Brentwood: (615) 942-8016
Youthful Reflections: Michael A. Boggess, MD
213 Overlook Circle, Suite B-3
Brentwood, TN 37027
Phone: (615) 942-8016
Monday–Thursday: 9 a.m.‑4 p.m.
Considering a facelift brings up important questions about technique, recovery, and results. Below, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Boggess answers some of the most common questions patients ask about full, lower, and mini facelift procedures.
Dr. Boggess proudly serves patients from the following communities:
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that lifts and tightens the skin and underlying tissues of the lower face and neck to restore a more youthful-looking contour.
Yes. A facelift is commonly performed with other facial rejuvenation procedures, such as a brow lift, eyelid surgery, or fat transfer to address aging changes in the upper face and midface.
A facelift is performed by making carefully placed incisions around the ears and hairline to access deeper facial tissues. The surgeon lifts and repositions underlying muscles and connective tissue, removes excess skin, and redrapes the skin to restore a smoother, more youthful contour.
The main difference between facelift procedures is how they lift and support the deeper facial tissues—especially the SMAS and platysma. Common facelift techniques include SMAS plication, SMAS imbrication, and the deep plane facelift.
These procedures also differ in suturing methods and lift direction. Each technique has advantages and limitations, but no single facelift method has been proven in medical literature to be consistently superior in outcome, safety, or longevity. The best approach depends on the surgeon’s expertise and the patient’s facial structure, priorities, and desired outcome.
"An Expert's Guide to Facelift Surgery" provides essential information for anyone thinking about getting a facelift. Double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Boggess is considered Nashville's facelift expert after performing thousands of facial rejuvenation procedures with consistently remarkable results.
The Reflection Lift uses my unique approach for lifting and securing the SMAS and platysma to optimize results and achieve a natural, more youthful look for my patients. I have developed my signature technique over 4,000 facelifts, each one personalized to my patients’ unique anatomy, concerns, and goals.
The Reflection Lift can be performed in an office-based setting using light sedation and local anesthesia, thereby eliminating the risks and costs associated with general anesthesia.
If you’re not happy with the reflection you see when you look in the mirror, a Reflection Lift could work for you. There is no standard age or profile for a Reflection Lift. Each Reflection Lift is customized to meet your individual needs and desires.
Yes, a facelift can be performed safely without general anesthesia using local anesthesia with oral medication or IV sedation. Dr. Boggess has performed thousands of facelift procedures this way in an office-based setting and has a perfect safety record with these techniques. He often prefers this approach because it can reduce both risk and cost.
Yes, we offer general anesthesia for facelift patients who prefer this method. There is an additional cost for an outpatient surgical facility and anesthesia provider in these circumstances.
By focusing exclusively on facial procedures, Dr. Boggess provides patients a level of expertise rarely found at other plastic surgery practices in the Southeast. Certified by both the American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology, Dr. Boggess combines exceptional technical skill with a down-to-earth demeanor that puts patients at ease from the moment they meet him.
A number of factors contribute to the differences in how people age, including genetics, sun exposure, skeletal structure, and lifestyle habits. You can control some of these factors, but many you cannot. These differences in aging often show up as visible changes in the face, such as:
Facial rejuvenation can reverse these signs of aging and turn back the hands of time.
Yes, Dr. Boggess performs procedures to provide very discreet, natural-looking results. Most people won’t be able to tell you had surgery; they may think you’ve changed your hair or lost weight. You’ll still look like yourself, just a few years younger.
Because Dr. Boggess specializes in rejuvenation of the aging face and neck, he approaches each procedure conservatively, tailoring the surgery to your individual concerns while staying true to the face God gave you.
There is no one “best” age for a facelift, as patients age in different ways and at different rates. Our patient population ranges in age from mid-30s to early 80s. Dr. Boggess will make a detailed assessment of your anatomy, goals, and physical health to determine if facial rejuvenation is right for you and what treatment will best achieve your goals.
A facelift can make patients look about 10 to 12 years younger when performed by an experienced surgeon who lifts the SMAS layer of the face, although results vary from person to person. It’s important to understand that the aging process continues, but you will continue to look younger than if you had not had a facelift.
