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Mini Facelift (Minilift) in Indianapolis
Procedure at a Glance:
Indications: The mini facelift (minilift) is ideal for patients with mid/lower face aging, descent of fat pads, and jowling at jawline. The minilift procedure is typically indicated for patients who are experiencing mild to moderate mid face aging without concern to their neck area. Patients should be at a maintainable weight, practice good skin care, and limit their exposure to the sun. Avoidance of unhealthy lifestyle choices that can accelerate the aging process are also highly recommended for best results.
Anesthesia: IV Twilight Sedation
Surgery Type: Outpatient
Downtime: One week with restrictions on exercise and lifting anything heavier than 5lbs. Patient will continue to heal beyond one week and bruising/swelling typically start to subside around the three week mark if patient follows instructions. Patient will still need to adhere to certain post-surgical instructions that will be specific to the procedure. Limitations will be discussed during a thorough pre-operative appointment.
Removal of Stitches: Stitches are dissolvable
Techniques: Modified Deep Plane Lift (SMAS-Superficial Musculoaperneurotic System) combined with liposuction or platysmaplasty if indicated. Incisions are discreetly placed around the temporal tuft and natural contours of the ears and closed with dissolvable stitches. The SMAS layer and fat pads of the midface are elevated to a more youthful position to turn the clock back on midface aging.
Complementary Procedures:
Lip rejuvenation and skin resurfacing work in tandem with a mini facelift or facelift to provide a fresher and more youthful appearance.
Lower Face & Necklift in Indianapolis
Procedure at a Glance:
Indications: The lower face & necklift is ideal for patients with mid/lower face aging and descent of fat pads, jowling at jawline, excess neck skin, banding and separation of platysmal bands, excess volume under jawline (double chin). Patients should be at a maintainable weight, practice good skin care, and limit their exposure to the sun. Avoidance of unhealthy lifestyle choices that can accelerate the aging process are also highly recommended for best results.
Anesthesia: IV Twilight Sedation
Surgery Type: Outpatient
Downtime: One week with restrictions on exercise and lifting anything heavier than 5lbs. Patient will continue to heal beyond one week, and bruising/swelling typically start to subside around the three week mark if patient follows instructions. Patient will still need to adhere to certain post-surgical instructions that will be specific to the procedure. Limitations will be discussed during a thorough pre-operative appointment.
Removal of Stitches: Stitches are dissolvable; however, a drain is often placed to combat excess fluid retention, bleeding, and swelling post surgically. Drains are typically removed between 3-5 days depending on output.
Techniques: Modified Deep Plane Lift (SMAS-Superficial Musculoaperneurotic System) with platysmaplasty, & liposuction if indicated. Incisions are discreetly placed around the temporal tuft and natural contours of the ears with an additional incision placed in the natural crease under the chin to allow for sculpting of the muscles and fat under the jawline. The SMAS layer and fat pads of the midface are elevated to a more youthful position and the platysmal bands are brought back together in the midline and then used as a natural corset to provide a tighter neck and jawline to turn the clock back on facial and neck aging.
Mini Facelift vs. Full Facelift
There are several differences between mini facelifts and full facelifts:
- How Candidates Differ – Generally, good mini facelift candidates are in their 40s or 50s and have minor or moderate signs of facial aging. Full facelift candidates tend to be in their 60s or older and have moderate or severe age signs. Mini facelift candidates have jowls and sagging fat pads, and full facelift candidates have harsh nasolabial folds and marionette lines, along with moderate or severely sagging skin.
- Variation in Recovery Time – A mini facelift requires only a week of downtime. A full facelift, on the other hand, can necessitate two weeks of downtime for Indianapolis patients. Since a mini facelift is less invasive and allows for shorter incisions, it can involve less bruising and swelling.
- What Each Treatment Targets – A mini facelift tends to focus on the lower face and jawline. A full facelift also addresses these areas, along with the midface, cheeks, and aspects of the neck.
Combining a Neck Lift with Facelift Surgery
Many Indianapolis patients prefer to undergo a neck lift and a facelift in the same surgical session. During this process, facelift surgeons create small incisions and make alterations to the tissues of the face and neck.
The face and neck age together. The platysma muscle stretches from the lower face down to the collarbone, and when it ages and sags, every part of it is affected. Additionally, when facial fat pads sag, this also affects the neck.
