What to Expect from a Facelift Consultation with Dr. Audrey Farahmand in Fort Myers

Booking a facelift consultation is a decision that often follows months, sometimes years, of reflection. You notice changes that skincare or injectables can no longer address, and you want to look rested without looking “done.” In Fort Myers, patients considering facelift surgery often seek out Dr. Audrey Farahmand for her measured approach and ability to deliver natural outcomes. Knowing exactly what happens in the consultation helps you prepare thoughtful questions, set appropriate goals, and walk in with confidence.

This guide draws on the real cadence of a first visit at Farahmand Plastic Surgery, from the initial phone call to the plan you leave with. It also covers the practical details many people forget to ask about, including recovery timelines, candidacy criteria, and how a facelift integrates with complementary treatments.
Setting the stage before you arrive
Many patients find Dr. Farahmand by searching for a facelift surgeon near me or reading reviews that focus on longevity of results and scar quality. Once you reach the practice, her team will take a few minutes to understand your goals by phone. They will ask what bothers you most, whether you have had prior facial surgery or injectables, and if you are considering a particular timeline. If you are traveling to Fort Myers for consultation and surgery, mention that upfront. The staff regularly coordinates schedules and can offer practical guidance for out of town arrangements.

Ahead of the visit, you will receive a medical history form and photograph consent. Fill these out carefully. Surgical planning depends on health details like blood pressure, thyroid function, prior anesthesia experience, allergies, skincare products with active ingredients, and any nicotine use, including vaping or patches. If you take aspirin, fish oil, vitamin E, turmeric, ginkgo, or prescription anticoagulants, list them. These can increase bruising or bleeding risk and will shape preoperative instructions.

Bring photos that reflect what you want to achieve. Midlife photos that show your features when the tissues were less lax are particularly useful. They help establish your baseline anatomy rather than chasing a different face. If you wear hearing aids, dentures, or have dental implants, those details also matter. Facelift surgery adjusts tissue near the ears and jawline, so the more the surgeon knows, the better.
First impressions in the consultation room
A facelift consultation with Dr. Audrey Farahmand runs more like a conversation than a sales pitch. Expect to spend unhurried time discussing facial aging patterns in a way that connects anatomy to what you see in the mirror. Patients often mention three areas first: jowls softening the jawline, laxity and banding in the neck, and descent in the midface that deepens the nasolabial area. Men frequently focus on a sharper neck and a stronger mandibular line, with minimal sideburn or hairline changes. Women often ask about softening the marionette shadows and restoring a smoother lower face without over-tightening the mouth.

Dr. Farahmand will ask you to describe what feels most “unlike you.” That phrasing matters. The goal is to restore your own facial identity, not trade it for a template. If you have had fillers in the past two years, she may assess whether residual product is contributing to heaviness, especially along the jaw or cheeks. This can inform whether she advises dissolving certain fillers before surgery.
The exam: what a qualified facelift surgeon evaluates
The physical exam focuses on skin quality, degree and pattern of laxity, fat distribution, platysma muscle bands in the neck, and the harmony of the face from hairline to clavicle. A thorough facelift surgeon looks for clues that shape technique:
Elasticity versus sun damage. Patients in Southwest Florida often have cumulative sun exposure. Skin with photodamage may benefit from more conservative redraping paired with resurfacing to improve texture and fine lines. A facelift can reposition tissues, but it does not erase all sun damage. Neck anatomy. Palpation can reveal whether your neck fullness comes from subcutaneous fat, deeper subplatysmal fat, or digastric muscles that are prominent. That distinction matters. If deep fat and muscle contribute, results may require more than simple liposuction under the chin. Bone structure. A strong bony platform supports a crisp result. In a face with small chin projection, you may get a more balanced jawline with a modest chin implant or injectable chin augmentation. She will explain when ancillary changes meaningfully elevate the outcome versus when they are unnecessary. Hairline and sideburn position. Incision design and vector of lift depend on where your hairline sits. The aim is to preserve natural borders while giving enough access to correct the deeper laxity. Prior scars. If you have had parotid surgery, ear procedures, or an old facelift, scar placement and skin blood supply need to be mapped. A revision plan often differs from a first-time lift.
Photography documents your starting point in standardized views. Expect front, obliques, side profiles, and up-gaze to show neck bands. These are stored confidentially and used for planning.
Technique talk without the jargon
Facelift surgery in Fort Myers takes many forms, and the conversation with Dr. Farahmand separates marketing labels from surgical reality. The core difference between fleeting and durable results lies in what is tightened and how it is supported.

