Facelift

Facelift surgery by Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Henry Mentz

As the nation's first triple-board certified plastic surgeon and editor of several facelift chapters, Dr. Henry Mentz is respected worldwide for his expertise in using the most advanced and effective facelift techniques to achieve dramatic, natural-looking results.

Facelift Surgery Goals

A facelift procedure is designed to restore a more youthful, refreshed appearance to the face by correcting the visible signs of aging that occur as a result of diminished skin elasticity, collagen production, volume, and skin quality. This comprehensive procedure is considered one of the most effective and long-lasting solutions to return a smoother, rejuvenated and uplifted look to the face through correction of the following characteristics:

Choosing the Most Effective Facelift Method For You

To achieve maximum rejuvenation and natural-looking results, Dr. Mentz accurately measures, grades, and records the amount of aging or laxity in each area of the face to determine the facelift method that will achieve the most effective results for a patient. Dr. Mentz, who has achieved consistently successful results with this innovative method since 2007, introduced the technique to the Texas Society of Plastic Surgery in 2008 and advocate of the measured technique in textbooks.

Through computer imaging and the consultation process, the various methods which includes the mini facelift, MAC lift, deep layer, multilayer, and SMAS facelift, can be demonstrated on the patient's image to evaluate the best options for a patient. Dr. Mentz has consistently found that three options can be determined for each patient, and, of these, one will most effectively maximize the rejuvenating results that can be achieved.

Houston Plastic Surgeon Dr. Henry Mentz

One of the Nation's Foremost Facelift Experts

As the first surgeon in the United States to achieve triple board certification in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, plastic surgery, and otolaryngology / head and neck surgery, Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Henry Mentz has a comprehensive and unique expertise in achieving excellent facelift results. He combines the extensive training and skills of these boards to provide results that are youthful, natural, and long-lasting

Dr. Mentz's skill and groundbreaking contributions have made him a sought-out speaker worldwide and have led him to receive numerous awards and honors. Dr. Mentz's peers in the medical community have consistently selected him as one of the top plastic surgeons in Houston and the state of Texas. In addition, a national research study published in Forbes magazine listed him as one of the nation's leading providers of plastic surgery.

Dr. Mentz has authored two chapters on facelifting in the last 10 years, including the "The Multilayer Facelift" in the textbook Operative Plastic Surgery. And he has introduced important new techniques and presentations to his peers at plastic surgery meetings and through articles and presentations. The respected International Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery invited Dr. Mentz to share his facelift expertise to group members at several national meetings. Dr. Mentz's presentations have included:

The Facelift Procedure

In a facelift procedure, Dr. Mentz makes incisions that allow him to separate the skin from the underlying fat, muscles and soft tissues. Traditionally these incisions often begin in the hairline at the temples and continue around the ear, ending in the lower scalp.

Through these incisions, Dr. Mentz utilizes a three-layer technique to remove excess facial skin and tighten the deeper muscles and soft tissues to achieve results that are long-lasting and natural in appearance. In some cases, liposuction of the of the neck and jowls may also be performed to reduce fatty deposits. The skin is then redraped and smoothed over the new contours, and sutures are used to close the incisions. Once healed, any scarring is typically well-concealed in the hairline and natural contours of the face and ears. The facelift procedure takes several hours to complete, and it is performed at Dr. Mentz's private AAAASF-certified SurgiCentre facility in Houston, Texas under the supervision of a board-certified anesthesiologist.

Facelift Combined With Necklift, Eyelid, and Browlift Surgery

To maximize rejuvenation results, patients often choose to have a facelift procedure in conjunction with both surgical and non-surgical procedures which may include a necklift, eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), an endoscopic browlift, stem cell-enriched fat grafting, nose surgery, and laser resurfacing, which reduces fine wrinkles and improves the skin's tone and texture. During your consultation with Dr. Mentz, he will comprehensively evaluate the degree of laxity of each area of your face in order to recommend the procedure or combination of procedures that will help you to achieve the most youthful and natural appearance.

