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Facelift

The goal of facelift surgery is to lift and rejuvenate facial tissues that sag as a result of age and gravity. Telltale signs of aging include jowls (sagging tissue along the jawline on either side of the chin) and loose skin and fat at the jawline and under the chin. A facelift in our Montreal, Quebec, facial plastic surgery practice should provide a natural, refreshed and well-balanced look while avoiding an overstretched, operated appearance.

What Is a Facelift?

The term “facelift,” when used by surgeons, usually refers to the surgery that addresses the lower face and frequently the neck (“neck lift”), which includes:

  • Correcting the jowls to recover the definition of the jaw and eliminate sagging skin and muscle
  • Augmenting the cheek area to rejuvenate the cheekbone and eliminate hollowing of the lower cheek
  • Lifting the neck to correct sagging skin and muscle, and reduce the “bands” or vertical lines frequently seen extending from the chin to the upper chest in an aged neck

The advanced deep plane facelift rejuvenates the midface (cheeks) area in addition to the lower face.

Accessory & Complementary Procedures

Other areas and signs of aging in the face are addressed by other procedures, such as:

These address areas and certain aging signs that a facelift cannot alter.

Does a Facelift Leave Scars?

While all surgical procedures leave a scar, Dr. Samaha’s facelift technique leaves scars so fine and well placed they are imperceptible (see photos).

Facelift by Dr. Samaha:
Noticeable results, imperceptible scar

Patient One

Patient with facelift Facelift scars around the ear. Note that the scar starting from under the hair tuft and going into the ear, down around the earlobe is imperceptible

Patient with facelift Scar hidden in the crease behind the ear. Even when one knows it is there, it is quite difficult to see. Note also the portion of the scar running just behind the hairline behind the ear. Even with the hair pulled back, one cannot see the scar.


Patient Two

Patient with facelift Scar running just behind the hairline behind the ear. Even with the hair pulled back, one cannot see the scar.

Patient with facelift Facelift scars around the ear. Note that the scar starting from under the hair tuft and going into the ear, down around the earlobe is imperceptible

Patient with facelift Scar hidden in the crease behind the ear. Even when one knows it is there and flips the ear to look for it, it is quite difficult to see.

What Is a Mini Facelift?

In Montreal, a a mini facelift or “mini-lift” may be ideally suited to young patients, usually in their early 40s, who:

  • Have little sagging along the jaw
  • Do not have significant wrinkling in the neck region
  • Are seeking a minimal procedure to “firm up” and refresh the lower face

For such patients, having a face and neck lift is neither necessary nor beneficial.

Patients with more significant sagging along the jaw (jowls) and concerns about neck laxity and wrinkling are not good candidates for a mini-lift and require a lower face and neck lift to obtain significant improvement and long-lasting result.

Dr. Samaha’s Facelift Technique

Patients make a significant personal, emotional, and financial investment when deciding to undergo surgery and recovery to enhance and rejuvenate their appearance. They, therefore, should expect a significant improvement that is natural and long-lasting. To achieve these results, Dr. Samaha uses advanced techniques acquired over years of specialization in facial surgery and continuously improved through his experience.

Meet Dr. Mark Samaha

A double board-certified otolaryngologist whose practice focuses exclusively on facial plastic surgery, Dr. Samaha is highly qualified in facial aesthetics. Learn more about our physician and how he’s carefully refined his skills to sculpt your beautiful face.

Meet Dr. Samaha

Dr. Mark Samaha

Meet Dr. Mark Samaha

A double board-certified otolaryngologist whose practice focuses exclusively on facial plastic surgery, Dr. Samaha is highly qualified in facial aesthetics. Learn more about our physician and how he’s carefully refined his skills to sculpt your beautiful face.

Meet Dr. Samaha

Individualized, Personalized Surgery

Not everyone ages similarly and not every patient has the same concerns and areas they wish to improve. A thorough discussion between the patient and Dr. Samaha at the time of consultation will help determine the patient’s anatomy, needs, and goals. Dr. Samaha then devises an individualized treatment plan for each patient to best address those needs. Many techniques and facelift procedures are available to achieve this, including the complete facelift, the neck lift, the brow lift, and for some patients, the mini-lift.