She Dr Audrey Farahmand https://x.com/FarahmandPS will discuss the role of the SMAS, the fibromuscular layer beneath the skin. Lifting only the skin can look tight for a short window, then relax quickly. Repositioning the SMAS and platysma gives shape and longevity. There are multiple ways to do this:
SMAS plication. Folding and securing the layer without extensive undermining, often appropriate for mild to moderate laxity. Recovery can be smooth, but candidacy is key. SMASectomy or imbrication. Removing or overlapping a strip of SMAS to contour the jawline and lateral face, offering stronger definition. Deep plane facelift. Releasing specific retaining ligaments and lifting the cheek and lower face as a unit. This approach can be powerful for midface descent and heavier tissues.
Neck management is tailored as well. Some patients only need lateral tightening that improves the jaw. Others, particularly with vertical bands and central laxity, benefit from a small incision under the chin to access and repair the platysma in the midline and contour deep fat when indicated.

If you arrive worried about looking pulled, ask to see examples that show smiling and talking. Natural motion is the best test of an elegant lift. A good facelift surgeon will explain how vector choice, skin handling, and tension distribution prevent an over-tightened mouth or flattened cheeks.
Matching goals to a personalized plan
By the middle of the consult, you and Dr. Farahmand should share a clear understanding of what bothers you and how each component will be addressed. Expect a frank discussion of limits. A facelift improves jowls and the neck, and to a variable degree defines the midface, but it will not erase every crease near the nose or overcorrect thin skin. If your upper face shows hooded lids or low brows, you may discuss adding an upper blepharoplasty or a conservative brow lift. Addressing the lower face while leaving heavy upper lids untouched can create imbalance. On the other hand, if your eyelids still look fresh, she will advise against additional procedures.

Skincare and resurfacing often complement surgery. Fractional laser or deep chemical peels can improve fine lines around the mouth, a zone that surgery alone cannot fully smooth. Dr. Farahmand may recommend staging resurfacing to limit swelling, or combining lighter treatments at the time of surgery if safe.
Realistic timelines and recovery milestones
From a planning standpoint, it helps to think in three layers: operative day, the first two weeks, and the next two to three months.

On surgery day, facelift procedures at Farahmand Plastic Surgery are performed under anesthesia with a board certified anesthesia provider. Operating time varies from around two hours for a focused lower face and neck to four hours or more if combined with eyelids or a full deep plane approach. You will go home the same day with a caregiver. A wrap dressing may be placed for the first night, along with instructions for head elevation and medication schedules.

The first two weeks are about swelling control, incision care, and gradual return to daily activity. The typical arc looks like this: a first check the next day, then suture removal in stages between days 5 and 10 depending on the location. Bruising often fades by day 10 to 14. Many patients feel comfortable in public with hair down at ten days, and with light makeup after cleared by the team. Exercise resumes progressively after two to three weeks for walking and four to six weeks for higher intensity, provided blood pressure stays controlled.

Over the next two to three months, tissues soften and the jawline refines. Numbness around the earlobe and cheek is normal and recedes gradually. Scar redness evolves to pale lines over several months. A common mistake is judging the result at week two. Give the face time to settle. At six to eight weeks, the neck and lower face usually show a natural, sharper contour without the early tightness.

