Natural-Looking Facelifts by Dr. Small

Dr. Small has many years of experience providing his patients with successful facelifts that look natural and not obvious. A facelift can contour the lower two-thirds of your face so that the jowls, chin, and cheeks are tighter and more youthful looking. If you are only beginning to show a few signs of aging, a liquid facelift might be an option for you. This is a non-surgical approach using injectables such as Botox and dermal fillers. Of course, a liquid facelift is temporary and must be repeated, while a surgical facelift can last as long as a decade. Dr. Small will discuss these options with you during your consultation so that you can make the right decision for you.

Everything you Need To Know Facelift Overview

Meet Dr. Stephen E. Small Customized, Nuanced Facelift Results in Toms River and Stafford Township

Overview

For over 18 years, Dr. Small has been helping patients to achieve their ideal appearance, free from imperfections and signs of aging. He is known for his holistic, respectful approach, compassionate bedside manner, and the meticulous detail and artistry he applies to each procedure. Dr. Small believes that every patient is unique, and his only job is to elevate and accentuate their natural and timeless beauty.

Early Life

After being involved in a serious burn accident at the age of 9, Dr. Small was treated by a skilled plastic surgeon who turned his life around. From that point on, he dedicated himself to his future career as an aesthetic artist, understanding firsthand how transformative and life-affirming cosmetic procedures could be. Today, Dr. Small goes above and beyond to ensure the success and satisfaction of his patients. His mission is to help others look and feel their absolute best.

Training Background

Dr. Small is a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive expertise in reconstructive, laser, and cosmetic procedures. After receiving his medical degree with honors from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), he pursued a demanding 5-year general residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Stratford. He then chose an intensive one-year burn and reconstructive fellowship at New York Medical College, Valhalla, in order to master the same cutting-edge techniques that saved his life as a child. Dr. Small also served as a resident and chief resident in plastic surgery for several years at Ohio University, South Pointe Hospital-Cleveland Clinic Health System.

Facelift Procedure Overview

Scope:

A facelift eradicates sagging skin, jowls, and jawline drooping to restore a refreshed, vibrant countenance.

Anesthesia:

General anesthesia is used.

Treatment Time:

A facelift can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours depending on the extent of the work required and whether other treatments are added on.

Recovery:

Patients take several weeks off from work, and resume strenuous exercise after 4-6 weeks.

Facelift Before & After

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What Is a Facelift?

Facelift surgery is performed to address signs of aging in the lower two-thirds of the face. Common complaints targeted include nasolabial folds, sagging cheeks, loss of definition in the jawline, jowls, and wrinkles. Dr. Small performs several variations on traditional rhytidectomy, allowing for a high degree of customization and precision. While a facelift is a powerful anti-aging solution on its own, it is often combined with a neck lift, neck liposuction, blepharoplasty, or a brow lift to maximize results.

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What Are the Benefits of a Facelift?

When performed with consummate artistry by Dr. Small, a facelift in Ocean County provides the following profound benefits:

  • Lifts and repositions drooping skin
  • Sharpens and redefines the jawline
  • Eradicates folds, creases, lines, and wrinkles
  • Corrects the appearance of jowls
  • Can be combined with other aesthetic options
  • Restores an attractive, youthful countenance 
  • Enhances self-confidence
  • Long-lasting, natural-looking results
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Who Is an Ideal Candidate for a Facelift in Ocean County?

Ideal candidates for facelift surgery are healthy non-smokers who are free from any uncontrolled medical issues that might increase their risks. They should have positive yet realistic expectations for what a facelift can accomplish based on their private consultation with Dr. Small and his team in Toms River and Stafford Township.

In general, a facelift is well-suited for those who have exhausted non-invasive options like skincare products, injectables, and energy-based treatments and are now seeking a more lasting and dramatic transformation. Dr. Small will conduct a thorough physical assessment and medical review to make sure that a facelift will be a safe, effective solution for meeting your goals.

The Facelift Procedure

You will be either under a local anesthetic with sedation or general anesthesia during your facelift. Dr. Small will discuss this with you during your consultation, but in most cases, general anesthesia isn’t necessary. While every case is different, the average facelift takes about two hours.

