Considering a facelift? Baltimore and Annapolis facelift patients will be delighted to learn that Dr. Summers is one of the few board certified plastic surgeons who specializes in facial rejuvenation. Although sun damage, stress, gravity, and other factors can cause the skin to sag — Dr. Summers, medical director of the Maryland Plastic Surgery Center, can restore a natural, youthful appearance with a face lift. Patients seeking a facelift in Maryland appreciate Dr. Summers’ sophisticated techniques which impart a fresh, natural and youthful appearance without the visible signs of aging. And, for many patients face lift surgery can be completed in just one hour.
Throughout one’s life, sun damage, stress, gravity, and other factors cause the skin to sag and fit more loosely. Areas of the face and neck, in particular around the jaw line, are especially prone to the aging process. Though these changes are gradual, wrinkles and other signs of aging can make individuals “look older” than they really are.
To reverse the visible signs of aging, individuals often choose to undergo a facelift (rhytidectomy) procedure at the Maryland Plastic Surgery Center to smooth & firm the skin, and obtain a fresh, youthful appearance.
There are three categories of facelift procedures that Dr. Summers performs at the Maryland Plastic Surgery Center:
Each of these facelift procedures involve the realignment of facial and neck skin, and in some instances the removal of excess fat deposits. A facelift is often performed in combination with other cosmetic procedures (eyelid lift, browlift, etc.) and can be performed any time signs of aging begin to appear. However, patients are generally in their forties or older when they elect to undergo this procedure.
With a facelift:
Procedure Limitations:
As one of the originators of the Suture Suspension Lift procedure, Dr. Summers has extensive experience with Threadlift facelift procedures. He has developed a multiplanar technique which differs from that of other surgeons and provides a stable long-term result. With Dr. Summers’ one-hour facelift (the MOST FaceliftTM), a small incision is made above the ear in the hairline – the resulting incision heals without a visible scar. Through this one-inch incision, Dr. Summers inserts permanent sutures that elevate the cheek, jowl and neck. For more information about the Threadlift facelift, visit Dr. Summers’ 1-Hour-Facelift website. This procedure is almost always done under a local anesthesia, but sedation is available if desired. The Threadlift facelift is typically completed in under one hour.
Dr. Summers was one of the first surgeons in the region to perform mini-facelift procedures. The mini-facelift procedure had been described years previously as a skin-only procedure, but was abandoned by many surgeons due to a lack of long-term results. Dr. Summers modified the mini-facelift in 1999 with tightening of the lateral SMAS (the thick layer of tissue under the facial skin). Variations of this procedure have subsequently been marketed by other surgeons as the Lifestyle Lift® and the Quicklift procedures. The mini-facelift is a “true” facelift procedure and involves an incision in front of the ear to remove excess skin. Although this procedure can be performed under a local anesthesia (numbing of the skin only), most patients elect to have IV sedation for a mini-facelift. The mini-facelift is typically completed in under two hours. (Note: Lifestyle Lift® is the registered trademark of Lifestyle Lift Holding, Inc. Neither Maryland Plastic Surgery nor Dr. Summers are affiliated with Lifestyle Lift Holding, Inc.)
Dr. Summers’ standard procedure for a full SMAS facelift involves making small incisions just inside the hairline, following the contour in front of the ear, and continuing under the earlobe to the backside of the ear and up to the scalp. Tissue and fat deposits are separated, the skin is stretched and tightened, and any excess skin is removed. The SMAS layer (the thick layer of tissue under the facial skin) is tightened with permanent sutures. If the neck line requires attention, an additional incision is made under the chin and the same procedure is again followed. Minuscule stitches are used to close the incisions and to reduce the chance of scarring. Many patients choose to be asleep with a general anesthetic for a full SMAS facelift, although IV sedation may be used. A full SMAS facelift may take from 2-4 hours (or longer) depending on whether other cosmetic procedures are completed at the same time.
After a Multiplanar One-hour Suspension Threadlift facelift (MOST FaceliftTM) at the Maryland Plastic Surgery Center, patients are able to resume normal light activities immediately. Some patients have even returned to work the same day. However, Dr. Summers recommends taking the day off to rest and apply cool compresses to the cheeks. This will help reduce any possibility of bruising and swelling.
After a Mini-facelift (S-Lift, Quicklift) at the Maryland Plastic Surgery Center, patients are encouraged to rest with their head elevated and cool compresses. If the neck has been treated at the same time, patients will wear a neck strap – this will preclude many social activities. However, walking is good and helps to reduce swelling.
After a full SMAS facelift at the Maryland Plastic Surgery Center, the face is fitted with bandages. Patients sometimes report some minor discomfort which is effectively treated with oral medication. It is very important to keep your head elevated and apply cool compresses to minimize swelling. Walking is good. You will be seen the day after surgery to have the bandages removed. If any drain tubes were used, they are removed at this time. You will be given an elastic neck strap to wear for the first week after surgery – this prevents the accumulation of fluid in the neck.
Regardless of the type of facelift, you will be seen the day after surgery for a dressing change and then one week after surgery for removal of the stitches.
After the stitches are removed, concealer may be applied (if needed) and makeup may be worn. If a neck strap was used, it may be removed at this time. Most patients are able to resume normal social activities at this time. However, straining or strenuous activities must be avoided for several weeks to promote good healing.
