Oklahoma City – Facial Plastic Surgery Dr Jeanette Padgett
Facial plastic surgery can refine your natural attributes, remove wrinkles and frown lines, and give you a more youthful appearance. If you have excess skin on your neck, then you may opt for a neck lift combined with a facelift for an overall improvement to your facial profile. Performed in Oklahoma City by board certified plastic surgeon Jeanette Padgett, facelift plastic surgery an help you reach your goal to look years younger, more alert, and healthier.
Please choose from the links below to learn more about the facial rejuvenation and contouring procedures from Oklahoma City plastic surgeon Dr. Jeanette Padgett, MD FACS.
Face
Facial Rejuvenation
Brow Lift
A Brow Lift, also known as a forehead lift, is a cosmetic surgery designed to elevate the eyebrows, smooth forehead wrinkles, and reduce the appearance of frown lines. It addresses sagging skin and tissue above the eyes, which can create a tired or aged look. This procedure is popular among individuals seeking a more youthful and refreshed upper facial appearance.
Process
The Brow Lift procedure typically begins with a consultation where the surgeon evaluates the patient’s facial structure, skin elasticity, and aesthetic goals. Depending on the patient’s needs, the surgeon may recommend one of several techniques: the traditional (or coronal) brow lift, the endoscopic brow lift, or a less invasive temporal lift.
Traditional Brow Lift: The surgeon makes an incision across the top of the head, hidden within the hairline. Through this incision, excess skin is removed, and underlying muscles and tissues are adjusted to lift the brow and smooth the forehead.
Endoscopic Brow Lift: A less invasive option, this technique uses small incisions and a tiny camera (endoscope) to guide the surgery. The surgeon lifts the forehead tissue and secures it with sutures or anchors, minimizing scarring and recovery time.
Temporal Lift: Focused on the outer brow, this involves smaller incisions near the temples to lift and reposition the lateral brow area.
The surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation, taking 1-2 hours. After adjusting the tissues, the incisions are closed with sutures or clips. Patients can expect swelling and bruising for about 1-2 weeks, with full recovery taking a few months as the tissues settle into their new position.
Neck Lift
A Neck Lift, or lower rhytidectomy, targets sagging skin, excess fat, and muscle banding in the neck area to create a more defined and youthful neck and jawline. It’s often sought by those with “turkey neck” or loose skin due to aging, weight loss, or genetics.
Process
The Neck Lift process starts with a consultation to assess skin laxity, fat deposits, and muscle condition. Surgeons may combine a Neck Lift with other procedures like a Face Lift for comprehensive rejuvenation. The surgery typically involves the following steps:
- Incision Placement: Incisions are made behind the ears and sometimes under the chin, depending on the extent of correction needed. These locations help conceal scars.
- Fat Removal or Redistribution: Excess fat is removed via liposuction or directly excised. In some cases, fat is redistributed to improve contour.
- Muscle Tightening: The platysma muscle (a thin sheet of muscle in the neck) is tightened through a technique called platysmaplasty. This reduces the appearance of vertical bands and enhances the neck’s shape.
- Skin Adjustment: Excess skin is trimmed, and the remaining skin is redraped over the newly contoured neck and secured with sutures.
Performed under general anesthesia or sedation, the procedure lasts 2-3 hours. Recovery involves wearing a compression garment to minimize swelling, with most patients resuming normal activities within 2-4 weeks. Final results emerge as swelling subsides, typically within a few months.
Face Lift
A Face Lift, or rhytidectomy, is a comprehensive procedure aimed at reducing signs of aging in the mid to lower face and jawline. It addresses sagging skin, deep creases, jowls, and loss of facial volume, offering a smoother and more youthful appearance.
Process
The Face Lift begins with a detailed consultation to evaluate facial aging patterns and determine the best approach. Surgeons may perform a traditional Face Lift, a mini Face Lift, or a deep plane Face Lift, depending on the patient’s needs.
Traditional Face Lift: Incisions start at the hairline near the temples, extend around the ears, and sometimes into the lower scalp. The surgeon lifts the skin, tightens underlying muscles and connective tissues (SMAS layer), removes excess fat if necessary, and redrapes the skin for a natural look.
Mini Face Lift: A less invasive option with smaller incisions around the ears, this targets mild to moderate sagging, primarily in the lower face and jawline.
Deep Plane Face Lift: This advanced technique repositions deeper facial tissues (muscles and fat) rather than just the skin, offering longer-lasting and more natural results.
The surgery, performed under general anesthesia or sedation, takes 2-4 hours. Incisions are closed with sutures, and drains may be placed to prevent fluid buildup. Recovery involves swelling and bruising for 1-2 weeks, with patients advised to avoid strenuous activity for about a month. Results become fully apparent after several months as the face heals and settles.
Eyelid Lift
An Eyelid Lift, or blepharoplasty, rejuvenates the eye area by removing excess skin, fat, and sometimes muscle from the upper and/or lower eyelids. It corrects drooping upper lids, under-eye bags, and puffiness, enhancing both appearance and, in some cases, vision.
Process
The Eyelid Lift process starts with a consultation to assess the eyelids’ condition and determine whether upper, lower, or both eyelids require surgery. The procedure is tailored to the patient’s specific concerns, such as hooded eyes or under-eye hollows.
Upper Blepharoplasty: An incision is made along the natural crease of the upper eyelid. Excess skin and fat are removed, and the incision is closed with fine sutures. This lifts the lid and reduces heaviness.
Lower Blepharoplasty: Incisions are made just below the lower lash line or inside the eyelid (transconjunctival approach). Fat is removed or repositioned to eliminate bags, and excess skin is trimmed if needed.
Combined Procedure: Many patients opt for both upper and lower blepharoplasty for a balanced result.
Performed under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, the surgery takes 1-2 hours. Bruising and swelling subside within 1-2 weeks, and patients can usually return to normal activities shortly after, though full healing may take a few months. Scars are minimal and well-hidden in natural creases.
General Considerations Across Procedures
While each of these cosmetic surgeries targets a specific area, they share common elements in their execution and recovery. All begin with a thorough consultation to ensure the patient’s health and goals align with the procedure. Anesthesia is used to ensure comfort, and incision placement is carefully planned to minimize visible scarring. Surgeons often combine techniques—like liposuction or fat grafting—to enhance results.
Post-surgery, patients experience swelling, bruising, and discomfort, managed with medication and proper care. Recovery timelines vary but typically range from 1-4 weeks for initial healing, with final results appearing over months. Risks such as infection, scarring, or asymmetry exist but are rare with a skilled surgeon. These procedures are elective, so selecting a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience is crucial for safety and satisfaction.
