Discover the Best Full - face Ligament Lift in New York City [2025 Edition]!

Introduction

In 2025, New York City remains at the forefront of cosmetic surgery, especially when it comes to full - face ligament lifts. This procedure has gained immense popularity as a way to combat the signs of aging and restore a more youthful appearance. With a plethora of skilled surgeons and state - of - the - art clinics, individuals in New York City have access to top - notch treatments. In this article, we will explore the ins and outs of full - face ligament lifts in the Big Apple, including what it is, who is a suitable candidate, the various techniques available, and much more.

What is a Full - face Ligament Lift?

A full - face ligament lift, a form of facelift surgery, aims to address the effects of aging on the face. As people age, factors such as gravity, decreased collagen production, and environmental factors cause the facial tissues to sag. The technical name for the broader facelift procedure is rhytidectomy.

The full - face ligament lift focuses on the ligaments in the face. These ligaments play a crucial role in holding the facial tissues in place. Over time, they become weaker, contributing to the drooping of the cheeks, jowls, and neck. By lifting and tightening these ligaments, the surgeon can reposition the facial tissues, reducing sagging and creating a more youthful contour.

Dr. Barry Weintraub explains that a facelift can correct a variety of facial conditions, including wrinkles, laugh lines, hanging jowls, drooping noses, baggy eyes, and sagging skin. The full - face ligament lift specifically targets the underlying ligaments to achieve more long - lasting and natural - looking results compared to some other non - ligament - focused facelift methods.

Signs that Indicate You Might Need a Full - face Ligament Lift

• Visible Jowls: Jowls are the soft tissue prominences lateral to the chin that become more pronounced with age. A full - face ligament lift can help tighten the skin and underlying tissues in this area, reducing the appearance of jowls.
• Sagging Cheeks: As the facial ligaments weaken, the cheeks may start to droop. This can lead to a loss of facial volume and a more aged appearance. The procedure can lift the cheeks and restore a more youthful fullness.
• Loose Neck Skin: A common sign of aging is the development of loose skin and “turkey - gobble” neck. By addressing the ligaments in the neck area, the lift can tighten the skin and improve the overall contour of the neck.
• Deep Nasolabial Folds: These are the lines that run from the corners of the nose to the corners of the mouth. A full - face ligament lift can help smooth out these folds, making the face look more refreshed.

Benefits of a Full - face Ligament Lift

Who are the Best Candidates for a Full - face Ligament Lift?

The best candidates for a full - face ligament lift are generally healthy individuals who meet certain criteria:

• Good General Health: They should not be currently suffering from any medical conditions that may impact the healing process. This includes heart problems, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses. A patient's overall health is crucial for a successful surgery and recovery.
• Non - smokers: Smoking can constrict blood flow, which can complicate the procedure and slow down the recovery. It is recommended that patients stop smoking at least a month before the surgery to ensure optimal results.
• Realistic Expectations: Patients should have a clear understanding of what the procedure can and cannot achieve. While a full - face ligament lift can significantly improve the appearance of the face, it cannot stop the aging process completely. Dr. Adam Kolker emphasizes that a facelift is meant to restore the position of neck, jowl, and cheek, and replace volume from whence it was lost, with the ultimate goal of restoring youthful facial balance and harmony.

Top Surgeons in New York City for Full - face Ligament Lifts

Dr. William Lao

Dr. Lao has over a decade of experience, having performed over 1,000 successful facial plastic surgeries in the last 10 years. He is a double - board - certified plastic surgeon and a member of several prestigious societies, including the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Dr. Lao is known for his understanding of both eastern and western aesthetic ideals, and he tailors his procedures to meet the unique needs of each patient. He takes into account the patient's cultural identity and desired outcome to provide natural - looking results.

Dr. Jacono

Dr. Jacono is a world - renowned facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon. He has developed an innovative extended deep - plane facelift technique. His approach releases key ligaments and lifts the skin and deep muscle as a single unit, followed by vertical repositioning of the tissue. This technique results in a smooth, natural - looking face that doesn't appear tight or pulled. He has also published extensively in medical literature, proving the safety and effectiveness of his method.

Dr. Barry Weintraub

Awarded by Newsweek as one of America's best plastic surgeons in 2023 and 2024 for facelift and eyelid surgery, Dr. Weintraub is highly respected. He uses a “less is more” approach, aiming for natural and understated results. His signature hybrid facelift addresses different planes of the supportive anatomy, from the deep plane to the SMAS, and may include auxiliary procedures like fat removal and laser resurfacing.

Dr. Adam Kolker

Dr. Kolker believes that any facial rejuvenation plan should be based on the patient's particular anatomy and desires. He offers a step - wise approach, considering non - and minimally invasive techniques first before moving on to more down - time methods. His goal is to provide the best facelift in NYC with natural and long - lasting results. He also offers a variety of combined procedures to address specific patient needs.

Dr. Yael Halaas

As a double - board - certified plastic surgeon in otolaryngology and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, Dr. Halaas has over two decades of surgical experience. She has conducted over 1200 “local lifts” (facelifts under local anesthesia) with a high satisfaction and low complication rate. Dr. Halaas performs different types of facelifts, including mini facelifts, deep plane facelifts, SMAS facelifts, and her own local lift® procedure, which is customized for each patient.

Types of Full - face Ligament Lift Techniques

Deep Plane Facelift

This technique addresses the connective tissue and muscle layer beneath the facial skin. Instead of just pulling on the skin, a deep plane facelift elevates the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) layer from underneath and releases the main ligaments that anchor the SMAS. This helps prevent the overdone or “pulled” appearance that can come from a traditional facelift. It can also last longer than most traditional facelifts, as it works on a deeper level to reposition the facial tissues.

