A facelift is a surgical procedure designed to reverse visible signs of aging on your face by tightening loose skin and repositioning deeper tissues. Over time, factors like genetics, environmental exposure, and lifestyle choices cause your skin and underlying facial structures to lose their elasticity and firmness. The result? Wrinkles, deep creases, sagging cheeks, and jowls that can make you look older than you feel.

Facelift surgery subtly elevates and reshapes your face to restore a more youthful appearance, without it looking as if you’ve had “work done.” Most facelifts are combined with a neck lift to ensure a balanced and comprehensive result.

• Smoother, firmer skin
• Less noticeable jowls
• Improved jawline contour
• Repositioned and elevated facial tissues
• Restored facial volume (especially when combined with facial fat transfer or dermal fillers)
• Reduced appearance of nasolabial folds and marionette lines
• Less noticeable neck banding and an overall smoother neck
• Less fullness under the chin

Just like no two faces are alike, there’s no one-size-fits-all facelift. Dr. Patel offers surgical techniques designed to address your unique anatomy and goals. During your consultation, he will guide you through your options and recommend the best approach for your needs.

What Is a Deep-Plane Facelift?

Dr. Patel brings a unique perspective to facelift surgery. With a background in maxillofacial surgery and board certification in facial cosmetic surgery, he understands both the surface and the structure beneath your face. That’s why he frequently performs deep-plane facelifts—a more advanced approach that addresses not just the skin, but the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue known as the SMAS layer.

A deep-plane facelift lifts both the SMAS and the skin, resulting in longer-lasting and more natural-looking results. Unlike traditional facelifts, which often appear overly tight or “windblown,” deep-plane facelifts provide elegant, youthful rejuvenation without looking stretched.

What Is a Mini Facelift?

A mini facelift is a less invasive version of a full facelift, using smaller incisions and requiring less recovery time. While this approach doesn’t offer the same level of correction as a deep-plane lift, it’s a great option if you want to refresh your face in the earlier stages of aging.

Best suited for younger patients or those with mild sagging and jowls, a mini facelift targets the lower and midface, improving cheek definition, reducing fine lines, and lifting mildly lax skin. However, it does not address the neck or deeper facial structures.

Ideal facelift candidates are nonsmokers in good overall health who want to address signs of aging in the lower two-thirds of their face and neck. You should also have realistic expectations for your results.

The best way to find out if you’re a good candidate for a facelift is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Patel. During your consultation, Dr. Patel will thoroughly evaluate your face and listen to your aesthetic goals to determine whether facelift surgery is right for you. If so, you’ll receive detailed pre-surgical instructions to help you prepare for the next step.

How Is Facelift Surgery Performed?

Facelift surgery is an outpatient procedure, meaning you’ll go home the same day—but you’ll need a responsible adult to drive you and help out during the first few days of recovery.

During the procedure, once you are comfortable under general anesthesia, Dr. Patel will place incisions hidden under your chin, in your hairline and around your ears (mini facelifts involve smaller incisions). If necessary, he will liposuction under your chin to eliminate submental fullness and contour your neck. He will elevate and tighten the SMAS layer, deeper tissues, and skin. Mini facelifts do not address the SMAS layer. He will then trim away excess skin to create a smooth, firm contour and close the incisions with sutures. Once the surgery is complete, he will place surgical dressings, drains if necessary, and a headwrap to support your newly rejuvenated face as it heals.

What Is Facelift Surgery Recovery Like?

You will experience swelling, tightness, and facial pressure in the first few days after your facelift. Mild to moderate discomfort is normal but can be managed with prescription or over-the-counter medications. Keeping your head elevated and getting plenty of rest will help minimize swelling and encourage healing. If you’re visiting Dr. Patel from out of town, you have a wide variety of accommodation options in Grapevine to ensure your comfort during your recovery.

Most patients are ready to return to work or regular activities within 10 to 14 days, but full facelift recovery takes several weeks. Dr. Patel and the WOW Cosmetic Surgery team will provide you with personalized recovery tips and check in with you throughout your healing process.

What Results Can I Expect From My Facelift?

Swelling and bruising will initially mask your results. But as these side effects resolve, your results will gradually become more noticeable. It can take up to six months for your full results to be evident.

A facelift is designed to offer long-lasting results, but it won’t stop the natural aging process. As time passes, your skin will continue to age, but regular maintenance treatments, such as lasers, microneedling, or non-surgical skin tightening, can help keep your results looking beautiful longer.

Why Choose WOW Cosmetic Surgery for Your Facelift?

When it comes to facial rejuvenation, experience and artistry matter. At WOW Cosmetic Surgery, located in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Dr. Prem Patel combines surgical precision with aesthetic sensitivity in every facelift procedure.

As a triple board-certified cosmetic surgeon specializing in facial procedures, Dr. Patel is known for achieving natural-looking, age-defying results that reflect each patient’s unique beauty. His thoughtful approach ensures your concerns are heard, your goals are prioritized, and your final outcome leaves you feeling confident, renewed, and ready to enjoy a night on the town in Grapevine.