During a combination facelift/neck lift, Dr. Winslow treats these linked structures comprehensively. This ensures that the face and neck look similarly rejuvenated, avoiding an unnatural-looking contrast.
Combining these procedures is less expensive than having each performed separately. Patients will also need only one recovery period, allowing them to get back to their everyday schedule sooner.
Why Choose Dr. Winslow for Your Facelift in Indianapolis?
Expert facial plastic and facial reconstruction surgeon Dr. Catherine P. Winslow is the ideal choice for your facelift. One of the country’s most experienced facial plastic surgeons, Dr. Winslow has performed over a thousand facelifts and regularly performs hundreds of facelifts every year for Indianapolis patients.
Dr. Winslow is an especially ideal option for women, because she possesses a deep personal understanding of women’s aesthetic needs and goals. She focuses on achieving a harmonious pairing of the art and science of facial plastic surgery, and high-quality medical care is her top priority.
Dr. Winslow has received the State of Indiana’s Torchbearer Award in recognition of her surgical skills. She has also been recognized as a Top Doctor by Castle Connolly since 2023.
Thanks to Dr. Winslow’s vast otolaryngology experience, she was called to serve as The White House’s Otolaryngology Consultant. She continues to visit The White House, delivering lectures to the medical staff.
Dr. Winslow is double-board-certified in Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery and Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. When she took the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS)’s Facial Plastic Board Examination, she received the highest score in the nation.
Dr. Winslow later served as an examiner for the ABFPRS and the American Board of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery (ABOto) national examination boards. She was elected the first female President of the ABFPRS.
She is a proud member of the Association of Women Surgeons, the Association of Military Otolaryngologists, and the Indiana State Medical Association. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American College of Surgeons. Additionally, she is on microvascular and facial plastic surgery committees for the American Academy of Otolaryngology.
She has authored articles on head and neck surgery in medical journals and has written chapters for medical textbooks. She has also delivered lectures and presentations at national conferences.
As an Assistant Clinical Professor at Indiana University School of Medicine, Dr. Winslow has passed her knowledge on to the next generation of medical students in the Department of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery.
Her own journey to becoming an expert plastic surgeon began at West Lafayette’s Purdue University, where she received her undergraduate degree in Nursing. She then attended medical school at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, earning her MD and graduating with honors.
After a General Surgery internship at St. Joseph Hospital in Denver, Colorado, she completed a residency in Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver. In Portland, OR, she pursued a fellowship in Microvascular and Facial Plastic Surgery at Oregon Health Sciences University.
After her training, she became a staff surgeon in Maryland at the National Naval Med Center, Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center, and the National Institutes of Health. She was also an assistant professor at Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences.
This experience led her to becoming Chief Facial Plastic Reconstructive Surgeon at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. For four years, she performed cosmetic and reconstructive procedures for military patients, including microvascular procedures and trauma cases.
Dr. Winslow founded Winslow Facial Plastic Surgery® (WFPS) in Carmel, the mecca for facial plastic surgery in the Indianapolis area. WFPS quickly became the premier facial plastic surgery practice in Carmel. Our caring and approachable staff ensure that patients never feel judged and always feel comfortable.
Our office isn’t far from popular tourist destinations like the Carmel Arts & Design District. This district is home to the Museum of Miniature Houses and Other Collections, along with Circle Contemporary Art Gallery, Magdalena Gallery of Art, and CCA Gallery & Gifts. It features dining options like Agave Bar and Grill and Anthony’s Chophouse.
Schedule Your Facelift Consultation in Indianapolis
Before a date can be set for a facelift, patients must arrange a consultation with Dr. Winslow at Winslow Facial Plastic Surgery®. Our Indiana office is conveniently located near City Center, which features shops like Lily & Sparrow Boutique, Little Tulip Tree, and Oliver's Twist, along with dining options like Vivante Restaurant & Bar, Lone Pine, Eggshell Bistro, and The Cake Bake Shop.
During the consultation, patients will go over their cosmetic concerns and their facelift goals. Dr. Winslow will ask questions about their medical history, including past procedures and current medications. She will also perform a facial examination.
Dr. Winslow will go over the facelift techniques she performs and the results they can achieve, and she and the patient will work together to determine the details of the procedure. Questions are highly encouraged.