A facelift does not address the cause of “chubby cheeks” in many people, which is the buccal fat pad. This excessive fullness, often due to genetics, makes the face look round and chubby (even when you are not overweight) and obscures the cheekbones. While a facelift rejuvenates the lower 2/3 of the face, Dr. Boggess can perform buccal fat removal during facelift surgery in Nashville to contour the cheeks.
Because each Reflection Lift is customized to suit each patient’s needs, the time will vary, but it typically takes 1 to 3 hours.
While the risk of complications is very low, common complications include infection, bleeding, scarring, nerve injury, and unsatisfactory result. We take precautions to minimize the incidence of all of these potential complications. If a concern arises, it can typically be managed with conservative measures and does not tend to affect the results of the procedure.
Patients do not experience pain during the surgery itself and often describe the recovery as being moderately uncomfortable rather than painful. This discomfort can be effectively managed with prescribed pain medications during the first week. However, we’ve had many patients tell us that they didn’t need anything stronger than acetaminophen (Tylenol®) after the first night.
Most patients can return to daily activities and appear comfortable in public within about 2 weeks after facelift surgery, although complete healing and final results develop gradually over 9 to 12 months.
It typically takes 1 to 2 weeks for the visible bruising and swelling to become unnoticeable to others. Some patients may take a little longer if they bruise badly. However, the vast majority of patients can return to public life within 2 weeks.
That doesn’t mean all the swelling is gone or that healing is complete within that time. There will still be swelling that can be felt but not seen that may take several weeks, or even months, to resolve.
I typically tell people to allow at least 3 to 4 weeks before any important event, such as a wedding, reunion, or speaking engagement, where they want to look their best. In most patients, the majority of soft tissue swelling resolves by 6 to 8 weeks, but this can vary from one individual to the next.
Most patients begin feeling more like themselves within about 2 weeks after facelift surgery, with continued improvement over the following several weeks. Some residual tightness, swelling, or numbness can last for months, so patience and careful follow-up are important for the best recovery and results.
I typically recommend avoiding strenuous activities for at least 2 to 3 weeks post-surgery. Light activities, such as walking, can usually be resumed within a few days. You can reintroduce more vigorous exercises gradually, but it’s important to follow your surgeon’s specific recommendations to avoid complications and ensure optimal healing.
The longevity of facelift results will vary from one person to the next. How you take care of your skin after the surgery will have an effect. We will give you tips for taking care of your skin post-surgery and how to prolong your face and neck lift results.
All facial rejuvenation procedures are intended to turn back the hands of time for the individual patient, and you will always have a more youthful appearance than you would have had if you had nothing done. However, you will continue to age in the way that you naturally age, which varies from person to person.
At his practice in Nashville, TN, Dr. Boggess and the Youthful Reflections team will provide detailed instructions for achieving the best results every step of the way. It is very important to follow all instructions in order to optimize your results.
Since your Reflection Lift is customized for you, costs vary from patient to patient. By eliminating the cost of general anesthesia and performing our procedures in our office-based operating room, we can significantly reduce the cost of most cosmetic procedures.
During your consultation, we will work with you to determine the best approach and help prioritize treatment options to achieve natural-looking results within your budget.
Your goals shouldn't wait. Explore options like CareCredit®, ALPHAEON® Credit, and more to help your procedure fit your budget.
Learn About FinancingYes, anyone can get a Reflection Lift. We’ve had many men who have had this procedure.
The first step in learning about what Dr. Boggess can do for you is scheduling a personal consultation. Dr. Boggess is known for putting no limit on the time it takes to learn about your concerns and expectations and to recommend the procedures best suited to your goals. To get started, request a consultation using the online form or call our office at (615) 942-8016 to schedule an appointment.
Results
We understand you want your facial plastic surgery right away, but when it comes to your safety and appearance, patience pays off. Immediate appointments aren’t always available because Dr. Boggess:
Is highly accomplished, and his services are in demand.
Takes his time to ensure outstanding safety, care, and results.
Offers personalized techniques that aren’t available elsewhere.
We are worth the wait.
If you can’t see Dr. Boggess right away, learn why waiting for the best facial plastic surgeon is essential and how you can make the most of that time in blog post.
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