A facelift can restore a youthful and vibrant appearance, often making you look better than your actual age. Dr. Rebecca Garza performs both mini and standard facelift procedures in Indiana to help patients from Munster, Crown Point, and nearby cities reduce signs of aging such as wrinkles, lines, and jowls. This procedure restores firmness by correcting laxity in muscles and other tissues. A facelift also removes excess, sagging, or slackened skin and excess fat in the neck and jowls.

Is Facelift Surgery Right for Me?

Every facelift at our practice begins with a thorough consultation. Dr. Garza will discuss your goals and obtain a full medical history to determine the best course of action. She will describe your procedure and recovery details, explain any pertinent risks and encourage you to ask questions.

Procedure Specifics

Depending on your procedure, you may have local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia. The extent of your facelift, including incisions, will depend on the amount of skin removal necessary for your desired result.

For a standard facelift, Dr. Garza typically makes incisions near the temple just behind the hairline. The incisions will extend in front of your ears, around your earlobes, and behind your ears into your hair. Dr. Garza sutures and bandages the incisions for your return home.

Mini facelifts require smaller incisions. If you require additional lifting of the skin on your neck, Dr. Garza may also make a small incision beneath your chin.

Dr. Garza

Meet Your Surgeon,
Rebecca Garza, M.D.

Dr. Garza is one of the most accomplished female board-certified plastic surgeons in Indiana and the Chicagoland area. She completed elite fellowship training and is active in several prestigious professional associations, including the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, The Aesthetic Society, and the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery. She performs a full range of facial procedures, as well as breast enhancement and body contouring, all tailored to your personal needs.

More About Dr. Garza

Credentials You Can Trust

Dr. Garza Credentials

Facelift for Men

Facelifts for men require surgical expertise. These procedures are considered by many plastic surgeons to be more challenging than facelifts for women. Men generally have stronger ligamental supports, bigger faces, and more vascular skin, which can present challenges. Special care must be taken to minimize scars in bearded skin, and incision locations must be carefully chosen so the sideburns do not change position.

It’s important to avoid over-pulling the skin, which can feminize the face and create a “windswept” look. Your surgeon must understand the nuances of the procedure to make the results look as natural as possible. Dr. Garza specializes in male plastic surgery and is experienced with the intricacies of men’s faces.

What Is the Difference Between a Facelift and a Mini Facelift?

A mini facelift is an alternative option for those looking to treat less advanced signs of aging. It offers a faster recovery, a lower price point, and shorter incisions. However, its results are also more conservative and less comprehensive than a full facelift.

ConsiderationFull FaceliftMini Facelift
CandidatesLooking to treat severe or advanced signs of agingLooking to treat mild signs of aging or touch up previous facelift results
IncisionLonger, well-hidden incision along the hairline and around earsShorter, well-hidden incision around ears
Recovery2 to 3 weeks1 to 2 weeks
ResultsSignificant reduction in folds, jowls, and skin laxity along the lower face and jawlineMild to moderate rejuvenation in the mid to lower face and neck
CostHigher price point, varies from person to personLower price point, varies from person to person

Can a Facelift Be Combined With Other Procedures?

Dr. Garza often combines facelift surgery with fat transfer, neck lift or eyelid surgery procedures to maximize results.

A Reputation Built on Results

A Reputation
Built on Results

Every encounter I’ve had with Dr. Garza has been exceptional. She is kind and patient while thoroughly...
Dr garza is truly a blessing to this region!! her skills are superior and she does amazing work!! So...
So grateful for her compassion and skill!! She is very skilled in her specialty!! She knows the research...
My experience with Dr. Garza & staff was outstanding. I ask many questions to ensure that I have a thorough...

Facelift Recovery

Dr. Garza performs facelifts on an outpatient basis, meaning you can return home after your procedure. Recovery from a facelift is usually faster than you might expect. Pain is typically minimal, and you can easily manage any discomfort with medication.

You may experience some swelling the first few days, and any bruising will diminish after a couple of weeks. You may experience tightness and numbness, which will gradually subside during the first month after surgery.

Scarring is inevitable, but the incision site is usually concealed behind the hairline or in a natural skin crease. Until the scars mature and minimize, you can conceal them with makeup.

How Long Will My Facelift Results Last?

Results typically last 10 to 15 years. Though a facelift will not stop the aging process, the results can essentially turn back the clock up to 10 years. You’ll have a lifted, well-rested look in keeping with your inner youthfulness.

How Much Does a Facelift Cost?

The price of a facelift, and all cosmetic surgery in general, depends on a number of factors, including the experience and training of your plastic surgeon and the region. At our practice, your cost includes fees for the surgeon and the anesthesiologist, operating room time, and other costs. This number varies among our patients depending on how extensive their procedures are. We can provide you with an exact quote during your consultation, and we offer various financing options.

Facelift FAQs

Will my results look natural?

Yes. The aesthetic goal of a facelift is to help you look like a younger, refreshed version of yourself, and not drastically different. It’s common for patients to worry that their faces will appear stretched or “windblown.” Dr. Garza uses the most advanced surgical techniques to ensure that doesn’t happen. Instead of stretching the skin and removing the excess, she lifts the skin and then repositions and tightens the tissue and underlying muscle. This approach results in natural-looking contours and a subtle enhancement.

Will a facelift improve the appearance of my forehead?

No, the techniques used in a facelift are focused on the mid-face area and jawline. That’s why patients who want an overall rejuvenation may combine the facelift with a forehead lift or another treatment for the upper face.

How long will I need to take off work?

Healing and recovery are different for each patient. In general, Dr. Garza recommends that patients take 1 to 2 weeks off before returning to work following a facelift. Many people feel well enough to work but still have residual cosmetic signs, so they choose to work from home.

What is the best age for facelift surgery?

There is no set “best” age for a facelift because everyone ages at a different rate. The right age for you depends on the concerns you are facing. If you are noticing jowls, a square face shape, laxity in your lower face, and loss of definition along your jawline, you are likely a candidate for a facelift or mini facelift, no matter your age. Some people opt for facelifts in their late 30s and early 40s, while others wait until they are in their 60s. The best way to tell if you are ready for a facelift is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Garza.

I’m interested in improving the look of my face, but I would like to avoid invasive surgery. What can I do? 

People looking for facial rejuvenation but who want to avoid plastic surgery can start with a skincare program using physician-grade skincare products. For something with a little more depth, chemical peels can also rejuvenate the skin. Injectable fillers or BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments are also available as an alternative to a facelift, eyelid surgery, or other facial rejuvenation surgery. 

I’m considering a facelift and possibly some eyelid surgery, but I wonder if I’m too old? 

For patients in good health or with only minor medical conditions, age should not be a factor in having a cosmetic procedure to enhance your self-esteem. Our office does a thorough medical history and exam prior to any plastic surgery procedure. We will work with a patient’s family physician to determine if a patient is a candidate for any type of plastic surgery, including a facelift or eyelid surgery. 

Trust a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
for Your Facelift

Look years younger with the help of our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Garza. Request a consultation using the online form or call our office at (219) 322-3131 to schedule an appointment.

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