Facelift and Necklift

Facelift

Facelift Procedure in Norwalk, Connecticut

Dr. Laurence Kirwan. is one of the most experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeons in Norwalk, Connecticut, and in the entire country. He is a recognized international leader in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. He offers a superior level of knowledge, care and understanding to help you achieve the youthful, bright and contoured look you desire.

Key Highlights

• Facelifts treat the aging, sagging face. Literally a face lift.
• The time to consider a facelift is when sagging skin in the neck and/or the face does not respond to non-surgical treatments. 
• We all age at different rates so there is no hard and fast rule as to what age you should consider a facelift
• For men, the neck often ages before the face
• A chin implant is commonly inserted at the same time as a facelift. It can improve the jawline and give a more masculine profile. A square shaped chin implant gives a strong angular and more masculine contour.
• Surgery is done through incisions around the ear and under the chin. These are unobtrusive, even with a short haircut.
• Recovery takes about 10 days to two weeks 
• Eyelifts are often performed at the same time, removing extra skin from the upper eyelids and fat deposits and extra skin from the lower eyelids.

Conveniently Located: Every patient is a VIP. For your facelift appointment, you will see Dr. Kirwan himself at every single appointment. Our Norwalk, CT location is conveniently located in between Manhattan, New York and New Haven, Connecticut. Patients regularly visit from across Connecticut (Stamford, Greenwich, Stratford, Fairfield, Westport, Bridgeport, Darien, New Canaan, Trumbull), New York ( Manhattan, NYC, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, Port Chester, White Plains, Harrison), New Jersey and other neighboring cities/towns for their facelift and other plastic surgery procedures. Our office is close to all of the New York Airports for patients who are coming from out-of-state or other countries.

Facelift for Men

Male facelifts are different than facelifts for females. The scar in front of the ear is positioned along the crease in front of the ear to avoid bringing beard skin onto the ear itself.  Men want their necks and lower face to be tighter but do not want the increased projection and fullness of the cheeks which is part of a feminine lift. The focus is on the lower face, on repairing platysma muscles (the turkey waddle) under the chin and on increasing chin projection with an implant, to restore a youthful jawline and neck.  

Where Did Your Face and Neck Go?

Aging, sun damage and weight loss, are the major causes of skin damage and laxity. They are also the cause of deflation and sagging of the facial fat compartments.

Men typically notice significant facial aging after the age of fifty. There is no hard or fast rule. The timing of surgery depends on personal choice. Most men opt for their first face or neck lift between the ages of 55 and 60.

When to Consider a Facelift Surgery

Facelifting is a cosmetic procedure, meaning it is typically done for aesthetic enhancement. This is a highly personal decision. This increasingly popular procedure can be a great solution for many men who:

• Are 50 years of age and older.
• Want to get rid of a sagging neck or deep lines in their face.
• Have excessive skin in the neck or cheek area.
• Have areas of excess fat in the neck area
• Would like to treat signs of facial aging, with or without additional procedures such as an eyelift, chin implant or nasal rejuvenation.

Surgery may be combined with other procedures such as liposuction and body contouring of the abdomen and love-handles.

Information for Kirwan Plastic Surgery Patients

The best decisions are informed decisions. Dr. Kirwan can help you learn more about facelifting and other commonly associated procedures such as a chin implant or an eyelift.  Dr. Kirwan can also discuss other treatment options and provide more personalized answers based on your individual needs. You can schedule a consultation for various types of cosmetic surgery in Norwalk with Dr. Kirwan.

Preparing for the Procedure

After making your decision and choosing Dr. Kirwan, the next step is a consultation. Be prepared to discuss:

• Your reasons, goals, and expectations for surgery
• Your medical history – including illnesses, conditions, allergies, treatments, previous procedures, and other risk factors that could affect the outcome of your procedure
• Use of any medications, vitamins, supplements, alcohol, tobacco, and drugs
• Any questions or concerns about the procedure – come prepared with a written list
• Plastic surgery risks and potential complications

During your consultation, Dr. Kirwan will examine your face. He will take photos to review with you, to help you understand the possible benefits of surgery. Dr. Kirwan will also show you examples of before and after results of his own patients.

What Happens During Facelift Surgery

Surgery is normally performed under conscious sedation with local infiltration anesthesia. Dr. Kirwan will perform the surgery as discussed in your consultation.

