Face Lift
The facelift is a well-known facial plastic surgery procedure that is performed to reduce signs of aging in the mid to lower face. Common cosmetic concerns best treated by a facelift include sagging skin or jowls, and deep facial folds or wrinkles. Dr. Kolder can perform a facelift for men and women near Santa Barbara and Ventura who are wanting the naturally youthful look they had several years ago.
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Your Facelift Consultation
Dr. Kolder will take a close look at the condition of your face to determine the best treatment plan for your facelift surgery. You will be able to ask any questions you may have about facelifts during your consultation at our Camarillo or Santa Barbara offices. Details such as surgery steps, facelift benefits, and recovery will be explained, so you are able to make a well-informed decision about this surgery. There will also be facelift before and after photos available.
If you are considering a facelift, you may benefit from combining your surgery with other facial procedures, such as a brow lift or eyelid surgery. Dr. Kolder can perform these procedures in a single surgery to provide you with a full rejuvenation of your face.
The Facelift Procedure
Your facelift will be performed under general anesthesia at our outpatient Ambulatory Surgery Center. An incision will be made within your natural hairline, beginning near each temple, continuing just in front of your ears, and then finishing back by the nape of your neck. From here, Dr. Kolder is able to tighten underlying muscles, remove or reshape the facial tissue to achieve a more youthful and lifted facial structure, and reduce excess skin to get rid of any drooping or sagging.
Liposuction may also be performed to eliminate any stubborn facial fat around your chin or neck. When addressing bands in the neck region, an incision is performed in the crease under the chin and suture repair is performed. A temporary wrap will often be applied after your surgery to help reduce swelling and any accumulations of fluids under the skin.
Recovering from a Facelift
Bruising, swelling, and some discomfort is normal following facelift surgery. Your face will likely feel sore and tight for a few days, but pain medications can be used at this time. After about ten days, you should be able to cover up most surgery signs with makeup until your face fully heals. You will need to take a couple of weeks off work and should avoid strenuous exercise for about 6 weeks. You will have a follow-up appointment at our Camarillo or Santa Barbara offices to ensure your recovery is going smoothly.
Results
You will notice an immediate change in your appearance once your facelift is complete, but it will take some time for your face to fully heal. As bruising and swelling goes away and your incision lines fade, your face will appear much more youthful and well toned than before your surgery. Patients are often able to take up to ten years off their appearance while still maintaining a very natural look.
Next Steps
For more information about eyelid surgery, please contact us online or call our Camarillo or Santa Barbara office to schedule your consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Daniel Kolder.
Facelift FAQs
While a facelift is a relatively safe procedure, all surgeries pose potential risks. Some of the possible risks associated with a facelift procedure include:
Before your facelift procedure, your plastic surgeon will go over your full medical history and discuss the procedure process to make sure you understand the possible complications involved with this surgery.
Ideal candidates for a facelift will be in good general health. Candidates will have excess skin or sagging in the face and neck, but still have skin elasticity and good bone structure. In these cases, a facelift is often the most beneficial cosmetic procedure to restore your youthful appearance.
Incisions for your facelift typically begin near the temple and follow the natural hairline or creases in your face. While the incisions may be visible after your procedure, the scars should soften and mature during the months following your procedure. Because they are along the hairline, they are generally not noticeable and can often be covered by your hair.
- Stop smoking — Smoking hinders the body’s ability to heal and quitting can make your recovery easier.
- Avoid medications such as aspirin, anti-inflammatories and herbal supplements as these can make you more prone to bleeding
- – Prepare for your recovery ahead of time
- – Ask family members for help
- – Create a recovery station at your home where everything will be within your reach
- – Plan or cook meals in advance for easy preparation
- – Pick up all post-operative medications before your surgery date
How much you’ll pay for a facelift can vary considerably based on many variables. First off, the surgeon’s skill and experience often greatly influence the price charged. In addition to the surgeon’s fee, you will have fees for anesthesia, facility fees, and the cost of any prescriptions or supplies needed. The extent of your surgery and if you are combining your facelift with another procedure such as a brow lift or eyelid surgery can also influence the total price. Dr. Kolder’s staff will provide a complete cost estimate customized for your goals following your consultation visit.
When first thinking about a facelift, many people ask their friends and family if they have a surgeon they have trusted in the past for a cosmetic procedure. Word of mouth is certainly one way to find a surgeon in your area, but don’t forget to also carefully evaluate any doctor’s medical credentials. For instance, Dr. Kolder is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. You should schedule consultations with a few different facelift surgeons, and look at their patient before and after photos both online and in the office to judge the quality of the results they can deliver.
The best time for a facelift is when you feel that how you look no longer matches with your inner age or the image you want to project to the world. This might be in your 30s or 40s, though most facelift patients are in their 50s, 60s, and 70s. Dr. Kolder is able to use a variety of different techniques to address cases of milder skin sagging as well as more extensive rejuvenation procedures. In all cases, he strives to deliver a look that compliments your other facial features and looks natural for your age.
In many cases, people use the term “facelift” when they are thinking about any cosmetic update to their face. But in fact, a facelift only focuses on the lower half to third of the face. It does not address aging around the eyes or on the brow/forehead. To target these areas, a facelift would need to be combined with eyelid surgery, a brow lift, and/or nonsurgical options such as BOTOX Cosmetic. At your consultation, Dr. Kolder will review your facial anatomy, discuss your biggest concerns, and help you develop a comprehensive treatment plan.
Facelifts restructure the underlying tissue below the skin, helping to achieve a long-lasting result. That said, gravity and the natural aging process will continue to occur. Most of our patients are very happy with their facelift results even 10+ years after their procedure. Maintaining good skin care and overall health are important things you can do to ensure the longevity of your results.
