Facelift in Austin, Tx

Board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Andre Y. Levesque offers a full variety of facial cosmetic procedures at his practice in Austin, TX. One of the most common surgeries at Levesque Plastic Surgery is a facelift. This treatment concentrates on precise sections of the face to correct loose skin and enhance your features. It accomplishes this by creating a smoother, youthful appearance.

Depending on your aesthetic goals, a facelift can focus on the areas around the eyes, the cheeks and mid-face, or the bottom section including the jowls, mouth, neck, and more for an all-around youthful look. The type of facelift performed depends on your goals, the condition of your skin, the amount of laxity present, lifestyle, age, and other factors. Some men and women may desire a full facelift, while others may only require a mid-face lift. Dr. Levesque is an experienced surgeon who has a complete understanding of the anatomy and complex intricacies of a facelift surgery. The objective is to create a natural look that's smooth and appealing.

Ideal candidates for a facelift have noticeable facial wrinkles and lines, whether it be on the entire face or a specific section (such as the mid-face and lower face). Facelift surgery can address various sections depending on your unique signs of aging. It is important to understand that age does not necessarily define the timing to have a facelift. There are so many unique concerns and reasons to have a facelift, as well as numerous lift types depending on what needs to be addressed. The treatment chosen will vary for patients who are in their 30s versus those who are over 60. Skin laxity is one of the most important components in the planning process. Facelift patients should be in good physical health and refrain from smoking. It is also important that potential candidates have realistic expectations.  Many of our facelift patients have pulled their face up and back with their fingers in the mirror to describe what they would like to achieve.  If you find yourself doing this in the mirror chances are you will likely like the results of a facelift compared to non surgical type treatments.

A special note on Ozempic Face

In recent years, medications like Ozempic (semaglutide) and tirzepatide have gained attention for their effectiveness in managing type 2 diabetes and promoting weight loss. However, both drugs are also associated with a cosmetic concern known as Ozempic Face. This phenomenon involves the visible effects of rapid weight loss, such as sagging, hollowing, and wrinkling of the face. While this effect is more commonly discussed with Ozempic, tirzepatide, another weight loss drug, can lead to similar changes in facial appearance.  The effectiveness of both medications has lead to a great increase in the number of younger patients presenting to our Austin clinic considering facelift.  

For those who experience Ozempic Face or similar changes due to tirzepatide, a facelift can be an effective solution. A facelift procedure works by tightening the skin and underlying muscles to restore a more youthful contour, addressing the effects of lost facial volume. Additionally, if facial volume loss is significant, your surgeon might recommend combining the facelift with dermal fillers or fat transfer to enhance fullness and smooth out hollow areas.

At Levesque Plastic Surgery, we understand the impact of weight loss medications like Ozempic and tirzepatide on your appearance and can provide personalized recommendations tailored to your needs. Whether you’re interested in a facelift or other volume-restoring treatments, we’re here to help you achieve a natural, rejuvenated look.

Dr. Levesque has specialized in performing deep plane facelifts in awake patients.  This is a technique he has refined since 2018 and continues to refine the technique to incorporate additional techniques such as the hemostatic net, bullhorn upper lip lift, upper or lower eyelid surgery, and gliding brow lifts. Across the nation, a surgeon performing full face and necklifts in the deep plane, or below the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) under local anesthesia is rare.  The majority of surgeons performing deep plane facelift with intravenous or general anesthesia.  Performing the procedure under local anesthesia and mild oral sedation allows for swift recovery and completing the surgery with maximal safety.

Regardless of your aesthetic concerns, there are numerous facelifts to consider. Some facelifts treat the upper portion of the face, while others focus on the middle and lower. Moreover, some techniques are slightly more invasive and intricate than others. It is also common for some individuals to have a brow lift, fillers, eyelid lifts, lip lifts, or BOTOX to complement their outcomes. A few of the more common facelift techniques include:

• Full Facelift
  Considered the gold standard, the full facelift usually places an incision near the hairline, extends from temple region and following the side burn and natural creases of the ear, reaching the base of the ears, and then continuing behind the ear and into the neck hairline. The underlying facial tissues and muscles are delicately pulled and securely tightened to produce a lifted appearance, which diminishes excessive wrinkles and sagging. A full facelift is reserved for patients that have descent of the facial and neck tissues. With this lift, several techniques may be combined, including an eyelid lift to enhance the eyes or a deep neck lift for the lower region.
• Mid-Facelift
  Incorporating a similar method to the mini lift, the cheek lift (known as a mid-facelift) focuses on the droopy features around the cheekbones. This lift works great for those who desire improvement in lower eyelid cheek junction but do not have signficiant jowls or neck concerns.
• Lower Facelift
  A lower facelift addresses the neck region, chin, and, in many cases, the jowls. Nonsurgical methods could also be used for chin augmentation to attain a younger-looking neck.
• Mini Facelift
  Honestly a mini facelift is more of a marketing term than an actual surgical technique.  Many different surgical techniques could be lumped into a mini facelift but the mini part of it has more to do with the length of the scar needed to complete the surgical maneuvers.  But with anything mini or short or less invasive, the results will also be less impressive.

In almost all cases, Dr. Levesque combines a fat grafting procedure with facelift surgery to restore lost volume in the cheeks, around the eyes, lips, nasolabial folds, and chin.

After surgery, you will be monitored before you are released to go home for recovery. Before your surgery, Dr. Levesque or a member of his team will plan your follow-up appointments and give you tips that will allow you to heal faster. You should expect to have bruising, swelling, possible drainage, some moderate soreness, and discomfort, which can be helped by pain prescription medication. You should start to look and feel normal after about a month, after which you will begin to see a smoother and younger-looking facial appearance. In all, your face will look rejuvenated and fresh. See our Before and After photos . 

The pain from a facelift in our patients typically requires narcotic pain medication on the first night after surgery only.  In the next days over the counter pain medications such as tylenol is typically all that is needed.  The first week after surgery there is swelling and the face and neck can look distorted.  It is in this time that many patients get a little down and sometimes question their decision to have surgery.  Patience however is rewarded as by the second week onward our patients make rapid improvements and see the younger version of themselves.

Over the course of the first 3 months after your facelift you will experience profound changes to your appearance.  The swelling will likely be 80% gone by three months and you will look natural and refreshed.  The scars will often take up to a year to be fully mature and faded but typically are very inconspicuous at 3 months. We will of course help you achieve the best scars by recommending appropriate therapies such as micro needling, intense pulse light, and topical silicone.

Frequently Asked Questions About Facelifts

What is a facelift, and who is it for?

A facelift is a surgical procedure designed to address visible signs of aging, such as sagging skin, deep facial folds, and loose muscles. It’s ideal for individuals who want to restore a youthful, refreshed appearance.

What’s the difference between a deep plane facelift and a traditional facelift?

A deep plane facelift targets deeper facial tissues for more natural and long-lasting results. A traditional facelift focuses on tightening the skin and may not address deeper structures as comprehensively.

What is the recovery time for a facelift?

Most patients can resume normal activities within 2–4 weeks. However, swelling and minor bruising may persist for a few more weeks. Your surgeon will provide detailed recovery guidelines tailored to you.

How long do facelift results last?

Facelift results can last 10 years or more, depending on factors like genetics, lifestyle, and skincare. While a facelift turns back the clock, natural aging will still occur.

Are there risks associated with a facelift?

Like any surgery, facelifts come with risks such as swelling, bruising, infection, and temporary numbness. Serious complications are rare when performed by an experienced surgeon.

Will there be visible scars after a facelift?

Your surgeon strategically places incisions in discreet areas, such as along the hairline or behind the ears, to minimize visible scarring. Most scars fade significantly over time.

Can a facelift be combined with other procedures?

Yes, many patients combine facelifts with procedures like eyelid surgery, neck lifts, or nonsurgical treatments to achieve a more comprehensive rejuvenation.

Am I a good candidate for a facelift?

Ideal candidates are healthy individuals with moderate to severe facial aging who have realistic expectations about the results. A consultation with Dr. Levesque can help determine if a facelift is right for you.

How much does a facelift cost?

Facelift costs vary depending on the extent of the procedure and other factors. During your consultation, we will provide a detailed estimate and discuss payment options.  Starting costs can always be found in our menu of services.

A facelift treatment can take years off your appearance and provide you a fresh look. Today, there are many options for surgery based on your individual concerns and goals. This procedure is designed to help you look younger but still natural. To hear more about this treatment, we invite you to contact Levesque Plastic Surgery in Austin, TX to set up your consultation with board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Levesque.