Although you will see a tremendous improvement immediately after surgery, the final outcome of your facelift will not be visible until all of the swelling has resolved – which typically occurs anywhere from one to four months following the procedure.
Your skin may be more vulnerable to sun damage for a period of six months, and you should protect it accordingly. To prevent discoloration of your incisions, do not use hair dye for about two months after your face lift.
Note: in the cases of a full SMAS facelift, it is normal to experience numbness around the ears and cheeks for several weeks/months.
In addition to a facelift, Baltimore and Annapolis facelift patients may also benefit from rhinoplasty, a procedure designed to help improve the shape of the nose for a more harmonious and symmetrical facial structure. To learn about how Dr. Summers has improved the facial harmony of Annapolis and Baltimore rhinoplasty patients, please visit our rhinoplasty page.
Click on a question below to see the answer.
A: It is a relatively common practice for a plastic surgeon to perform multiple procedures during one operation. This allows the surgeon to better “sculpt” your final appearance. In addition, having several procedures done simultaneously saves you the expense of paying the operating room and anesthesia costs more than once. However, having too much done at one time can lead to complications. The decision to have multiple procedures done depends on which procedures are being done, the extent of surgery, the operating time, and your age/health. Ultimately, the surgeon decides whether or not it is appropriate to include more than one procedure in your operation.
A: Due to the variety of procedures available in plastic surgery, there can be no blanket rule on age although age will be taken into consideration when planning your operation. People of all ages have taken advantage of the image-enhancement offered by plastic surgery. There are even procedures appropriate for young children! It is important to realize the limitations of plastic surgery. Plastic surgery cannot “fix” every situation or reverse the aging process. What is a good procedure for one person may not be an appropriate procedure for another. We are committed to making your plastic surgery experience a successful one.
A: During your consultation we will discuss your desired changes and expectations, review your medical history and current health, and make an assessment on whether the procedure(s) in question are right for you. This is a good time to ask specific questions about the procedure so that you are fully prepared, mentally and emotionally, for surgery. We will discuss the results that can be achieved, with the aid of photos and/or computer imaging. When a final decision is made, you will need to sign an informed consent stating that you are fully aware and understand what is entailed by your pending operation, including the potential complications and secondary effects.
A: Avoid strenuous activities for two weeks after surgery. Walking is encouraged, but avoid raising your heart rate over 100, as this may result in an increase in blood pressure and increase your risk for post-operative bleeding. Sutures are always removed one week after surgery.
Threadlift: Bruising and swelling generally are minimal. When present, bruising is typically resolved in about a week (in rare cases it can take longer). When present, swelling can take a couple of weeks to resolve. It is important to avoid any activities that put pressure on the face for one month.
Mini-Facelift: Minor bruising and swelling are typically present for about a week.
SMAS Facelift: Although bruising typically resolves within 10 days, swelling is commonly present for 4-8 weeks.
A: The type of the anesthesia varies with each procedure. For some procedures (e.g. Threadlift), only local anesthesia is used. For mini-facelifts, a local anesthesia or intravenous (IV) sedation is available. This method will allow you to be awake, but insensitive to any pain. In more complex procedures, such as a full SMAS facelift, general anesthesia is recommended so you will be asleep during the entire procedure. The anesthesia used in your operation will depend on the type and extent of the procedure(s), your age, and the Dr. Summers’ recommendation.
A: The Lifestyle Lift® procedure is a “mini-facelift” type of procedure which involves incisions around the ear, removal of skin, displacement of the hairline, gathering of skin behind the ear and a permanent scar around the ear.
Dr. Summers’ one-hour facelift procedure is significantly different than the Lifestyle Lift® facelift. With Dr. Summers’ one-hour facelift procedure, there are no incisions made in front of or behind the ear, so there is no visible scar in this area nor is there any risk of troublesome gathering of skin behind the ear. Additionally, there is no displacement of the hairline, which is particularly important for men who, otherwise, might have to shave behind their earlobe.
Note: Lifestyle Lift® is the registered trademark of Lifestyle Lift Holding, Inc. Neither Dr. Summers nor the Maryland Plastic Surgery Center are affiliated with Lifestyle Lift Holding, Inc.
A: Maryland Plastic Surgery is Maryland’s premiere cosmetic surgery center and medical spa. The Center’s director, Dr. Adam Summers, is an expert cosmetic surgeon who uses advanced techniques to achieve natural looking results. Just 15 minutes from Baltimore, Howard County (Columbia) and Annapolis, the Center specializes in tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), breast augmentation, breast lift, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) and facelift procedures. © Baltimore Maryland Plastic Surgery Center and Medical Spa.
Dr. Adam Summers performs the Most Facelift a long lasting minimally invasive facelift procedure which he developed at the Maryland Plastic Surgery Center. The Most Facelift is a customized variation of the Threadlift Face Lift (eg. Silk Lift, Aptos Lift, Featherlift, Soft Lift, Curl Lift). The Maryland Plastic Surgery Center is just minutes from Ellicott City, Towson, Rockville, Silver Spring, Bethesda, Annapolis, Baltimore, Columbia and Washington DC. Copyright 2007 Maryland Plastic Surgery - One Hour Threadlift Facelift in Maryland.