If you are aligning surgery with an event, build in at least six weeks to be camera ready, ideally eight to ten for important occasions with bright lighting or close photos.
Safety, candidacy, and the health details that matter
Not everyone is a candidate for facelift surgery at the same moment in life, even if the anatomy suggests benefit. A responsible facelift surgeon weighs medical readiness as carefully as aesthetic goals.

Nicotine is the biggest modifiable risk. It constricts blood vessels and compromises skin healing. Dr. Farahmand will ask you to avoid all nicotine sources for a minimum of four weeks before and after surgery. This includes cigarettes, cigars, vaping, patches, and gum. A negative nicotine or cotinine test is sometimes required for safety.

Blood pressure control is another cornerstone. Spikes after surgery increase bleeding risk. If you take hypertension medication, bring the list and ensure you have refills set for the recovery period. Aspirin, many anti-inflammatories, and herbal supplements that thin blood will be paused on a schedule provided to you, in coordination with your primary physician when necessary.

If you have a history of keloids or hypertrophic scars, point to any thickened scars you have. While facelifts heal well in most patients, prior scarring tendencies inform suture choice, post-op taping, and scar management.

Patients with diabetes, autoimmune disease, or on immunosuppressants can still be candidates, but the team will coordinate labs and clearances as needed. Clear communication helps tailor the plan.
Questions smart patients ask during consultation
Patients who feel best about their facelift often ask structured questions. The goal is not to quiz the surgeon, but to make sure you understand the strategy in your own words. Consider covering:
Where will my incisions be, and how do you tailor them to my hairline and sideburns? What is your plan for my neck bands, central fat, and jawline definition? How many facelifts do you perform in an average month or year, and what techniques do you prefer for cases like mine? What is your approach to avoiding a pulled look around the mouth and eyes? If I prefer a staged plan, what should we do first and why?
This list is a springboard. Bring your personal concerns and the specific photos you like. Dr. Farahmand welcomes details because they help you both align expectations.
Cost, value, and how to interpret quotes
Pricing for facelift surgery in Fort Myers spans a range based on scope. A lower face and neck lift alone typically differs in cost from a combined procedure with eyelids or a brow lift. Facility fees, anesthesia, and compression garments add components beyond the surgeon’s fee. Expect the practice to provide an itemized quote after the exam, not before. This protects you from a generic number that does not fit your needs.

A tempting low quote can hide shortcuts, such as minimal SMAS work or limited neck treatment, which may not deliver the jawline you expect. On the other hand, higher cost does not guarantee sophistication. Ask how the proposed plan specifically addresses your anatomy. A candid explanation of the technique, goals, and expected longevity offers real value.
The Farahmand Plastic Surgery experience
Farahmand Plastic Surgery has built a reputation in Fort Myers for measured aesthetic surgery that favors harmony over trend. Dr. Audrey Farahmand’s background as a board certified plastic surgeon, along with a practice geared to facial and breast surgery, gives patients a focused environment. While credentials matter, what you feel during the consultation often tells you more. Patients describe an atmosphere where questions are welcome, trade-offs are explained, and the surgical plan is realistic.

People often search phrases like Facelift Surgeon Fort Myers or Top facelift surgery in fort myers to narrow their options. Those labels can help you find practices to visit, but the decision comes down to trust built in the room. Look at before and afters that resemble your starting anatomy. Listen for nuance in how the surgeon talks about tissue handling and vectors rather than brand names. If you feel heard, you are on the right track.
Integrating non-surgical treatments wisely
A strong facelift plan recognizes where non-surgical treatments shine. Dermal fillers strengthen a weak chin or subtly contour the jaw when implants are not desired. Neurotoxins soften platysma bands and help maintain a crisp neck after surgery. Medical-grade skincare protects your investment by improving tone and reducing future damage.