Facelift & Neck Lift

What to Expect After Facelift Surgery

Patients are able to go home within one to two hours following surgery. A drain is placed to collect any fluid under the skin. A bandage is placed around the face.

Both the drain and dressing are removed 24 to 48 hours after surgery. The face is inspected, and a lighter dressing placed. Sutures are removed at the second post-operative appointment, 6 to 7 days following surgery. Makeup can be applied at this time. Subsequent follow-up appointments are then scheduled.

MAXIMUM RESULT MINIMUM RECOVERY™

Dr. Samaha has developed techniques and methods to minimize swelling and bruising after surgery for his patients to shorten their recovery. This has culminated in his Maximum Result Minimum Recovery system.

Learn More

These photos are published for information only in order to provide information on the nature of the intervention. They do not constitute a guarantee of results.

Call our friendly staff now for expert help.

Caring team members are here to take your call from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

CALL: (514) 613-3004

Call our friendly staff now for expert help.

Call our friendly staff now for expert help.

Caring team members are here to take your call from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

CALL: (514) 613-3004

Frequently Asked Questions

How old do I need to be to have facelift surgery?

There is no minimum or maximum age. Some patients who are in their 70s and 80s, and healthy are perfectly suitable candidates for facelift surgery. Conversely, the current trend indicates that patients are interested in starting treatment earlier to maintain a youthful glow. As a result, patients are now having facelift surgery at an increasingly younger age, even in their 40s. The procedure in these younger patients is frequently less extensive and shorter than in an older person who requires more lifting.

How much younger will I look after facelift surgery?

Expect to look approximately 10 to 15 years younger after your recovery is complete. Following a healthy lifestyle and limiting exposure to the sun help patients continue to look younger than their actual age, although the aging process will continue.

What are the restrictions after facelift surgery?

The main restriction is the avoidance of strenuous activity, which includes vigorous exercise and heavy lifting, for about 14 days. Other maneuvers that increase the pressure in the head are also to be avoided. These include straining and bending forward. Otherwise, patients may carry out usual activities.

How long is recovery after a facelift?

At 2 weeks following surgery, swelling and bruising have usually subsided enough that the majority of patients are comfortable returning to daily activities.

How much pain will I experience after facelift surgery?

Facelift surgery is not a painful procedure. Although there may be a feeling of tightness for the first week, which is normal and expected, pain is extremely rare. Of course, Dr. Samaha prescribes pain medication to use as needed after surgery. However, it is extremely rare that a patient will report having needed it.

Is there bruising after facelift surgery?

Most facelift surgeries are associated with some bruising. The degree of bruising depends on the surgical technique and the patient’s own tendency to bruise. The bruising will gradually fade in appearance and move in the direction of gravity. It is therefore expected that the discoloration from bruising will gradually diminish and migrate down the face in the first few days following surgery. Dr. Samaha uses advanced, minimally invasive techniques to minimize bruising and swelling after surgery. Patients who have a natural tendency to bruise easily will experience slightly more bruising in the initial recovery period.

Will I still look natural after a facelift?

Dr. Samaha is known for providing natural-looking facelift results. He uses meticulous techniques that conceal and minimize scarring and avoid making the face look tight or stretched.

How long do facelift results last?

While experiences vary, most patients report feeling that a facelift rejuvenated their face and neck by about 10 to 12 years. A facelift will not, however, stop the aging process, but the benefit gained from the surgery usually remains. If a patient looks 10 years younger as a result of the surgery, this rejuvenation will usually remain, such that they will continue to look younger than their real age as the years continue to pass. The patient may wish to undergo another procedure years later to regain a more youthful appearance.

Dr. Samaha looks forward to helping you discover your youthful best. Request your consultation online or call us at (514) 613-3004 to make your appointment. Dr. Samaha attracts patients from Quebec City, Laval, and Gatineau.

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