Facelift Surgery

Dr. David Lickstein, MD, FACS: Board-CertifiedFacial Plastic Surgeon

Dr. David Lickstein brings exceptional credentials, extensive experience, and a patient-centered philosophy to facelift surgery. A graduate of Harvard Medical School and fellowship-trained in plastic and reconstructive surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Lickstein is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the gold standard credential in the field.

Professional Recognition and Leadership:

Dr. Lickstein’s recognition as a Newsweek Top 100 Facelift Surgeon for five consecutive years (2021-2025) reflects his commitment to excellence and natural-looking outcomes. This prestigious designation places him among the nation’s most accomplished facelift surgeons, recognized for both technical skill and patient satisfaction.
Additionally, Dr. Lickstein served as Chief of Surgery at Jupiter Medical Center, a leadership role that underscores his expertise, clinical judgment, and standing within the medical community. His appointment to this position reflects the trust and respect of his peers and demonstrates his commitment to advancing surgical care and training the next generation of surgeons.
Dr. Lickstein is also recognized as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor, an honor bestowed on physicians who demonstrate exceptional clinical expertise and patient care. He maintains active membership in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American College of Surgeons (ACS), professional organizations that require ongoing continuing education and adherence to the highest standards of surgical practice.

Surgical Philosophy and Approach:

Dr. Lickstein’s surgical philosophy prioritizes three core principles:

• Natural Results: Every facelift is customized to enhance the patient’s natural features without creating an overdone or artificial appearance. Dr. Lickstein avoids the “pulled” look by using advanced techniques that respect facial anatomy and proportions. As Dr. Lickstein often tells his patients, “A great facelift should make people wonder if you’ve had work done, not announce it to the world.” This philosophy guides every procedure performed at Lickstein Plastic Surgery.
• Comprehensive Rejuvenation: Rather than addressing isolated concerns, Dr. Lickstein evaluates the entire face and neck to create harmonious, balanced results. This integrated approach often involves combining facelift surgery with complementary procedures such as eyelid surgery, brow lift, or neck liposuction to achieve optimal facial harmony.
• Patient Safety and Comfort: Dr. Lickstein prioritizes patient safety through meticulous surgical technique, appropriate anesthesia management, and detailed post-operative care protocols. His patients consistently report feeling supported throughout their surgical journey, from the initial consultation through final results.

Pre-Operative Preparation

Before your facelift surgery, you’ll have a detailed consultation with Dr. Lickstein to discuss your goals, review your medical history, and plan your procedure. Pre-operative instructions typically include:

• Discontinuing certain medications and supplements that increase bleeding risk (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and vitamin E) one to two weeks before surgery
• Avoiding smoking and nicotine products
• Arranging for a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours
• Fasting after midnight the night before surgery
• Wearing comfortable, loose-fitting clothing on the day of surgery

Anesthesia and Safety Protocols

General anesthesia provides complete unconsciousness, allowing Dr. Lickstein to perform the detailed, multi-hour facelift procedure safely and precisely. An anesthesiologist remains present throughout surgery to monitor your vital signs, manage your airway, and adjust anesthesia levels as needed.

Dr. Lickstein and his anesthesia team will discuss anesthesia details and address any concerns during your pre-operative consultation. All anesthesia carries inherent risks, which will be thoroughly discussed during your consultation.

The Surgical Procedure

Facelift surgery typically takes 2 to 3 hours, depending on the extent of the procedure and whether additional procedures are being performed. Here’s what happens during a typical facelift:

Incision Placement: Dr. Lickstein places incisions strategically to minimize visibility. Typical incision locations include:

• In the hairline at the temples
• In front of the ear, following the natural contours
• Behind the ear and extending into the lower scalp

These incision placements allow Dr. Lickstein to access the deeper facial structures while keeping scars well-concealed within the hairline and natural skin creases. For patients with male pattern baldness or receding hairlines, Dr. Lickstein adjusts incision placement to account for future hair loss and maintain natural appearance.

Tissue Elevation and Repositioning: Dr. Lickstein carefully elevates the skin and underlying tissues, then repositions the SMAS layer to lift and tighten the face and neck. Excess skin is trimmed, and the remaining skin is redraped over the lifted structures.

Closure: Incisions are closed with fine sutures, and a drain may be placed to prevent fluid accumulation. The drain is typically removed within 24 to 48 hours.

Post-Operative Care and Support

Dr. Lickstein’s comprehensive post-operative care protocol ensures optimal healing and results. Patients receive detailed written instructions covering:

• Drain care and removal
• Incision care and when sutures will be removed
• Pain management and prescribed medications
• Activity restrictions and when to resume normal activities
• Signs of complications and when to contact the office
• Follow-up appointment schedule

Dr. Lickstein’s office provides ongoing support throughout recovery, with scheduled follow-up appointments at regular intervals to monitor healing and address any concerns. Patients have direct access to the surgical team for questions or concerns that arise during recovery.

