FACELIFT​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ 

Despite various “advances” in surgical facial rejuvenation, such as thread lifts and mini-lifts, there is no substitute for a traditional surgical facelift, which, based upon bona fide long-term follow-up studies, will provide an excellent, lasting result for 10 years or more.  The traditional surgical facelift involves a pre-auricular (in front of the ear) incision which can easily be extended post-auricularly (behind the ear).  The pre-auricular incision allows for careful dissection of the facial muscular sling (Sub Muscular Aponeurotic System or “SMAS”), which is then redraped and tightened with permanent sutures to yield a younger appearing face.  The post-auricular incisions allow for dissection of subcutaneous neck tissues to the level of the midline.  The neck skin and underlying tissue can then be carefully redraped and tightened with permanent sutures to yield a youthful contour, tone and feel.  The scars generally heal very well and are nearly imperceptible.  A traditional facelift and/or neck lift is performed under general anesthesia in the safety and comfort of a hospital operating room.  You will be discharged from the hospital on the same day with oral pain medication and will follow-up with Dr. Ford in 48 hours at his office.  Similar to blepharoplasty, icing of the surgical area for 48 hours postoperatively is key to minimizing post-procedure swelling and bruising.





BLEPHAROPLASTY

Blepharoplasty, or eyelid lift, can have a dramatic effect in producing a brighter and fresher appearance, while at the same time looking natural.  Natural aging, gravity, photodamage and smoking are the contributors to facial aging that produce baggy and puffy eyelids.  At your blepharoplasty consultation, Dr. Ford will ask to view photographs of you in your younger years in order to gauge the current extent of eyelid skin redundancy.  Many patients have a component of upper eyelid skin redundancy even in their younger years; it is important to determine this so as to avoid creating an unnatural appearance of “overly done” eyes.  The goal of blepharoplasty is to create a subtle, natural and refreshed look, which will allow you to look years younger.  Blepharoplasty can be performed with mild sedation and local anesthesia while you remain awake.  Alternatively, the procedure may be performed under general anesthesia in the safety and comfort of a hospital operating room.  You will be discharged from the hospital on the same day with oral pain medication and will follow-up with Dr. Ford in 48 hours at his office.  Icing of the surgical area for 48 hours postoperatively is key to minimizing post procedure swelling and bruising.





BROW LIFT

Natural aging often results in brow ptosis or brow sag.  In the ideal aesthetic female brow position, the peak of the brow should be approximately two-thirds of the distance between the medial and the tail end of the brow; and the tail should always end higher than the medial brow.  A surgical brow lift involves creation of incisions within the hair-bearing region of the scalp and, after careful dissection, re-draping of the forehead tissues and securing them in their new position with permanent sutures.  Excellent results may be achieved by careful patient selection and by taking great care to avoid the creation of an overly done, surprised look.  An excellent non-surgical alternative to traditional surgical brow lift is known as the “chemical brow lift,” which may be achieved by careful placement of Botox at the lateral tail of the brows.