Facelift Recovery

After your procedure, a special cooling mask that helps to minimize bruising and swelling will be placed on your face, and small tubes may be inserted beneath the skin to prevent fluid accumulation. Dr. Mentz may recommend an overnight stay in one of his SurgiCentre's recovery suites, where you will be cared for by a highly-trained registered nurse. If you live within 30 miles of our facility, Dr. Mentz will offer a visit to your home by a plastic surgery nurse who is trained to assist you with your recovery. The nurse will monitor your recovery, change any dressings, assist you with your medication, and provide Dr. Mentz with an update on your condition.

Following surgery, the greatest swelling is usually noted within 24 to 48 hours, though moderate swelling may last for weeks; elevation of the head is helpful to reduce the intial swelling. Bruising typically diminishes within 2 weeks. Most sutures are removed 5-7 days after surgery. Patients are typically able to return to work in 2 weeks and resume exercise and other strenuous activities in about 6 weeks.

Dr. Mentz's Comprehensive Approach to Facial Rejuvenation

Stem Cell-Enriched Fat Grafting and the Facelift Procedure

The replacement of lost facial volume is a vital component of a comprehensive plan to restore a youthful look to the face. Due to an erosion of facial fat which becomes more pronounced as we enter our 40s, the face becomes more lean and hollow in its structure, so that the cheeks, temples, and eye areas often become more sunken and hollow in appearance. As this fullness is lost, the skeletal structure of the face becomes more visible, and the skin begins to sag and wrinkle due to a loss of underlying structural support and diminished skin elasticity.

Dr. Mentz uses stem cell–encriched fat grafting to restore the fullness and soft contours that characterize a younger face. The procedure achieves the following appearance goals:

In addition, fat grafting can be used to rejuvenate and improve the look of other areas of the body. Like the face, the hands reflect some of the most visible signs of aging due to sun exposure and a loss of fat. Fat grafting can be used to restore a youthful look to hands by diminishing the prominence of bones, tendons, and veins. In body contouring, Dr. Mentz utilizes fat grafts to improve the shape of the buttocks and calves.

The Benefits of Stem Cell-Enriched Fat Grafting

Though fat grafting has been a part of plastic surgery for decades, the innovative use of stem-cells to enrich the grafts holds the potential to revolutionize this procedure. Dr. Mentz has been actively working with the nation's leading stem cell researchers to mobilize the powerful characteristics of stem cells to increase the facial rejuvenation benefits of fat grafting.

Stem cells have the unique ability to regenerate themselves and to repair damaged tissues in the body. Because of this characteristic, the cells may also have the power to rejuvenate the skin's tone and texture. Though these benefits have not been proven, stem cells do enhance the survival rate of fat, which can be long-lasting.

Protect Your Investment

The Added Touch Medical Spa Services

Smooth and evenly toned skin is an important component of a plan to maintain a youthful, fresh appearance. At The Added Touch Medical Spa, Dr. Mentz's skin care specialists will design a plan to improve your skin's quality so that it looks radiant and rejuvenated 365 days a year.

We are committed to providing you with the most advanced and effective skin care treatments and products available. As part of a daily skin care routine, our Obagi and SkinMedica products contain active, pharmaceutical-grade ingredients which work at a cellular level to penetrate and transform your skin. In addition, we offer a number of treatment options which will restore a smoother, brighter appearance to the face. Many of these treatments can be completed in less than an hour and require minimal to no downtime.

Chemical Peels

Chemical Peels embrighten and smooth the skin's appearance by gently resurfacing it through the removal of its damaged outer layers. They are an effective non-surgical cosmetic treatment for those who desire to treat mild to more severe skin conditions including sun-damaged skin, fine lines and wrinkles, skin pigment abnormalities, acne, and acne scarring.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion gives the skin a fresh and healthy radiance through the gently abrasive mechanical action of crystals, which slough away the dead surface cells that can cause skin to appear dull and aged. The massaging action helps to increase oxygenation in the skin, which, in turn, stimulates the production of collagen to give the skin a more revitalized look. Microdermabrasion softens the appearance of skin imperfections such as fine lines, brown spots, and acne scars, and helps to clean out pores, as well.

