Facelift Vero Beach & Pompano Beach

What Else Separates the Ocean Drive Plastic Surgery Facelift from Other Facelifts?

1. Dr. Durkin’s facial analysis technique
2. Preoperative vitamin supplementation
• We want our patients to prepare for success with any surgical procedure they undertake, and nutritional/vitamin support is a critical component of that preparation. All patients are started on a vitamin supplementation package designed to improve postoperative recovery and results. Included in this nutritional support package are two organically-based healing solutions:
3. Arnica Montana
• Arnica is a European sunflower high in Thymol, which has been shown to reduce bruising and inflammation in several clinical studies. We offer arnica to all surgical and nonsurgical patients free of charge, as we believe it is an easy and safe way to improve outcomes and reduce downtime post-procedure.  
• Bromelain is a naturally occurring substance found in tropical fruits and plants, especially pineapple. It has been shown to reduce postoperative pain and swelling following soft tissue surgery. We offer Bromelain to all surgical patients as we firmly believe that it improves our outcomes and reduces post-procedural downtime.

4. Customized anesthesia administered by a physician anesthesiologist

   • Our technique for anesthesia is designed to minimize physiologic stress. We avoid the use of excessive medications and narcotics and comprehensively avoid the use of paralytic agents during our facelift procedures. This allows your body to focus on healing from your procedure rather than clearing out foreign, invasive medications.  Our patients typically experience minimal facial bruising because we meticulously control any discomfort during the procedure and maintain your comfort after surgery.  We also take every possible step to keep anxiety at bay both before and after your procedure so that you can be calm and relaxed as you gently recover after surgery.

5. Platelet-rich plasma

   • Platelet-rich plasma is another foundation for our success in facial rejuvenation surgery.   Platelet-rich plasma is a purified form of your blood that promotes healing and harmony during your surgery.  After you are asleep, we take a sample of your circulating blood. The blood is then centrifuged on-site, allowing the individual blood components to separate. Once this is complete, we harvest only the natural healing factors and complex them with a coagulant protein called thrombin.  After completing the SMAS flap portion of the facelift, this healing factor component, in combination with thrombin, is aerosolized into a fine spray and is used to coat the entire inner surface of the SMAS and the deep dermis. This allows for nearly seamless integration of the newly positioned and tightened SMAS flap with the newly positioned and tightened facial skin.  

6. Dr. Durkin’s SMAS technique

   • As described previously, our proprietary technique of SMAS elevation and inset provides the best possible natural appearance of your face. We take incredible pride in our SMAS technique, having spent almost ten years developing and refining it. We firmly believe that our SMAS technique is as effective or more effective than any other currently available technique.  

7. Lift and fill concept. 

   • Our practice strongly believes in tailored care for each individual. We find that most people want to look natural and younger. Most people want to re-capture what their face has lost over time without distorting their natural features. Our facelift technique starts with a comprehensive evaluation of patient goals, anatomy, and skin quality. Our goal with every facial intervention is to maximize your outcome without sacrificing comfort or safety. We firmly believe in the “lift and fill” concept of facial plastic surgery. Modern techniques allow us to safely and reliably graft fat cells to the face for rejuvenation. Imbued within each fat graft, we can harvest small aliquots of pluripotent stem cells during the fat harvest. During injection, fat cells and stem cells populate the area, providing internal volumization and an overall softening of the appearance. The Ocean Drive Plastic Surgery Facelift strongly features the rejuvenating properties of structural fat grafting. Combining the benefits of two techniques (SMAS elevation in face lifting and fat grafting for facial filling) makes our philosophy of delivering natural results in the safest possible fashion clear. We will use only the most advanced surgical and nonsurgical facial therapy techniques. We aim to use all available technology to minimize overtreatment of the aging face while maximizing overall natural, youthful results.

8. Postoperative Pampering

• The entire team at Ocean Drive Plastic Surgery believes in our recovery process. It is designed to be comfortable, organized, and attentive to your needs. It begins with creating a clear line of communication between Dr. Durkin and you. All patients are given Dr. Durkin’s direct cell phone number to communicate.  There is no answering service. There is nobody you have to “introduce” yourself to to get help.  The office is open and available Monday through Friday, with Dr. Durkin available after hours. On the day of surgery, all patients can stay overnight at Ocean Drive with a private-duty nurse and catered meals.  Patients are also given the option of going home for the evening or having a member of our nursing staff join them overnight.  Patients have all surgical bandages removed on the first day after surgery.  Patients may resume light exercise the day after surgery.  Patients are allowed to shower the day after surgery.  In short, we get you back to feeling “normal” as quickly as possible.  Once this has begun, we will maintain your vitamin and nutritional support throughout your recovery, leading towards your lymphatic massage session.  At this treatment, our spa staff will use an ultrasonic probe to gently massage and soften the deeper tissue planes of the face. This allows for a markedly quicker resolution to swelling following surgery.  Patients are given a complimentary massage but are encouraged to use it avidly during recovery.  Lastly, all our patients receive a custom-made, mineral-based makeup system created by our in-house professional makeup artist. This foundational system will cover any remaining bruising and serve as a moisturizer for the dermis when worn.