Interested in getting a facelift? Learn all about the cosmetic procedure from Memphis plastic surgeon Dr. Phillip Langsdon. For more info visit http://www.drlangsdon.com

1. FACELIFTTHE BEST FRIEND GUIDE

2. ABOUT
PHILLIP LANGSDON, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Dr. Langsdon obtained his medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical
Sciences, where he was awarded The Medical Student Research Fellowship, The March of
Dimes Medical Student Research Fellowship, and The Summer Oncology Fellowship. He
was named the Barton Scholar upon graduation. He first trained in Otolaryngology-Head
& Neck Surgery at Indiana University; then he underwent advanced training in a year
long Fellowship devoted exclusively to cosmetic surgery of the face at the American
Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Dr. Langsdon’s private practice has been limited to Facial Plastic Surgery for over twenty-
five years. He is a tenured Professor at the University of Tennessee and Chief of the
Division of Facial Plastic Surgery. He has authored several medical articles, book chapters,
and a medical textbook. He has given over 100 medical lectures on topics related to
plastic surgery of the face. He has appeared nationally on The Today Show, Headline
News (worldwide), CSPAN, and has been quoted in national publications. He has been
selected for inclusion in Best Doctors in America list by Woodward/White, Inc. Dr.
Langsdon is also listed in the Guide to Americas’ Top Physicians by Consumer’s Research
Council of America.

3. HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR
FACIAL PLASTIC SURGEON
Take your time thinking about which plastic surgeon you would like to
perform your facelift. Look into following about your facial plastic
surgeon before your consultation:
• Facial plastic surgery specialty
• Facial plastic surgery board-certification
• Years of experience and training
• Hospital privileges
• Surgical facility and accreditation by national or state agency
Ask for referrals from friends and family, research plastic surgeons in
your area, and contact the following professional organizations:
• American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
(AAFPRS)
• American College of Surgeons (FACS)
• Fellowship Trained

4. QUESTIONS
FOR YOUR CONSULTATION
A consultation for a facelift includes a discussion of how you would like your face to look as well as your concerns about the
procedure. Approach your facial plastic surgeon with the following questions and evaluate his/her bedside manner:
• Are you certified by the American Board Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery?
• Were you specifically trained in the field of facial plastic surgery? How many years of facial plastic surgery training
have you had?
• Do you have hospital privileges to perform this procedure? If so, at which hospitals?
• Is the office-based surgical facility accredited by a nationally- or state-recognized accrediting agency, or is it state-
licensed or Medicare-certified?
• Am I a good candidate for this procedure?
• What will be expected of me to get the best results?
• Where and how will you perform my procedure?
• What surgical technique is recommended for me?
• How long of a recovery period can I expect, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery?
• What are the risks and complications associated with a facelift? How are complications handled?
• How can I expect my face to look over time?

5. INTRODUCTION
FACELIFT
Facelift surgery is an accepted treatment that can help both men and
women regain a more youthful appearance. The out-of-date attitude of
belittling cosmetic surgery has been replaced with the knowledge that
there is a way to help us improve some of the signs of aging. At The
Langsdon Clinic, we strive to reverse the signs of aging while preserving
the “natural appearance.”
A facelift (Rhytidectomy) procedure is designed to reduce sagging caused
by loose skin and muscles and drooping, fatty tissues of the face and
upper neck. The operation is done to treat the relatively early signs of
aging or to improve the advanced signs in older patients. If the sagging is
significant, the results of surgery may be more dramatic. In younger
patients, the results may be more subtle; they may simply “look less tired.”

6. FACELIFT
AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT
The following areas can be treated by a facelift procedure:
• Lower face
• Jowls
• Upper neck
Other procedures may be recommended to improve the eyelids, eyebrows,
forehead, or mid cheek. Wrinkles cannot be “pulled out” with a face-lift, and areas
of facial deflation (the groove between the eyes and upper cheek, the folds along
the sides of the mouth, cheek depressions) cannot be eradicated with a facelift.
In patients with thick or fatty cheeks and neck, the tissues may not be as mobile and
the contouring obtained may be somewhat less than that obtained in a patient with
thin tissues.

