Facelift

A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a surgical cosmetic procedure that repositions and lifts the skin and underlying tissues of the face to improve a patient’s overall complexion. Throughout the aging process, the deep, internal layers of facial musculature and soft tissue experience ptosis (sagging). This can distort the contour of the face by creating jowls, drooping cheeks, deep wrinkling, and other imperfections. A facelift works to restore a youthful-looking and rejuvenated facial profile by tightening the soft tissue and removing excess skin.

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Dr. Gaby Doumit is a board-certified cosmetic and plastic surgeon who specializes in facelifts among other popular procedures. At his practice in Montreal, he performs between 100 to 150 deep plane facelifts per year. He and his staff are dedicated to providing comprehensive care and customized treatment plans for every patient.

To schedule a private consultation with Dr. Doumit, you may call Dr. Doumit will be happy to discuss your candidacy and estimated cost during a private consultation. To book your appointment, please call our office at (514) 932-8200, or fill out this form to get started.

to speak to his staff directly. We also provide this online contact form for your convenience.

All About Facelift Surgery

Facial aging involves skin texture changes, descent or thinning of facial fat, and loss of facial bone volume. Dr. Doumit was one of the first surgeons to demonstrate facial bone loss with aging. All these changes lead to sagging skin and changes in the form of the face. The main goal of the facelift is to restore the facial shape to a contour that was exhibited during youth. Dr. Doumit typically performs one of two main types of facelifts: the deep plane facelift and the short-scar facelift.

Deep Plane Facelift (Deep SMAS Flap Facelift)

Within the facial structure, there is a plane of tissue called the superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS). A deep plane facelift releases and manipulates this layer to achieve optimal and long-lasting results. During this procedure, Dr. Doumit navigates toward this layer of tissue and fascia, then places deep, internal sutures to anchor the SMAS layer higher up on the facial profile. This actively lifts the entire midface and reduces multiple signs of aging. Then, he removes excess skin and sutures the incisions with very little active tension. Deep plane facelifts often result in cleaner scars, comprehensive results, and favorable outcomes. ⁽¹⁾

Mini Facelift (Short Scar Facelift)

Using a smaller incision than traditional and deep plane techniques, a mini facelift is a procedure that improves the contour of the lower facial third without long scarring. During this surgery, Dr. Doumit still navigates toward and manipulates the deep fascia and SMAS layer. This allows him to improve a patient’s jowls, laugh lines, and some signs of aging on the neck.

His facelift is a highly personalized procedure. Dr. Doumit designs them to produce a natural-appearing result without the tell-tale signs that patients have undergone any type of surgical procedure. He tailors them for each patient according to his or her aging process and anatomy, while aiming for the shortest recovery time possible and a long-lasting result. He determines which facelift technique fits a patient best during a private consultation at his Montreal surgery center.

Why Should I Choose Dr. Doumit?

Dr. Doumit is an internationally recognized leader in facial surgery. He has authored a few plastic surgery textbook chapters and articles on facial surgery. He has also been invited to give numerous lectures, panel lectures, and teaching courses in the U.S. and Europe. He currently chairs a major facial surgery course in the US biannually. In 2019, Dr. Doumit had the pleasure of teaching his advanced SMAS Facelift technique to a group of plastic surgeons at St. Louis University in the US. In 2023, Dr. Doumit had the privilege to teach his deep place facelift at the Korean Congress of Plastic Surgery. With his many years of experience and hard-to-beat expertise in facelift procedures, he provides each of his patients with the best possible care and cosmetic outcomes.

Benefits of a Facelift

The facelift can greatly reduce multiple signs of aging, including:

Patients can benefit from a facelift in many ways. Dr. Doumit customizes each surgery for the individual to ensure they get optimal results. Facelifts restore the entire midface area to achieve a youthful-looking contour. He often combines them with other procedures like an eyelid lift or a neck lift depending on the patient’s circumstances. It is safe and extremely effective, often leading to results that last 10 to 15 years.