Timing matters. Many surgeons, including Dr. Farahmand, prefer clearing older filler from heavy zones like the jowls before surgery if it obscures anatomy. Postoperative injectables usually resume after several weeks or months once swelling subsides and tissues settle. Laser resurfacing can be paired with surgery or staged, depending on depth and skin type. Patients with more melanin require careful energy selection to minimize pigment changes. That nuance is part of the planning conversation.
Scar quality, incision care, and the little things that add up
Incisions for a modern facelift are designed to hide along natural creases around the ear and into the hairline. Attention to beveling along hair-bearing scalp helps hair grow through the scar so it blends. Scar care starts early with clean technique and progresses to silicone therapy once the incisions are sealed. Gentle massage and strict sun protection prevent hyperpigmentation and thickening. In Fort Myers, sun is a constant companion, so a brimmed hat and daily SPF are not optional.

Sensation changes around the earlobes are common. Avoid heavy earrings for several weeks. Glasses arms should rest gently. If you color your hair, schedule your salon visit at least two weeks before surgery or wait until cleared afterward. Small details like these preserve comfort and protect early healing.
How age, gender, and skin type shape the plan
A facelift is not a one-size procedure. The technique adjusts to DNA and decades of life.

In younger patients, often late 40s to early 50s, skin elasticity allows for conservative SMAS work with a subtle, elegant change that reads as refreshed rather than different. In older patients, especially with heavier neck bands or advanced laxity, a more comprehensive approach is justified to create a lasting result. Men typically seek an incision pattern that protects hair patterns and avoids shifting sideburns. They also bruise differently because of beard follicles and vascularity, which the team accounts for in postoperative care.

Darker skin types benefit from careful planning around pigment risk. While facelifts can be performed safely across all skin types, the resurfacing choices and scar care protocols must be tailored. Dr. Farahmand will walk you through the safest timing and techniques to optimize both contour and skin tone.
Managing expectations and the long view
A well-performed facelift can reset the clock by roughly eight to twelve years, sometimes more, depending on genetics and lifestyle. It does not stop aging. Instead, you age from a better starting point. Many patients maintain their results longer by staying out of the sun during peak hours, keeping a stable weight, and limiting late-night salt that can lead to morning facial puffiness.

Annual or biennial touchpoints with the practice help track changes and choose minor interventions at the right time. A small tweak at year five, such as a bit of neurotoxin, targeted filler, or resurfacing, often prevents the need for larger interventions too soon. When a second facelift is eventually considered, thoughtful initial technique preserves options for safe and elegant revision.
Why the consultation itself is the most important step
If you have read this far, you are likely serious about facelift surgery. Think of the consultation as your due diligence. It is where surgical design meets your personal story, where the phrase best facelift surgeon in Fort Myers becomes less about search results and more about fit.

At Farahmand Plastic Surgery, you should expect a transparent, anatomy-led discussion with Dr. Audrey Farahmand. She will outline what facelift surgery can do for your face, what it cannot, and how to combine procedures judiciously. She will explain the why behind each choice, from incision placement to SMAS strategy to neck management. By the time you leave, you should know the plan, the recovery, the risks, the cost structure, and the timeline that respects your life.

Bring your priorities. Ask direct questions. Share any hesitation. The right facelift surgeon does not rush your decision. The goal is a result that looks like you, only more rested, with a jawline and neck that match how you feel inside.

For those beginning the search, here are practical ways to proceed without getting lost in marketing. Start with board certification and a focused track record in facial surgery. Review before and afters that resemble your starting point, not just highlight reels. Sit with two consultations if you need comparison. Pay close attention to how comfortably you communicate in the room. The surgeon you trust is the one who listens, explains, and shows you a plan that makes sense for your face.

If you are ready to explore facelift surgery in Fort Myers, Dr. Audrey Farahmand and her team are available to guide you through a careful, personalized process. Whether you are local or found the practice through a search for Facelift Surgery in Fort Myers, you will find a practice environment built for thoughtful decisions and natural results. Many patients who once typed facelift surgeon near me end up choosing a surgeon not just for proximity, but for the quality of the conversation and the integrity of the plan.

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