What is a facelift?
Port Saint Lucie, FL board-certified cosmetic plastic surgeon Dr. William Vinyard performs a variety of facial surgical treatments. One of the most sought out surgeries at Vinyard Institute of Plastic Surgery (VIPS) is a facelift. It is common to lose facial tone and elasticity as you age, and a facelift can help improve the signs of aging on your face and neck. A facelift is a surgical procedure that Dr. Vinyard performs to improve the most visible signs of aging by tightening deeper structures, re-draping the skin of the face and neck, and adding, removing or repositioning selected areas of fat to achieve a more youthful appearance. Dr. Vinyard has completed advanced training in the latest approaches in facial plastic surgery to help you regain your youthful appearance without making you appear "pulled" or "too surprised." During a one-on-one consultation in his office, he will explain his recommended treatment plan with you and answer all of your questions about your facelift.
You will receive Dr. Vinyard's undivided attention at your consultation for about 1 – 1.5 hours as he creates a plan of care specific to your needs and desires. Dr. Vinyard values the time spent in consultation with you and the communication that occurs during your visit. This is a vital part of your journey with us and can be considered time worth investing and dedicating to yourself.
Facelift Reviews
Who Is A Candidate?
Men and women who are suitable for a facelift are frustrated by drooping skin, lines, and wrinkles on the face whether it be on the entire face or on the upper, mid, or lower face. Facelift surgery can address one or more areas depending on your unique goals and desired outcome. It is important to understand that age does not necessarily define the time in life to have a facelift. There are so many aspects and factors, and also numerous lift techniques depending on the cosmetic concerns of the patient. The lifting technique chosen will vary for patients who are between 30 – 40 years old versus those who are older, such as 60 – 70 years old. The condition of the skin is one of the most important elements in the planning process. Facelift patients should be in good physical health and refrain from smoking, and also have realistic expectations.
When Dr. Vinyard performs a comprehensive facial evaluation during your consultation, it will include the use of TouchMD technology. He will then begin the consultation, which will consist of an analysis and conversation about your facial aging process and facial structure, a physical exam, and then a detailed discussion of your options. During your conversation, Dr. Vinyard will also help you visualize your projected surgical outcome. Lastly, you will meet with the patient care coordinator who will provide you with your quote for your facelift and will assist you in obtaining financing if desired.
What's the surgery technique?
This surgery concentrates on distinct sections of the face to tighten loose skin features to create a more taut, yet softer appearance. Depending on your concerns and goals for surgery, a facelift can focus on the lines and wrinkles near the eyes, the cheeks and mid-face, the bottom two-thirds including the jowls, mouth, neck, and more for an all-encompassing youthful look. The facelift technique used depends on your goals, the condition of your skin, the amount of laxity present, your lifestyle, age, and anatomy. Some men and women are of age and have skin laxity for a full facelift, while others may only be ready for a mid-face lift. The overall goal is to create a natural look that's gorgeous, subtle, and still striking. Common facelift options include:
- Full-Face Facelift
Considered the gold standard, the full facelift most often incorporates an incision close to the hairline, then extends down to the area near the temples, reaching the base of the ears. The underlying facial tissues and muscles are carefully pulled and safely tightened to produce a lifted outcome, which reduces excessive loose skin and droopy features. This facelift is reserved for individuals who have visible signs of advanced aging. With this lift, various treatments may be combined, including blepharoplasty to enhance the eyes or a neck lift for the lower region. - Mid-Face Facelift
With a similar approach to the mini lift, the surgery known as a mid-facelift focuses on the hollow and lax areas close to the cheekbones and the upper jaw. This lift works well for those who hope to attain improvement in the lower two-thirds of the face, which also improves the look of the jowls. - Lower-Face Facelift
This lift addresses the chin area and neck, and in many cases, the jowls. Nonsurgical methods, such as a Kybella injection, can also be used for chin reduction to attain a younger, tighter-looking neck. - Mini-Facelift
During a mini facelift, a thin, small incision is made around the ears to lift the skin to a higher position, which enhances the mouth, jawline, and jowls. This process creates subtle improvements that look natural.