Ideal Facelift Candidates

Good candidates for a facelift procedure are typically those between the ages of 40 and 60 who have moderate to severe signs of facial aging. This can include jowling, deep wrinkles, sagging cheeks, or other signs along the mid-to-lower face. Patients should be in good overall health with no underlying medical conditions that may impede healing. To qualify for a facelift, they should be non-smokers or be willing to quit at least 1 month before their scheduled procedure. Candidates should also have reasonable expectations and clear desires that a facelift can produce.

Personal Consultation with Dr. Doumit

During your private consultation at our Montreal office, we will gather information about your overall health and medical history. Dr. Doumit will perform a physical examination of the treatment area and inquire about your cosmetic concerns. He will then create a personalized treatment plan that includes all the information you will need for a successful procedure. You will have plenty of time to ask any questions. Dr. Doumit and his team of medical professionals will guide you through the entire process. After this appointment, we will schedule your facelift and follow-up appointments.

Preparation

Before a facelift, patients should avoid:

They should also prepare their home for recovery by creating a comfortable recovery space. Patients benefit from picking up new prescriptions and scheduling time off of work before their facelift surgery. This allows them time to relax and properly recuperate during their downtime.

Facelift Procedure Outlines

Deep Plane Facelift (Rhytidectomy)

With Dr. Doumit’s technique, facelift incisions are hidden. They begin in the temporal area above the ear into the hair, follow the contour of the ear, and then behind the ear into the hairline. These incisions permit exposure of the deeper facial soft tissues. He places sutures to reposition descended facial fat to a more youthful-looking position to revitalize the area.

For individuals who have volume loss in their face, Dr Doumit can add fat from another part of the body utilizing injections. He may also perform a corset platysmaplasty through a small incision under the chin. This rejuvenates the neck by suturing and tightening sagging muscles. Additionally, he may remove excess fat allowing accurate correction of the laxity noted in the aging neck. These complementary procedures provide a sculpted jawline and a long-lasting result.

Short Scar Facelift (Mini Lift)

A short scar facelift is useful for some patients who have minimal skin sagging of the neck. The incision will follow the contour of the ear anteriorly and then curve around the earlobe and stop. ⁽²⁾ Through this incision, Dr. Doumit repositions the deep tissue of the mid-face, cheek, and jaw to a more youthful position.

Recovery & Results

General health, medications, and the type of procedure required to deliver the desired results will influence the recovery time. Most of our patients can return to work two weeks postoperatively, although the healing period can vary from patient to patient. They may return to their exercise routine beginning 2 weeks postoperatively. Bruising, swelling, and recovery time vary, but in general, patients are over most of their bruising and swelling 10 to 14 days after surgery. Dr. Doumit removes the sutures between 7 and 10 postoperative days. Patients may apply makeup after their suture removal.

The results of a deep plane facelift are typically extremely long-lasting. Most patients need only one procedure in their lifetime as they can provide optimal results for 10 to 15 years. Their face looks rejuvenated, youthful, and natural. To preserve their new complexion, patients should maintain a healthy lifestyle, take good care of their skin, and protect it from the sun’s harmful rays.

How Much Does a Facelift Cost in Montreal?

The cost of a facelift is dependent upon many factors, including the type of procedure Dr. Doumit performs. The price ranges of some of our most popular procedures are:

The patient will receive a free session of IPL (Photorejuvenation therapy) with their Facelift.

Dr. Doumit will be happy to discuss your candidacy and estimated cost during a private consultation. To book your appointment, please call our office at (514) 932-8200, or fill out this form to get started. 

FAQ

References

1. Raggio BS, Patel BC. Deep Plane Facelift. PubMed. Published 2021. Accessed June 18, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545277/
2. van der Lei B, Cromheecke M, Stefan O.P. Hofer. The Purse-String Reinforced SMASectomy Short Scar Facelift. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2009;29(3):180-188. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asj.2008.10.010

PROMOTION: The patient will receive a free session of IPL (Photorejuvenation therapy) with their Facelift.