Facelift in Maryland

As people age, the effects of gravity, exposure to the sun, and the stresses of daily life can be seen in their faces. Deep creases form between the nose and mouth; the jawline grows slack and jowly; folds and fat deposits appear around the neck. Dr. Guy Cappuccino can effectively address these issues with a facelift in Maryland.

If You're Considering a Facelift

A facelift (technically known as rhytidectomy) cannot stop the aging process, but it can set back the clock. It improves the most visible signs of aging by removing excess fat, tightening underlying muscles, and redraping the skin of your face and neck. A facelift can be done alone or in conjunction with other procedures such as a forehead lift, eyelid surgery, or nose reshaping.

If you think a facelift might be the right choice for you, reach out to our office in Mount Airy, MD, and set up your consultation today.

Best Candidates Uncertainties and Risks Before & After Your Consultations Preparing The Surgery After Your Surgery Your Recovery Your Results

Facial Plastic Surgery with Dr. Guy Cappuccino

Dr. Guy Cappuccino speaks about facial plastic surgery and how it can combat the natural aging process. Dr. Cappuccino specializes in various facial plastic surgery procedures including facelift, neck lift, otoplasty, blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, and more. Dr. Cappuccino strives to help patients enjoy what they see when they look in the mirror, helping them look like a younger version of themselves with beautiful results.

The Best Candidates for a Facelift

The best candidate for a facelift is a man or woman whose face and neck have begun to sag, but whose skin still has some elasticity and whose bone structure is strong and well-defined. Most patients are in their forties to sixties, but facelifts can be done successfully on people in their seventies or eighties as well.

Dr. Cappuccino is pleased to offer a wide range of facial rejuvenation options, including a range of non-surgical solutions that can create impressive results. During your consultation, he’ll help you explore all the options that you have available to you and will guide you to the procedure that is right for you and your goals.

All Surgery Carries Some Uncertainty and Risk

When a facelift is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon like Dr. Cappuccino, complications are infrequent and usually minor. Still, individuals vary greatly in their anatomy, their physical reactions, and their healing abilities, and the outcome is never completely predictable.

Complications that can occur include hematoma (a collection of blood under the skin that must be removed by Dr. Cappuccino), injury to the nerves that control facial muscles (usually temporary), infection, and reactions to the anesthesia.

Poor healing of the skin is most likely to affect smokers. Before your procedure, Dr. Cappccunio will give you specific instructions to ensure that your surgery goes well and that your healing process is effortless.

Before & After

Your Preoperative Consultations

Facelifts are very individualized procedures, and your specific treatment plan will be customized to your personal cosmetic goals. During your initial consultation, Dr. Cappuccino will evaluate your face, including the skin and underlying bone, and discuss your goals for the surgery.

Dr. Cappuccino will also check for medical conditions that could cause problems during or after surgery, such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, blood clotting problems, or the tendency to form excessive scars. Be sure to tell your surgeon if you smoke or are taking any drugs or medications, especially aspirin or other drugs that affect clotting. Dr. Cappuccino will then explain the techniques and anesthesia he or she will use, the type of facility where the surgery will be performed, and the risks and costs involved. Don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have, especially those regarding your expectations and concerns about the results.

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Preparing For Your Surgery

You’ll be given specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. Carefully following these instructions will help your surgery go more smoothly. If you smoke, it's especially important to stop at least a week or two before and after surgery; smoking inhibits blood flow to the skin and can interfere with the healing of your incision areas.

If your hair is very short, you might want to let it grow out before surgery, so that it's long enough to hide the scars while they heal. Whether your facelift is being done on an outpatient or inpatient basis, you should arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery, and to help you out for a day or two if needed.

The Surgery

A facelift in Maryland usually takes several hours, or somewhat longer if you're having more than one procedure done. For extensive procedures, some surgeons may schedule two separate sessions. Your surgery may be performed under local anesthesia or general anesthesia. The exact placement of your incisions will depend upon a combination of your facial structure and goals for the procedure. Before your surgery, Dr. Cappuccino will help you understand exactly where they will be placed, so you’ll know what to expect in terms of scarring. Incisions usually begin above the hairline at the temples, extend in a natural line just inside the cartilage at the front of the ear, and continue behind the earlobe behind the ear. If the neck needs to be addressed, a small incision may also be made under the chin.

Dr. Cappuccino will separate the skin from the fat and muscle below, before trimming or suctioning fat from around the neck and chin to improve the contour. He will then tighten the underlying muscle and membrane, pull the skin back, and remove the excess. Stitches will secure the layers of tissue and close the incisions.

Following surgery, Dr. Cappuccino will wrap your head loosely in bandages. This will help to minimize bruising and swelling and encourage that you begin your healing process properly.

After Your Surgery

There isn't usually significant discomfort after surgery. If there is, it can be lessened with the pain medication prescribed by Dr. Cappuccino. (Severe or persistent pain or a sudden swelling of your face should be reported to our office immediately.) Some numbness of the skin is quite normal; it will disappear in a few weeks or months.

Dr. Cappuccino may tell you to keep your head elevated and as still as possible for a couple of days after surgery, to keep the swelling down. If you've had a drainage tube inserted, it will be removed one or two days after surgery. Bandages, when used, are usually removed after one to five days.

Don't be surprised at the pale, bruised, and puffy face you see. Just keep in mind that in a few weeks you'll be looking normal. All of your stitches will dissolve. Dr. Cappuccino will schedule follow-up appointments to ensure that you’re healing nicely.

Getting Back to Normal

You should be up and about in a day or two, but plan on taking it easy for the first week after surgery. Be especially gentle with your face and hair, since your skin will be both tender and numb, and may not respond normally at first.

Dr. Cappuccino will give more specific guidelines for gradually resuming your normal activities. They're likely to include these suggestions: Avoid strenuous activity, including sex and heavy housework, for at least two weeks (walking and mild stretching are fine); avoid alcohol, steam baths, and saunas for several months. Above all, get plenty of rest and allow your body to spend its energy on healing.

At first, your face may look and feel rather strange. Your features may be distorted from the swelling, your facial movements may be slightly stiff and you'll probably be self-conscious about your scars. Some bruising may persist for two or three weeks, and you may tire easily. It's not surprising that some patients are disappointed and depressed at first.

By the third week, you'll look and feel much better. Most patients are back at work within a week after surgery. If you need it, special camouflage makeup can mask most bruising that remains.

Love Your New Youthful Look

When the aging process begins to become visible, many patients worry that the effects will be permanent. Thanks to Dr. Guy Cappuccino, they absolutely don’t have to be. He and his team have been serving the Mount Airy and Frederick areas of Maryland for over a decade now, and are proud to be offering next-generation surgical procedures in a state-of-the-art facility.

Dr. Cappuccino and his team bring a nearly unparalleled level of excellence to the table, and he is excited to learn more about your cosmetic goals and how he can help you reach them. If the facelift sounds like a great choice for you, reach out to us at our Mount Airy location and set up your initial consultation to learn more today.