Facelifts vary in the length of time required to complete them depending upon your customized surgical plan. From a mini-facelift alone to a full-facelift with upper and lower eyelid surgery, micro-liposuction of the neck and jowls with fat injection to the face where appropriate, the time can range from 3.5 – 7 hours. It is very common to combine procedures. Dr. Vinyard will help you navigate through the process of deciding what combination of procedures will work best for you.
What Can I Expect ?
When you choose to return to the public is according to your comfort level with the public suspecting that you have had a procedure. Most patients return to the public within three weeks of their surgery. Bruising can persist for up to three weeks after your facelift, but you may have little bruising at all. However, by 7 – 10 days after surgery, even the most colorful bruising can be concealed with some camouflaging concealer. The majority of the swelling decreases over the first three week period. However, some swelling persists for up to six weeks. Your first official after photo will be taken three months after your facelift. This is the point at which the swelling should be resolved. Therefore, the results continue to improve incrementally for up to one year postoperatively. Dr. Vinyard likes to keep a close watch over his facelift patients. You will see him the morning after your procedure and your follow-up appointments in the office after your facelift will be scheduled during week one, week two, week three, week six, month three, month six, and at one year.
Facial Rejuvenation for You
Cosmetic facial surgery can take years off your face and give you a glowing look. Today, there are many options for surgery based on your unique needs and goals. This surgery is designed to elegantly and seamlessly help walk you through each passing year looking natural. For more information, we invite you to get in touch with VIPS in Port Saint Lucie, FL to set up your appointment with Dr. Vinyard.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a facelift cost?
Just as every face is unique, so are the different types of surgeries that can be employed to help correct your concerns. You will be given a written quote at the end of your consultation that will detail the associated costs. A facelift may be performed in conjunction with other facial rejuvenation procedures such as liposuction of the jowls and submental region (area below the chin), eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), facial fat injection to increase facial volume, and/or an endoscopic brow lift making each quote very different depending upon your needs. The quote for your facial rejuvenation will list Dr. Vinyard's professional fee, anesthesia fee, facility fee, and a facial compression garment. Dr. Vinyard's professional fee includes your initial consultation fee, your pre-op visit and all follow-up visits related to your facial rejuvenation procedure.
Our practice participates with CareCredit and Alphaeon. We do not directly finance any procedure. You may also want to research options through your bank of choice. We also accept all major credit cards including VISA, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.
What technique is best for me?
The best technique for you will depend on your needs, goals, and degree of skin laxity, which areas are being addressed, and more. To produce the results you want, Dr. Vinyard will go over the different techniques during your consultation. He will then help you decide which technique is best for you.
Should I get a surgical or nonsurgical facelift?
While there are many great nonsurgical skin tightening procedures, these can only produce mild improvements in skin tone. If you have moderate to severe skin sagging, a surgical facelift is the best choice to improve your appearance. During your consultation, Dr. Vinyard will discuss your options, including nonsurgical treatments, to help you decide what is best for your goals.
What about wrinkle fillers and relaxers over facelift surgery?
Injectable wrinkle fillers and relaxers, like Juvéderm and BOTOX, have become very popular to refresh the face. Sometimes known as a liquid facelift, injectable wrinkle treatments can give usually help with early signs of aging, but the results are temporary. A facelift can produce more dramatic improvements than injectables with results that can last for a long time. Ask Dr. Vinyard about injectable treatments during your consultation.
Will my results look natural?
Many patients worry that facelift surgery will make their skin look too tight, shiny, or like they live in a wind tunnel. Dr. Vinyard focuses on giving you a natural-looking result, so you look refreshed and not fake. He listens to your needs and goals before developing your personal treatment plan with the technique that will produce your best results.

Plan Your Procedure
- Recovery Time
- 2 – 3 Weeks
- Average Procedure Time
- 3 – 6 hours
- Post-op Follow-up
- 1 – 3 Days
- Procedure Recovery Location
- Outpatient