Facelift Surgery Before & After Case 233

This 79-year-old woman presented to my office complaining about the excess skin in her neck and her prominent jowling.  Given the short style of her hair, and the fact that her ears are not covered by hair, this patient was especially concerned about scarring.

This patient and I discussed different treatment options and ultimately planned on tightening the platysma muscle from a small incision underneath the chin, elevating the jowls, and tightening the skin of the face and neck.

The surgery took about four hours.  It was done under a sedation anesthetic.  Although the patient was awake, she does not remember anything because she received intravenous medications to both keep her comfortable and sedated.  Of note, I always use a board-certified anesthesiologist to provide deeper sedation like that which was given in this case.

This series of postoperative photographs were taken about two months after surgery.  The patient is not wearing makeup over her scars.  I hope that you agree that is very difficult to see the scars even with no hair covering the front of the ear.  The scars extend from below the sideburn, in front of the ear, below the ear, behind the ear, and just into the hairline.

It is wonderful to see this patient's smile every time she comes to my Boston area plastic surgery office.  She could not be happier.