The Extended Weekend Facelift is a plastic surgery procedure that addresses the jowls and a little bit of the neck. It is called the Extended Weekend Facelift primarily because it takes less time to heal from the traditional facelift procedure of years ago but a little more time than the Weekend Facelift. This hour-and-a-half to two hour long procedure is pioneered by Dr. Edwin Williams of the Williams Center in New York. Dr. Williams is a seasoned veteran in the field of cosmetic surgery with 25 years of experience. He exclusively specializes in facial procedures, which sets him apart from other plastic surgeons. Because he exclusively performs facial procedures, he is able to offer 4 different facelift procedures that can improve the appearance of the lower face. During the consultation process, Dr. Williams determines the best option for the patient by listening to the patient’s areas of concern.
Extended Weekend Faceliftin Albany & Syracuse. NY
What Is the Extended Weekend Facelift?
- M.G.
Why Have the Extended Weekend Facelift?
The physical benefits of plastic surgery are very obvious to the eye. People who have plastic surgery performed obtain the final results in a matter of weeks, even though the days that follow can include some bruising and swelling. However, the more intrinsic value of using this technique would be more emotional than physical. Being able to revisit how you looked five or ten years ago would be more within reach.
Ann Ramsey is one of Dr. Williams’ patients. After she went through this process, she was very happy with the results. “I feel really good now. I feel a lot better about myself when I get out of the shower and look at the mirror. I like how I look,” she said.
Extended Weekend Facelift Consultation with Dr. Williams
The Extended Weekend Facelift focuses on the jowls and a bit of the neck, taking from about a hour-and-a-half to two hours to perform. Before the procedure, Dr. Williams will consult with you to determine whether this procedure will result in your anticipated personal enhancement goals and whether you might require additional procedures to meet your goals. It is important to have realistic expectations of your anticipated outcome. Computer photo imaging helps provide patients with a visual concept of the procedure’s anticipated final results.
Two to three weeks prior to the procedure, you would meet with one of our highly trained nurses to review your pre-operative and post-operative care. Often laboratory testing may be necessary.
The New England Laser and Cosmetic Center is a free-standing ambulatory surgery center located in Albany, New York, under the direction of Dr. Edwin Williams, M.D., F.A.C.S. This Center is approved by the New York State Department of Health and is accredited by AAAHC. The Center includes two fully equipped operating rooms and a recovery room, and the nursing staff is trained in plastic surgery. Anesthesia is provided by a fully trained Anesthesia provider who specializes in providing care to cosmetic surgery patients.
What Does the Procedure Involve?
The surgery takes approximately one-and-a-half hours to two hours to finish. The process begins with the administration of a local anesthetic along with I.V. sedation. A highly trained anesthesia provider will monitor and administer the anesthetic. After the patient experiences numbness in the anesthetic area, the guided vertical incision will be done in the space between the cheekbone and the earlobe. This method addresses the jowls and softens wrinkles. The skin on the neck is also pulled back gently to improve some of the sagging skin that may remain. After the surgery is done, the patient will be placed in a recovery room and will be attended to by qualified registered nurses. The time spent in the recovery room will be dependent on the extent of the surgery.
After surgery, the patient is sent home so that they can heal. They are encouraged to refrain from too much physical activity as it might impede the healing process and may cause bleeding. This can further delay the healing process and may distort the results of the surgery. For most surgeries, an overnight stay is not required and with this technique the patient can go home on the same day. They will also be given medication which should be taken faithfully at certain parts of the day to help hasten the healing process.
One of our patients who had her procedure at the Center had very good things to say about the staff: “They make you feel comfortable. This is a surgery I elected to have. They made me feel relaxed and happy about coming in to have it.”
In any surgical procedure, scars will result where incisions are made. The surgeons are professionals and are very careful in placing the incisions and resulting scars in places on the face that will either be hidden or barely noticeable. This incision line is the same as the weekend facelift but also extends around the back fold of the ear.
A few weeks after the surgery, the scars that form will be barely noticeable. A patient may also feel some tightness in the neck area and some soreness on the sides of the neck which is normal after the extended weekend facelift surgery.
In plastic surgery, as in all other types of surgery, the bigger the operation, the greater the risks for complication. A patient may have a history of medical issues like diabetes or any complication that may impede the proper healing process. These considerations are taken seriously by the surgeon before going through with the operation.
FAQs for the Extended Weekend Facelift
Are there risks involved with the procedure?
This facelift is a less invasive procedure than the traditional facelift of years ago; however, there are a few limited risks involved, as with any surgery. Swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort are the most common side effects.
How soon can I return to work after the Extended Weekend Facelift?
Most patients are able to return to work in approximately seven to ten days. However, It really depends on the type of job they have as to how much physical labor is required.
How painful is the Extended Weekend Facelift?
With any surgical procedure, there is a certain amount of discomfort. Our patients typically will take pain medication for a day and then move onto Tylenol for this procedure.
How big is the incision for the Extended Weekend Facelift?
The incision starts in the temple around the hairline, continuing down along the hard part of the ear and right up in back of the ear.
How noticeable will the incision be for the Extended Weekend Facelift?
As with any incision, initially it will be more noticeable before fading over time so that ultimately it is barely visible. It can be red and a little raised during the first few weeks. The sutures are removed approximately six days post-procedure and you may apply makeup roughly ten days after surgery. In order to hide the incision lines after surgery, you may want to allow your hair to grow over your ears just prior to surgery. It is suggested that you color your hair prior to surgery; otherwise color is not recommended to be applied until six weeks post-procedure. The head dressing remains three day post-surgery. After that is removed you may wash your hair. Bruising and swelling associated with the procedure will vary.
What is the cost of the Extended Weekend Facelift?
The cost of this facelift is approximately $6800.00. There are additional operating room and anesthesia fees.
Are You A Candidate?
If you are someone who lives in Albany, Manhattan, St Thomas, Virgin Islands or elsewhere and think that you could benefit, for professional or personal reasons, from taking away a few years from your face, then the extended weekend lift might be a great option.
A patient by the name of Colleen Aragona related how much people stopped commenting on how tired she looked. “The difference is subtle. People don’t notice that I had work done,” she said.
Again, the emotional benefits of plastic surgery are always more significant than the physical ones.
Ann Ramsay continues: “It’s not a different me, it’s me ten years ago.”