Facelift Procedure Options

Dr. Kirwan may perform one of several techniques, such as:

Facelift alone

• Ideal for patients who have no other associated problems.
• Incisions are made around the ear and in the scalp above and behind the ear.
• The platysma neck muscles may be repaired in the neck below the chin.
• Fat may be suctioned out of the neck area.
• Outcome: face and neck that appears tighter and smoother with correction of neck and facial skin laxity.
• Length: 3 to 4 hours.

Facelift combined with a chin implant

• Best method for patients who have a poorly defined neck contour and/or inadequate projection of the chin [link – male chin augmentation].
• Incision is made under the chin. This can be the same incision that is used to tighten the platysma muscles.
• Outcome: chin has improved projection, Angle of neck (cervico-mental angle) is more acute.
• Length: 4 to 5 hours.

Facelift combined with an eyelift

• Ideal for patients who have aging of the upper and lower eyelids.
• Incisions are made in the upper eyelid and usually inside the lower eyelid.
• Skin and fat are removed from the upper eyelid.
• Fat is partially removed and moved into the tear trough below the lower eyelid.
• If necessary, extra skin in the lower eyelid is removed.
• Outcome: A more rested, more youthful look.
• Length: 3 to 4 hours.

Additional Body Contouring

• Recommended for patients who have areas of diet and exercise-resistant fat
• Great option for patients who want to target other areas.
• Multiple small incisions are made to suction fat and contour the abdomen and love handles.
• Length varies depending on the number of additional areas; approximately 1 to 2 hours.

Male Facelift Results and Recovery

It may take some time to fully recover and see your final results after a facelift. However, many patients can return to work in about two weeks and resume other activities (like playing sports and working out) in approximately four to six weeks.

Following surgery, you may experience swelling and bruising. To help reduce swelling, Dr. Kirwan will suggest that you apply ice compresses for the first 48 hours after surgery and wear a compression garment intermittently for two weeks.

Be sure to follow any instructions provided by Dr. Kirwan and his staff before and after your cosmetic surgery to ensure a smooth procedure and recovery.

Neck Lift

Dr. Laurence Kirwan. is one of the most experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeons in Norwalk, Connecticut, and in the entire country. He is a recognized international leader in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. He offers a superior level of knowledge, care and understanding to help you achieve the youthful, bright and contoured look you desire.

Key Highlights

• A neck lift can reduce the signs of aging in the lower face and neck.
• A poorly defined jaw line because of a weak chin or a fatty neck can benefit from surgery before other signs of aging.
• Many men choose this procedure to achieve a more defined jaw line and youthful face and neck contours 
• A jaw line can often be enhanced with a chin implant.
• Surgery often includes tightening of both skin and muscles in the neck
• Liposuction of the neck may also be a part of a neck lift

A neck lift procedure can smooth skin around your chin, jaw line and neck by removing excess loose skin and fat from the neck and lower face and by tightening muscles. A neck lift can reduce signs of aging in areas of the lower face and neck, which can help restore a youthful neck line and a rejuvenated appearance.

Conveniently Located: Every patient is a VIP. For your neck lift appointment, you will see Dr. Kirwan himself at every single appointment. Our Norwalk, CT location is conveniently located in between Manhattan, New York and New Haven, Connecticut. Patients regularly visit from across Connecticut (Stamford, Greenwich, Stratford, Fairfield, Westport, Bridgeport, Darien, New Canaan, Trumbull), New York ( Manhattan, NYC, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, Port Chester, White Plains, Harrison), New Jersey and other neighboring cities/towns for their neck lift surgery and other plastic surgery procedures. Our office is close to all of the New York Airports for patients who are coming from out-of-state or other countries.

Neck Lift for Men

Male plastic surgery is different from plastic surgery for females. It is important to achieve the best result and maintain a natural, masculine appearance. Incisions should be hidden as much as possible, and beard skin should not be pulled into the ear. Neck lift incisions are sited under the chin, around the earlobe, behind the ear and in the hair bearing scalp behind the ear.

The neck lift is a popular procedure for men who want to look and feel rejuvenated, but still want to keep a natural appearance. Many men choose this cosmetic procedure to achieve more defined jaw lines and youthful face and neck contours – facial features that project freshness and vitality.

