Preservation Facelift
in Denver, CO
The Latest Evolution in Deep Plane Facelift Surgery
The Preservation Facelift is a highly specialized and advanced evolution in Deep Plane Facelift Surgery. For years, Deep Plane Facelifts have offered more natural-looking, long-lasting solutions for facial rejuvenation over traditional SMAS facelifts, which primarily tighten skin. The Preservation Facelift takes Deep Plane Facelifting to the next level—providing all the benefits of a Deep Plane Facelift while reducing swelling and bruising and providing a smoother, more comfortable recovery.
At Locketz Facial Plastic Surgery in Denver, CO, Dr. Garrett Locketz, a Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon, specializes in facial rejuvenation surgery using the most advanced, research-backed techniques. His meticulous approach to the preservation facelift ensures a balanced, natural enhancement—never overdone, never obvious. By minimizing trauma and eliminating the need for drains, this technique offers a superior alternative to Deep Plane Facelift by procedures with faster recovery and longer-lasting results.
Facelift surgery has come a long way over the years. While older techniques focused on pulling and tightening the skin, they often resulted in an unnatural, windswept look. Modern advancements, like the Deep Plane Facelift and now the Preservation Facelift, focus on lifting and repositioning deeper structures, which creates a softer, more youthful appearance without excessive tension.
The Preservation Facelift refines the Deep Plane approach by keeping the natural connections between the skin and underlying tissues intact in specific areas of the face and neck. This technique not only enhances facial balance but also reduces swelling, bruising, and recovery time, making it a preferred choice for patients who want a more youthful look without looking like they’ve had surgery.
Preservation Facelift at a Glance
- Procedure Time: 3–5 hours, depending on other additional procedures
- Anesthesia: Typically performed IV sedation or general anesthesia
- Downtime: Most patients return to social activities within 2-3 weeks
- Results: A more youthful, lifted appearance that lasts
What Makes a Preservation Facelift Different?
The preservation facelift isn’t just about making the skin look tighter—it’s about restoring facial harmony by repositioning the deeper facial tissues, ligaments, and muscles. This technique provides more durable results while maintaining a soft, natural look.
How It Stands Apart from Traditional Facelifts
One of the most common concerns patients have about facelifts is looking too tight or overdone. The Preservation Facelift prevents this by addressing the root cause of aging—sagging muscle and connective tissue, not just loose skin.
Unlike traditional facelifts, which often involve separating and lifting the skin away from deeper structures, this technique preserves the natural attachments between skin and muscle in specific areas of the face and neck, ensuring a more seamless, natural transition.
By maintaining vascular and ligamentous structures, the preservation facelift also minimizes swelling, bruising, and post-operative discomfort, leading to a faster and more comfortable recovery.
Additionally, this method eliminates the need for surgical drains, which are often required in traditional facelift surgery to prevent fluid buildup. The Preservation technique naturally reduces trauma to the tissues, making drains unnecessary and further improving patient comfort.
|
Feature |
Preservation Facelift |
Deep Plane Facelift |
Traditional Facelift (SMAS) |
|
Targeted Tissue Layers |
Lifts deep tissues while preserving skin delamination |
Lifts deep structures including SMAS and fat pads |
Primarily tightens skin with some muscle repositioning |
|
Natural Appearance |
Highly natural, avoids over-tightened look |
Natural but can be slightly more invasive |
May appear tighter and “pulled” or overdone |
|
Swelling & Bruising |
Minimal due to preserved vascular connections |
Moderate swelling and bruising |
Higher swelling and bruising due to skin separation |
|
Recovery Time |
Faster recovery, most patients resume social activities within 2 weeks |
Moderate recovery, most patients resume social activities within 2-3 weeks |
Longer recovery, often 3-4 weeks |
|
Use of Surgical Drains |
No drains required |
Sometimes required |
Drains often required |
|
Longevity of Results |
10+ years |
10+ years |
5-10 years |
|
Risk of Looking Overdone |
Low—avoids excessive skin pulling |
Low—avoids excessive skin pulling |
Higher—skin tightening without deep tissue repositioning |
|
Effectiveness for Deep Wrinkles & Jowls |
Highly effective, lifts deep structures |
Highly effective, lifts deep structures |
Less effective for deep structural laxity, mostly treats surface laxity |
The Benefits of a Preservation Facelift
This advanced approach to facial rejuvenation offers significant advantages over older facelift techniques, making it an ideal option for patients who want a natural, refreshed appearance with minimal downtime.