SMAS Facelift

The SMAS facelift focuses on the superficial musculo - aponeurotic system, a connective tissue layer that surrounds the facial muscles. The surgeon makes incisions around the ear and uses them to lift, tighten, and address the SMAS. This technique is ideal for mild - to - moderate sagging and can provide a more natural and longer - lasting result compared to some skin - only lifts.

Asian Facelift

Specifically designed for Asian patients, the Asian facelift takes into account the unique characteristics of the Asian face, such as a flatter facial skeleton with heavy soft tissue, more fat accumulation in the face and neck area, thicker skin, and prominent drooping cheek fat pads. It utilizes similar techniques to a deep plane facelift to support the thicker and heavier tissues and provides better access to the buccal fat pads for reduction if needed. This approach leaves less tension on the skin incision lines and reduces the risk of hypertrophic or keloid scarring.

Preparing for a Full - face Ligament Lift

Proper preparation is essential for a successful full - face ligament lift and a smooth recovery:

• Medical Consultation: The first step is to schedule a consultation with your chosen surgeon. During this consultation, the surgeon will evaluate your medical history, perform a physical examination, and discuss your goals and expectations. They will also explain the procedure in detail, including the potential risks and complications.
• Medical Clearance: You will need to obtain medical clearance from your family physician. This may involve a series of tests, such as blood tests,心电图, and a general health assessment. The purpose of this is to ensure that you are in good health to undergo the surgery.
• Medication Adjustment: Certain medications, such as anti - inflammatories and herbal supplements, can increase the risk of excessive bleeding during surgery. Your surgeon will advise you to stop taking these medications for a certain period before the surgery. You may also be prescribed some temporary pain medication for an easier recovery period.
• Lifestyle Changes: As mentioned earlier, smoking should be stopped at least a month before the surgery. You should also maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle to prepare your body for the procedure. Avoiding alcohol and getting enough sleep in the weeks leading up to the surgery can also contribute to a better outcome.
• Pre - operative Instructions: Your surgeon's office will provide you with specific pre - operative instructions, such as fasting for at least 8 hours before the surgery, regardless of the anesthesia type. They may also recommend getting certain prescriptions filled in advance.

The Full - face Ligament Lift Procedure

The full - face ligament lift is typically performed in an accredited surgical facility under either local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the patient's preference and the surgeon's recommendation.

1. Incision Placement: The surgeon will make incisions in strategic locations around the ears and, in some cases, under the chin. The exact location of the incisions depends on the type of facelift technique and the patient's individual needs. For example, a traditional facelift incision starts at the temples in the hairline, continues around the ear, and ends behind the neck in the lower scalp. A limited incision is shorter and starts in the hairline just above the ear and continues around the ear but does not extend to the lower scalp.
2. Ligament and Tissue Manipulation: Once the incisions are made, the surgeon will access the ligaments and underlying tissues. They will lift and tighten the ligaments, reposition the facial tissues, and may remove excess skin and fat as needed. In a deep plane facelift, the SMAS layer is elevated and the main ligaments are released. In a SMAS facelift, the focus is on tightening the SMAS layer.
3. Closure: After the ligaments and tissues have been manipulated, the incisions are carefully closed with sutures. The surgeon will use fine suture material to minimize scarring and ensure a smooth closure.

Recovery and Aftercare

The recovery period after a full - face ligament lift is an important part of the process:

• Initial Recovery: Most patients can go home on the day of surgery if local anesthesia is used. If general anesthesia is administered, they may need to stay in the hospital for 1 to 2 days. After surgery, you will have bandages applied to the surgical wounds, and a drain may be installed to collect extra fluid. You should expect some swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the first few days. The surgeon will prescribe pain medication to manage the pain.
• Follow - up Appointments: You will need to attend follow - up appointments with your surgeon to monitor your healing progress. The surgeon will remove the sutures and drains during these appointments and check for any signs of complications.
• Activity Restrictions: You should avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting, and bending for several weeks after the surgery. You may be able to return to light work within 1 - 2 weeks, but it may take 2 to 3 months until your face feels normal in terms of texture and sensibility. You should also avoid direct sun exposure and use sunblock to protect your skin during the healing process.
• Skincare Routine: Your surgeon may recommend a specific skincare routine to help your skin heal and maintain the results of the facelift. This may include using moisturizers, serums, and sunblock regularly.

Potential Risks and Complications

As with any surgical procedure, a full - face ligament lift carries some potential risks and complications:

• Hematoma: This is a collection of blood under the skin, which may require drainage or re - operation if it is large enough. The incidence of hematoma is reported to be about 3% in female facelifts and higher in males due to the more vascular nature of their bearded skin.
• Scarring: While surgeons try to minimize scarring by placing the incisions in strategic locations, there is still a risk of visible scarring. In some cases, the scars may be hypertrophic or keloid. However, with proper aftercare and time, the scars usually fade and become less noticeable.
• Nerve Injury: Temporary or permanent nerve injury can occur, which may result in changes in facial sensation or difficulties in moving facial muscles. This is a rare complication, but it is important to be aware of it.
• Negative Anesthesia Reactions: There is a risk of adverse reactions to the anesthesia used during the surgery. This can include allergic reactions, respiratory problems, or other complications. Your anesthesiologist will carefully monitor you during the procedure to minimize this risk.
• Unsatisfactory Results: In some cases, the results of the facelift may not meet the patient's expectations. This could be due to factors such as healing complications, unexpected changes in the facial tissues, or unrealistic patient expectations. However, most patients are satisfied with the results of their full - face ligament lift.

Cost of a Full - face Ligament Lift in New York City

The cost of a full - face ligament lift in New York City can vary depending on several factors:

• Surgeon's Experience: Highly experienced and renowned surgeons may charge more for their services. Surgeons like