Beverly Hills Facelift
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a procedure designed to improve visible signs of aging in the face and neck. This procedure may be right for you if you are bothered by signs such as; sagging in the midface, deep creases below the lower eyelids, deep creases along the nose extending to the corner of the mouth, jowls, or loose skin and excess fatty deposits under the chin and jaw.
At Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery, our surgeons are highly experienced in helping patients reverse the signs of aging with this form of facial rejuvenation.
Why Have a Facelift
Not all rejuvenation procedures are the same. Some procedures such as a brow lift to correct a sagging or deeply furrowed brow and eyelid surgery to rejuvenate aging eyes can address specific parts of the face. However, these treatments must be combined with other procedures, like a surgical facelift in order the create a long-lasting, more youthful appearance. Likewise, non-surgical procedures cannot achieve the same result but may delay the time at which a facelift is necessary and can also complement the results of a surgical procedure. As a result, when patients finally reach the point where the effect of aging is undeniable, we recommend meeting with Beverly Hills facelift surgeon Dr. Kim to explore the benefits of a surgical facelift.
Consultation
Like any other surgery, choosing to undergo rhytidectomy is a life-changing decision that starts with a one-on-one consultation with experienced specialists. At Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery, individuals interested in facelifts meet with our facial surgery specialist Dr. Kim for an initial consultation and frequently return for pre-surgery evaluations prior to treatment. During your first visits, Dr. Kim will go cover not only surgical facelift but also all other available rejuvenation procedures. An evaluation of your health status and any pre-existing conditions may be necessary. Realistic outcomes, potential risk, and complications will also be addressed after our surgeon is able to evaluate your current condition and desired goals.
Preparing for Surgery
To prepare for surgery, Dr. Kim will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. Carefully following these instructions will help your surgery go more smoothly.
For smokers, it’s especially important to stop at least two to three weeks before and after surgery; smoking inhibits blood flow to the skin and can interfere with the healing of your incision areas. Even with stopping smoking before the procedure you may be at increased risk for complications.
Whether your facelift is being done on an outpatient or inpatient basis, you should arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery and to help you out for a day or two if needed.
Your facelift may be performed in a surgeon’s office-based facility, an outpatient surgery center, or a hospital. It’s usually done on an outpatient basis, but some surgeons may hospitalize patients for a day when using general anesthesia. Certain conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure should be monitored after surgery and may also require a short inpatient stay.
At the start of the procedure, anesthesia medication will be administered. Once you’re comfortable, the procedure will begin. As facelift procedures can be completed on their own or as part of a larger, multi-procedure strategy, the length of the surgery can vary. For a facelift alone, the surgery can be several hours long. When multiple procedures are combined, Dr. Kim may schedule more than one session to complete all treatments without compromising the results.
Facelift Types
How surgeries are performed can also vary by patient and by surgeon. Depending on the degree of change you’d like to see, your facelift choices include a traditional facelift, limited incision facelift or a neck lift.
Traditional Technique
A traditional facelift incision often begins in the hairline at the temples before continuing around the ear and ending in the lower scalp. During the procedure, fat may be sculpted or redistributed from the face, jowls, and neck. Underlying tissue, including the muscles, may also be repositioned or lifted. Skin is repositioned over the uplifted contours and excess skin is trimmed away. A second incision under the chin may be necessary to further improve an aging neck. Sutures or skin adhesives close the incisions.
Alternative
For some patients, a traditional facelift isn’t needed to successfully rejuvenate facial appearance. An alternative to the full traditional facelift uses shorter incisions at the temples, continuing around the ear and possibly within the lower eyelids or under the upper lip.
Limited Incision
Not all signs of aging require comprehensive facelift incisions. Sagging jowls, loose neck skin and fat accumulation under the chin may be corrected with a neck lift. The neck lift incision often begins in front of the ear lobe and wraps around behind the ear ending in the lower scalp. Neck lifts can also be a valuable corrective surgery option for patients who’ve had previous facelifts completed but who are starting to show symptoms of aging below the chin.
Regardless of the facelift technique chosen, all options provide discreet incision points. Once healed, the incision lines from a facelift are well concealed within the hairline and in the natural contours of the face and ear.
Recovery
After the procedure, you will be wrapped in a light bandage and may or may not have a drain tube. The tube is usually removed the next day when the bandages are removed. Sutures or staples in the hair may be removed at a week to 10 days. Swelling will be present for several weeks but most of the swelling will resolve in the first couple of weeks.
While the visible improvements of a facelift may appear as swelling and bruising immediately after surgery, these side effects subside within a few weeks of treatment. Your results should not only restore a more youthful and rested appearance but also help you feel more confident about yourself.
FAQs about Facelift
How do I know if I need a facelift?
If the skin on your face sags or if you have loose, hanging skin in the area of your chin and neck, you may need a facelift. Creams, serums, and nonsurgical treatments can help in the early stages of skin laxity, but there comes a point when only a facelift can restore your youthful look.
Are there nonsurgical alternatives to a facelift?
Dermal fillers can temporarily soften facial wrinkles and fill hollowed areas, Botox® can smooth expression lines and creases, and other nonsurgical treatments can tighten skin in the early stages of loosening. All are valuable treatments for people in their 30s and 40s, but none offer the lasting and comprehensive rejuvenation of facelift when more significant skin sagging occurs.
Will my face look naturally younger after a facelift?
In the hands of a skilled facelift surgeon like Dr. Kim, it will. Modern facelift technique involves lifting and tightening structural tissue, the superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS) of the face, not just removing and tightening skin, and the results are amazingly natural-looking. You’ve probably met people who’ve had facelifts and never realized why they looked so great. Look at Dr. Kim’s facelift before-and-after gallery to see for yourself.
When will I feel comfortable being seen in public?
You’ll want to rest for the first two weeks. After that, any residual bruising can be covered with makeup for the next couple of weeks. Final results will be visible, and you’ll feel like your new self, after four to six weeks.
Will scars be visible?
Because the incisions follow natural lines on your face — your hairline and the line around your ear — the scars are well hidden and typically aren’t noticeable. Scars lighten and fade in the months after surgery, so become more invisible with time.
Contact Us
From preliminary consultations through final recovery and evaluation, the team at Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery is your go-to partner for restoring your youthful appearance. To learn more about the long-term benefits of a facelift, call us today and schedule your consultation!