Safety. Effectiveness. Highly-Trained Providers. Patient Satisfaction. We talk about these things all of the time, but it’s not just talk. It’s what we truly believe in. We pride ourselves on offering treatments and procedures that are safe and effective. We invest in continual training for all of our providers from our aestheticians to our doctors. And it’s all for the satisfaction of our patients.
To prove our point, we recently had two of our own staff who hung up their nursing scrubs for the day and put on the patient gowns. Both nurses were looking for facelifts to help reduce the signs of aging and help them look refreshed, but they chose two different treatment routes.
A Non-Surgical Full Face Correction
Michelle is our surgical nurse who assists Dr. Sherick and Dr. Beil during plastic surgery procedures. She’s 38 years old and while her skin is healthy, she felt she could benefit from treatment that would help her look more rested and refreshed. A surgical facelift was unnecessary at this point in her life, so she turned to injectables for a full face correction.
For many years, some providers have been using JUVÉDERM VOLBELLA®, which is meant as a lip injectable, off-label to treat dark circles under the eyes. This past year, the FDA approved Volbella to officially treat tear troughs (Read more about the benefits here). Our nurse injector gave Michelle one syringe of Volbella in her tear troughs which significantly reduced the dark, saggy look underneath her eyes.
Beyond just wanting fuller lips, many women find that as they age, their lips appear thinner. Just as our skin’s elasticity is affected by the body’s reduced production of collagen, so are our lips. To increase the fullness of Michelle’s lips, our team injected one syringe of Volbella.
The majority of Michelle’s full face correction was done on her cheeks. Eight syringes of Voluma were used to add volume and fullness back to her cheeks. Just as the reduction of collagen can make lips thin over time, it can also cause cheeks to appear sunken. Voluma results are almost immediate and can last close to two years.
To round off Michelle’s treatment, she received Botox in all of the expected locations around the forehead and eyes. Botox works to relax the facial muscles to help limit unwanted wrinkles. Botox was injected in Michelle’s “crow feet” along the outside of the eye, across her forehead, and at her “elevens” between the eyebrows. Botox results typically last about three to four months.
A non-surgical full-face injectable correction like Michelle received typically costs patients between $7,000 – $7,500 for the initial treatment. Because each of the injectables varies in how long the body takes to metabolize them, follow-up appointments would be significantly less expensive.
A Surgical Face Lift
Patty is one of our beloved nurse injectors. She’s an expert at injecting Botox, Dysport, Juvederm Ultra, Volbella, Restylane, and more. She’s also an avid user of these products and has received her fair share of Botox during her time at the Center for Plastic Surgery Ann Arbor. Over the years, Patty had made a promise to herself that when her daughter got engaged, she would invest in a facelift. Last year when Patty was 55, her daughter got a ring and Patty got a consultation with Dr. Beil for a facelift.
After meeting with Dr. Beil, Patty decided to move ahead with receiving a Minimal Access Cranial Suspension (MACS) facelift – or more commonly referred to as a mini facelift. Although just 55, Patty decided this was an ideal time for a facelift that would allow her plenty of years to enjoy the benefits and help her age gracefully.
The main difference between a mini facelift and a full facelift is the area treated. A mini facelift treats a smaller portion of the face and therefore is typically sought out by younger patients who have less correction needed. For the mini facelift, an incision is made near the ear and along the hairline. The skin is temporarily pulled back while the plastic surgeon removes excess skin and tissue and pulls the remaining skin up and tighter toward the ear.
After Patty’s surgery, she was back to work within a week. The minimal swelling and redness she still had at that point were easily covered with make-up and she was able to style her hair to cover the incision as it healed. Now, over a year out from her surgery, her scars are virtually undetectable.
According to Patty, there was minimal pain during recovery, too. The first night following the facelift surgery, she wore a pressure bandage to prevent fluid build-up. Rather than pain, Patty described the sensation in her face during recovery as tight and uncomfortable. Extra strength Tylenol and Advil were the only painkillers she needed to ease discomfort.
A facelift at the Center for Plastic Surgery Ann Arbor is an investment ranging between $6,000 – $15,000 depending on a variety of factors including whether it’s a mini facelift or a full facelift. The surgery results last 10-15 years so are more permanent than an injectable full-face correction like Michelle received. However, a facelift does not stop the body’s natural aging process.
To support her investment, Patty makes sure that she uses quality medical-grade skin care products and continues to receive Botox in her forehead. Additionally, medspa laser treatments such as Morpheus help to treat fine lines and uneven skin tone such as redness.
Center for Plastic Surgery Ann Arbor is Your Choice for Facelifts
Whether you’re seeking a surgical or non-surgical solution, our highly qualified and skilled providers can help you achieve your cosmetic goals. If you’re not sure which route would be better for you, we can help you determine that during your consultation. Call our office today at 734.712.2323 to schedule your consultation.
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