Key Benefits
- A More Natural, Youthful Look – The Preservation Facelift restores volume and definition to the midface, jawline, and neck without creating a pulled or over-tightened appearance.
- Reduced Swelling and Bruising – Because the superficial facial structures remain intact, healing is quicker and more comfortable than with traditional facelifts.
- No Drains, Less Discomfort – By keeping the natural support structures of the face, fluid buildup is minimized, eliminating the need for post-surgical drains.
- Long-Lasting Results – Unlike a mini facelift, which often needs revision in a few years, a Preservation Facelift delivers results that last 10+ years.
- Can Be Combined with Other Procedures – Patients looking for a more comprehensive facial rejuvenation can combine this procedure with a blepharoplasty, brow lift, fat grafting, or laser resurfacing for enhanced results.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Preservation Facelift?
If your facial appearance no longer reflects how youthful or vibrant you feel, the preservation facelift may be the right path forward. This procedure is particularly suited to individuals experiencing moderate to significant facial aging, especially in the midface, jawline, and neck, and who are looking for a natural, long-lasting result that avoids the overly tightened look.
You may be a strong candidate if you:
- Have noticeable sagging skin or volume loss in the lower face or neck
- Are concerned with deep facial folds, jowls, or softening of the jawline
- Want a longer-lasting result than what non-surgical or mini facelift options provide
- Are in good general health and able to heal from a surgical procedure
However, it’s important to note that not everyone is a candidate for this highly specialized operation. The preservation facelift is a technically advanced procedure that must be tailored to your individual anatomy and goals. Only an in-person consultation with Dr. Locketz can determine whether this technique is appropriate for you. During your visit, he’ll evaluate your facial structure, skin quality, and health history before creating a personalized treatment plan.
Your Preservation Facelift Procedure
The preservation facelift is performed using IV sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the patient’s comfort and surgical plan.
Dr. Locketz begins by making discreet incisions along the hairline and natural facial contours, ensuring that any scars remain well-hidden. The deeper layers of the face are carefully repositioned and lifted, while the natural skin connections in specific areas of the face and neck are preserved. Unlike other facelift techniques, which often rely on removing excess skin, this method restores youthful structure by lifting and supporting the deeper facial tissues.
The surgery typically takes 3–5 hours depending on whether other procedures are performed simultaneouslty, and patients return home the same day with a comprehensive post-operative care plan.
Recovery & Results
One of the biggest advantages of the Preservation Facelift is the smoother, faster recovery compared to traditional facelifts.
- Most patients experience mild swelling and tightness for the first week, with significant improvements by the second week.
- Unlike traditional facelifts, which may require several months for swelling to subside, most patients see final results within 3–6 months.
- By following post-operative care instructions, such as keeping the head elevated, avoiding strenuous activities, and using cold compresses, patients can optimize healing and maintain their youthful results for years to come.
Schedule Your Consultation for a Preservation Facelift in Denver, CO
If you’re ready to restore a more youthful, natural appearance while avoiding the pitfalls of older facelift techniques, the Preservation Facelift could be the ideal solution. Dr. Garrett Locketz combines technical precision with an artistic eye, ensuring refined, natural results that complement your unique facial features.
📍 Locketz Facial Plastic Surgery | Denver, CO📞 Call (970) 370-9271 or Request a Consultation Online Today
Preservation Facelift
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. By lifting and repositioning deeper facial tissues, results look soft, youthful, and never overdone.
Most patients return to social activities within 2-3, with full results appearing in 3–6 months. The shorter recovery time is one of the key benefits of the preservation facelift.
Risks include temporary swelling, bruising, and numbness, all of which resolve as healing progresses.
Unlike traditional facelifts, this method ensures results last 10+ years.
Costs vary based on individual treatment plans. Pricing is discussed during the initial consultation.