The consultation is the ideal time to ask about other procedures that can complement facelift results. These can include blepharoplasty, brow lifts, submental liposuction, cheek augmentation, chin augmentation, chemical peels, and injectable soft-tissue dermal fillers.
How to Prepare for a Facelift
If you’re scheduled for a facelift, mini facelift, or lower face & necklift at our Indianapolis office, you’ll need to prepare properly. Proper preparation is the best way to avoid complications and ensure a comfortable recovery period.
For several weeks before your facelift, you’ll need to avoid smoking. Nicotine can damage your skin, reducing blood flow and increasing the risk of surgical complications. The sooner you quit, the more time your skin will have to recover.
You’ll also need to avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for around two weeks. These medications reduce the blood’s ability to clot, which can result in exacerbated bleeding during the facelift procedure. Alcohol can increase bruising, so you’ll have to avoid drinking for at least 48 hours before the procedure.
One major aspect of facelift preparation is gathering all necessary recovery aids. This will ensure that your healing process will be as easy as possible. Gather essential supplies like towels, gauze, pillows, blankets, and prescribed ointments and medications beforehand. Stock up on ice packs, water bottles, healthy snacks, and entertainment options.
Find a comfortable spot in your home to set up as a facelift recovery area, preferably somewhere close to your bathroom. Make sure your phone charger and your recovery supplies are close by.
Eating healthy and staying hydrated are key before your facelift. Focus on healthy protein-rich foods, fruits, and vegetables, and avoid high-sodium foods, which can increase post-surgical swelling. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, since this will support the healing process on a cellular level.
You’ll need to arrange for a ride home from the surgery with a friend or family member. Ideally, they will stay with you overnight to help out as needed. You’ll also need to arrange for time off from work in advance.
What to Expect During The Facelift Procedure
Patients travel to our Indianapolis office for lower facelifts and mini facelifts. We’re conveniently located near hotels like Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel at Keystone Crossing, Marriott Indianapolis North, and Renaissance Indianapolis North Hotel. We’re also close to the luxurious Hotel Carmichael in the heart of City Center.
Patients usually drive to us on I-465 E, take the IN-431 exit (Exit 33), and take the 116th Street exit/roundabout. Out-of-town facelift patients fly into the Indianapolis International Airport, not far from our office.
Dr. Winslow typically performs lower facelifts and mini facelifts in our state-of-the-art fully accredited surgical suite.
She creates incisions around the contours of the ear and below the chin in the natural crease. The placement of these incisions results in scars that are inconspicuous when fully healed.
How Long Does Facelift Recovery Take, and When Will You See Results
After a facelift at our Indianapolis office, conveniently located near Merchants’ Square mall and Carmel Marketplace, patients will return home for rest and downtime. They can eat and drink immediately.
After a facelift, we make sure the patient's pain is well managed and provide lots of recommendations to keep discomfort at a minimum while they are healing. Patients can expect some swelling and bruising following surgery. Patients must keep their head elevated following surgery
Once a week has passed, patients can gradually return to their everyday activities. Bruising and swelling will still be present at this time, but they will be less prominent.
At Winslow Facial Plastic Surgery®, Indiana facelift patients receive five complimentary Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy sessions. These encourage the body’s natural healing process, reducing inflammation and improving blood flow.
Patients can see immediate results, which will improve once all bruising and swelling have faded. Results look incredibly natural.
Though facelift results are permanent, it’s best to remember that the aging process will still continue. Patients may benefit from another lift after around ten years if they’d like to keep the effects of aging at bay. To preserve results, always wear sun protection, avoid smoking, practice healthy habits, maintain a stable weight and practice a good skincare routine. Our many med spa treatments can also preserve a fresh, wrinkle-free appearance.
INDIANAPOLIS FACELIFT BEFORE + AFTER PHOTOS
Real patients, real results! Check out our before and after photo gallery and witness the transformation of surgical and non-surgical patients!
Contact Us to Schedule a Facelift Consultation
Arrange your complimentary facelift consultation with Dr. Winslow at our Carmel office, not far from Brookshire Golf Club, Carmel Racquet Club, Lake Woodland, and The Fashion Mall at Keystone. To schedule your consultation, call us at (317) 814-1104 or contact us online.
Real Facelift Patient Videos
Indianapolis Facelift, Mini Facelift, & Lower Facelift FAQs
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