Facelift recovery is a gradual process. Here’s what to expect during each phase:

Week 1: Initial Recovery

• Swelling and bruising peak around days 2 to 3, then gradually improve
• You may experience mild to moderate discomfort, managed with prescribed pain medication
• Sutures are typically removed 5 to 7 days after surgery
• You should rest with your head elevated to minimize swelling
• Avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and bending over
• Most patients can return to light activities such as walking

Weeks 2 to 3: Early Healing

• Swelling and bruising continue to improve, though some may persist
• You can typically return to work if your job doesn’t involve strenuous activity
• Avoid exercise, swimming, and activities that elevate your heart rate
• Continue to sleep with your head elevated
• Most people feel comfortable going out in public by the end of week 2, though some residual swelling may be visible

Weeks 4 to 6: Progressive Improvement

• Most visible swelling has resolved, though subtle swelling may persist
• You can gradually resume normal activities, including light exercise
• By week 6, most patients can return to full exercise and strenuous activity
• Results continue to improve as residual swelling resolves

Months 2 to 12: Final Results

• Final results continue to emerge as swelling completely resolves and scars mature
• Scars fade significantly over the first 6 to 12 months
• By 3 to 6 months, most patients see their final results
• Results continue to refine subtly through the first year

According to research published in peer-reviewed surgical literature, most patients can return to normal activities within 2 to 3 weeks and resume full exercise within 4 to 6 weeks following facelift surgery.

For patients considering facial rejuvenation, it’s important to understand how facelift surgery compares to non-surgical options.

Facelift vs. BOTOX and Fillers

BOTOX and dermal fillers are excellent non-surgical options for addressing specific concerns such as forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet, and volume loss. However, they do not address sagging skin, jowls, or loss of jawline definition. A facelift is the most effective option for patients with significant skin laxity or jowling.

Many patients combine facelift surgery with BOTOX and fillers for comprehensive rejuvenation. BOTOX can be used to prevent new wrinkles from forming, while fillers restore volume and enhance the results of the facelift.

Facelift vs. Laser Resurfacing and Microneedling

Laser resurfacing and microneedling improve skin texture, reduce fine lines, and stimulate collagen production. However, like BOTOX and fillers, they do not address sagging skin or jowls. These treatments are ideal for patients with good skin elasticity who are concerned primarily with skin texture and fine lines.

Facelift vs. The Lickstein Lift:

For patients with mild to moderate aging concerns who want more comprehensive results than non-surgical treatments but may not require the extent of lifting provided by a traditional facelift, the Lickstein Lift offers an innovative alternative. This advanced treatment combines skin treatments, dermal fillers, and Halo laser resurfacing to address multiple signs of aging simultaneously. The Lickstein Lift is ideal for patients seeking significant improvement without the recovery time and surgical commitment of a full facelift.

Facelift vs. Thread Lifts

Thread lifts are a minimally invasive option that uses dissolvable threads to lift the skin. While thread lifts require minimal downtime, results are modest and temporary, typically lasting 6 to 12 months. A facelift provides more dramatic and longer-lasting results for patients with significant facial aging.

Like all surgical procedures, facelift surgery carries potential risks and complications. However, serious complications are uncommon when the procedure is performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon in an accredited surgical facility.

Potential Risks Include:

• Infection: Rare, occurring in less than 1% of cases, and managed with antibiotics if it occurs
• Bleeding or Hematoma: Fluid or blood collection under the skin, which may require drainage. Occurs in approximately 1-2% of facelift patients
• Nerve Injury: Temporary or permanent numbness or weakness in the face or neck. Temporary nerve injury occurs in 5-10% of patients and typically resolves within weeks to months. Permanent nerve injury is rare, occurring in less than 1% of cases
• Scarring: Scars fade significantly over time but may be visible in some patients. Proper incision placement and closure techniques minimize scarring
• Asymmetry: Minor asymmetries may occur and can usually be refined with a minor revision
• Skin Necrosis: Rare loss of skin viability, more common in smokers and patients with compromised circulation³

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, serious complications from facelift surgery are uncommon when performed by board-certified surgeons in accredited facilities. Dr. Lickstein minimizes risks through meticulous surgical technique, appropriate patient selection, and detailed post-operative care instructions.

Managing Complications:
Should any complications arise, Dr. Lickstein’s office provides prompt evaluation and treatment. Minor complications such as temporary swelling or bruising are managed conservatively. More significant complications are addressed with appropriate medical or surgical intervention.

Some patients may desire revision surgery to refine results or address concerns that emerge during healing. Dr. Lickstein offers revision facelift procedures for patients who wish to enhance their results or address asymmetries or other concerns.

Revision facelifts require specialized surgical planning, as scar tissue from the initial procedure must be managed carefully. Dr. Lickstein’s experience with revision cases ensures optimal outcomes while minimizing additional scarring.

If you’re considering facelift surgery in Palm Beach Gardens or Jupiter, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. David Lickstein. During your consultation, Dr. Lickstein will assess your concerns, discuss your aesthetic goals, and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan.

Contact Lickstein Plastic Surgery to book your private consultation with Dr. David Lickstein. We serve patients throughout Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, and the surrounding South Florida communities.