for comprehensive lifting and repositioning of facial tissues.
- Limited-incision (mini) facelift: Best for early signs of aging, this option involves smaller incisions and a shorter recovery.
- Endoscopic facelift: Using a tiny camera and specialized instruments, Dr. Lowe can perform precise lifting through minimal incisions. This advanced method reduces scarring and recovery time while providing more defined results for the mid-face and brow.
Recovery and Healing After a Facelift
After surgery, you’ll return home with light dressings and possibly small drainage tubes, which are removed the next day. Mild swelling, tightness, and bruising are normal in the first few weeks. Most patients feel comfortable resuming light activities after one to two weeks, with visible swelling fading gradually over the next month.
Dr. Lowe and his team guide you through every step of recovery, providing clear instructions to help your incisions heal beautifully. As the swelling resolves, your appearance becomes more refined, revealing youthful definition.
Why Choose Lowe Plastic Surgery?
- More than two decades of facial surgery Dr. Lowe has extensive experience with facelift, neck lift, eyelid surgery, and other procedures that must work together to create balanced facial rejuvenation.
- Natural-looking rejuvenation, not a different Treatment planning focuses on restoring definition through the cheeks, jawline, and neck while preserving the patient's recognizable facial characteristics.
- Multiple approaches based on the degree of Rather than treating every patient with the same operation, Dr. Lowe evaluates whether a traditional, limited-incision, or other facial rejuvenation approach is most appropriate.
- Private surgical setting in Oklahoma City. Facelift patients can undergo surgery within Lowe Plastic Surgery's accredited surgical environment with continuity from consultation through postoperative care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Injectables can improve wrinkles and replace some lost volume, but they cannot remove significant loose skin or reposition sagging facial tissues. Patients with jowls, substantial laxity, or loss of jawline definition may benefit more from surgical lifting.
A facelift can improve portions of the lower face and upper neck, but patients with substantial neck laxity, bands, or excess tissue may benefit from a dedicated neck lift performed with or instead of a facelift.
That should be the goal. Modern facelift planning is intended to reposition and support aging tissues rather than simply pulling the skin tightly.
Yes. Because a facelift primarily addresses the lower face, procedures such as blepharoplasty or brow lift may be considered when aging around the eyes or forehead also needs correction.
Schedule Your Consultation in Oklahoma City
Ready to feel more like yourself again? Meet with Dr. James Lowe at his Oklahoma City office to discuss how facelift surgery can restore your facial contours with precision and care. Patients from Edmond County, North Oklahoma City, and Canadian County trust Dr. Lowe for refined results. Call 405-942-4300 to schedule your confidential consultation.