Where Did Your Jaw Line Go?

Gravity, heredity, significant weight changes, and the natural aging process slowly wear away skin elasticity in your face, neck, and jaw . Loss of skin elasticity is further accelerated by the skin-damaging effects of stress, smoking, and other environmental factors such as ultraviolet rays and air pollution. All of these factors are why your chin and jaw line continue to look less defined as you age.

Men typically notice these youthful contours diminishing during their late 40s and early 50s. As skin laxity increases, it’s common to develop a “turkey neck” (excess wrinkly skin hanging from the neck, often with two muscle bands on either side of the middle of the neck. These bands become more prominent with facial expressions such as smiling. A double chin and jowl or marionette lines (like Winston Churchill) also develop with weight gain and aging.

When to Consider a Neck Lift

A neck lift is a cosmetic procedure, meaning it is typically done for aesthetic enhancement. This is a highly personal decision. This increasingly popular procedure can be a great solution for many men who:

• Are between 45 and 70 years old
• Want to get rid of a “turkey neck,” double chin (“turkey wattle”), and jowl lines
• Have excessive wrinkling and loose skin around the chin, jaw line, and neck area
• Have areas of excess fat in the neck and under the chin
• Would like to treat signs of aging and wrinkling in the neck, but are otherwise satisfied with the appearance of the face

Usually, a neck lift is performed as part of a facelift to achieve the best results, but also can be performed in isolation. A neck lift can help restore, but cannot change, your natural appearance. A neck lift may be combined with other procedures such as a chin implant for a weak chin and liposuction of the neck. A neck lift can be combined with other cosmetic procedures also, such as a face lift and eyelift to remove bags under the eyes and extra skin of the upper eyelids.

Information for Kirwan Plastic Surgery Patients

The best decisions are informed decisions. Dr. Kirwan can help you learn more about neck lifts, explore other treatment options, and provide more personalized answers based on your individual needs. You can schedule a consultation and services for various types of plastic and cosmetic surgery in Norwalk, with Dr. Kirwan.

Preparing for the Procedure

After making your decision and choosing a surgeon, the next step is a consultation. Be prepared to discuss:

• Your reasons, goals, and expectations for surgery
• Your medical history – including illnesses, conditions, allergies, treatments, previous procedures, and other risk factors that could affect the outcome of your procedure
• Use of any medications, vitamins, supplements, alcohol, tobacco, and drugs
• Any questions or concerns about the procedure – come prepared with a written list
• Plastic surgery risks and potential complications
• During your consultation, Dr. Kirwan will examine your face, as well as take photos to show simulated results before and after surgery. Dr. Kirwan will also show you examples of surgical results performed by him personally.

What Happens During Male Neck Lift Surgery

Surgery is normally performed under conscious sedation with local infiltration anesthesia. Dr Kirwan will perform the neck lift surgery as discussed in your consultation.

Neck Lift Procedure Options

Dr. Kirwan may perform one of several neck lift methods, such as:

Liposuction with or without Facetite

• Ideal for patients who have resilient skin
• Incision is made behind your ears and under your chin
• Fat is suctioned out of areas under your jaw line and under your chin
• This may be combined with Facetite skin tightening
• Outcome: neck that appears more defined
• Length: 1 to 2 hours

Cervicoplasty

• Best method for patients who have excess fat in the neck
• Incision is made below your chin and under your ears
• Neck muscles are tightened
• Excess fat and skin may be removed
• Length: 2 to 3 hours

Chin Implant

• Recommended for patients who need a stronger chin projection
• Great option for patients who want to target the chin area and get the best neck line
• Incision is made under the chin
• May be combined with liposuction and cervicoplasty
• Length: approximately 45 minutes
• Chin implants for men are usually square shaped

Male Neck Lift Results and Recovery

It may take some time to fully recover and see your final results after a neck lift. However, many patients are able to return to work in about two weeks and resume other activities (like playing sports and working out) in approximately four weeks.

Following surgery, you may experience swelling and bruising. To help reduce swelling, your plastic surgeon might suggest wearing a compression bandage for about a week or up to 14 days, depending on which type of surgical procedure you had.

Be sure to follow any instructions provided by Dr. Kirwan and his staff before and after plastic surgery to ensure a smooth procedure and recovery.