Facelift Procedure Steps

Facelift is a major plastic surgery procedure aimed at mitigating the facial signs of aging, tighten sagging facial muscles, and create a subtle lifted appearance for the face. Various steps involved in the facelift surgery will be discussed at the time of pre-op consultation. The patient’s pre-surgery anxiety can be relieved to some extent and they will feel more confident about the procedure.

Dr. Burton Sundin and Dr. Reps Sundin are board certified plastic surgeons providing facelift and various other procedures for the face, body, and breast. At their practice, the Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery, they receive patients from Richmond, Virginia, and surrounding locations for facelift surgery.

Anesthesia

In a major surgical procedure such as facelift, the first step will be to administer anesthesia. In most cases, general anesthesia will be used, but sometimes the surgeon may recommend local anesthesia with mild sedation. This decision will be made in advance, and the patient’s fitness to undergo anesthesia will be determined.

An anesthesiologist or a certified anesthetist nurse may perform general anesthesia. They will be present throughout the plastic surgery procedure to monitor the patient’s response to general anesthesia. The patient will be unconscious throughout the surgery and will have no recollection of the procedure when they are brought out of anesthesia after the surgery is completed.

Incision Placement

Following anesthesia, the surgeon will make small incisions in pre-determined locations to perform facelift. The surgeon will ensure that the incisions are located in discreet sites in order to minimize subsequent scarring. The main incision will generally get hidden within the hairline, but the extent of incisions can differ depending on the type of surgical technique.

Minor incisions may be placed in natural facial creases because these locations tend to heal well and hide the scars more easily. If traditional facelift is performed, the incision will begin from behind the hairline on one side of the head, slightly above the temple. It will then go from the hairline down to the ear, continuing into the lower scalp under the hair.

Muscle and Skin Tightening

Facial skin will be lifted through the incisions in order to remove or redistribute facial fat, tighten the weak or separated muscles, and excise loose facial skin. Once the facial contours are corrected, the surgeon will re-drape the skin smoothly with the help of staples or stitches.

For an initial period, the incision areas will be covered with a gauze bandage. Patients in Richmond, Virginia, and nearby areas have an opportunity to receive facelift from accomplished plastic surgeons Dr. Burton Sundin and Dr. Reps Sundin.

Multiple Procedures with Facelift

Facelift may sometimes be performed in conjunction with other procedures to create optimal results. Facial and neck liposuction may be applied to reduce excess fat tissue and enhance facial contour. Cheek, chin or lip implants, facial fat transfer or dermal filler injections may also be used along with facelift. In some cases, upper facelift procedures such as eyelid lift or brow lift may be combined with facelift surgery.

For more information on the surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments by Board Certified Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. Reps Sundin and Dr. Burton Sundin please visit

Serving Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Vienna, McLean, Fairfax, Loudoun County, Ashburn, Tysons Corner, Reston, Arlington, Fredricksburg, Chevy Chase, Potomac, Maryland Richmond, VA and surrounding communities.