Facelift Specialist

Avila Plastic Surgery

Rafael Avila, MD

Plastic Surgeon located in Mission, TX

When wrinkles and sagging skin make you look older than you feel, you can find a way to erase the signs of aging with Dr. Rafael Avila. At Avila Plastic Surgery, located in Mission, Texas, Dr. Avila performs facelifts to smooth skin and give patients a more youthful appearance. If you want to learn more about the facelift procedure and if it could be right for you, contact Dr. Avila. Call the office or use the online tool to schedule your initial consultation.

Facelift Q & A

What issues does a facelift address?

Facelifts address various aging issues across the face and neck that result from thinning skin, loss of fat, and gravity. If you’re troubled by the signs of aging on your face, Dr. Avila may recommend this surgical procedure to improve the appearance of:


  • Sagging and droopy skin
  • Deep lines and folds that form between your nose and mouth
  • Loss of volume in cheeks
  • Jowls that form around the jaw
  • Double chin or excessive fat on the neck and chin
  • Loose skin around the neck, often referred to as “turkey neck”


Sometimes Dr. Avila may suggest other surgical procedures to enhance your facelift, such as eyelid surgery or a brow lift, or recommend fat grafting to restore lost volume. Having these at the same time as your facelift reduces the risk of infection, as there’s only one surgery instead of two, and can also improve the appearance of your final results.

What happens during a facelift?

When Dr. Avila performs your facelift surgery, the procedure starts with either intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. Once the medication takes effect, he prepares your face for surgery.


In a traditional facelift, he makes an incision along the hairline at your temples that reaches past your ears to your lower scalp. If any other treatments or procedures are planned, Dr. Avila performs them at this point.


Depending on your goals, he may reposition underlying facial tissues, lift your facial muscles, or redistribute fat pockets. Once complete, he drapes the skin across your face and trims any excess skin. He reattaches your skin with sutures, dissolvable stitches, or medical glue.

What is the recovery like after a facelift?

Immediately after your facelift, Dr. Avila may wrap your face in a bandage to reduce swelling and bruising. You may have drainage tubes in place to avoid fluid buildup. Dr. Avila gives you specific instructions on how to clean and care for the surgical area.


You can resume most of your daily activities within 10-14 days after your facelift, but it takes 2-3 months to heal from the surgery. While your skin and face heal, you may notice changes in texture, sensations, and tightness.


If you think a facelift can make you feel young again, contact the supportive team at Avila Plastic Surgery. Call the office or go online to schedule your appointment today.

What we offer

Services