There are a number of techniques that Dr. Small might employ depending on your anatomy and how you want to look after your facelift. In a traditional facelift, the incision is made behind the hairline and ends behind the earlobes.

Dr. Small then removes excess skin and tissue and redrapes it for a more youthful look. In some cases, smaller incisions can be made in what is called a “mini-facelift.” Dr. Small’s goal is always to make the surgery as easy for you as he can while also giving you the best possible outcome.

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One day I had on reading glasses and I just happened to glance in a mirror, I was shocked at how old I looked. I started looking online at ways I could look younger. I was so overwhelmed at all the stuff out there between fillers and procedures and Botox wow!

Michele K.

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Recovering from a Facelift

Recovering from a facelift takes 10-14 days in most cases. Like with most surgeries, you will feel a bit sore and have some swelling, numbness, and bruising. You can take pain medication, apply cold compresses, and keep your head elevated to make your healing time easier.

Dr. Small will keep a close watch on your progress and will tell you everything you need to know to heal fast and well. This will include avoiding certain things like alcohol, hair dryers, curling irons, and exercise for a little while. You will also need to sleep on your back for a couple of weeks. You will look better pretty quickly, but a facelift takes months to “settle.” This means that you will continue to look even better for a period of time before you see the final outcome of your surgery.

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Complementary Procedures with Facelift

While a facelift can improve the look of the neck around the jowls and chin, you might have more skin laxity lower on the neck. In that case, a neck lift can be performed simultaneously with your facelift. If your forehead and/or the area around your eyes is starting to age, a brow lift or eyelid surgery can be done in conjunction with your facelift for a full face makeover. Dr. Small sometimes recommends injectables such as dermal fillers or Botox shortly after a facelift to take care of any remaining fine lines and wrinkles.

Facelift Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Facelift Painful?

Facelift surgery is performed under general anesthesia. This means that you will sleep peacefully throughout the procedure, free from pain, and carefully monitored by our board-certified providers. After surgery, Dr. Small will prescribe prescription painkillers to help you manage any temporary postoperative discomfort.

How Much Does a Facelift Cost?

Facelift pricing is individualized, as each procedure is unique and relies on specific techniques selected by the doctor to meet your needs. The average price is $15,000-$20,000. Dr. Small will offer you a customized quote after your private consultation in Ocean County.

Will a Facelift Make Me Look Unnatural?

Dr. Small is dedicated to delivering natural-looking enhancements in a way that defies detection. In general, facelift techniques have advanced by leaps and bounds in recent years, allowing patients to avoid looking overly tight or “pulled.”

How Should I Prepare for Facelift Surgery?

If approved for facelift plastic surgery, Dr. Small will provide you with important pre-operative instructions to ensure a successful procedure and recovery period. These will likely include (but not necessarily be limited to) the following:

  • Quit smoking or be able to stop for at least three months (six weeks before the operation and six weeks after).
  • Abstain from anti-inflammatory medications and blood thinners beginning 7-10 days before the procedure.
  • If we’ll be using general anesthesia, arrange for someone to drive you home.
  • You may shower and wash your face the night before or morning of your surgery, but do not apply makeup or other topical products.

How Much Time Should I Take Off From Work?

Patients with less physically demanding jobs, such as those working in an office, can expect to take one or two weeks off for recovery. Those with more strenuous careers may need about a month for proper healing.

Will I Have Scarring After A Facelift?

Scars are an inherent part of almost any surgery, but they should at least partially fade over time. Incisions are also hidden within the hairline and behind the ears.

Will I Need to Have A Revision Facelift In The Future?

The results from a traditional facelift are designed to last a decade or longer, at which point you may be eligible for a follow-up treatment. To extend the effects of your surgery, it is important to use a good skincare routine involving moisturizer and always apply sunscreen when going out in the sun.

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Get Started Today With a Private Facelift Consultation in Ocean County, Toms River, & Stafford Township

If you would like to learn more about Dr. Small’s innovative facelift techniques and how the procedure can restore your appearance, confidence, and peace of mind, contact us today to schedule a private consultation at Ocean Plastic Surgery, conveniently located along the beautiful New Jersey coastline. We are excited to work with you and answer all your questions with transparency and care. Call today to get started with facelift surgery in Ocean County, Toms River, & Stafford Township!

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