7. THE ALTERNATIVE
MID-FACE LIFT
A mid-face lift treats the sagging of the upper cheeks and
the surrounding area. The traditional facelift may fully
improve the upper cheek and lower eyelid areas of the face,
which often sink in, or flatten, and sag with age.
A mid-face lift elevates the upper cheek, improving fullness to
the area below the eyes and upper cheeks, helping restore a
refreshed fullness, more like that found in younger people. A
mid-face lift is quicker than a traditional facelift. It can
enhance the cheek bone area and improve the smile lines.

8. THE ALTERNATIVE
DAYLIFT
The DayLift is an innovative technique designed to improve sagging cheeks and
jowls. It may remove years from one’s appearance during a single, one-hour
procedure. The DayLift is a true lift that supports the skin, connective tissue, and
muscles instead of only tightening the facial skin. The DayLift provides natural-
appearing results with less bruising and swelling than more extensive procedures.
General Anesthesia is not needed and most patients return to light activities much
sooner than with a full-lower facelift.
Although the results can sometimes be dramatic, the DayLift cannot produce the
results of a more extensive facelift. It cannot remove asymmetries, wrinkles, or stop
the aging process. It cannot improve an extensively sagging or fatty neck.
Dr. Langsdon developed the DayLift for the patient who needs only minimal
improvement of the cheeks and jowls or who might not want a full-lower facelift.

9. THE PREPARATION
FACELIFT
Preoperatively, medications are given to begin relaxation and help minimize
swelling and bruising. The procedure is usually performed at the clinic’s
outpatient surgical center. “Twilight” sedation is used and is supplemented by
local anesthesia. Most patients have no discomfort during the procedure.
The face is divided into several areas of concern: the neck, the lower cheek-
jowl, the upper cheek, eyelids, and the forehead. The facelift deals with the
lower cheek-jowl and neck. It does not treat the forehead, eyelids, or
cheekbone areas.
Normally, we do not shave the hair in preparation for the procedure. Not
having to wait for hair to re-grow makes it easier to camouflage
postoperative healing.

10. FACELIFT
THE PROCEDURE
The incision for the lower cheek-jowl-neck operation begins in the
temple hair and extends down just in front of the ear, around the ear
lobe, up behind the ear, and then backward along the hairline.
Through this incision, the skin is elevated out into the cheeks, and neck.
The underlying muscle and connective tissues are raised and
repositioned with sutures to help support these underlying facial
structures of the cheek-jowl and upper neck. Excess skin is then
removed.
A small incision is usually placed in a crease under the chin. Through
this incision, fatty accumulation in the upper neck may be improved
and the muscles may be tightened. The skin edges are secured with
absorbable sutures in front of the ear and under the chin; and small
skin clips may be used for the incisions along the hairline.

11. THE RECOVERY
FACELIFT
During your facelift recovery, a bandage might be placed around
your face to minimize swelling and bruising once your procedure is
completed.
Thin tubes may be present to drain any excess blood or fluid that
may collect under the skin.
You will be given specific instructions that may include how to care
for the surgical site and drains, medications to apply or take orally
to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection, specific
concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health,
and when to follow up with your plastic surgeon.

12. POTENTIAL
RISKS
The decision to have a facelift is extremely personal, and the following
potential risks and complications should be taken into consideration:
• Anesthesia risks
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Poor wound healing and skin loss
• Facial nerve injury with weakness
• Temporary or permanent hair loss at the incisions
• Fluid accumulation
• Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
• Persistent pain
• Unfavorable scarring
• Prolonged swelling
• Skin irregularities and discoloration
• Sutures may spontaneously surface through the skin
• Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications

13. BEFORE & AFTER
PHOTO GALLERY
These are real images of our past patients, so you can see the satisfactory results of facelifts done by Dr. Langsdon.
Consider them a helpful tool that enables you to visualize the end product of the procedure. If you are interested in
viewing more and finding something similar to your desired face, please view our Facelift Photo Gallery.

14. OTHER HELPFUL
RESOURCES
Your journey is only beginning. If you’re interested in doing more
research, please visit the websites listed below. These resources will help
you connect with the plastic surgery community, so you can learn more and
ask more questions about facelifts.
• American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
www.abfprs.org
• The Langsdon Clinic
www.drlangsdon.com
• American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive
Surgery
www.aafprs.org