Laser Treatments

Like microdermabrasion and chemical peels, lasers resurface the skin to rejuvenate its appearance. However, they achieve this action at a deeper level through the action of short pulses of light that penetrate the skin's layers to stimulate the growth of new collagen fibers. Our lasers are designed to target a wide variety of skin concerns to provide the following benefits:

Scar Therapy System

To help diminish postoperative scars, we have designed a Scar Therapy System, which consists of three products to be applied daily in the weeks following surgery. This package includes two SkinMedica products: TNS Recovery Complex and Tri-Retinol Complex, and an advanced scar treatment gel. As an added benefit, the SkinMedica products can be applied to the face as part of a long-term daily routine to improve the skin's tone and texture.

30-Minute Post-Surgical Therapeutic Massage

The massage therapists at Dr. Mentz's Added Touch Medical Spa offer a special post-surgical massage that is designed to support and speed your body's natural healing process after a cosmetic surgery procedure. A combination of lymphatic and Swedish massage techniques are used, which work together to relax you and stimulate the lymphatic system to help reduce bruising, swelling, and numbness.

To schedule your facelift consultation with Dr. Mentz, e-mail or call his office today at 713.799.9999.

Facelift Before & After Photos

Houston Plastic Surgeon Dr. Henry Mentz

Facial Rejuvenation / Face Lift
Age: 62
Assesment:  After listening to the patient and understanding her goal was to maintain her competitive edge in the work place Dr. Mentz determined that he needed to turn back the clock 10 or more years.  To accomplish this he needed to use a combination of the latest facial rejuvenation techniques.

Plan of Action:  Double layer SMAS facelift, necklift, endoscopic browlift, upper and lower blepharoplasty, fat graft to the cheeks, laugh lines, chin and lip area.

Note:  Take notice of her beautiful eyes.  The brows are in a nice elevated position and look very natural.  The jawline is strong, clean and is key to the elegant angle of the neck.  Dr. Mentz was able to restore this patient's youthful appearance that had been lost to time.
Before 1 After 1  

Facial Rejuvenation / Face Lift
Age: 48

Assesment:  After consulting and listening to this patient's needs Dr. Mentz determined that she wanted a more polished fresh look.  She had just started to notice the laxity in the skin and the tired appearance of her eyes.

Plan of Action:  Endoscopic browlift, upper and lower blepharoplasty, double layer SMAS facelift and necklift, fat grafting of the cheeks, laugh lines and chin area.

Note:  Take notice of the significant improvement with modest changes in the contours of the cheek, eyes and mouth.  Restoration of cheek fullness and strength in the jawline brings freshness and elegance to her facial features.
Before After  

Facial Rejuvenation / Blepharoplasty
Age:  55

Assesment:  After listening to the patient and understanding that her goal was to look as great on the outside as she felt on the inside, Dr. Mentz determined that the flatness of the cheek and sagging of the midface was making her appear tired or sad.  He knew he needed to restore volume to her face, redirect the angles of her jawline, brow and eyes and place them in a more youthful position.

Plan of Action:  Double layer SMAS facelift, endoscopic browlift, upper and lower eyes, fat graft laughlines, cheeks, and chin area.

Note:  Take notice of the improvement in the skin laxity and the jowling is completely gone.  Her eyes and brows are beautiful and feminine again.
Before After  

Facial Rejuvenation / Face Lift

Patients with fullness and sagging of the soft
tissues can show aging prematurely. Precise contouring and resuspension
of soft tissues can improve beauty and restore youthfulness. Careful
tayloring of each operation to fit individual need is especially
necessary in facial surgery.
Before After  

Facial Rejuvenation / Blepharoplasty, Facelift, Necklift & Browlift

Age 68

Assessment: This is a 68 year old lady who is interested in reversing the inevitable signs of aging.  She is an active lady who is very youthful in spirit.

Plan of Action:  Facelift, Necklift, Endoscopic Browlift, Upper and Lower Blepharoplasty and fat grafting.

Note: The goal was to improve the sagging facial skin, jowls and loose skin by removing excess fat, tightening muscles and redraping skin.  The combination of the browlift and the upper and lower eyes gave her back the femininity of her youth.
Before After  

Facial Rejuvenation / Face Lift

After a consultation with Dr. Mentz this patient decided on a facelift, necklift, upper and lower lid enhancement (Blepharoplasty), chin implant and fat graft to the cheek and around the mouth.
Before After